Focus group influences design of home project

Real Estate Weekly, June 2, 1993

A consumer "focus group" has heavily influenced the design of new townhomes recently unveiled at Water's Edge on Saratoga Lake, a 349-unit, 125-acre luxury housing development.

The focus group included two sets of people - 75 current homeowners, plus others who had looked but did not buy, reports developer Robert Nelson, a vice president of Nelson Construction and Development Corp., an affiliate of Manhattan-based Nelson Equities, Inc.

Among the recommendations stemming from the focus group study - which then influenced the re-design by Nelson Construction and Development - are two-car garages, master bedrooms on the ground floor, gas heat, full basements, the opportunity to customize interiors, and more storage space.

The study also revealed that buyers are more interested in Water's Edge residences as primary homes. Originally, Water's Edge was conceived as a second-home community.

In addition, the focus group confirmed an earlier study citing many advantages of Water's Edge, including the amenities - such as the state-of-the-art health club, boat slips, swimming pools, tennis courts, racquetball court, private beach and boardwalk - and the lifestyle, location on Saratoga Lake and proximity to Albany.