New model homes complement Alpine surroundings

ISSAQUAH -- The retreatlike setting of The Bridges at Talus, located at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, has an almost soul-warming way of melting the stress of daily living.

That quality makes The Bridges at Talus an ideal fit for the surrounding Issaquah Alps, says community sales representative Zack Hill.

The Bridges at Talus has added several new lodge-inspired model homes to showcase buyers' choices. Since its debut, the neighborhood has expanded its selection of diverse designs with a variety of fresh looks -- all crafted by The Bridges at Talus, LLC, a subsidiary of Steve Burnstead Construction, LLC.

Each home, says Hill, captures the ambiance of this entry point to 20,000 acres of protected forest and natural sanctuary. Homeowners have easy access to nearly 200 miles of trails within Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

"Our homeowners love our mountain surroundings. They love this lodge feel. They love the way each home becomes its own gateway to their personal sanctuary," says Hill.

Just a quick walk from serene hikes and a quick drive from downhill and cross-country skiing, The Bridges at Talus also puts commuters and shoppers within a 20-minute drive to Bellevue.

"Even with all these trails, the most impressive scene as you enter The Bridges at Talus is its views of the mountains," Hill says. "It's incredible."

Nearly as impressive: the diversity of home collections found among the 102 homesites.
Offerings range from three-level floor plans in the Custom Series, featuring from 2,600 to more than 3,000 square feet, to Executive Series selections from 1,850 to 2,913 square feet.

Three- and four-bedroom floor plans -- including many with dens, bonus rooms, main-level master suites and elevator options -- are already attracting homebuyers who want quality in a new home, Hill says.

Homebuyers who love views and live an active lifestyle but don't want to deal with a large yard are especially smitten by The Bridges at Talus, he adds.

Those downsizing from larger homes are attracted to the Custom Series choices, Hill says. "They discover a smaller home with really nice finishes. Many of our buyers don't need or want more space. They don't want to sacrifice quality, so they're pleased when they find these homes are the right size and a step above others they have seen.

"I meet a lot of homebuyers who seek out The Bridges at Talus specifically because they recognize the value of a homebuilder with 53 years and two generations of customer confidence behind the Burnstead name," he says. "They enjoy the confidence of living here not only because of the trust they have in the Burnsteads' history, but for the advancements our team is always striving for."

Perhaps the most innovative touch in select homes at The Bridges is the option for a personal elevator. The feature is popular among baby boomers with long-term access needs, and for younger homeowners who may welcome older parents into their home.

Homeowners tell Hill they appreciate the highly detailed masonry, which captures a "unique mountain lodge exterior design, with cedar details and extensive use of cultured stone," he says.

Indoors, signature features include great-room layouts with 10-foot ceilings throughout the main floor, extensive use of hardwood floors and designer-crafted cabinets and trimwork.

"Homebuyers who really appreciate millwork know that ours is a work of art," Hill says.
Kitchens offer granite islands and countertops, full-height tile back-splashes and undermount kitchen sinks. Custom molding crowns alder cabinets. This complements the array of appliances, including a stainless steel cooktop with Bosch double oven, dishwasher and built-in microwave.

In the connecting great room, slate or stone fireplace-hearth accents are set into custom built-in cabinets, which in many homes fill the entire length of the room. Formal dens feature French doors and alder wainscot paneling.

The Custom Series offers a new two-story floor plan. The Lake Placid plan has four bedrooms and a daylight-basement bonus room arranged within 2,913 square feet. The 2,787-square-foot Aspen plan has been popular with buyers and has many of the features of the Lake Placid plan, but it also offers a "Jack-and-Jill" bathroom connecting two secondary bedrooms on the upper level.

From its perch atop Talus, all homes in The Bridges maximize unobstructed natural light by incorporating larger windows, Hill says. Some of the most prominent outdoor scenes -- including vistas of the natural protected growth areas surrounding the neighborhood -- can be found through windows in the kitchen and great room.

Commuters living at The Bridges are minutes from the Issaquah Transit Center, which offers easy access to I-90 and to Bellevue, Redmond and Seattle. The scenic, newly expanded Highway 900 route to Renton and Kent is also nearby.

The neighborhood is a short drive from The Summit at Snoqualmie's 1,100 acres of downhill, Nordic and snowboarding runs, and even closer to Lake Sammamish.

The Bridges' new neighborhood park offers a large grassy area and contoured hardscape paths. "[It's] by far the prettiest Burnstead park I've seen in my 18 years with them," Hill says.

"Our homeowners' association handles yard care," he adds, "so these easy-maintenance homes are ideal for active people who just want to lock up and go."

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