9 Ways to make the most of your Halloween weekend in Birmingham Alabama
With phenomenal fall weather and a Holiday weekend ahead there are just so many reasons to be excited about all the fun opportunities popping up in around the city between now & October 31st. We totally get that it can be overwhelming deciding which activities will result in the best memories, so we’ve made it really easy. We want the incredible memories you create with friends and family to last a lifetime, so we’ve come up with a simplified list of options to help you build the most incredible memories in and around Birmingham, Alabama during this upcoming Halloween weekend. With the following mix of comforting traditions & exceptional culture we’ve planned a weekend filled with an Spooktacular experience that is family album worthy. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH Join us for our inaugural Halloween Party tonight from 6-8PM at the Retreat at Mountain Brook, clubhouse. We will be showing Hocus Pocus, serving complimentary food & drinks, and there will be a Halloween Costume contest! The contest will start early and everyone that enters the office anytime from (9AM-6PM) on the 28th will have a picture taken as your entry to the contest. The winner will receive a $50 gift card & announced during tonight’s party. Tonight’s Cirque De La Symphonie Spooktacular performance will be accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra starting at 7PM. Tickets start at $10 each. They will “welcome back our favorite cirque performers to dazzle the audience all set to a backdrop of haunting orchestral favorites. Presented by Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center – Samford University, Birmingham.” SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH Barks & Biscuits. Pet Vet Express presents a Pet Halloween Costume Contest for “Barks & Biscuits” from 9:30-10:30AM, located across the street from the Emmet ONeal public library. Don your pets in their finest costume for the cutest Halloween contest around. Prizes will be awarded for the most original costume, the scariest costume, the cutest costume, and the best child and pet combo. How about an Owl-O-ween? Enjoy a fun-filled family day at AWC where you’ll enjoy games and crafts, meet Alabama’s owls up close (including the world’s largest owl species), thrill to the release of a rehabilitated bird back into the wild, and more! Cost: Free with Oak Mountain State Park admission (adults $5, children 6-11 and seniors 62+ $2, children under 6 free). Scheduled Activities will take place between 11AM-2PM The Great Pumpkin Patch. Join the area’s favorite Pumpkin Patch for their Halloween Festival happening all weekend long in Hayden. Entry is free, but there is a charge to participate in games and activities. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH Silent Film Sunday! Let’s watch “Phantom of the Opera” accompanied by a live musical performance by the Alabama Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Doors open at 1:00PM, be sure to stay for the 2:00PM Costume Contest! Tickets: $14 Adults, $7 Children (12 and under) Fall Festival 2016 Presented by Hillview Baptist Church from 5-7PM. This is free and open to the public! They will have plenty of games and candy! Plus the famous cake walk, where everyone’s a winner! The costume contest is a new favorite! (Please no scary costumes) They will have food trucks, two of the best barbers in town and Birmingham vendors selling all sorts of goodies. MONDAY, OCTOBER 31ST. Mystics of Mountain Brook Halloween Parade. The 13th annual Mystics of Mountain Brook will take place on Halloween at 4:00pm in Crestline Village. Families and friends atop participating floats will toss out Mystics of Mountain Brook t-shirts, beads, candy, stuffed animals and footballs. To register your float and for additional information please contact Trent Wright at Tdub47@hotmail.com or 205-515-6416. Trick-Or-Treating. Happy Halloween from Cahaba Village! Stop by the businesses of Cahaba Village for Trick-or-Treating all day long! We will also be giving out candy to residents who come by the clubhouse any time from 9-6 to pick up some very special treats! With so many events this weekend it’s hard to imagine it spend in doors! Get creepy, be spooky, or play tricks and give treats! From all of us here The Retreat at Mountain Brook, Happy Halloween!
Could you be a Look & Lease Gift Box Winner?
Remember the days when your most delightful joys came from the sight of a Cracker Jack box? It was so much more than the caramel crunchy goodness that gave you a delight in the depths of our soul, but the anticipation for the prize at the bottom. We’re bringing Cracker Jacks back, in the form of a community tour. Yes, our community is sure to delight your senses in all sorts of ways, but this month you’ll also get a chance to anticipate a prize at the end of all the charming delights we have in store for you. For the month of October, when you tour our community & complete an application we will give you a chance to open a surprise gift box at the conclusion of your tour! See…its Cracker Jacks all over again, but even better! We’ve already started! Will you be joining us? Congratulations to the Powell’s for winning a $500 Visa Gift Card when they opened their Look & Lease Gift Box Now it’s your turn to tour our community and complete an application for a chance to open a surprise gift box of your own. Fill out our online application to schedule your tour, today!
October Events in Birmingham that Benefit Breast Cancer Research
Its October and there’s something more important going on than Halloween. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and during the month you’ll see lots of pink around Birmingham, reminding people there is hope for a good diagnosis, thanks to dedicated research teams around the world, and right here in our own backyard. One of those research organizations is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) at the University of Alabama Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center – a 15- minute drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. If you’ve seen a specialty license tag on a car, truck or motorcycle from Alabama, with a big pink ribbon, that person has spent an extra $50, of which proceeds go to fund BCRFA research. If you’re looking for something to do, and want to take advantage of specials and events celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month, here’s some people, places, and things, you might want on your radar Foodie Events. Que for a Cause Nothing like BBQ in the south – and some of the best can be found at Full Moon BBQ at its Southside location. Wed., Oct. 3 from 10 am until 5 pm. 25% of all purchases will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation at UAB. Just a 15-min drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Directions Also on the BBQ scene…. Jim ‘N Nick’s The UAB Hospital Auxiliary Angel Squad is selling $10 Jim ‘N Nick’s gift cards. In exchange, Jim ‘N Nick’s has pledged to give 50 percent of these gift card sales back to the Angels. To buy gift cards, please contact the Angel Squad at uabangelsquad@gmail.com or call 205-801-8266. The Trussville Jim N Nicks Directions will be the closest to The Retreat at Mountain Brook, once you have your card from Urban Angels Squad. What’s BBQ without beer? Kick Off: Cahaba Brewing Company goes Pink for BCRFA October 5, 2016 All month long, stop by Cahaba Brewing Company and support BCRFA by ordering a pink beer or purchasing a CBC tee with a pink BCRFA logo! Cahaba Brewing will have a Belgium Cherry beer specially brewed for October, and a limited quantity of special edition pink and navy Cahaba Brewing t-shirts. Event Details People. Real Men Wear Pink Campaign Read about Dr. Jeff Dugas, one of two dozen men in the Birmingham area participating in this year’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Participants wear something pink throughout October and commit to raising at least $2,500. At the conclusion of the campaign, the top fundraiser will be recognized and named Pink Man of the Year. Sports. And if golf is your thing, you might want to check out Calera Goes Pink golf tournament at the at the Timberline Golf Club benefitting BCRFA. Shopping. The Summit Hop on I-459 for a quick trip to the Summit and support the cause and take advantage of these great deals. Directions Brighton – limited edition bracelets support the cause Power of Pink September 30 – October 31 Aveda Hand Treatments for a Cause! October 1 – October 31 Belk Pink Private Shopping Night Belk at the Summit Enjoy an evening of “private shopping” at Belk at the Summit to support breast cancer research. Belk is offering exclusive discounts for private shoppers for this special fundraising event. 20% off All Regular Priced Purchases Store Wide* Catering by Kathy G. & Co. Live Entertainment Complimentary Beverages and more and more… Here’s how it all started. In December of 1995, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center introduced two people who had a shared experience with breast cancer. Dolly O’Neal, an 18-month breast cancer survivor, was one of those people. The other was Bruce Sokol, whose wife D. D. was undergoing breast cancer treatment at the time. Both shared a fervent desire to do something to fight this disease. The following year, they founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, and have since raised over $5.8 million to fund research for a cure. Its Mission: “To help find a cure for breast cancer by funding promising Breast Cancer Research and to raise community awareness and funding for that research.”
The Only Fall Decorating Resources You Will Ever Need
It’s officially fall – so it’s only natural that we want to dress our homes in trends to reflect the season. We recently spoke with Suzanne Martenson, to get some decorating ideas, especially as it pertains to porches, sunrooms and entryways. Suzanne is the owner and founder of Stems and Styles in Homewood, Ala., who says that when it comes to decorating outdoor spaces, she looks for beauty in the unexpected. The event stylist and floral designer says her goal is to make outdoor spaces both inviting and practical. Here are tips she shares exclusively with The Retreat at Mountain Brook, to make the most out of an outdoor area as leaves begin to turn and weather becomes cooler— Strike a balance between style and function. Martenson recommends placing a basket against the wall of a balcony or covered patio and filling it with rolled-up throw blankets. It’s an opportunity to add color and texture to the space, and the blankets are convenient when guests are over or you’re enjoying a glass of wine outside and there’s a chill in the air. “People can grab them and wrap up,” she says. “It’s always a nice, inviting touch to have.” Consider creating a container garden of herbs or adding herbs to flower planters, Martenson says. Not only will the herbs add visual interest, but they’ll come in handy. Bring the indoors out with furniture and rugs. A wide range of comfortable furniture in a variety of styles, from sleek to rustic, is now made to last outdoors, Martenson says. “There are sectionals and loveseats that really make you feel like you’ve extended your living room,” she says. A table on a patio, balcony or in a sunroom also can extend entertaining space. Today’s outdoor rugs can barely be distinguished from their indoor counterparts. “They really warm up the space,” Martenson says. Be strategic with color. Use a neutral pallet – tans, grays and whites – for large items such as furniture, Martenson advises. Then add color with accents like pillows and other small items. This way you can inexpensively change the entire look seasonally – or when you get tired of the current one – by replacing the accents. “If you buy a full printed sofa, you’re going to be stuck with it for a while,” Martenson says. There’s so many wonderful flower shops near The Retreat at Mountain Brook, where you can be inspired and find just the right accessory for you fall makeover. Here’s a few of our favorites: Billy Angels, Oak Street Garden Shop One of our favorite places to visit for fall decor close to home, is Billy Angel’s Oak Street Garden Shop in Crestline Village. Just a quick drive to Crestline, you’ll find Oak Street Garden Shop just across from Mountain Brook City Hall. The staff is super creative and happy to help, or let you wander through the gardens to gather inspiration on your own. Another Retreat at Mountain Brook favorite, Leaf n Petal, can be found in three locations; our favorite though, is Leaf n Petal at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Talk about inspiration—and a short drive, under 15 minutes– from the community! While there, be sure and take time to walk through the garden and enjoy the season in full bloom. Lastly, if you’re the type who enjoys an early morning or after brunch stroll to pick up plants straight from the farmer—you must visit The Market at Pepper Place Open from April through December 10, it’s an ideal place to find those unusual items you won’t find elsewhere. While there, visit Richard Tubb, for some of those “neutrals” Suzanne recommended to keep you décor fresh and in season. We’d love to see what you come up with—please share! Happy Fall Y’all!
Unforgettable Tailgating Tips, with a Twist.
It’s September, and if you live in the south, you know what that means! Along with the official end of summer and onset of cooler weather, it’s time for football and all the great things that go along with it; friends, fun, and of course, game day, and the infamous Tailgate Party. Whether you’re a transplanted southerner or native, knowing how to throw a Tailgate Party is essential! So here are a few incredible tips on how to execute a game day extravaganza. Where to Start…. Pick a theme – of course you know the “main” focus is your team, so that’s a given. Next, decide if you want classic, rustic, or vintage theme – and go from there. Rustic Tailgate The Rustic Tailgate is just that, due to the décor that sets the tone for food and fun. Think old Chevy pickup truck, dressed with a quilt as your centerpiece, and a place to display food or beverage–and bales of hay as seating. Rustic Tailgate Menu: Any great party begins with the right beverage, and in this case bourbon is the base for the Tailgate Sipper. Tailgate Sipper 4 cups cubed fresh pineapple 1 cup bourbon 1 cup chilled lemon sparkling water (such as Perrier) 1/2 cup Southern Comfort 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice + Vanilla Extract Rustic Tailgate Menu BBQ Beef Sliders Pasta Salad in a Jar Charleston Cheese Dip Lemon Bars Make all of this from scratch, or if you’re like the rest of us with too little time – call on Saws Soul Food in Avondale, which is a quick 10 – minute drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Let them cater the BBQ and “fixings’’, leaving you time to decorate & visit your guests! Classic DIY Tailgate There’s so many ideas on Pinterest and other sites for the perfect tailgate party —-and if you’re a crafty sort of person, Classic is your ticket! A classic tailgate is all about your team and its mascots, branded corn hole games, lawn chairs and pick up food. How about these adorable Alabama Mason Jars for a festive addition to table décor to get you started? A classic cocktail begins with the basis of any great tailgate party, beer. Serve by keg placed in a galvanized tub, or fancy it up with Beer Punch. Either way you are sure to score high marks with your guests. Beer Punch 4 strawberries, chopped 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons grenadine 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 (12-ounce) bottles beer, cold (recommended: Corona or a pilsner) Classic Tailgate Menu Southern Fried Chicken Potato Salad Classic Baked Beans Slaw Cheese Biscuits Southern Fried Chicken I personally love southern style fried chicken, but to cook it, I feel as though I must put the fire department on notice that there could be an incident. However, if you want the best fried chicken ever— and don’t want a spectacle, I would highly recommend forgoing the fire department scenario, and leave the fried chicken to the experts at Dots. Check out Miss Dots, located at 49 Church Street, Mountain Brook Alabama 35213 (205)739-2232. Miss Dots is a classic If you’re feeling brave, try this fabulous at home do it yourself southern fried chicken recipe, found in the New York Times. Potato Salad from the Queen of Southern Cooking Baked Beans – OK, we could get really fancy here, but unless you have that kind of time on your hands, which we do not, here is a great recipe from Pioneer Woman. (Secret: canned baked beans dolled up; and they are delicious!) Slaw – When it comes to slaw keep it simple! Buy pre-shredded, whip up the dressing & be finished before kick-off. 6 cups shredded cabbage 1 cup shredded carrot 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon celery seed 1/4 cup sugar Cheese Biscuits I can’t think of one single reason to make cheese biscuits from scratch. When you can get Jim n’ Nick’s Cheese biscuit mix at your local grocery. Yum. Southern Goodness in a bag. Jim n’ Nick’s Cheese Biscuit Mix can be found at the Publix at Montclair – just 5 minutes away from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Vintage Tailgating The history of tailgating – as best as we can tell, goes back 100 or so years and is a uniquely American Experience. The roots of this unique cultural activity are chronicled during the first college football game between Rutgers and Princeton. Apparently, spectators spent their pre-game ritual grilling sausages at the “tail end” of the horse. This is quite an interesting theory, that apparently caught on, and well– there you go! Speaking of sausage, the very best, in our opinion is made right here in Alabama – and that is Conecuh Sausage which can be purchased at most grocers, but if you’re a member of SAMS Club Irondale – you might want to check with them for specials! Another Southern vintage favorite is Granny Hester’s Sweet Potato Biscuits—add Conecuh Sausage to one of these delectable little biscuits with a little spicy mustard, allowing the sweet and savory tastes to blend, for pure southern goodness with a twang! So with that last little tidbit, we’ll leave it to you to show us what you create in the name of the holy southern grail – football. SEC football, that is.
There’s Lots of Closets to Love at The Retreat at Mountain Brook!
What’s on the top of your list when it comes to “must-haves” for your new apartment? While most apartment dwellers site location, number of bedrooms/ baths, stainless appliances, a fireplace or outdoor sanctuary as must-haves, closet space is always at the top of everyone’s list! People who tour our apartment homes in Birmingham, Alabama are immediately blown away by the spacious living areas, bedrooms, and baths— and to top it off, massive closet space. Our recently refreshed 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartment homes have closets with space to spare— for all you closet enthusiasts, how about one big enough to hold a dresser, shoe racks, shelves for folded items and just about anything else you can imagine to fill this generous area. The largest available closet-combos are in the master suite of the 3-bedroom located in our Greenbriar Village; measuring in at 10 ft. x 3 in. and 6 ft. x 2 in. and is large enough to be used as a small office or a child’s playroom. There is no end to the creative solutions available to maximize your next closet, but we have come up with 5 clever ways to make the most of your new space. Check out all of our floor plans. Call (205) 956-9722 and schedule your tour, today.
New Leasing Center Will Be Gateway to Re-imagined Luxury Apartment Community
Owner-developer Heller Stone Properties, today announced that it has broken ground for a new leasing center at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, located at 4816 Sharpsburg Drive. Arlington Construction is the General Contractor for the project, designed by the architectural firm of Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds. The 2200 sq. ft. leasing center will be the gateway to the re-imagined 517- unit luxury apartment community nestled against the Mountain Brook community. Positioned prominently atop a hill with large expanses of windows and sweeping views of the surrounding neighborhood and landscape, it will serve as The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s primary leasing office. It will also serve as the anchor for future village development, providing space for retail, restaurants, and office space, within walking distance of the community. “When we purchased what was known as The Enclave in 2013, we knew massive renovations lay ahead,” said Ken Heller, co-founder of California-based Heller Stone Properties that owns the newly renovated and branded 770,000 square foot luxury apartment community. “The bones of the property were excellent, and even though several styles of architecture were represented throughout the community, we’ve been able to address those through renovations. We’ve re-energized the landscaping, given building exteriors a fresh look and added architectural detail to entries. Interiors have been completely gutted and reinstalled with new paint, wood plank floors, stainless appliances and more.” “This, in tandem with monument signage designed to complement Mountain Brook’s signature street signs, the fountains installed this summer, new street lighting, and community gardens, positions us to complete the next phase of revitalizing this property. The new leasing center will be a beacon—a unifying factor, setting the tone for the type of community we envision. ” “Our goal for the new leasing center was to integrate a prominent design into the community, coalescing the varied architecture throughout The Retreat,” said Scott Burnett, architect, Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds. “We looked for subtleties throughout the property’s three distinct villages, and factored in recognized design elements from the city of Mountain Brook, like the Clock Tower in Crestline Village, to create a design that would resonate.” The new leasing center is scheduled to open in late fall 2016. About The Retreat at Mountain Brook: Built in 4 phases from 1974-1987 the former Sharpsburg Manor Apartments, also known as The Enclave, has undergone significant renovations and rebranding as The Retreat at Mountain Brook, since its purchase by Heller Stone Properties, Los Angeles, California in 2013. The 517- unit, one, two, and three-bedroom apartment community, is situated in three unique villages; Highlands Village, Canterbury Village, and Greenbrier Village, and borders the City of Mountain Brook, Ala. It is ideally located for residents to take advantage of Avondale, Crestline and Crestwood restaurants, shops, downtown and the Interstate 20 – 459 corridors. Averaging 1,500 square feet, each apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain, has undergone complete renovation with all new kitchen and bath cabinetry, plank flooring, ceiling fans, a conversion from wood to electric fireplaces, energy efficient hot water heaters, and is pre-wired for AT&T U-Verse. Owner-Developers, Heller Stone Properties, further enhanced unit interiors by adding stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer’s and modern lighting. Resort type saltwater pools, tennis courts and outdoor grilling stations, dog park, along with two resident lounges and fitness centers, will be joined by the new leasing center Fall 2016.
Birmingham’s Newest Dog Park, is Here!
We think dog parks have the potential to make the world (and our neighborhood) a better place; so we built one here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Then, on Sunday July 17th, we invited local dog owners and their pawed pals to celebrate the grand opening of Birmingham’s newest doggie playground. This spacious bark park is the newest community amenity in line with our goals to build thriving communal spaces that bring people together in fun loving ways. We were delighted with the turnout and look forward to getting to know more of our neighbors through this playful spot offering a nearby outlet for residents to enjoy the outdoors with their furry friends. During the kickoff party we not only jumped, climbed and played, but snacked in frolicking doggie fashion with our new friends at Fetch – A Treat Truck for Dogs. Outfitted with agility equipment and ample play space, pet owners are now welcome to frequent during regular business hours. Join us on our journey as we continue to develop an experiential community atmosphere at our apartments located here in Birmingham, Alabama. Happy playing!
Energy + Experience = Amy Hodges, Manager – The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Birmingham, Ala. June 13, 2016—Arlington Properties, professional management firm for The Retreat at Mountain Brook, recently awarded Amy M. Hodges, the position of manager for the luxury apartment community. Ms. Hodges has worked in the multi-family industry for 15-years and is a Certified Accredited Manager (ARM) IREM. She has held similar positions for Steadfast Management Company – Tapestry Park at Montclair, RAM Partners, LLC. – Parc at Grandview, and other communities in Alabama. As manager of The Retreat at Mountain Brook, Amy will be responsible for day-to-day operations. “We are excited to have Amy’s abundant energy and experience on The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s team. Her customer service skills are unparalleled and exactly what we were looking for to satisfy our residents at The Retreat at Mountain Brook,” said Tami Stretmeyer, regional manager, Arlington Properties. About The Retreat at Mountain Brook: Built in 4 phases, from 1974-1987, The Retreat at Mountain Brook has undergone significant renovation since its purchase by Heller Stone Properties, Los Angeles, California in 2014. The community, which borders Mountain Brook, is ideally located for residents to take advantage of Avondale, Crestline and Crestwood restaurants, shops, downtown and the Interstate 20 – 459 corridors. The luxury apartment community, has 517 units in its three unique villages; Highlands, Canterbury, and Greenbrier. Each apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain, has undergone complete renovation to a conversion from wood to electric fireplaces, plank flooring, kitchen and bath cabinetry, energy efficient hot water heaters, and is pre-wired for AT&T U-Verse. Heller Stone further enhanced unit interiors by adding stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer’s and modern lighting. Resort type saltwater pools, tennis courts and outdoor grilling stations, along with two resident lounges and fitness centers, will be joined by a new leasing center Fall 2016. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.retreatatmountainbrook.net About Arlington Properties: Arlington Properties, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leader in the acquisition, development, redevelopment and management of multifamily and mixed-use properties. Founded in 1969, the stability and longevity of the company’s associates creates satisfying long-term relationships with owners, residents, and investors. Arlington Properties has market experience in 14 states and effectively manages over 10,000 units. For additional information, please visit our website at www.arlingtonproperties.net MEDIA CONTACT: Darlene Rotch |Panorama PR|205-531-5181|Darlene@prview.com
Say Yes to the Address
It’s time for summer weddings, and if you’re saying “I do” this season, getting your first address as a couple squared away should be a top priority. You’ll have plenty of wedding details vying for your attention as the big day approaches and won’t need the added stress. Speaking of – a stress-free living environment could be just what you need to start your marriage on the right foot. A turnkey, conveniently located, luxury apartment community such as The Retreat at Mountain Brook offers numerous benefits. You’ll be making plenty of adjustments, so why not choose a lifestyle that will allow you to enjoy one another without the burdens of maintenance, lawn care and the research and expenses that come with taking on a mortgage? Here are four things to consider when picking your first home as a couple: Location – An ideal area is one that is close to work and the places you need and want to go (grocery and drug stores, parks, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.) and yet offers privacy and escape from the hustle and bustle. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a five-minute drive from Publix, Starbucks and CVS and a short distance from downtown Birmingham, Southside and the communities of Crestline, Crestwood, Avondale and Forest Park. At the same time, it’s nestled in a serene, wooded setting next to a nature preserve. Interior features – Now is probably not the time in your life to deal with old appliances, aging electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems, renovations, outdated décor or floor plans that don’t work. A new or newly updated space eliminates these issues. All the spacious flats and townhomes at The Retreat at Mountain Brook have been completely refurbished with new systems, stainless steel or black appliances, designer plank flooring and carpet, espresso cabinetry, neutral paint colors and electric fireplaces. Each unit even comes with a new washer and dryer. Outdoor space – Inviting, versatile outdoor space to enjoy together also is a plus, and it helps if it comes without a lot of upkeep. Apartment homes at The Retreat feature huge balconies and patios – with adjoining fenced yards for some units – or large sunrooms. You can spend time with each other while having coffee or wine, starting a container garden or entertaining in your private outdoor space. Community amenities – A safe neighborhood, access to places where you can exercise and opportunities to get involved in your community and entertain family and friends are important at any point in life, but especially as you enter a new phase. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a gated community nestled in a quiet, established neighborhood. The 80-acre property’s grounds and community spaces also have been completely renovated and renewed. The Retreat consists of three villages, each with its own saltwater pool surrounded by tile decking. Outdoor kitchens and cabanas adjoin two pools, and two clubhouses sport resident lounges with coffee bars, Wi-Fi and fitness centers. Two championship-modeled tennis courts and the Flora Johnston Nature Trail, adjacent to the property, provide additional exercise and recreation options. A new dog park and community garden give residents even more ways to experience the outdoors and connect with each other. Visit The Retreat today to get a taste of what your new life could be like. You can tour the property and homes Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Also join us for a happy hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.
