Conscious Commercial

One Mado at Serenbe

By Erica Rascón on Aug 19, 2018 in News

Imagine an oasis of calm just outside of the bustling city, a place where the community is structured around wellness and a connection with nature. Now imagine that this place has as many fun shopping and entertainment options as a conventional neighborhood– without conventional waste issues.

This place exists and it’s called Serenbe.

Welcome to Serenbe

The New York Times calls the development “a utopian experiment in new urbanism being molded out of Georgia red clay ” about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta. More than 700 residents call Serenbe home. The community is often called together for music festivals, goat yoga, movie nights, wine tastings, and local theater performances.

As provincial as it sounds, Serenbe is not a haven for barefoot wanderers and struggling artists. Homes start at $1,400 per month for a 600 square-foot apartment and max out shy of $2,000,000 for a single family home. Those are high price tags for Chattahoochee Hill Country, an otherwise unassuming rural community.

With that said, Serenbe is probably the coolest countryside hamlet in the southeast for its emphasis on wellness and sustainability.

Conscious Convenience

For several years, development focused mostly on residences, often countryside getaways for Atlanta’s elite. Commercial construction has established a presence in the community—still abiding by community virtues—but offering more experiences and conveniences for residents.

Four complexes form the hub of shopping at Serenbe. Each has a unique focus such as art, education, agriculture and health.

The Mado District is the latest addition with an emphasis on health. One Mado will be a $250 million, 30,000 square-foot mixed-used development that is an alternative to the quintessential strip mall. Tenants will likely include health and wellness specialists such as a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, and other holistic practitioners. There are also parcels for health-conscious restaurants and a fitness center. Most of One Mado has been leased. Tenant names will be announced by the end of the summer.

Serenbe’s construction meets EarthCraft standards. This points-based system addresses efficiency in building materials, lighting, appliances, water conversation, indoor air quality, and site planning. Gold and platinum level structures must also meet Energy Star standards.

The Serenbe mini-city serves as one of many burgeoning models of sustainable commercial and residential development. Whether it’s the affordability of shipping container homes or the luxury of Serenbe’s multimillion dollar estates, conscious living is becoming more mainstream and attainable for those who seek it out.