Enjoy the Outdoors at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Whether you’re hosting a large party or intimate gathering, The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s outdoor amenities offer something for everyone. “Our clubhouses feature large, beautifully decorated lounges and coffee bars and overlook tile-decked saltwater pools with outdoor kitchens and cabanas,” says manager Amy Hodges. “For small gatherings, guests can congregate in the covered outdoor kitchen area. Larger groups can spread out at multiple tables across the pool deck, creating a café-style setting that is becoming a popular outdoor-entertaining trend.” Residents who enjoy tennis can invite guests to play at two championship-modeled courts right in their own backyard. Oversized balconies, sunrooms, and patios provide even more options for entertaining guests and extending the generous personal living space The Retreat affords. Ground-level flats even offer fenced-in yards. “With peaceful, tree-studded surroundings, the spaces also are great for curling up with a cup of coffee, glass of wine or book, and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature,” says Hodges. “Both sunrooms and balconies/patios offer residents the opportunity to cultivate container gardens of flowers, herbs, or vegetables, and sunrooms can double as home offices.” The Retreat is located adjacent to the Flora Johnston Nature Trail, giving residents even more possibilities for recharging in the rolling, forested hills, adjacent to the Mountain Brook community. “To top things off, this quiet, secluded getaway is only minutes from the city’s downtown, international airport, restaurants, shopping and entertainment,” says Hodges. “This combination of being close to urban conveniences while surrounded by natural treasures is what sets The Retreat apart.” Originally published in B Metro, The Magazine of Metro Birmingham Living
Right in Your Backyard: Community Garden and Pet Park
When The Retreat at Mountain Brook‘s team was looking at unique amenities to offer their residents, two ideas sprung up: a dog park and community garden. “So many residents have pets and when you work all day it’s important to spend quality time playing and enjoying your four-legged friends,” says Amy Hodges, manager of The Retreat. “It’s really all about providing a sense of community and a place for people to come together and love where they live!” When residents arrive at The Retreat, they will immediately find this luxury community revolves around the enjoyment of the outdoors with its walking trails, outdoor kitchens, and saltwater swimming pools. The community garden is a central part of this outdoor oasis. “We plan to have a large herb garden, seasonal flowers for cutting, and other things,” says Hodges. “If residents have gardening ideas, we want them bring them to the table.” In addition to the garden and park, The Retreat team wanted a cheerful mural to welcome residents and visitors as they drive up to the apartments. They sought out the right artist for the job and ultimately chose Lydia Randolph from Mentone, Alabama. “The mural is an expression of the good times to be had by all at The Retreat. It provides a whimsical backdrop of all the things you’d expect to see in a garden-sunflowers and daises, puppies, frogs, tomatoes, and herbs,” says Hodges. “People from the neighborhood are actually stopping to see what we are doing and thanking us for improving the view.” Originally published in B Metro, The Magazine of Metro Birmingham Living.
We Love Community at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
“’Community’ is a central theme you’ll hear us talking a lot about,” said Amy Hodges, manager of The Retreat at Mountain Brook, the revitalized luxury apartment community located just off Montevallo Road on Sharpsburg Drive. “Our goal is to be involved in the community, supporting causes and organizations that are important to our residents.” One of these initiatives includes sponsoring the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon in April at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, another organization The Retreat looks forward to working with. “We will have a community garden on site where residents can enjoy cutting fresh herbs and flowers,” says Hodges. “We also realize how important pets are, so we are in the process of creating a fenced in dog park on premises for our resident’s use.” Location is another reason The Retreat’s residents choose to live there. Residents at the Retreat are surrounded by Birmingham’s best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. The nearby Avondale community offers unique restaurants such as Melt and Post Office Pies as well as Avondale Brewery for those looking for exciting nightlife with local brews. Its an easy drive from The Retreat to Crestline Village, about three miles away. There, you can be pampered at Smart Skin Spa, shop at a variety of boutiques, grab a bagel at Crestline Bagel, or lunch at Urban Cookhouse, and of course enjoy an afternoon of Margarita’s at La Paz—all just a short distance from home. Originally published in B Metro, The Magazine for Metro Birmingham Living.
Meet The Retreat
For many, Birmingham’s revitalization brings a desire to take root in one of our city’s up-and-coming neighborhoods. One of those promising residences is The Retreat at Mountain Brook, a property undergoing fresh renovation to make it one of the most desired places to live in Birmingham. With just a 10-minute drive to hip Avondale, Crestwood, and Crestline—and only a 5-minute drive to creature comforts Publix and Starbucks—The Retreat celebrates modern, easy living in Birmingham. “The Retreat was designed to bring back the notions of community, neighborhood, and convenience,” says Amy Hodges, the property manager at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. “It’s a community where every detail makes luxury seem simple.” The Retreat offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as townhouses. The spacious indoor and outdoor spaces deliver warm, welcoming, and enduring sentiments—so they feel just like home. From fully renovated kitchens, to separate dining rooms that seat eight, to outdoor living options like a balcony, sunroom, or patio with a fenced-in yard, The Retreat is quickly gaining a reputation for providing open, expansive residences that feel charming, yet modern. “Our spacious floor plans are equipped to accommodate a variety of lifestyles,” explains Hodges. “For example, each apartment is furnished with a washer and dryer, and each living room is furnished with an electric fireplace that adds to the ambience.” Now open and signing leases, The Retreat at Mountain Brook gives Birmingham dwellers the opportunity to take part in our city’s resurgence and engage in the cool, modern southern lifestyle. Says Hodges, “We have taken a remarkable vision and created a special place to live, play, and relax.” Follow along as we share more about this emerging residence in the next few weeks. Originally published in B-Metro, The Magazine of Metro Birmingham Living.
