THE EAST VILLAGE EVOLUTION

Hartness may be known for its traditional design, beautiful homes, and unmatched natural beauty but there’s more to this community than meets the eye. If you ask Jim Burns, COO of Hartness, the Hartness we see today is just the beginning. Jim states, “Over the next few years, we will witness significant enhancements that will serve to realize the vision of the community.” This, of course, is a reference to the build-out plan of the European-inspired East Village.

The East Village is currently planned as a multi-year development project. It will be a mix of residential, retail, and service amenities. Adding to the currently existing building that is home to Hartness Development, Hartness Real Estate, and its newest occupant, The One 5-a true neighborhood restaurant and pub, Hartness is planning to announce final plans for the groundbreaking of a sister building in the coming months. According to Burns, “The next building in the Village will bring with it service-driven amenity space for the neighborhood and the surrounding areas.”

The Hartness team is currently in talks with potential businesses but is being very methodical in its selections. “We want a diversity of offerings in the East Village. We want something for everyone. The East Village is envisioned as a neighborhood town center, so we are directed by a need to find best-in-class shops and services to meet the needs of our neighbors”, says Burns. From doctor’s offices to cafes, salons, and specialty shops, there are a lot of options the team is considering. Whatever the choice, we know it will be one made with the intention of diversity in mind.

The East Village architecture will generally be in keeping with the community’s overall architectural vision. However, there will be a few spots in the village where the architects will get to stretch their legs. “We are keeping the design of the village cohesive with the neighborhood, although you can expect a few ‘jewel boxes’ here and there,” teases Burns. One of these “jewel boxes” is the concept of a rooftop amenity. “We are playing with the idea of a signature restaurant possibly incorporating a rooftop area that will sit on the corner of the village and look out over the Grand Lawn. We are taking our time to find the right partner to create a truly remarkable piece of architecture in that spot. It will be an unbelievable space to enjoy the grand surrounds of Hartness and the Upstate.”

Hartness is clear on its vision for the East Village. A vision to create an enjoyable and walkable shopping, dining, and service experience. The design will prioritize time spent enjoying life rather than the tedious tasks of traffic, parking, and multi-stop errands. Burns explains, “It will be more of a location to come and meet your friends, to spend time together, where you have all these options of things to do without having to venture out of Hartness. It’s a place where you can enjoy a bottle of wine, play with your kids in the green spaces, grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, or pick up a few necessities. It will have tons of options, and everything will be fully integrated into the community.”

As the residential side of Hartness continues to flourish and the addition of new phases take root, the anticipation for the build-out of the East Village is growing. These upcoming developments will usher in significant changes to Hartness, promising to attract new visitors, offer exciting experiences, and provide even more ways to enjoy life at Hartness.