Project Team
Architect/Designer: RND-Architects
Builder and Developer: ActiveWest Builders
Interior Designer: Shirley Cunningham
Land Planner: Verdis
The Community of Riviera Walk in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho consists of 23 single-family detached homes in a private, gated community. This idealic “Live, Work, Play” location is situated within Riverstone, a 155-acre mixed-use development offering restaurants, craft bars, boutique shopping, movies, professional/medical, fitness, etc. This old mill brownfield site is now a mix of approximately 300 condominiums, affordable homes, and high-end custom homes along the Spokane River flowing from Lake Coeur d’Alene. Adjacent to an existing park and lake with meandering sidewalks throughout Riverstone, the community is along the Centennial Trail, a 60+ mile paved system along Lake Coeur d’Alene into Spokane. A Rails-to-Trails project will pass through Riverstone along the river with a significant portion behind Riviera Walk.
This house is a 1,740 sq. ft., single-story home consisting on two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a “flex” room. The vision was to develop a small urban infill community targeted to active adults, professionals, and snowbirds desiring the duality of urban living with immediate northwest accessibility. It was a challenge to achieve 8-10 dwelling units per acre with 40 x 90 lot sizes and zero lot lines yet design for ultimate spaciousness & functionality all on one level. The homes are secure, maintenance-free, and offer direct access to the Centennial Trail and park with an easy stroll to all of the “borrowed amenities” of Riverstone. The architect introduced a distinctive contemporary design with prudent, spacious layouts providing formidable functionality and flow. The design fosters and supports healthy lifestyles via location and LEED Platinum and Energy Star certifications. The builder took a chance, stepping out with contemporary, edgy architectural designs in a market predominately craftsman and inland northwest in style but that bet paid off. The average Riviera Walk home costs $250/sq. ft.+, thus mitigating the size versus price perceptions and effectively communicating the inherent value in location, conveniences, amenities, maintenance-free lifestyle, and offset the negativity often associated with smaller homes and yards.
