Heathrow Hills Create Unique Upscale Haven

Cutting Heathrow subdivision out of the terraced and jagged hills of west Bentonville was apparently a “Tuffy” job. Now one of Benton County’s most upscale residential developments, the 58-acre enclave wasn’t assembled into a contiguous property until 1998 when Arnold “Tuffy” Lehman decided to tackle the task.

He paid $868,000 for the original 70 acres, which sit atop Creighton Drive, an arching climb west up from S.E. Walton Boulevard. It came in four parcels from Clarence and Marian Lewis, Paul E. Holland, Dan and Carol Shook and Mary Ann Wright all of Bentonville.

Lehman said he had been eyeing the property since construction began on his second Bentonville effort, Stonehenge. But it took awhile before the Hollands would agree to sell.

The plat that connected the Heathrow properties and re-cut them into lots was finally drawn later that year. John Lehman, the developer’s son and business partner, said the original parcels probably didn’t sell sooner because of their rugged terrain.

For high-end homes with a Bentonville address, Arnold Lehman said, Heathrow might just be the last of its kind. The rest of the land in the hometown of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., he said, doesn’t offer the undulating topography that makes mansions pop out of the scenery and into home buyers’ hearts.

“The [rest of the] land isn’t suitable. It doesn’t have the dimension,” Arnold Lehman said. “It doesn’t have the trees or rolling hills that it takes to sell the bigger houses.”

Today the completed homes at Heathrow are worth about $15.5 million, based on their combined appraised or, in a couple of cases, construction costs. That makes the average existing home price there $471,277. The size minimum is 3,000 SF.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal annually profiles an upscale neighborhood to keep readers apprised of changes in local property values. Data pertaining to individual residences in this report was obtained from public records at the Benton County Courthouse and Courthouse Data Inc. in Fayetteville.

Heathrow presents more vacant lots than have been seen previously in this series. That’s primarily because truly upscale developments in Benton County, other than Pinnacle Country Club, came late to Northwest Arkansas’ economic party. Ostentatious displays of wealth were frowned upon by the late Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, who died in 1992.

But since Mr. Sam’s passing, another decade of retailing success has created a new generation of wealth, many members of which have moved in from more metropolitan areas where $300,000-and-up homes are the norm.

Heathrow still contains 26 vacant lots, or in some cases lots where home construction just started. Of the empty lots, 13 have sold to prospective home owners or developers. The rest are owned by the Lehmans, who do their own speculative and custom home building.

Twelve acres of the original purchase were sold to Randy Johnson for in 2000 for an undisclosed amount.

Here’s a look at all the Heathrow homes and, for the first time, the yet undeveloped lots. The profile numbers correspond to the subdivision’s actual lot numbers. Several lots, such as Nos. 20 and 21, were combined and replatted, hence the occasional odd numbering:

1. The Arnold D. Lehman

Revocable Trust

2001 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 2,939-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $365,660. Lehman bought the 0.74-acre lot from Lehman Properties LLC in 2000 for $54,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

2. Ray and Cheryl Jones

2003 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,174-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $334,920. Jones bought the 0.43-acre lot and home from their company, 67 Development LLC, in November 2000. Sixty-Seven Development bought the lot from Lehman in February 2000 for $52,000.

3. The Arnold D.

Lehman Revocable Trust

2005 N.W. Harvard Walk. Lehman Trust bought the 0.42-acre lot from Lehman Properties in November 2000 for $49,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

4. Dynamic Enterprises Inc.

2103 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,599-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $332,400. Dynamic, owned by Jeannie Fleeman, bought the 0.47-acre lot and home from Executive Custom Homes LLC for $444,000. Executive, owned by Todd and Melanie Fleeman, bought the lot from Lehman in 2000 for $49,000.

5. Johnnie and Diana Dobbs

2105 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 4,309-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $526,480. Dobbs bought the 0.48-acre lot and home from Tracy Clay and Tim Hise in 2002 for $558,000. Clay and Hise bought the lot from Lehman in 2000 for $48,000.

6. Tracy Clay and Tim Hise

2107 N.W. Harvard Walk. Clay and Hise bought the 0.42-acre lot from Lehman in 2001 for $46,000. The lot was appraised in 2002 for $49,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

7. Sabrina Mills and Larry Pease

2109 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,282-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $343,130. Mills and Pease bought the 0.43-acre lot and home in 2001 from Executive Custom Homes LLC, for $375,000. Executive, owned by Todd and Melanie Fleeman, bought the lot from Lehman in 2000 for $49,000.

8. Louis and Linda Salvatore

2201 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,094-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $389,360. Salvatore bought the 0.44-acre lot and home from Austin Homes in 2001 for $393,000. Austin Homes, owned by Larry Austin, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman for $48,000.

9. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

2203 N.W. Harvard Walk. Lehman has a 4,519-SF home under construction with a building permit value of $336,051. The Lehman Trust bought the 0.44-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties LLC for $49,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $49,000, and was part of the Lehman Properties’ original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

10. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

Address on N.W. Harvard Walk not yet assigned by the Benton County 911 office. The Lehman Trust bought the 0.44-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $49,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $49,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

11. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

Address on N.W. Harvard Walk not yet assigned by Benton County 911 office. The Lehman Trust bought the 0.44-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $49,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $49,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

12. Clark and Kathryn Tedrick

2301 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,533-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $376,680. Tedrick bought the 0.46-acre lot and home in 2002 from C&K Builders for $435,000. C&K, now Kenneth Knight’s Knight Construction Co., bought the lot in 2001 from the Arnold D. Lehman Revocable Trust for $57,000.

13. Carl and Holly Crowe

Joint Revocable Trust

2303 N.W. Harvard Walk. Crowe bought the 0.81-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman for $58,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

14. Anthony and Kathleen

Laszewski

2305 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 5,209-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $624,830. Laszewksi bought the 1.06-acre lot and home from Calcon, owned by Helena Callis, in 2001 for $520,000. Calcon bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman for $62,000.

15. Rickie and Barbara Garrison

Joint Revocable Trust

2307 N.W. Harvard Walk. Garrison bought the 1.02-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman for $65,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

16. Dale and Allison Beaman

2309 N.W. Harvard Walk. Beaman bought the 0.84-acre lot in 2001 from Lehman for $75,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Wright, Lewis and Holland

17. Terrance and Tina Gunter

2311 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 4,521-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $467,970. Gunter bought the 0.75-acre lot and home from C&K Builders in 2001 for $520,000. C&K, now Kenneth Knight’s Knight Construction Co., bought the lot from Lehman in 2000 for $63,000.

18. Thomas and Mary Ewing

2313 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,417-SF home was built in 2003 and has not yet been appraised. Ewing bought the 0.75-acre lot and home in 2003 from United Arkansas General Contractors Inc. for $525,000. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the lot in 2002 from Lehman Trust for $62,000.

19. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

Address on Creighton Drive not yet assigned by the Benton County 911 office. Lehman Trust bought the 2.06-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties LLC for $68,200. The lot appraised in 2002 for $68,200. Lehman Properties acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

69. Ronald and Wanda Blackwell

2401 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 7,923-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $896,260. Blackwell bought the 2.44-acre lot from Lehman in 2000 for $105,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright

22. Ronald and Wanda Blackwell

2404 N.W. Harvard Walk. Blackwell bought the 0.94-acre lot in 2001 from Lehman Trust for $62,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $68,200. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

23. Ronald and Wanda Blackwell

2402 N.W. Harvard Walk. Blackwell bought the 1.02-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman Trust for $61,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $65,100. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

24. United Arkansas General

Contractors Inc.

2400 N.W. Harvard Walk. United has a 4,500-SF home under construction there with a building permit value of $328,200. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the 1.51-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman for $62,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $65,100.

25. Elvin and Tammy Tubre

2310 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,843-SF was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $418,390. Tubre bought the 1.43-acre lot and home in 2001 from United Arkansas General Contractors for $459,000. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the lot in 2001 from Lehman for $65,000.

26. Amy Smith

2308 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,573-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $410,730. Smith bought the 1.14-acre lot and home in 2002 from United Arkansas General Contractors for $472,000. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the lot in 2002 from Lehman for $62,000.

27. Jeffery and Allyson Gruener

2306 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,487-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $384,740. Gruener bought the 0.77-acre lot and home from United Arkansas General Contractors in 2001 for $415,000. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the lot in 2002 from Lehman for $63,000.

28. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

2304 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,795-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $421,390. Lehman Trust bought the 0.85-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman Properties LLC for $67,000. Lehman Properties acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

29. United Arkansas General

Contractors Inc.

2302 N.W. Harvard Walk. United has a 4,500-SF home under construction there with a permit value of $335,668. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the 0.48-acre lot in 2003 from Lehman Trust for $52,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000.

30. The Arnold D. Lehman

Revocable Trust

Address on Princeton Square has not yet assigned by the Benton County 911 office. The Lehman Trust bought the 0.53-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties LLC for $62,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000. Lehman Properties acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

31. United Arkansas General

Contractors Inc.

1100 N.W. Princeton Square. United has a 3,919-SF home under construction there with a permit value of $288,692. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher of Prairie Creek, bought the 0.48 acre lot in 2003 from Lehman Trust for $52,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $46,500.

32. Karl and Vicki Schroeder

1012 N.W. Princeton Square. Schroeder bought the 0.47-acre lot in 2003 from Lehman Trust for $58,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $46,500. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

33. Gary Mayer

1010 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,103-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $346,210. Mayer bought the 0.44-acre lot and home in 2003 from Daniel Shy for $430,000. Shy bought the lot and home in 2001 from C&K Builders, now Kenneth Knight’s Knight Construction Co., for $394,000.

34. Bart and Patricia Bauer

1008 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,493-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2003 for $415,970. Bauer bought the 0.74-are lot and home in 2001 from United Arkansas General Contractors Inc. for $400,000. United, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman Trust for $66,000.

35. LaBounty Development Co. LLC

1006 N.W. Princeton Square. The 5,098-SF home was built in 2002 by owner Jerry LaBounty and appraised in 2003 for $528,840. LaBounty bought the 0.93-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman for $68,000.

36. United Arkansas General

Contractors Inc.

1004 N.W. Princeton Square. United bought the 0.55-acre lot in 2003 from Lehman for $61,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $62,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

70. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

1002 N.W. Princeton Square. The Lehman Trust bought the 0.55-acre lot from Lehman Properties in 2000 for $15,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $15,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

38. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

1000 N.W. Princeton Square. Lehman Trust bought the 1.02-acre in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $65,100. The lot appraised in 2002 for $65,100. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

39. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

910 N.W. Princeton Square. Lehman Trust bought the 1.33-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $71,300. The lot appraised in 2002 for $71,300. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

40. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

908 N.W. Princeton Square. Lehman Trust bought the 1.3-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $71,300. The lot appraised in 2002 for $71,300. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

41. LaBounty Development Co. LLC

906 N.W. Princeton Square. LaBounty, owned by Jerry LaBounty, bought the 1.65-acre lot from Lehman Trust in 2000 for $79,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $80,600. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

42. LaBounty Development Co. LLC

904 N.W. Princeton Square. LaBounty, owned by Jerry LaBounty, bought the 0.84-acre lot from Lehman Trust in 2001 for $83,000. Lehman bought the property as part of a two-lot sale in 2001 from Donald and Arlene Daut for $138,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $68,200. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

43. Calvin and Kay Lowe

902 N.W. Princeton Square. The 4,350-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $477,360. Lowe bought the 0.82-acre lot from Lehman Trust in 2002 for $79,000. Lehman Trust bought the property as part of a two-lot sale in 2001 from Donald and Arlene Daut for $138,000.

44. Scott and Leslie Rouse

903 N.W. Princeton Square. The 4,370-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $496,560. Rouse bought the 0.43-acre lot and home in 2003 from Green for $610,000. Green bought the lot and home in 2002 from United Arkansas General Contractors, owned by Craig Smith and Tim Thatcher, for $521,000.

45. Steve and Elizabeth Henderson

905 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,890-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $376,370. Henderson bought the 0.44-acre lot and home in 2002 from Frank Burr Fine Homes for $420,000. Fine Homes, owned by Frank and Betty Burr, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $62,000.

46. Matthew Desmond

907 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,247-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $377,420. Desmond bought the 0.56-acre lot and home in 2003 from Coolwater LLC for $358,000. Coolwater LLC, managed by Jerry Malies, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties LLC for $64,000.

47. Dynamic Enterprises Inc.

909 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,386-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $374,110. Dynamic bought the 0.39-acre lot and home from Executive Homes in 2002 for $370,000. Executive Custom Homes LLC, owned by Todd and Melanie Fleeman, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman for $61,000.

50. Thomas and Maria Seay

Address on N.W. Vassar Court not yet assigned by the Benton County 911 office. Seay bought the 0.57-acre lot from Lehman in 2001 for $68,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $65,100. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

66. Thomas and Maria Seay

1001 N.W. Princeton Square. The 5,519-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $817,630. Seay bought the 0.99-acre lot from Arnold Lehman in 2000 for $120,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

68. James and Ann McKenzie

2201 Vassar Court. The 9,600-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $1.2 million. McKenzie bought the 1.39-acre lot from Arnold Lehman in 2000 for $115,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Wright, Lewis and Holland

54. The Arlene Daut Trust

1101 N.W. Princeton Square. The 4,310-SF home was built in 2001 and appraised in 2002 for $580,460. Donald and Arlene Daut bought the 0.56-acre lot and home from Lehman Builders Inc. in 2001 for $595,000. Lehman Builders bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties LLC for $62,000.

55. Raymond and Evonne Bracy

2204 N.W. Harvard Walk Bracy has a 6,657-SF home under construction there with a building permit value of $476,362. Bracy bought the 0.56-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman Trust for $72,000. The lot appraised in 2000 for $65,100.

56. Terry and Lynette Laster

2202 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 3,274-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $415,250. Laster bought the 0.48-acre lot from Lehman Trust in 2000 for $60,000. Lehman Trust bought the lot from Lehman Properties LLC in 2000 for $67,000.

57. The Huber Family Trust

2200 N.W. Harvard Way The 4,093-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $483,400. Huber bought the 0.51-acre lot and home in 2001 from Charles Benningfield for $530,000. Benningfield bought the lot in 2000 from Musson Builders for $64,000.

58. Larry and Patricia Johnson

900 N.W. Princeton Square. The 3,696-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $448,850. Johnson bought the 0.53-acre lot from Lehman Trust in 2001 for $72,000. Lehman Trust bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $70,350.

59. Paul and Lynne Sidesma

2102 N.W. Harvard Walk. The 7,280-SF home was built in 2003 and appraised in 2003 for $724,540. Sidesma bought the 0.48-acre lot and home in 2003 from Payne Construction Co. for $737,000. Payne, owned by Mike Payne, bought the lot in 2000 from Lehman for $43,000.

60. Bruce and Margaret Peterson

2100 N.W. Harvard Walk. Peterson bought the 0.56-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman Trust for $67,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $68,200. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

61. The Bruce and Margaret

Peterson Trust

901 N.W. Oxford Gate. The 6,183-SF home was built in 2002 and appraised in 2002 for $672,760. Peterson bought the 1.23-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Trust for $69,000. Lehman Trust bought the lot from Lehman Properties LLC in 2000 for $73,200.

62. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

900 N.W. Oxford Gate. Lehman Trust bought the 2.91-acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $124,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $124,000. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

63. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

902 N.W. Oxford Gate. Lehman Trust bought the 1.09 -acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $68,200. The lot appraised in 2002 for $68,200. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

64. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

904 N.W. Oxford Gate. Lehman Trust bought the 0.64 -acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $65,100. The lot appraised in 2002 for $65,100. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.

65. The Arnold Lehman

Revocable Trust

Address on N.W. Harvard Walk not yet assigned by Benton County 911 office. Lehman Trust bought the 1.64 -acre lot in 2000 from Lehman Properties for $55,800. The lot appraised in 2002 for $55,800. Lehman Properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Wright, Lewis and Holland

67. Marilyn Bogle and James

and Ann McKenzie

Address on N.W. Vassar Court not yet assigned by the Benton County 911 office. Bogle and McKenzie bought the 0.57-acre lot in 2002 from Lehman Trust for $59,000. The lot appraised in 2002 for $55,800. Lehman properties LLC acquired the land as part of its original $868,000 purchase from Lewis, Holland, Shook and Wright.