Polestar - May + June 2024

Terrane Mews Collection:

Large Living in Smaller Spaces

One of the things homeowners love about Discovery West is its exciting variety of housing options throughout the neighborhood. And one of the more unusual housing types are the mews. Dating back to England in the 1400’s, mews are a collection of compact, attached rowhomes or carriage houses in popular residential areas. The concept spread from there to other countries, and now Discovery West is pleased to be bringing the modernized version of mews homes to the neighborhood.

Eric Meloling of Meloling Construction and Terrane LLC is the Discovery West Guild Builder creating the new mews community, Terrane. Eric’s enthusiasm can be seen throughout the project, and while visiting with him on site he said, “Terrane is located right in the heart of the neighborhood at Discovery Corner, and it’s going to be a great, sought-after place to live.” Terrane includes 12 duplex homes, fronting onto a green space that features a pathway leading to Discovery Corner. There, select retail and live-work townhomes surround a vibrant plaza where, once open (this fall), it will truly be the living room of the neighborhood.

The mews are Northwest contemporary style homes that offer ample natural light, are approximately 1,600 square feet and include two-car garages. Kitchens feature high quality appliances, custom cabinetry, and solid wood fl oors in an effi cient layout. Ten-foot ceilings on the main fl oor and vaulted ceilings on the second fl oor, along with large windows that look out over green space, belie the compact nature of the homes and bring a feeling of spaciousness. Each home features two patios on the ground level, a balcony upstairs off the

primary bedroom and a spacious rooftop deck (pre-wired for a hot tub!) that expands the living space to embrace the outdoors and the lovely views.

Buyers may select from two fl oor plans: A 3-bedroom format with a primary suite on the main fl oor and two additional bedrooms upstairs, or a 2-bedroom format with a groundlevel ADU replacing the primary suite. The ADU space is fl exible and provides the opportunity to have a studio space, guest space, or a monthly rental.

Eric and his team designed the exterior of the homes to be low maintenance, with metal roofs, stone chimneys and stucco exteriors on the upper floors with cement board and stained cedar in other key areas of the first floor. Great care was taken in the wall construction to afford sound-dampening in both directions, as well as energy-efficiency. All are being built to Earth Advantage standards and are solar-ready.

To view Terrane in person, including two furnished models, contact Shelly Griffin at Harcourts the Garner Group (541-280-3804) or Alison Mata (541-280-6250).

To see them come to life in our latest video, use the QR code.

Scan here!

Market Magic: Time to Enjoy the Bounty of the Farmers Market!

Do you love fresh baked pie? Marimba bands? Farm picked produce and berries? Bouquets of flowers? Look no further than the NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market! Conveniently located just steps away from Discovery West, the Market kicks off on Saturday, June 1 and continues every Saturday of the summer from 10 am to 2 pm through September.

The Market is the perfect place to meet up with family and friends to enjoy delicious local artisanal food and drinks, musical performances, handmade art, jewelry, crafts, flowers and more. Each week as the selections change, you can stock up on top quality, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, fish from regional fisheries and a bounty of goods from local dairies.

See you there!

Featured Builder:

John Wilcox of Wilcox Construction

We asked John Wilcox of Wilcox Construction about his career, what homeowners are looking for in a new home and about what he thinks makes Discovery West a desirable place to live. Wilcox Construction is a well-established family business, and John’s love for what he does really shines through. We hope you enjoy this inspiring story!

How did you begin your career as a home builder?

I started my home building career at Wilcox Construction, which was established in 1983 by my dad, Scott Wilcox. We began with spec homes and then moved on to high-end custom homes in Awbrey Butte, Broken Top, North Rim, The Highlands at Broken Top and NorthWest Crossing.

My involvement began 14 years ago, a few years after graduating from the University of Oregon. I started in a very hands-on role, doing cleanup and a variety of different trades, and worked my way into a project manager role. Over the years, I’ve focused on establishing one-on-one relationships with clients throughout the building process as well as post-construction, overseeing every aspect and detail of the journey. Recently Scott started working towards retirement and I’ve taken over full-time operation of Wilcox Construction.

What kinds of homes have you built in Discovery West?

We’ve built single family homes in the 1800-2600 square foot range in two main styles: American or (Modern) Farmhouse and Craftsman. It’s been a great learning experience for us as we’ve worked alongside multiple architects and designers. Each has their own unique style and skill set to bring to the table, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

What are some key features homeowners are looking for in a new home these days?

Homeowners are focused on open floor plans, oversized garages, flex spaces and home offices. People are more conscious about the environment, and are seeking energy-efficient designs including windows, appliances, water heater and HVAC options, solar and more. In a place like Bend, outdoor living spaces are almost as important as the interiors. I’ve heard clients want age-in-place design features such as motion-sensor lighting and special fixtures for enhanced visibility, single-level living, non-slip surfaces and more.

Building for Safety: Discovery West Achieves Firewise Community Designation

Familiar with Firewise? Well, Discovery West was recently recognized as a Firewise USA® community. We are proud of this achievement, as it underscores our commitment to contributing to the safety of our neighborhood and its residents. Firewise communities take appropriate measures to become more resistant to wildfire structure damage –something we should all be working towards.

As a community, we have built fire mitigation measures into the development including the transect concept (where density decreases and there is more separation between homes as you proceed west toward the wildland urban interface). Our neighborhood guidelines also outline requirements for homes that help with fire mitigation including greater side setbacks, use of fire-resistant construction and landscaping materials and spacing between trees. Working with local partners, the Discovery West HOA will be offering ongoing education and tools to homeowners about fire fuel mitigation strategies. To learn more about our fire mitigation strategies and practices, visit our website to view a video about our fire mitigation strategies and practices.

Clients are preferring low maintenance and fire resistant exterior materials and landscaping.

Why do you think Discovery West is a great choice for homeowners? There are so many reasons why the neighborhood is so popular, from proximity to schools, parks, restaurants and shops to the easy access to outdoor activities. The neighborhood itself is high quality, as are the homes, and people really love the sense of community and ability to know their neighbors. The neighborhood amenities built into Discovery West enhance all of this, resulting in an ideal place to enjoy the Bend lifestyle and all Central Oregon has to offer.

What can you tell us about Strada, and why you opted to join the select group of Strada custom home builders?

Strada represents a great opportunity for homeowners to purchase the lot they want and design and build their dream home from the ground up. This is a completely new concept for Discovery West. People who are looking for larger lot sizes with a private drive and mountain views will be drawn to Strada.

It’s a natural fit for us — Wilcox Construction has been in the Bend custom home market for over 40 years. As a smaller, boutique custom home builder, we bring the hands-on, personal experience necessary for the project, along with our deep experience working with many local architects and designers. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our custom home process and product, in a neighborhood we love.

Example of landscaping with reduced fire fuels within 5-30 feet of foundation of the home.

Tail-Wagging Adventures for Dogs and Their Humans!

Woof, woof, it’s Skipper here – Discovery West’s Spokesdog! As summer gets underway, I want to share some of my favorite places for you to take your human. Below are some options that offer ample water play and are among the most scenic spots in all of Central Oregon.

• Short hikes to Doris Lake and Blow Lake are both easily accessible off Cascade Lakes Highway, and the reward is a splash and a dip in the crystal clear waters at the top!

• Tumalo Falls itself is gorgeous, but the hike along the creek above the falls is where I love to lap up the cold water, especially on a hot summer day. These options are dog-friendly with leashes required.

For me, it’s even more fun when I can run off leash, and my most beloved spots where I can run free include:

• Good Dog Trail Area – just off Century Drive on the way to Mt. Bachelor, this area has miles of trails that lead out to the Deschutes River and back. Dog nirvana!

• Bend Dog Parks – Dogs like us love Bend and Bend loves dogs! Our town currently has nine off-leash areas in local parks. Check out the “Dogs in Parks” page on the Bend Parks and Rec website for a full list (bendparksandrec.org). The closest one to Discovery West is right down the hill at Discovery Park.

Prepare for Liftoff: Grand Opening of Discovery Corner Promises an Out-of-ThisWorld Space Extravaganza!

Mark your calendar now for the highly anticipated grand opening of our neighborhood plaza the evening of Friday, October 4 through the afternoon of Saturday, October 5

This neighborhood event will feature a very special guest ( hint: she has a street in Discovery West named after her and has flown in space on 4 different missions ). Experience a weekend packed with family-friendly activities and entertainment. Be sure to join our newsletter via our website or the QR code below to receive updates and further details. See you at the launch!

SAfter all that sightseeing, you may want to treat your human to a cold beverage at one of the watering holes near our neighborhood, like The Grove. There you can all relax together on the dogfriendly patio, and maybe even be lucky enough to meet up with some of your other furry friends.

Skipper (the Discovery West spokesdog) enjoys a recent hike.

Discovery Corner plaza, opening Fall 2024

Artistry Awaits

New Art Installations Coming to Discovery Park Art Corridor!

Art lovers will be happy to hear that over the next year, three new installations will call the Discovery Park Art Corridor their home. The new pieces will be placed throughout a beautiful stretch of park land that extends from NW Stanhope Way to NW Skyline Ranch Road. These exciting additions are possible in part by the Sustainability grant we were awarded by Visit Bend. They will contribute to the Discovery West vision, which involves opportunities for residents and visitors to discover art and experiential installations throughout the neighborhood. The first installation will be a 60-foot-wide labyrinth, which will be constructed this year in cooperation with Bend Park & Recreation District. The labyrinth, designed by Marilyn Larson and Lea Goode-Harris of Creative Labyrinths, will serve as a respite site for visitors of all ages and an enlightening sight for homeowners overlooking the park.

Pacific Northwest Native American artist Lillian Pitt will design and build two sculptures for Discovery Park in 2025. Lillian’s work focuses on creating contemporary fine art pieces that delight today’s art lovers and at the same time honor the history and legends of her people. Through that lens, one of her pieces will celebrate the flora of the high desert region, and one will be a nod to the area’s fauna. These installations will point visitors to the educational and cultural resources right in our backyard – The High Desert Museum and The Museum at Warm Springs. We believe in the power of art and culture and their positive impacts on a healthy, vibrant, and thriving community, and hope you will enjoy exploring the art corridor as it evolves in the coming months.

A Symphony of Songbirds: Central Oregon's Summer Delight

As the days grow longer and warmer, Central Oregon's backyard gardens and the surrounding area come alive with the melodious chirps and fluttering wings of its avian inhabitants. With

summer comes a vibrant new tapestry of birdlife, transforming our region into a bustling hub of activity and delight.

Feathered Visitors and Seasonal Migrations

While Anna’s Hummingbirds remain in the area year-round, we eagerly await the arrival of other seasonal guests. Migratory birds, including the Western Tanager, Rufous Hummingbird, and Lazuli Bunting, make their annual journey north to breed and raise their young in the region's abundant forests and meadows.

New Sounds and Colors

Step outside on a crisp morning and be serenaded by the cheerful trill of the American Robin and the sweet melodies of the Western Meadowlark. Each bird adds its unique note to nature's chorus, from the distinctive calls of the Black-capped Chickadee to the playful chatter of the Dark-eyed Junco. You may also delight in the vibrant plumage of the birds, from the brilliant reds of the Northern Cardinal to the iridescent blues of the Mountain Bluebird.

Did you know?

Three streets in Discovery West are named after female astronauts?

Visit our website to learn more about our Women of Discovery.

Creating Bird-Friendly Spaces

Birds will flock to yards that feature bright flowers and bird-friendly habitats that can be created by planting native trees and shrubs, along with providing water sources and nesting materials. Bird feeders filled with sunflower seeds become popular gathering spots, offering birdwatchers an up-close view of their feathered friends. On the Bird Alliance of Oregon website (birdallianceoregon.org), you’ll find tips and inspiration for bird habitat creation.

Embrace the Magic of Birdwatching

As summer unfolds, embrace the beauty and wonder of Central Oregon's birds. Each bird offers a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of nature. You can hike on the Oregon Birding Trails - featuring nearby locales where the birds are most abundant. Maps are available at oregonbirdingtrails.org/trailguide.htm. So grab your binoculars and immerse yourself in the magical world of birds—it's an experience you won't forget.

Coming soon! The Labyrinth at Discovery Park will be a place for respite, reflection and of course, discovery!

Make your own art by coloring in the astronaut!

The Western Tanager