Emerging trends in family dynamics are being met with new housing concepts. One concept is Lennar’s new home-within-a-home model being built in a few Twin Cities suburbs, including Maple Grove. These are single-family homes with in-home suites that provide completely private living space to two generations. Living arrangements that could benefit from this layout include accommodating aging parents, young adult children saving for their own home, overnight guests or a live-in nanny. Whether for economics, health concerns or convenience, these floor plans are meeting the needs of evolving family lifestyles.
Lennar, which has been building houses across the United States for 50 years, offers three home-within-a-home floor plans. In two of them, the main level living space has a large great room combined with the kitchen and dining area. A powder room is tucked in around the corner and a mud room connects to the garage entrance. The second level has an owner’s suite with a bathroom and soaking tub, three additional bedrooms, two guest baths and an upstairs laundry room. The third plan provides one level living with a main floor owner’s suite, with an option for a finished lower level and extra bedrooms.
From the street, neighbors would never guess these homes provide two completely private living spaces with separate entrances to each space. The homes are designed to blend into their respective neighborhoods. But when grandparents want to retain privacy and independence while living near their children or young adult children need a temporary boost without necessarily wanting to crash on a couch in mom and dad’s basement, these homes fulfill those needs and more.
In addition to the main living areas, each model has an in-home suite with its own single stall garage, a full-size bedroom, full bathroom, living room and a small eat-in kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, garbage disposal, sink and microwave, which doubles as an oven since there is no stove in the kitchenette. But there is a stackable washer and dryer located inside a nearby hall closet. The entire home lives up to today’s high standards with hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances.
More unique domestic scenarios that have benefitted from Lennar’s in-home suite concept include serving a family member with severe food allergies or mental and emotional disabilities that prevent completely independent living. Having two separate kitchens is sometimes recommended when one or more family members have severe food allergies. In this case, the home-within-a-home concept provides separate food preparation areas at a cost that can be more economical than renovating a home to add a second kitchen.
For families who have children with autism or other limitations, the home-within-a-home concept provides a unique solution. Parents of teens with disabilities often don’t know if their child will be equipped to leave the nest as a young adult or if their child will need a more long-term living arrangement. This concept allows teens and young adults to practice life skills needed for independent living while having loving family members nearby to assist.
Homeowners who desire a home office with a separate entrance for clients and storage for equipment and supplies could utilize the in-home suite and easily convert the space to accommodate relatives or guests.
All told, many families have children who are living at home longer and parents who are just plain living longer. The home-within-a-home model can be a solution to a myriad of contemporary living arrangements.
To learn more or schedule a model home tour, email lennarminnesota@lennar.com.
