Friday, July 09, 1999
N.Ky. Homefest puts builders' best on display
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HEBRON — Standing Thursday near the entrance of a half-million-dollar house, Don Wiedemann was remembering the first Homefest held in Northern Kentucky.
“It was in 1974 in Dudley Village in Edgewood,'' said Mr. Wiedemann, who is retiring this year after 36 years as head of the Homebuilders Association of Northern Kentucky.
“Most of the homes cost $40,000 and $50,000. I think the most expensive was $60,000,'' he said. “This year the homes start at $400,000 and go on up.”
Homefest, an annual showcase of upscale homes, has become a Northern Kentucky summer staple of dreaming, socializing and, for most people, getting a look at how the other half lives.
About 25,000 people are expected to attend the show's 15-day run, which begins Saturday.
What they'll see are seven spectacular homes developed by six builders: Ashley Development, Douglas Cull & Co. Inc., Phil Duncan Builder Inc., the Drees Co., Krumpelman Builders and Zaring Homes.
“Every year I don't think the homes can get any more beautiful, any more elaborate,” Mr. Wiedemann said. “But they always do.”
Among the trends in this year's show are specialty rooms.
“There are a few with rooms for billiards. Another has a computer loft, and there's one with a karate room,” Mr. Wiedemann said.
Several of the homes also feature multiple fireplaces, he said.
Thursday morning, the Thornwilde cul-de-sac where the Homefest is located was a beehive of construction ac tivity.
Dozens of workers were installing gutters, painting shutters, planting flowers and rolling grassy sod like carpet across front yards of hard, brown dirt.
Inside the $550,000 Bi eneville, the 4,200-square-foot home built by the Douglas Cull & Co. of Fort Thomas, project manager Scott Lester and painter Mark Doyle were planning to work until 2 a.m. or later to get all the finishing touches done.
“We've been here until 1 or 2 in the morning a couple of days over the last week or so,” Mr. Lester said as he looked over some molding that needed to be reattached to a wall.
“But we'll be ready.”
The home has a classic Southern appeal and design, a red brick of Colonial revival and Georgian styles that features three white columns across the front porch.
“It's a beautiful house and it is expensive,” Mr. Doyle said. “But it's also very comfortable. I think a regular guy could come in here, sit down and watch Monday Night Football and feel right at home.”
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