Hanover Demands Comfort

Strict covenants small price to pay for quality

Sam Walton, the late founder of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., once asked Arnold Lehman to build an upscale neighborhood in Bentonville so Wal-Mart executives would stay in town. One of the early results was Hanover subdivision, a 130-acre, 137-lot work of art.

Jim von Gremp, who served for four years as a state representative from Bentonville, would talk Lehman into selecting the Hanover site, which Lehman began developing with von Gremp in 1987.

Shortly thereafter, von Gremp turned the project completely over to Lehman, who turned Hanover into a neighborhood that kept Wal-Mart’s growing number of high-level executives and retail vendors in town.

“Sam called me and asked me to do it,” Lehman said. “He said too many of his executives were moving to Fayetteville because there was no housing in Bentonville with protective covenants. At that time, you could build a nice house in Bentonville, and six months later someone could put a trailer right next to it.”

Lehman’s development company, Lehman Properties Inc., bought the property — which starts on Ridgefield Drive as it turns west off Walton Boulevard (just north of Fred’s Hickory Inn) — in 1987 from the William Ricker family. Lehman started developing the lots in 1988, and by 2000 sales from all three phases exceeded $7 million. His holding company, Lehman Inc., sold most of the lots.

The neighborhood spreads out over rolling hills and culs-de-sac, but never stretches more than a few minutes drive from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s home office. Because of its location and attention to detail, Hanover has quickly become a premiere residential destination for retail vendors, Wal-Mart executives and other professionals who enjoy upscale living in a family atmosphere.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal annually profiles an upscale neighborhood. Financial information pertaining to individual residences in this report was obtained from public records at the Benton County Courthouse.

Past profiles have included Fayetteville subdivisions Savannah Estates and Brookbury Woods and Rogers subdivisions Pinnacle Golf and Country Club, The Manors on Blossom Creek Way and Hyland Park.

Lehman has since turned his attention from Hanover to adjacent 94-acre Stonehenge and 90-acre Heathrow subdivisions. Four of 145 lots are still available in Stonehenge, but all 68 of Heathrow’s lots sold for a total of $3.4 million. Both later developments are similar to Hanover in their design for refined living.

Houses in Hanover range in appraised value from about $275,000 to $475,000 and anywhere from 3,200 SF to more than 6,600 SF. Lehman said he tried to save every tree possible on the lots.

“We made the lots bigger and that made for a better separation of the houses,” Lehman said. “That promotes bigger houses.”

Tom Conklin, secretary of Hanover’s property owners association, made the move to Hanover from Milwaukee, Wis. He and his wife, Ila, had been looking to retire in either the Carolinas, Kentucky or Tennessee. But some friends talked them into giving Bella Vista a look.

“I sure didn’t want to come to Arkansas after reading what the newspapers in Milwaukee had written about it,” Tom Conklin said. “But we took one of those tours and we were very impressed. It felt like home. But we didn’t know at our age then if we were ready to move to Bella Vista yet.”

The Conklins just happened to drive through Hanover while they were in Bentonville.

“Goodness knows I love Bella Vista, but this was more of what we were looking for,” Tom Conklin said. “It was closer to town, there was a variety of ages here and we liked the size of the lots. The lots are really what sold us.”

Covenant restrictions at Hanover vary for all three phases. None of them allows for mobile homes or boats to be seen from the road, and political signs aren’t allowed. There are others restrictions, too, including a limit on the number of pets one can have. A violations committee is in place “not to pick on anybody but to maintain the integrity of the subdivision,” Conklin said.

POA dues are $50 annually.

Lehman said he personally reviews every plot plan and demands every builder have written references.

Hanover’s largest residence belongs to Tom and Velina Callis, a 6,674-SF home at 9 White Way.

And while Charles and Kathleen Jones’ 6,316-SF home at 101 Somerset St. is a close second in size, its $475,030 appraised value is second to no one in the subdivision. David and Susan Hayes’ home on 9 Saddleworth Place was appraised at $465,000 as was Bernard and Pamela Leonard’s at 201 Somerset St.

Despite the upscale feel, at least one Hanover resident said people who move there should bring a smile. Snobs, she said, aren’t welcomed.

“[Hanover] has drawn very, very nice people,” said Ila Conklin, who lives in Phase II of Hanover. “There are no snobs living here.”

Here is a look at Hanover homes that exceed $314,000 in appraised value:

Hanover Phase I

1. Bernard and Pamela Leonard,

201 Somerset St. (lot 1). The 4,746-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 1999 for $465,000. Leonard bought the home May 8, 1996, from Arnold Lehman for $425,000. Lehman bought the lot June 18, 1990, for $16,000 from Hanover Inc.

2. Cecilia Clancy and John Sheehan,

105 Somerset St. (lot 6). The 3,968-SF home was built in 1997 and appraised in 1999 for $396,870. Clancy bought the home Nov. 4, 1997, from Tom and Velena Callis for $445,000. Callis bought the lot March 29, 1995, from Hanover Inc. for $41,000.

3. Charles and Kathleen Jones,

101 Somerset St. (lot 8). The 6,316-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $475,030. Jones bought the home Dec. 22, 2000, from Scott and Anne Northcutt for $410,000. Northcutt bought the home July 15, 1997, from Harry and Marjorie Montgomery for $474,000.

4. Malcolm and Lisa Gillihan,

100 Ridgefield Dr. (lot 9). The 5,356-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $355,330. Gillihan bought the home May 15, 2000, from Arnold and Jeannie Luttrell for $450,000. Luttrell bought the lot Jan. 9, 1995, from Hanover Inc. for $32,000.

5. Richard and Sherrill Wilson,

106 Ridgefield Dr. (lot 12). The 4,291-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 1999 for $355,540. Wilson bought the home July 27, 1999, from Victor and Angela Lee for $365,000. Lee bought the home Aug. 27, 1996, from Dewayne and Sherrie Truitt for $350,000.

6. David and Patricia Gorman,

2 Saddleworth Place (lot 19). The 4,908-SF home was built in 1993 and appraised in 1999 for $381,010. Gorman bought the lot March 27, 1989, from Hanover Inc. for $24,000.

7. David and Celia Swanson,

3 Saddleworth Place (lot 21). The 3,889-SF home was built in 1992 and appraised in 1999 for $380,380. Swanson bought the home May 11, 1994, from Max and Reba Livingston for $359,000. Livingston bought the home Sept. 27, 1992, from Leo Suzanne Gerdes for $300,000.

8. Michael and Jane Spendio,

7 Saddleworth Place (lot 22a). The 3,526-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 1999 for $358,580. Spendio bought the home June 29, 1999, from Richard and Jeanette Tavella for $380,000. Tavella bought the home Aug. 31, 1994, from Dan and Bonnie Nelson for $345,000.

9. David and Susan Hayes,

9 Saddleworth Place (lot 24). The 5,824-SF home was built in 1992 and appraised in 1999 for $465,000. Hayes bought the lot Oct. 13, 1987, from Hanover Inc. for $23,000.

10. Richard and Beverly Chapman,

11 Saddleworth Place (lot 25). The 3,579-SF home was built in 1993 and appraised in 1999 for $367,500. Chapman bought the lot Oct. 5, 1987 from Hanover Inc. for $22,450.

11. Paul and Ruth Williams,

105 Ridgefield Dr. (lot 29). The 3,586-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 1999 for $319,210. Williams bought the lot Sept. 3, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $28,000.

12. Jeffrey and Cynthia Underwood,

106 Somerset St. (lot 33). The 4,702-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 1999 for $393,170. Underwood bought the home Nov. 30, 2000, from Roy and Helen Ritter for $385,000. Ritter bought the home March 14, 2000, from the Lehman Trust for $375,000.

13. Rodger and Janie Dickinson,

110 Somerset St. (lot 34). The 4,545-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $355,930. Dickinson bought the lot March 27, 1995, from Hanover Inc. for $45,000.

14. Judy Geigle,

2 Canterbury Park (lot 35). The 5,888-SF home was built in 1993 and appraised in 1999 for $376,420. Geigle bought the lot Feb. 12, 1990, from Ronald and Nelda Blackwell for $31,000. Blackwell bought the lot Oct. 19, 1987, from Hanover Inc. for $26,000.

15. James and Kathy Cooper,

6 Canterbury Park (lot 37). The 4,557-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $338,220. Cooper bought the lot July 31, 1997, from Wanda and Charles Kircher for $28,000. Kircher bought the lot April 10, 1990, from Hanover Inc. for $22,000.

16. Arline Daut,

101 Devon Green St. (lot 39). The 4,246-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 1999 for $386,030. Daut bought the lot Oct. 5, 1987, from Hanover Inc. for $22,450.

17. Ronald and Wanda Blackwell,

100 Devon Green St. (lot 40). The 4,032-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 1999 for $325,240. Blackwell bought the home April 20, 1992, from Peggy Schuetts for $260,000. Schuetts bought the lot Oct. 30, 1988, from Hanover Inc. for $23,000.

18. Fredric and Kathleen Allred,

102 Devon Green St. (lot 41). The 5,220-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $330,950. Allred bought the lot March 27, 1995, from Jeff and Jeannine Brazzeal for $55,000. Brazzeal bought the lot July 11, 1994, from Hugh and Janice Nunn for $50,000.

19. Harold and Irene Sargent,

200 Devon Green St. (lot 43). The 3,560-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 1999 for $330,950. Sargent bought the lot Aug. 1, 1989, from Hanover Inc. for $26,000.

Hanover Phase II

20. Matthew and Marisha Mawby,

203 Somerset St. (lot 1). The 3,830-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $387,160. Mawby bought the home April 30, 1998, from William Lowe for $328,000. Lowe bought the home Dec. 20, 1993, from Arnold Lehman for $369,000.

21. Gary and Marcia Howard,

205 Somerset St. (lot 2). The 3,396-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $323,250. Howard bought the lot March 10, 1997, from William and Kathleen Jaycox for $37,000. Jaycox bought the lot Oct. 25, 1994, from William Lowe for $36,000.

22. Kurt and Dianna Bachert,

209 Somerset St. (Lot 4). The 3,630-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $367,430. Bachert bought the lot Jan. 31, 1994, from Hanover Inc. for $35,000.

23. Michael and Bonnie Bennett,

215 Somerset St. (lot 7). The 4,117-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 1999 for $344,090. Bennett bought the lot March 7, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $45,000.

24. Keith and Sheila Reichelderfer,

7 St. John’s St. (lot 11). The 3,623-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $315,230. Reichelderfer bought the home March 16, 2000, from James and Pamela Micik for $348,000. Micik bought the lot Oct. 15, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $41,000.

25. Otis and Mickie Harris,

9 St. John’s St. (lot 12). The 4,724-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $426,270. Harris bought the lot Aug. 2, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $45,000.

26. Frank and Alice Hysell,

210 Devon Green St. (lot 14). The 3,640-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 1999 for $320,990. Hysell bought the lot Aug. 23, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $29,000.

27. James and Valorie Lawson,

208 Devon Green St. (lot 15). The 4,499-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 1999 for $357,950. Lawson bought the home Aug. 28, 1996, from Park and Beverly Bingham for $360,000. Bingham bought the lot May 17, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $30,000.

28. Ernie and Elizabeth Deaton,

206 Devon Green St. (lot 16). The 3,949-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $326,130. Deaton bought the home March 8, 1999, from Ralph and Carolyn Vernetti for $378,000. Vernetti bought the lot April 22, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $29,000.

29. Craig and Gale Calton,

204 Devon Green St. (lot 17). The 3,973-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $328,440. Calton bought the home June 21, 1996, from Peter and Collette Dunne for $305,000. Dunne bought the lot Jan. 22, 1992, from Hanover Inc. for $33,000.

30. Dale and Melissa Remerscheid,

203 Devon Green St. (lot 19). The 4,427-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $384,340. Remerscheid bought the lot June 18, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $28,000.

31. Hoy and Norma Farrer,

205 Devon Green St. (lot 20). The 3,684-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $313,950. Farrer bought the lot May 13, 1993, from Michael and Margaret Suszek for $35,000. Suszek bought the lot Aug. 4, 1992, from Hanover Inc. for $30,000.

32. Donna and Bryan Banks,

207 Devon Green St. (lot 21). The 3,694-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $355,330. Banks bought the lot Jan. 24, 1995, from Hanover Inc. for $39,000.

33. Craig and Marianne Smith,

209 Devon Green St. (lot 22). The 3,380-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $322,820. Smith bought the lot Jan. 28, 1998, from Hanover

34. Marjorie Montgomery,

210 Regency Court (lot 25). The 4,905-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 1999 for $401,740. Montgomery bought the home Oct. 30, 1997, from Roberta Durflinger for $370,000. Durflinger bought the lot June 22, 1993, from Hanover Inc. for $30,000.

35. Gary and Denise Maxwell,

202 Regency Court (lot 29). The 4,172-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $391,170. Maxwell bought the home June 4, 1999, from Donald and Sheroll Walker for $406,000. Walker bought the lot Nov. 18, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $35,000.

36. William and Iris Ciani,

203 Regency Court (lot 32). The 3,802-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $402,650. Ciani bought the home June 21, 2000, from Fred Disch for $415,000. Disch bought the lot Feb. 28, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $41,000.

37. Walter and Sharon Neiser,

211 Regency Court (lot 35). The 4,099-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $352,650. Neiser bought the lot June 10, 1996, from Hanover Inc. for $46,000.

38. Gordon and Cheryl Erickson,

210 Somerset St. (lot 37). The 4,104-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 1999 for $410,910. Erickson bought the home Nov. 26, 1996, from Hugh and Janice Nunn for $372,000. Nunn bought the home Oct. 15, 1992, from James and Kathy Cooper for $281,000.

39. Charlotte and Charles Hoffman,

208 Somerset St. (lot 38). The 3,281-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $317,420. Hoffman bought the lot June 30, 1992, from Arnold Lehman for $27,000.

40. Marvin and Marsha Gray,

206 Somerset St. (lot 39). The 3,795-SF home was built in 1992 and appraised in 1999 for $339,820. Gray bought the home May 1, 1992, from Arnold Lehman for $299,000. Lehman bought the lot Oct. 9, 1991, from Hanover Inc. for $27,000.

41. Charles and Mary Kerby,

204 Somerset St. (lot 40). The 4,797-SF home built in 1996 and appraised in 1999 for $401,450. Kerby bought the home Sept. 23, 1998, from Robert and Irene Phillips for $420,000. Phillips bought the lot Oct. 20, 1992, from Hanover Inc. for $29,000.

Hanover Phase III

42. Patrick Travis,

10 Robson Way (lot 5). The 4,135-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $328,130. Travis bought the home April 10, 2000, from David and Paula McClendon for $480,000. McClendon bought the lot Sept. 3, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $41,000.

43. Jack and Linda Johnsey,

16 Robson Way, (lot 8). The 3,992-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $348,230. Johnsey bought the home Dec. 5, 2000, from John and Mary Burckart for $505,000. Burckart bought the lot April 22, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $39,000.

44. Tom and Velina Callis,

9 White Way (lot 14). The 6,674-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $459,410. Callis bought the lot Nov. 19, 1997, from Shirley Lippert for $60,000. Lippert bought the lot March 20, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $57,000.

45. John and Janice Lewis,

212 Ridgefield St. (lot 20). The 4,273-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $321,230. Lewis bought the lot July 10, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $46,000.

46. Nathan and Kimberly Duhamel,

214 Ridgefield St. (lot 21). The 4,745-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $346,280. Duhamel bought the lot March 11, 1998, from Hanover Inc. for $54,000.

47. Rodney and Michelle Dennett,

216 Ridgefield St. (lot 22). The 5,872-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $452,680. Dennett bought the lot March 6, 1998, from Hanover Inc. for $53,000.

48. Constance and Randall Bennett,

218 Ridgefield St. (lot 23). The 3,789-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $383,360. Bennett bought the lot March 24, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $67,000.

49. Andrew and Sally Albright,

217 Ridgefield St. (lot 25). The 4,915-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $373,820. Albright bought the lot Feb. 13, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $46,000.

50. Jeffery and Jeannine Brazzeal,

215 Ridgefield St. (lot 26). The 3,743-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $334,410. Brazzeal bought the lot April 11, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $48,000.

51. Paul and Barbara Schwartz,

205 Ridgefield St. (lot 31). The 4,144-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $334,480. Schwartz bought the home Dec. 3, 1999, from Calcon Inc. for $384,000. Calcon Inc. bought the lot March 4, 1999, from Hanover for $53,000.

52. Robert and Kathy Clinard,

203 Ridgefield St. (lot 32). The 4,200-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $339,770. Clinard bought the lot July 18, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $46,000.

53. Howard and Patricia Lee,

1 Robson Way (lot 33). The 3,493-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $314,100. Lee bought the home Sept. 24, 1998, from Burckart Construction Co. for $325,000. Burckart bought the lot Oct. 24, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $45,000.

54. Paul and Pamela Prebil,

5 Robson Way (lot 35). The 4,463-SF home was built in 1998 and appraised in 1999 for $350,850. Prebil bought the home Aug. 27, 1999, from Gary and Amy Allen for $445,000. Allen bought the home June 17, 1998, from Calcon Inc. for $360,000.

55. Edward and Sandra Fox,

9 Robson Way, (lot 37). The 5,339-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $385,440. Fox bought the lot March 12, 1998, from Hanover Inc. for $48,000.

56. Lester and Jane Brucker,

10 Gorman Gate Dr. (lot 41). The 5,573-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $387,800. Brucker bought the home July 1, 1999, from Calcon Inc. for $429,000. Calcon bought the lot Oct. 19, 1998, from Hanover Inc. for $41,000.

57. Randall and Lynn Simms,

6 Gorman Gate Dr. (lot 43). The 4,480 home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $353,110. Simms bought the lot Dec. 21, 1998, from Philip and Robin Reynolds for $37,000. Reynolds bought the lot April 4, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for $37,000.

58. Charles and Silena Puckett,

4 Gorman Gate Dr. (lot 44). The 3,632-SF home was built in 1999 and appraised in 1999 for $328,100. Puckett bought the home Nov. 10, 1999, from Kevin and Gayle Talbot for $440,000. Talbot bought the lot Sept. 24, 1997, from Hanover Inc. for 39,000.