Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in HILLHOUSE Lakefront Condominiums!
We have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you as you consider purchasing a residence at HILLHOUSE. Our team is ready to assist you with any additional questions you may have that are not listed in this document.
Development Team
Who is the developer of HILLHOUSE?
The developer is HILLHOUSE, LLC, whose members include:
Andy Turner, Owner of Spaces Management
Kenny Short, Owner of Elite Building
Joe Gillis, Owner of Dutch Oil Company
Miller Mobley, Globally recognized photographer and creative director
Who is the architect for HILLHOUSE?
Poole and Company Architecture is a full-service architecture and design firm located in Birmingham, Alabama. Poole and Company bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as they have designed and completed most of the luxury condominium projects in Tuscaloosa including The Chimes, Champions Place, and Camellia Place.
Who is the general contractor for HILLHOUSE?
Elite Building is owned by development partners Kenny Short and Joe Gillis. Elite exclusively builds projects in which they are invested as a partner in the development. Elite has completed numerous projects throughout the Southeast and notable projects in Tuscaloosa including The Chimes, Champions Place, Camellia Place, Crimson Commons, Legacy Park Retail Center, Spaces Office Building, and The Walk Tuscaloosa.
Who is the sales team for HILLHOUSE?
The sales team is made up of the top producing agents in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and include:
Tommy Ford, Spaces Management
www.tommyfordrealestate.com
Alice Maxwell, Keller Williams
www.alicemaxwell.com
Donna Petty, Hamner Real Estate
www.donnapetty.com
John Randall, Keller Williams
www.thegraygroupal.com
Wes York, Hamner Real Estate
www.wesyorkteam.hamnerrealestate.com
Who is the property manager for HILLHOUSE?
Spaces Management is owned by development partner Andy Turner. Spaces is a full-service association management company focused on the needs of homeowner and condominium associations. They emphasize stellar customer service back by industry specific training and education to provide quality management for community associations. They institute time tested policies and processes supported by the latest technology to provide consistent operations of the Association for the Board of Directors and homeowners.
Project Basics
What is HILLHOUSE?
HILLHOUSE is the only luxury condominium community on Lake Tuscaloosa. Each residence has a Western view of the lake and the interiors are designed with both the permanent resident and second home owner in mind. The four-story new construction project consists of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with an adjoining parking deck. The building is clad in stone, cementitious boards, stucco, and glass. The residences are designed to foster beautiful lake views with a window-wall and French doors opening to a large balcony for outdoor enjoyment. The large kitchen, living, and dining spaces are all open with views of the lake. The community is amenity rich with a heated pool, hot-tub, fitness center, billiards room, and hearth room and library available exclusively to owners and their guests.
How many residences does HILLHOUSE have?
18 residences with the following unit mix:
| Residence A | 4 |
| Residence B | 4 |
| Residence C | 4 |
| Residence E | 2 |
| Residence G | 2 |
| Residence H | 2 |
How many stories are in HILLHOUSE?
The building is four stories.
Amenities
Who can use all the HILLHOUSE amenities?
All amenities are exclusive to owners and their guests.
Is there a fitness room?
Yes. The fitness room is 555 square-feet and includes: Precor Recumbent Bike, Precor Treadmill, Precor Elliptical, Peloton Bike, Precor FTS Glide Functional Trainer, Free Weight Station with Precor Half Rack, Power Lift Collegiate 0-90 Bench, TAG Vertical Dumbbell Rack (5-50 lbs), Escape Rack5 Accessories, and Escape Hanging Stretch Mats.
Who can use the pool?
All amenities are exclusive to owners and their guests.
How are mail and packages handled?
Mail and packages will be delivered to the onsite mail and package room located inside the building.
Unit Details
How many square feet is each residence?
| Residence A | 1,311 |
| Residence B | 1,536 |
| Residence C | 1,871 |
| Residence E | 2,849 |
| Residence G | 935 |
| Residence H | 3,733 |
Is the balcony square footage included in the residence square footage?
No.
How large are the balconies?
The balconies are either 10-feet or 11-feet deep and extend the full width of the residence.
What are the ceiling heights?
Ten feet.
What type of appliances are in the residences?
Barring any supply chain issues, the residences will have a Wolf gas range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf Microwave, Cove Dishwasher, and full-size General Electric washer and dryer.
Are grills permitted?
Yes, each residence includes a Blaze gas grill built in on the balcony with an overhead vent.
How is hot water provided?
Each residence will have an appropriately sized electric hot-water heater.
What kind of heating and cooling units will be used?
Each residence will have a Heil Heat Pump.
Do the vent hoods completely vent outside?
Kitchen hoods, grill hoods, water heater vents, and bathroom exhaust fans are all ducted to the exterior.
Parking and Access
How many parking spaces per residence?
Each residence comes with two reserved parking places inside the parking deck.
Where do guests park?
There are additional parking places for guests and patrons of the restaurant as well as parking at the marina.
How do I access my condominium?
Each unit will have a blue-tooth lock that enables your phone to be your key. You will also be able to issue temporary keys to guests, or service personnel.
How do I access the building?
Building access will be on the same blue-tooth lock system as your unit so that your phone gives you access to the building.
Is the property gated?
Yes, and gate access will work on the same system as your unit and the building.
Where do customers of the restaurant park?
They will park in the available guest parking places as well as shared parking with the Captain’s Club.
Sales and Rentals
How much is the sales deposit?
Twenty percent (20%) of the purchase price is due with the execution of the purchase agreement. The funds are non-refundable seven days after executing the receipt of the offering statement as part of the purchase agreement. The funds will be used as part of the hard costs once construction of the project starts.
Do you allow for a financing contingency?
No.
Once the 20% deposit is paid, do I owe any other deposits prior to closing?
You will not owe any additional funds until the day of closing on the condominium at completion when the full balance is due.
May I rent my residence?
Yes, if you purchase one of the 6 Leasing Certificates. There will only be 6 Leasing Certificates issued. The cost is $25,000.00 for the Certificate and it allows your unit to be rented through the designated management company. The management company will be the same management company operating the new resort hotel adjoining HILLHOUSE Condos and the Captain’s Club. MakeReady Experience based in Dallas specializes in the operation of boutique hotels and restaurants and has been selected to manage the hotel. VRBO, AIRBNB, or any other type of self-management are not allowed. The Leasing Certificate can be sold to another owner if you decide you no longer want the certificate.
Condominium Owners Association (COA)
How much are the projected monthly association fees?
The following projections are good estimates for planning purposes:
| Residence A | $683.67 |
| Residence B | $801.01 |
| Residence C | $975.71 |
| Residence E | $1,485.72 |
| Residence G | $496.98 |
| Residence H | $2,013.99 |
What is included in the COA monthly fees?
The monthly fees include insurance policies, building common area maintenance, custodial services, landscaping, pest control, termite warranty, water, sewer, Internet, trash service, gate maintenance, and Building Reserves.
How am I billed for utilities?
The association pays for water, sewer, and Internet. Owners will be billed directly by Spire for natural gas, and Alabama Power for electricity.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, once they are registered and approved through petscreening.com. The following breeds are restricted and are not allowed: Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Mastiff, Wolf dogs and hybrids.
Captain’s Club
What is Captain’s Club?
The Captain’s Club includes the Captain’s Cabin, 189 Boat Slips, Carefree Boat Club, Paddle Board Club, Paddle Board and Kayak Storage Lockers, The Lawn, and the new Anchor 77 Restaurant coming in 2025.
When will the new docks and Market open?
The docks will be complete March 1st and the Market grand opening is April 12th.
Who can dine at the lakeside restaurant, Anchor 77?
The lakeside restaurant is exclusive to HILLHOUSE owners, Members of the Captain’s Club, and Members of NorthRiver and guests.
Who can use Captain’s Cabin?
The Captain’s Cabin is available for rent for special events and owner use.
Who can use “The Lawn”?
The Lawn is exclusive to HILLHOUSE owners, Members of the Captain’s Club, and Members of NorthRiver and guests. The Lawn will be renovated with new landscaping upon the completion of Anchor 77, and will have cabanas and chaise lounge chairs with an umbrella available for day use rental.
Do Condo Owners get priority in renting a boat slip in the Captain’s Club?
Yes. Condo owners will have priority to rent a boat slip in the Captain’s Club, and if there is a waitlist, condo owners will be placed at the top of the waitlist.
Who can buy gas and supplies at the Captain’s Club?
Anyone can purchase gas, supplies, food, and beverage from the Captain’s Club.
Will there be walking access from the condos to the Captain’s Club?
Yes, there is a walking path from the condos down to the lake and from the Lawn over to the new docks and Market.
What is the Carefree Boat Club?
The Captain’s Club is a licensed Carefree Boat Club and offers a membership for unlimited use of its fleet of boats. The Boat Club is a great alternative to owning a boat. You can learn more at https://captainsclub.carefreeboats.com.
What is the Paddle Board Club?
Like the Carefree Boat Club, the paddle board club offers a fleet of paddle boards and kayaks with numerous accessories for members to use on an unlimited basis. The club makes it easy to enjoy non-motorized recreation on the lake. You can learn more at https://captainsclublaketuscaloosa.com/membership/.
What products will be sold in the new Market?
The Market will have a variety of lake essentials, ice, bottled water, Gatorade, soft drinks, beer, fine wine, meats, seafood and pantry goods. The Market will offer regular wine tastings in addition to regular Captain’s Club social events.
The Jack Hotel and Resort
What is The Jack Hotel and Resort?
The name is a placeholder until the final branding is completed. The developers of HillHouse and the Captain’s Club have purchased the adjoining museum building called the Anchorage and the Jack Warner Inn. The properties are being combined to create a resort hotel. The existing buildings are being completely renovated and when complete will offer 63 rooms in the Inn building, and 37 new one and two room cabins built throughout the property.
Will there a restaurant at the resort?
Yes, there will be three unique dining options. The main restaurant located in the Anchorage building overlooking Lake Tuscaloosa, the poolside bar and grill, and a speakeasy in the Inn. The restaurants will be open to the community.
What amenities will the resort offer?
The resort will have its own fitness center, spa, pool overlooking the lake, and special event space. A benefit to condo owners will be the ability to order room service from the hotel restaurant.
When will the resort open?
The projected open date is June of 2025.