TL;DR

We recently toured the Taylor Morrison Steamboat model in Parker, CO's Looking Glass neighborhood, showcasing incredible new construction Next-Gen Homes designed for multi-generational living. These homes feature private in-law suites, expansive living areas, and are strategically located to offer the best of Parker and Castle Rock, making them ideal for families seeking versatile and modern living solutions near Denver.

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After helping countless families navigate the Denver real estate market, we've found that the demand for Next-Gen Homes has surged, particularly in communities like Parker, Colorado. These innovative designs, offering dedicated living spaces for extended family, are transforming how multi-generational households thrive, often providing significant value compared to traditional homes requiring extensive renovations.

In our years as licensed real estate brokers in the Denver Metro area, we've seen firsthand how thoughtful home design can impact lifestyle and long-term investment. The market in areas like Parker has experienced consistent growth, with new developments catering to modern family needs. Our expertise lies in identifying these unique opportunities and guiding our clients to homes that truly fit their evolving lives.

Are you wondering what makes a home truly 'next-gen' and how it can benefit your family? In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you on a detailed tour of the incredible Next-Gen Homes available in Parker's Looking Glass development, highlighting the features of Taylor Morrison's Steamboat model, exploring its prime location, and discussing why this type of living is a game-changer for many. Let's dive into what makes these homes so special.

Discovering Next-Gen Homes in Parker, Colorado

Parker, Colorado, is rapidly becoming a prime destination for those seeking new construction homes and a vibrant community atmosphere. The Looking Glass neighborhood exemplifies this growth, offering modern designs tailored for contemporary families, especially those interested in next-gen living. As we've observed the expansion of the Denver Metro area, Parker consistently stands out for its balance of suburban tranquility and convenient access to city amenities.

The Allure of Looking Glass: Location & Lifestyle

Looking Glass is a relatively new development nestled in the highly sought-after Parker, CO, area. It provides a beautiful community setting with access to shopping, dining, top-rated schools, and abundant outdoor recreation. What truly sets it apart is its focus on innovative home designs that accommodate diverse family structures. We've seen many clients prioritize communities like Looking Glass because they offer a blend of modern amenities and a welcoming environment.

Why Parker, CO, is Perfect for Next-Gen Living

Parker, CO, offers a unique blend of community, convenience, and growth, making it an ideal spot for next-gen living. It's just a short 35-minute drive southeast of Denver, providing an escape from the city hustle without sacrificing accessibility. The area boasts top-rated schools and a family-friendly atmosphere that supports multi-generational households. We often highlight Parker for its value and lifestyle when discussing areas like those detailed in Parker Colorado Is Exploding: 3 New Communities You Need to See 2!, where we explore other exciting developments in the region.

A Deep Dive into Taylor Morrison's Steamboat Model: The Ultimate Next-Gen Home

When we first stepped into the Taylor Morrison Steamboat model in Looking Glass, we immediately understood its appeal for multi-generational living. This home is designed to integrate extended family seamlessly while maintaining privacy and comfort for everyone. It truly redefines what a new home in Parker, Colorado, can offer.

The Revolutionary Main-Level Next-Gen Suite

One of the most striking features of the Steamboat model is its dedicated Next-Gen suite on the main floor. This isn't just an extra bedroom; it's a fully self-contained living space. It includes a private entrance from the front of the house, a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, a stackable washer/dryer, and a full bathroom with a standing shower. Crucially, it also offers private access from its own single-car garage.

As we noted during the tour, "This is where you've got your space for the next gen... private access inside from your garage, super unique, and then private access from the front door here if you're not coming in from the garage, super unique and guys it's main level." This thoughtful design ensures that in-laws, young adults, or guests have their own independent space without compromising the main home's living areas. Unlike older designs that might carve out space from a primary living room, this suite is fully integrated while remaining distinct, preventing future resale challenges.

Entertaining & Outdoor Living: The Expansive Deck

The Steamboat model boasts an enormous covered deck, accessible from both the dining room and the main living room through dual sliding glass walls. This feature significantly expands the home's livability and entertainment potential. The use of tracks along with traditional wood for the flooring creates a durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

We particularly love how much usable square footage this deck offers, perfect for hosting birthdays, football games, or simply relaxing outdoors. The covered area means you can even mount a TV out there, making it an extension of your indoor entertainment space. This level of outdoor integration is a key selling point for many families we work with.

Thoughtful Design: Kitchen, Living, and the Rear-Facing Office

Inside, the main level flows effortlessly from a spacious kitchen with a huge island into a traditional living room. The layout avoids common pitfalls we've seen in other new builds, where furniture placement can block sliding doors. Here, there's ample wall space for couches, ensuring full usability of the large windows that offer views of the backyard.

Perhaps our favorite feature on the main floor is the office, strategically placed at the back of the house.  With views of the covered deck and rolling hills, this double French-doored office offers unparalleled privacy and a serene work environment. It's a stark contrast to front-facing offices that can feel less private, especially with daily deliveries or neighborhood activity. This design truly supports a productive work-from-home lifestyle.

Garage & Practicalities: More Than Just Parking

Beyond the Next-Gen suite's private garage, the main house features a three-car garage. These are full-sized bays, not oversized, but still provide ample space. A significant detail we highlighted is the 8-foot garage doors, a crucial upgrade over standard 7-foot doors for those with lifted trucks or larger vehicles, which is common in Colorado.

"If you guys are coming out here to Colorado you're going to have that Jeep or that truck that might have extra big tires or potential lift on it definitely going want to opt for the 8ft garage versus standard." This practical consideration is often overlooked but vital for homeowners in the region.

Upstairs Oasis: Primary Suite, Secondary Bedrooms, and Laundry

The upper level of the Steamboat model is designed for family comfort and convenience. A generously sized laundry room, a common request from families with children, is ideally located upstairs. An open loft area provides flexible space for kids or an additional family zone.

Two well-appointed secondary bedrooms offer good size, with one featuring two sinks in its bathroom and the other having its own private bathroom with a standing shower. While not all have walk-in closets, the trade-off for larger, well-equipped bathrooms is certainly appealing.

The primary suite is a true retreat. It includes a private sitting area, perfect for a Peloton or a quiet coffee spot in the mornings. The en-suite bathroom is luxurious, boasting his-and-hers closets, a private toilet area, dual sinks, and an enormous shower with two shower heads and a long bench. A standalone tub is perfectly placed beneath tall windows, offering natural light and privacy. "This is what we talked about when we seen next gens before is like you're going to be giving up living area on the main floor or if you're not like you're going to be giving away some if it's a ranch they've got it on a different level like you're going to be giving away some space up here you're not giving away any space." It emphasizes how this design maximizes space without compromise.

Unfinished Potential: The Impressive Walkout Basement

Even in its unfinished state, the Steamboat's walkout basement is impressive. The stairs and rails are finished, and the walls are drywalled, providing a much more polished aesthetic than typical unfinished basements. It features traditional ceiling heights, with some areas closer to 9 feet.

This basement offers incredible potential for future customization, whether you envision an additional living room, a home gym (benefiting from natural light from the walkout patio), or more bedrooms. The walkout leads to another covered patio, offering a secluded and private outdoor space beneath the main deck, backing up to open space for enhanced privacy. This is a significant value add, providing a blank canvas for homeowners to expand their living space as their needs evolve.

Exploring Other Options: The Rockboro Model in Looking Glass

During our tour, we also took a quick look at the Taylor Morrison Rockboro model, which, while similar in some aspects to the Steamboat, presents a different appeal. The Rockboro does not feature a dedicated Next-Gen suite, offering a more traditional layout. It still includes a four-car garage (one detached), a good-sized yard, and a finished basement.

However, we noted that the Rockboro's main living area and kitchen felt slightly smaller, and the office was located at the front of the house. While the finished basement was a plus, offering a garden-level bedroom and bathroom, it lacked the innovative multi-generational design of the Steamboat. This comparison highlights how different models within the same development can cater to varied preferences, with the Steamboat truly standing out for its specialized next-gen living features.

Parker & Castle Rock: The Best of Both Worlds for New Homes

The Looking Glass development's location in Parker, Colorado, offers a unique advantage: proximity to both Parker and Castle Rock. This strategic positioning provides residents with a wealth of amenities and lifestyle options, essentially giving them the "best of both worlds."

Strategic Location: Parker's Edge to Castle Rock

Looking Glass is situated on the very southern edge of Parker, just before entering Castle Rock. This means you're only about 10-12 minutes from Castle Rock, allowing easy access to its shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities, including amazing golf courses like Pradera. The main street of Parker, with its charming downtown and local businesses, is also just a short drive away. We often discuss the broader context of Denver's development and its impact on surrounding areas, including Parker, in videos like Inside the Future of Denver | From Parker to Cherry Creek’s $1B Makeover.

Navigating the Denver Metro Area from Looking Glass

Living in Looking Glass means you're well-connected to the wider Denver Metro area. While Denver is about 35 minutes away, the convenience of nearby highways makes commutes manageable. The area around Stroh Road, where a King Soopers is located, provides immediate access to daily necessities. This balance of local amenities and regional connectivity makes Looking Glass an attractive option for those looking to relocate to new homes in Parker, Colorado.

Key Takeaways

• Innovative Next-Gen Living: Taylor Morrison's Steamboat model in Looking Glass, Parker, CO, offers dedicated main-level in-law suites with private entrances and garages, ideal for multi-generational families.
• Spacious & Entertaining Design: Homes feature expansive covered decks with dual sliding glass walls, perfect for extending living and entertaining spaces outdoors.
• Thoughtful Home Offices: The Steamboat model includes a private, rear-facing office with views, providing a serene and productive work-from-home environment away from front-door distractions.
• Strategic Location Benefits: Looking Glass is positioned to offer easy access to both Parker and Castle Rock amenities, providing residents with a diverse range of shopping, dining, and recreational options.
• New Construction Advantages: These new homes in Parker, Colorado, come with modern features like 8-foot garage doors and impressive unfinished walkout basements, offering significant customization potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the benefits of a next-gen home?

A: Next-gen homes, like the Taylor Morrison Steamboat model, offer significant benefits for multi-generational living. They provide separate, private living spaces for in-laws, adult children, or long-term guests, complete with their own entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms. This setup allows for shared family experiences while preserving individual privacy and independence, and can also offer potential rental income depending on local regulations.

Q: Where can I find new homes in Parker, Colorado?

A: New homes in Parker, Colorado, are predominantly found in rapidly developing communities on the south side of Parker, such as the Looking Glass neighborhood. Other areas like The Trails at Crowfoot and developments near the Parker/Castle Rock border also offer new construction options. We recommend working with local real estate experts who specialize in new builds to navigate the various communities and builders available.

Q: What is the Taylor Morrison Steamboat model?

A: The Taylor Morrison Steamboat model is a specific floor plan offered in communities like Looking Glass in Parker, CO. It is renowned for its Next-Gen option, which includes a dedicated main-level private suite designed for multi-generational living. Beyond this suite, it features spacious open-concept living areas, a large covered deck, a rear-facing office, and a luxurious primary suite.

Q: Do new construction homes in Parker CO offer multi-generational living options?

A: Yes, many new construction homes in Parker, CO, especially from builders like Taylor Morrison in developments such as Looking Glass, are specifically designed with multi-generational living in mind. These homes feature integrated in-law suites or flexible living spaces that can accommodate extended family, offering privacy and convenience.

Q: What features are common in new build homes in Looking Glass development?

A: New build homes in the Looking Glass development commonly feature modern open-concept floor plans, gourmet kitchens with large islands, spacious primary suites, and options for finished or unfinished basements. Many also include desirable outdoor living spaces like covered decks or patios. For models like the Steamboat, dedicated Next-Gen suites are a standout feature, alongside practical elements like 8-foot garage doors.

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Watch the Full Video

For more insights, watch the complete video: Tour Amazing New Denver Homes: Perfect for Next-Gen Living! (Parker, CO)

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Making Your Move Easier

Moving forward does not have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance and support, you can navigate this journey smoothly. Eli Schmidt and Will Grimes are ready to help you every step of the way.

Here's how to get in touch:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Phone: 720-419-0224

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