AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taurus Investment Holdings, a global real estate investment and development firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, opens its $2 billion sustainable community, Whisper Valley (whispervalleyaustin.com), in East Austin this week. The company’s vision is to attract buyers who want to lead a socially responsible lifestyle with affordable and energy efficient homes in a sustainable development. If you’re going to build a new house, Taurus officials say, why wouldn’t you want it to accomplish all of those objectives?
“We came to Austin because there is already an appetite for sustainable living and we’ve had a terrific response,” said Douglas Gilliland, President of Taurus of Texas. “What makes us different from other eco-developments is the size and scale of Whisper Valley and the ability to offer high-tech, sustainable homes utilizing renewable energy sources without sacrificing affordability. In fact, the resale value of these homes will be higher because of the features already built into them.”
Brett Goodman, a lead home appraiser in the Austin area, is buying in Whisper Valley. “I went to a Whisper Valley developer’s meeting along with other appraisers. Coming out of that meeting, I was sold. I totally like the idea behind the whole community…energy efficient, locally grown produce, the green spaces, the amenities, etc.”
Homes in Whisper Valley start from the low $200s to $400s and feature local builders Pacesetter Homes and Avi Homes. The 2,062-acre mixed-use development consists of over 700 acres of open space, residential neighborhoods and planned retail, neighborhood services, restaurants and commercial.
Each home in Whisper Valley is an EcoSmart Certified Home and includes an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system using a BOSCH ground source heat pump to save up to 65 percent on typical monthly energy consumption. The homes are connected to a geothermal loop field that maximizes efficiency and solar panels will generate electricity to achieve zero-energy capable homes. Homes are also designed and built to meet the carbon-neutral standard promoted by the City of Austin for all new construction homes.
Other elements of the innovative EcoSmart program include smart home technology with Nest Thermostat, Nest Camera, Nest Protect smoke and CO detector and Google Home Assistant. Every home will also be equipped with high performance BOSCH home appliances and are pre-wired for a garage-mounted EV charging station.
As the first Google Fiber master-planned community in the world, Whisper Valley will have pre-installed super fast 1GB Internet service.
Amenities include a 5,000 square foot community center with resort-style geothermal heated pool, creative play areas, a fitness center, a multi-purpose event and activity room, a BOSCH Show Kitchen and a Discovery Center served by two electric vehicle charging stations provided by Tesla and BOSCH. In fact, Whisper Valley is an official Tesla Destination Charging location.
In addition, Whisper Valley includes 700 acres of parks, miles of planned hike and biking trails and greenspace including the 600-acre Whisper Valley Public Park. The development also has plans for two school sites, a transportation hub and a fire station.
Whisper Valley will also offer a comprehensive organic farming program in partnership with Lettuce Networks. This program will offer fresh, nutritious organic food grown right in the community and delivered to residents.
Whisper Valley is located just east of SH-130 at FM 973 and Braker Lane within Austin’s Desired Development Zone, 20 minutes from downtown Austin, 10-20 minutes from Google, Dell and Samsung corporate campuses, and 10 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Whisper Valley opens with a series of blockbuster events including a VIP ribbon-cutting on September 14, featuring local music, BBQ from Connie Jo Kirk and a skydiving demonstration. On Saturday, September 16, Whisper Valley hosts the first ever Taste of East Austin. The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place from Noon to 4 p.m. at 9400 Petrichor Blvd, Whisper Valley, TX 78653.
Whisper Valley’s online press kit can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/ycdl7xbf
About Taurus Investment Holdings:
Established in 1976, Taurus is a Real Estate Private Equity Company and active deal participant in 30 markets around the world. Through fully owned local subsidiaries (regional office model) such as advisory, property management and value add development companies, Taurus, together with its international private investors and strategic joint venture partners, leverages its local market proficiency and performance record to capitalize on select investment opportunities. www.tiholdings.com.
