Marley Park Welcome Center Opens

SURPRISE, Ariz. (January 4, 2005) - The Welcome Center at Marley Park opens this week, providing visitors with a preview of the new DMB community coming to Surprise in spring 2005. More than a traditional information center, the Welcome Center occupies a 5,111-square-foot Craftsman-style house that will later be converted into a residence.

An inviting front porch accented by custom-designed stained glass panels offers visitors a chance to relax before entering the Welcome Center. Inside, interactive home-finder kiosks, informative displays and knowledgeable community consultants invite guests to explore the vision of community at their own pace.

"Walking into the Welcome Center will be like walking into a home," said Lynneah Hudson, DMB director of marketing for Marley Park. "We welcome our guests through the front door and invite them into our living room. We want them to feel comfortable to explore the home and learn about Marley Park."

Each room in the house provides new information and insight into what will be the Marley Park way of life. The charming fireplace, warm wood floors and detailed millwork featured throughout speak to the artisanship and quality of the homes that will be built at Marley Park.

A series of displays brings to life the Marley Park vision. "The Art of Community Building" describes the neo-traditional community plan that was used to create the Marley Park neighborhoods and community. The "Life Beyond Your Front Door" display details the opportunities for culture, sports and adventure in and around Marley Park. A community events case provides a schedule of upcoming community events and programming, and will be a resource for both future and current residents.

The display "Welcome to Your Playground" illustrates the on-site amenities planned for Phase I, including the 25-acre Heritage Park, eight uniquely themed neighborhood parks, the Arbor Walk and the Heritage Club for residents. Unlike most communities that feature a topographical model of available home lots, Marley Park has created a model of Heritage Park. The topographical model provides bird's-eye-view of the park's adventure play areas, interactive water-play feature, lighted baseball fields, community rose garden and a 1,600-seat amphitheater.

"Exploring the Welcome Center gives guests an idea of the vibrant, inviting community that will exist at Marley Park," said Welcome Center Manager Mozan Shawaludin. "It is a comprehensive resource that provides guests with a clear vision of the community."

To give future residents a taste of the architectural styles at Marley Park, three-dimensional elements like shutters and wrought iron detailing from each of the elevations- Spanish, Bungalow, Cottage, Territorial Ranch, Monterey, Traditional and Craftsman homes-are showcased.

"The Welcome Center is designed to be an interactive experience in which every room is a discovery," said Irene Carroll, DMB vice president and general manager for Marley Park.

Community consultants staff two reception desks, one positioned near the front of the Welcome Center and one near the exit to the Model Home Neighborhood, to answer questions and provide information about the community.

A full-time associate from Cox Communications will be on staff to help future residents understand the communications package included in every Marley Park home and to answer technical questions related to digital cable, high-speed Internet and the planned community intranet.

Parents with small children will appreciate the children's area, which includes age-appropriate activities. The vibrant colors and art used in this section support Character Counts, a national ethics and values program embraced by Marley Park Elementary School and the Dysart Unified School District.

By early spring, the Welcome Center will add three interactive kiosks help guests learn more about Marley Park homes and focus their home search on the models that meet their specific needs.

The Marley Park Welcome Center was designed by both JBZ Architects and Haven Design and built by Newman Jolly. It is located at 13118 Founders Park Blvd., just south of Waddell Road and east of Reems Road in Surprise. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., daily.

Marley Park is designed to be a classically styled community celebrating the most valued characteristics of historic neighborhoods. Taking its cues from the area's rich agrarian history, the community of Marley Park emphasizes open spaces, shade trees and diverse and traditional architecture. Marley Park is being developed in phases by Marley Park LLC, an affiliate of Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc. (DMB).

DMB is a diversified real estate investment and development firm with real estate holdings through affiliated companies that include current and planned resort/recreational and primary residential communities, signature commercial developments, country clubs, hotels, health clubs and spa properties. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., DMB is one of the most active community developers in the West, with properties in Arizona, California, Utah and coming soon to Hawaii. The firm's name is synonymous with high-quality real estate developments.