Del Webb Introduces Corte Bella; Del Webb's First Active Adult Country Club

Business Wire, Feb 28, 2003

Business Editors

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2003

Pulte Homes' Del Webb brand will break new ground with a one-of-a-kind community on March 8th. Designed as Del Webb's first active adult country club for those age 55-plus, Corte Bella, located northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, brings together the popular attributes of Del Webb's most successful offerings, active adult communities and upscale country clubs.

"Corte Bella offers the unexpected, a country club for people who might not otherwise join a country club," said Deborah Blake, marketing director for the Phoenix Active Adult Division. "Our research has found that many people 55-plus want to enjoy the benefits and amenities of country club living without the stuffy attitude often associated with country clubs. Corte Bella is a country club where friendship matters more than business connections, and social gatherings aren't about high society."

"This is history in the making for Del Webb," said Sheryl Palmer, president of Del Webb's active adult division in Arizona. "The aging of the baby boomer demographic continues to drive demand for age-qualified communities. Corte Bella is the latest example of how we plan to diversify our offerings to meet the varied demands of this generation. This is a ground breaking development as we take our expertise on lifestyle and community development to a new level."

Dave Schreiner, Vice President, Active Adult Development for Pulte Homes, explains how Corte Bella is a perfect example of how Pulte Homes and its Del Webb brand continues to maintain a leadership place in the market by delivering tailored community amenities in addition to building quality homes.

"There are a lot of home builders out there competing for the active adult market," said Schreiner. "We continue to be the nation's leading developer of active adult communities because we utilize extensive market research and more than 40 years of experience with active adults to develop communities that meet the needs of different segments of this buyer group. One size does not fit all in this market."

The fastest growing source of demand for new homes in the past decade has been the baby boomer generation moving to new homes. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Report, approximately 21%, or about 59 million people, are over the age of 55. However, another 13.4%, or about 38 million people representing the bulk of the baby boomer generation, are between the ages of 45 and 55 and are quickly adding to the active adult demographic.

"We estimate that someone turns 55 about every nine seconds," said Schreiner. "That means the active adult demographic is growing by leaps and bounds every day, adding to the roster of potential Del Webb customers."

Corte Bella adds to the Del Webb palette of communities, expanding the options for those 55 and better who are seeking an amenity oriented community offering with the opportunity to enjoy an active and involved lifestyle. This approximately 720 acre community will contain up to 1,850 affordable luxury homes priced from approximately $130,000 to more than $300,000, an 18-hole championship length golf course, and an approximately 11,000 square foot fitness center and spa with the latest in cardiovascular and weight training facilities as well as a dance and aerobic studio. The spa is planned to include treatment rooms, separate men's and women's lounges, lockers, indoor therapy tub, sauna and private sun patio. Outdoors, the facility is planned to feature a combination lap and resort style pool, spa and six lighted tennis courts.

The 7,500 square foot social clubhouse, situated above the golf course to take advantage of the sweeping views, is planned to feature a beautiful cafe and lounge as well as multi-purpose rooms for private dining, special events and resident club meetings. Corte Bella's planned 5,000 square foot golf club will contain the golf pro shop and member's lounge featuring a bar and fireplace that overlooks the practice facility and 18th hole.

The 18-hole championship golf course, designed by renown golf course architect Greg Nash, is scheduled to open in January 2004, including a driving range with target greens, a practice putting green, a short game practice area and a private lesson box. Troon Golf will manage the facility with a limited number of memberships available.

Because of the considerable early interest in Corte Bella, Del Webb decided to open its newest community for sales prior to the completion of the model homes and neighborhood roads. In fact, the general public will only be allowed on site after arranging an individual appointment for a private tour.

Del Webb has always been a trendsetter when it comes to new community types. In 1960, Del Webb made history with the opening of the first Sun City retirement community outside of Phoenix, Arizona. More than 100,000 people came to tour the community in its opening days. In 1993, people camped out for more than a week to be the first homebuyers at Terravita, Del Webb's first country club community located near Scottsdale, Arizona. Then in 1999, thousands attended the grand opening of both Anthem Phoenix, a family community offering an unprecedented level of amenities, and Anthem Las Vegas, the company's first multigenerational community with an upscale country club, a Sun City community and traditional family housing all in one master plan. The Del Webb Corporation was acquired by Pulte Homes in 2001.