Sorenson Group to Develop 5,000 Acres in Wasatch County
By Taylor, Debbi
Wasatch County’s population could nearly double during the next 25 years as a result of the Sorenson Group of real estate companies breaking ground on a massive housing community called Jordanelle Ridge.
Plans for the multi-phased Jordanelle Ridge project call for 5,000 housing units of varying densities and product types on 9,000 acres just south Jordanelle Reservoir off of U.S. Highway 40 in the Heber Valley.
Currently, Wasatch County has 6,564 housing units and a population of approximately 20,255.
“It’s a big project,” said James Lee Sorenson, CEO of The Sorenson Group. “We see it being developed over 25 to 30 years. About 4,000 acres of it will be open space and we will try to really retain a real mountain pristine nature to it.”
The 9,000-acre property has been owned by the Sorenson family for the past 20 years. The Sorenson Group has been working on a development plan for the property for the past decade, focusing on bringing the project to reality during the past five years.
“On a project this size it takes a fair amount of time to do all of the planning and to get the entitlements in place and we’ve been working on that,” Sorenson said. “We’re still working on some of the entitlements and some of them are in place now. The infrastructure and roads are already in and we hope that we will start construction in the next 30 days. The residents of River View are going to see beautiful views of Heber Valley, of Mt. Timpanogos, of the Weber River and Deer Creek Reservoir.”
The first phase of the project will be a master-planned community, called River View at Jordanelle Ridge, consisting of 72 single family lots ranging in size from 8,000 square feet to an acre, and 72 townhome units that the Sorenson Group will build. Each of the single family lots will be sold to individuals for custom built homes.
The 72 two-story townhome units will be built as threeplexes and will range in size from 2,600 to 3,500 square feet finished. All units will have a two-car garage, three to four bedrooms, an outdoor balcony and most will have finished basements.
“They’re all designed with a view so all of them have views of the valleys and the units don’t obstruct each other,” said Mike Bradshaw, vice president of development for Jordanelle Ridge. “Overall, the units have very generous kitchen and gathering rooms. The basements are fully finished, which will add a third floor in some of the cases.”
The townhomes are priced starting at $400,000 and the singlefamily lots are priced from $2312,400 to $420,000.
Sorenson said the development is geared toward buyers who are looking for a second home or who can afford the high prices of a first home in the development. JSA Architects designed the townhomes, which will be built by Salt Lake City-based Hard Rock Construction. WW Clyde built the infrastructure in the development.
Additionally, the River View phase will include a 3,200 square foot clubhouse that will feature a full-sized swimming pool and hot tub, a full fitness center with locker rooms and a great room space for gatherings and entertaining.
“It’s built into the slope so you’re two stories from the back with very significant patio and balcony space that overlooks the valley, but the front access looks like it’s a single story,” Bradshaw said.
Construction of the clubhouse is expected to begin in spring 2008.
The project will also feature a trail system, pocket parks and open space.
“We will have a park or public gathering space within a quarter mile of every door,” Bradshaw said. “That’s going to be a variety that could he a tot lot, a basketball court, a tennis court, it could be a look out area on a trail system.”
Within the next five years the Sorenson Group is planning to build a resort and a golf course within the project.
“A lot of it depends on the market,” Sorenson said. “There will be some retail elements to it that will be needed for services to the development.”
Jordanelle Ridge is the umbrella brand for the entire 9,000 acre development.
“This first plat that is going out is under the River View development because it’s situated nicely with views over the river and mountains and Heber Valley,” Sorenson said. “We will have several branded areas as we go along.”
Copyright Enterprise Business Newspaper Inc. Oct 15, 2007
(c) 2007 Enterprise, The; Salt Lake City. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.