Stanley Martin Homes to Deliver Suburban Atlanta Community

Virginia-based Stanley Martin Homes is planning a 280-unit residential development in Gwinnett County, Georgia, as part of its efforts to expand in the area. The project, spanning 65 acres in Lawrenceville, will feature 138 single-family homes, 130 townhomes, and 12 duplexes. The eastern portion of the development will include an amenity area with a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts, playground, and mail kiosk.

Bohler’s Atlanta team is providing surveying, land planning, site civil engineering design, and permitting services for this groundbreaking project within Gwinnett County’s newly introduced Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zoning district. The design prioritizes balancing a diverse mix of housing types with generous greenspace, creating a walkable, close-knit community while meeting the client’s density goals.

As the county’s first TND project, this serves as a test case to evaluate the new zoning code. Bohler’s team carefully transitioned housing types—starting with townhomes, then duplexes, and finally single-family homes—to create a natural density gradient.

“Designing the first Traditional Neighborhood Development in Gwinnett County was an exciting opportunity to push boundaries and create a truly connected community,” said Chris Puzinas, Project Manager at Bohler. “We carefully balanced the client’s density goals with an enhanced focus on greenspace and walkability, ensuring the neighborhood offers both function and a sense of place for future residents.”

The TND code requires common greenspaces within specific distances to ensure recreational access for all residents. Bohler exceeded these requirements, nearly doubling the minimum greenspace and designing amenity spaces as vibrant community destinations rather than checkbox items. Enhancements like a landscaped median along the main boulevard further reinforce walkability and elevate the neighborhood’s appeal.

Bohler’s responsibilities included the initial site layout and orientation, encompassing landscape and lighting plans for the entire development. The team is also tasked with detailed designs for the amenity spaces, including enhanced landscaping, entry monument design, wayfinding elements, and hardscape features like the pool deck. On the site civil side, the project involves two proposed stormwater management facilities in the southern area and repurposing an existing pond in the northern parcel for stormwater management.

Gwinnett County, one of metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing areas, recently surpassed 1 million residents, intensifying a housing shortage that has driven up prices. To meet demand, the county needs 8,500 new housing units annually, according to its 2045 unified plan.

Stanley Martin Homes, among the top 20 builders in metro Atlanta, is actively addressing this demand, with over 200 homes sold in the region in 2023. The company is also developing additional communities in Gwinnett, including two in Lawrenceville and one in Lilburn, alongside recent expansions into Henry and Cobb counties. Read more.