Project Highlight
The Downs of Nicholson is a $22 million mixed-use development on almost 35 acres in Independence. Integrating residential and commercial spaces, the project includes 64 rental patio homes with two-car garages and seven short-term rental cabins. The commercial component features a quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru, a sit-down restaurant, a barn-inspired microbrewery and taproom, a dedicated event center, a farmer’s market, and a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps. The development’s design mimics a Lexington horse farm and blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, complete with four-board white fences. The Downs of Nicholson aims to attract both visitors and new residents, creating a vibrant community hub.
Our firm provided comprehensive professional land design services for the development, including planning, surveying, civil engineering, transportation engineering, and landscape architecture. We began by developing multiple conceptual plan alternatives for the client’s selection. Following this, we guided the project through numerous zoning changes and an extensive permitting process, leveraging our expert knowledge and strong relationships with local governing agencies to ensure success. Significant infrastructure improvements were made, including a substantial sewer extension that benefited not only the project site but also the surrounding properties. Additionally, traffic studies were conducted to enhance site access and safety.
