Active adult living: Bethesda's Fox Hill

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By Michele Lerner

The decision to move into an active adult community, a development restricted to households with older residents, usually requires thinking ahead to face potential future health issues or simply the weakness that may come with aging.

Active adult communities offer homes with one-level living, including a first-floor master-bedroom suite so that climbing stairs, which can be arduous for elderly people, will not be a problem in future years.

At Fox Hill, a new condominium development at 8300 Burdette Road, Bethesda, residents will have more peace of mind because the community includes the Care Center at Fox Hill for assisted living and Alzheimer's care, along with other nursing and rehabilitation services on-site.

Until the residents need services at the Care Center, they can enjoy all the benefits of homeownership in a luxurious community with plenty of amenities.

Homeowners of the 240 condominiums at Fox Hill must be at least 60 years old, with the second resident at least 55. Sunrise Senior Living is developing Fox Hill on 16 acres inside the Beltway adjacent to the Burning Tree Country Club.

Many of the homes have balconies and patios, and most have floor-to-ceiling windows for enjoying the wooded views. Six acres of the site will be protected as a nature preserve, and a nature trail will be among the community amenities.

Fox Hill's grounds include a courtyard, a gazebo, a plaza with a fountain, a putting green, personal garden areas and a children's play area for visiting grandchildren.

The gated community offers extensive services to residents, such as a spa and salon, performing-arts center, recording studio, indoor driving range, artists studio, card room, woodworking shop, library, business center with copy and fax machines, gift-wrapping center, pet salon and full-service bank. The fitness center includes an indoor swimming pool and a whirlpool.

The community has a full-service concierge desk, a private wine cellar for owners to store their personal wine collection, and a variety of dining options. Each home has a kitchen, but residents can take advantage of a country-club lifestyle, with formal and informal dining options, catered parties, carryout or even room delivery. Within five miles of Fox Hill are countless shops and restaurants in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, along with two Metro stations.

Condominium fees at Fox Hill include extensive services and are anticipated to range from $2,420 to $5,800 per month. The fees include a $600-per-month dining card for use at the Club at Fox Hill's dining areas; concierge services, weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation in the fleet of private cars operated by Fox Hill; wireless connections; access to a guest suite for overnight guests; wellness and clinic services; and access to all the recreational amenities of the community.

The one-, two- and three-bedroom homes at Fox Hill range in price from $557,000 to $1,837,000 and have from 834 to 1,995 finished square feet. The Craftsman-style buildings have four or five levels with wood and stone exteriors to blend with the landscape, and include garage parking and storage spaces for each home. Additional parking is available for guests. Pets are welcome in the development.

Inside, the homes have 9-foot ceilings; a fireplace with a wood mantel and a granite hearth; crown moldings; bay windows; a den or study with French doors; a full-size washer and dryer; tile floors in the foyer, kitchen and bathrooms; individually controlled heating and air conditioning; and granite counters in the kitchen. The homes have views of the gardens, plaza, woods or adjacent golf course.

The largest model, the Standen, with 1,995 square feet, has a foyer entrance leading into a spacious living and dining room with a fireplace. Just off the dining area is a corner study with French doors. The kitchen is also nearby and has a pantry.

The master bedroom has a walk-in closet and a luxury bath with a double-sink vanity, a soaking tub and separate shower. The second and third bedrooms each have a walk-in closet. Nearby are a full bath, two closets, a laundry room and a powder room.

For more information about Fox Hill, call Ann Mitchell, senior director of sales and marketing, at 301/469-8005 or visit www.FoxHillSeniorCondominium.com.