Cool and Contemporary: Marina’s (plan 2) living and dining areas open to a 247-square-foot covered lanai that expands the living areas outdoors, while minimizing heat gain.

 

“Latitudes is what we call a ‘soft urban approach,’” says Richard Hobson, principal broker for Gentry Homes Ltd., describing his company’s newest subdivision. Like Gentry projects that came before it, Latitudes is both the culmination of years of consumer research and a vision of the next step in smart-home development.
Think Apple’s iPod or Toyota’s Prius.
Think cool and green.

Green Street: The Latitudes subdivision embodies a soft urban feel that is distinctly Hawaii.

Latitudes carries on the Gentry commitment to sustainability with energy-conscious, slick technologies that deliver a “wow” factor for first-time homeowners.
Located in Gentry’s Ewa master-planned community, Latitudes is nestled between the Hawaii Prince and Coral Creek golf courses. The four distinct floor plans, each two stories high, range from 1,557 square feet to 1,921 square feet. The Victoria includes three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, while the Marina, Bainbridge and So Ho models feature four bedrooms and three baths. Starting at $514,900—well below Oahu’s mean price of $645,000 for single-family homes—they’re priced right, but with more value and amenities than typical starter homes.
Take the Schlage keyless entry, for example, which is the first thing you notice upon entering a Latitudes home. It allows homeowners to enter the home without a key, though a key can still be used. Each system holds up to 22 different codes and is resistant to wear patterns, so one cannot discern the frequently used numbers. “These Schlage systems are really slick,” Hobson says. “The keyless entry allows you to give access to people who you normally wouldn’t want to give a key, but they might need to come and water your plants while you’re on vacation.”
Other amenities, added in direct response to customers’ needs and desires, help Gentry build upon its 35 years of experience as a local developer. Key to this know-how is paying extra attention to the details: nine-foot ceilings, both upstairs and downstairs; spacious walk-in showers; designer Canac nutmeg-stained kitchen cabinets; a downstairs bedroom for an extended family or guest, or to function as an office; and a really nice-size covered lanai. They’re all included in the standard price.

Warm and Stylish: So Ho (plan 4) has an open floor plan that gives a loftlike feeling that’s easy for entertaining, yet provides spaces intimate for just two people.

“Even the smallest home here at Latitudes has a huge walk-in closet and a nice, big master bath with dual vanities and a walk-in shower,” Hobson says. “Pocket doors separate the bathroom areas and divide the space when you need that, but don’t get in the way and close down the space.” Overall, the Latitudes homes embody a loft feeling, which is very popular among buyers, while also providing those small spaces for intimate exchanges. “They’re little things that we think are worth doing to make people more comfortable in their homes,” he adds.

Comfort also depends on reliability, and Latitudes homes are built to last. Each house is constructed with borate-treated lumber with a 30-year warranty. Environmentally safe borates shield wood against termites. Hardiplank siding, also termite resistant, protects the exterior and is covered by a 50-year warranty. Topping it off is composition shingle roofing, backed by a 30-year warranty.

“A lot of these added values just make sense,” Hobson says. “We’re responding to what people want.”

Sleek and Functional: Marina (plan 2) offers a contemporary kitchen with clean lines, stainless steel appliances and bar.

Since 2005, Gentry has partnered with the federal ENERGY STAR program and built more than 400 certified homes. Gentry is Hawaii’s only 100-percent ENERGY STAR developer and is wholly committed to constructing homes that meet its guidelines. Latitudes homes are typically 20 percent to 30 percent more energy efficient than similar-size residences, with lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint.

A number of green amenities reduce monthly energy costs, by approximately $100. (An extra $15,000 option for a photovoltaic panel will further reduce the home’s energy bill by one-third.) Latitudes homes include solar hot-water heating systems, cool low-emissivity dual-pane windows, high-efficiency 16-SEER central air conditioning, fluorescent lighting packages and Icynene open-cell insulation.

“Icynene is a foam-expanding type of insulation that fills all the cavities in your exterior walls and your roof,” Hobson explains, “so it creates a tighter, more efficient building envelope. It’s more efficient than traditional fiberglass batting; air doesn’t escape through the walls or gaps. It’s much more expensive, but we feel that, even though our construction costs are up 25 percent to 30 percent over the last couple of years, we’ve made a commitment to energy efficiency. Going backward is just not an option. We’re going to carry it forward.”

Hobson attributes Gentry’s innovation to president and CEO Bob Brandt. “Bob really allows us that creative freedom to develop something that isn’t all about bottom line versus profit,” Hobson says. “Allowing us to incorporate things into the home that will make it better for the buyer and is the right thing to do—that’s what he’s about. It just makes sense.”

It’s All in the Details at Gentry’s Latitudes