High-End Housing Community Creates Ultimate Living Experience With Upscale Amenities Powered by ELAN

Luxury housing communities throughout the nation are making a concerted effort to up their amenity game, and in Little Rock, Arkansas, the goal is no different. Professional management company Richardson Properties crafted the ultra-lux Pointe Brodie Creek housing complex on 40-acres, and connected more than 25 services through one ELAN Entertainment and Control System

Nestled among the serene outdoors, The Pointe Brodie Creek offers the best of luxury living in Little Rock. “We traveled to several Class-A multifamily communities in Texas to get ideas for this luxury property,” Steve Tracy, Vice President of Real Estate at Richardson Properties explained. “The goal was to craft a community with amazing amenities that weren’t available at other properties in the area.” The community boasts an array of services and facilities including a 78-seat theater, virtual fitness room, poker lounge and climate controlled wine lockers, 24/7 Precor fitness center, late night concierge, Las Vegas-style pool, and much more. 

After developing the overall design, Richardson Properties sought expert advice from Jonesboro-based design and integration firm, Sound Concepts. “In terms of square-footage, this is one of the largest jobs we’ve completed to date,” Sound Concepts Owner Ryan Heringer stated. “We showed Keith Richardson and Steve Tracy a variety of automation systems in our showroom, and they ultimately selected ELAN for the job.” 

According to Tracy, the main factor in choosing the ELAN system was its usability. “We needed a system that was user-friendly and easy to operate, and the ELAN system has definitely exceeded our expectations.”

The Pointe Brodie Creek has become its own community within Little Rock. Residence can enjoy Thirsty Thursdays, Wine Club meetings, and other special events in the main Club House weekly. However, with most amenities available to residents until 10PM, Richardson Properties needed a way close down the facilities after hours. “Most of the systems are on a schedule,” Tracy explained. “Our irrigation system, pool pumps, music, TVs, fountains, and fireplaces are all scheduled to turn on and off at certain hours with ELAN.”

With more than 500 multi-family units situated around the Club House, residents can enjoy a variety of amenities right outside of their door. Among them is a fully loaded 78-seat movie theater situated on the entire third floor of the main building. Built with state-of-the-art acoustics, the room comes equipped with a Draper 16:9 screen, Epson projector recessed in the back wall, and an ELAN System Controller to keep everything running smoothly. What’s more, the theater is completely operated by the ELAN g! App from an iPad built into the wall.

Throughout the rest of the Club House, The Point Brodie Creek residence are entertained by more than 10 Samsung 3D Smart LED TVs ranging from 46” to 55”. An 80” SHARP 3D Smart LED TV is also available in the communal Conference Room, which is utilized by not only residence but Little Rock-based organizations as well.

For audio, an ELAN S1616A Mulit-Room Audio Controller is used to operate more than 30 zones throughout the facility. The three-story building can receive audio inputs from up to 16 sources, creating full-bodied sound through 78 in-ceiling speakers. The MRA system allows The Pointe Brodie Creek’s Community Manager, Shelley Ellis, to create the perfect atmosphere in each room, so residence using the Library won’t be subjected to the same music as those attending “Thirsty Thursday” down the hall. Furthermore, custom Lutron LED Lighting systems were installed throughout the Club House, making the ambiance of each room unique to its purpose. Through the ELAN g! App, Ellis can not only turn the lights on and off, but also change the colors of the lights to set the exact mood desired for a sports game or other special event.

“The ELAN system is basically a time saving device,” Ellis explained. “Running around the property to turn everything on and off manually would take hours. With ELAN, I am able to operate and monitor everything straight from my phone which makes my job a lot easier.” 

The A/V doesn’t stop with the Club House. “We installed just as much audio and video equipment outside than we did inside,” Heringer added. “The green space is filled with speakers and 40 Wirepath™ surveillance cameras to keep residence not only entertained, but also make them feel safe.”

Twenty landscape speakers line the entire outdoor area, so residence can enjoy music at the Pet Park, Playground, Volleyball Court, Putting Green, Garden, or while barbecuing with friends by the Las Vegas-style pool. Surrounding the pool, residence can receive a resort-like experience with cabanas, fire pits, and an additional 30 outdoor speakers hidden in the greenery. Residence can also be entertained from every angle in the lush pool house. The inside bar boasts a Samsung 80” Smart 3D LED TV, while the outside bar comes equipped with a 55” 3D LED TV and the patio hosts a 65” Smart LED TV. Best of all, the entire outdoor A/V system is connected to an ELAN HC4 systems manager, allowing The Pointe Brodie Creek’s operations team to keep everything running smoothly without second thought.

“We recently broke ground on a similar facility right across the street,” Tracy concluded. “We’re working through the details now, but with the success of The Pointe Brodie Creek, we know it will be another fully automated community.” 

To download additional hi-res images, click here. All photography is courtesy of Jennifer Barakat.

Trident Case® Introduces New Slim And Protective Cyclops Case For Microsoft Surface™ Pro 3

Trident Case®, a leading manufacturer of stylishly designed but rugged mobile phone and tablet cases, today announced the introduction of its new Cyclops case for the Microsoft Surface™ Pro 3, which is designed to protect the tablet from drops, spills, dirt and moisture.

“Trident’s new Cyclops cases for the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet is efficient and stylish, just like the device it protects,” Trident Vice President of Marketing Vickie Achee said today. “Designed with convenience in mind, the case guarantees superior protection with minimal bulk for every tablet user.”

Overmolded with TPE and polycarbonate, Trident’s Cyclops case for the Surface Pro 3 protects tablets against drops and other impacts while simultaneously boasting an ultra slim and adaptable design. Equipped with a built-in stand, the user-friendly case guarantees convenience as well as protection. In addition, a removable cover port enables seamless keyboard use while the case is still on.

To protect the device, vent openings prevent the device from overheating, while waterproof mesh covers speakers and openings to keep dust, dirt and moisture away from the device. Inside the case, protective lining provides extra padding in case of accidents.

Known for its optimal protection, Trident’s Cyclops series minimizes the added bulk without sacrificing smartphone security. All bio-enhanced polycarbonate is recyclable, degradable and compostable, making it entirely eco-friendly.

The Cyclops Case for the Surface Pro 3 is available immediately in white, black and pink with a MSRP of $99.95.

Trident Case is a part of Microsoft’s “Designed For Surface Program”, along with a select group of preferred, top-quality brands. Microsoft included Trident Case because of its high level of premium mobile and tablet protection cases, in addition to its commitment to sustainability and USA-based manufacturing initiatives.

To receive updates on the availability of Trident’s Microsoft Surface cases please reach out to marketing@tridentcase.com.

Trident Case® Partners with Lifestyle Designer Kim Parker to Bring Fashion to the Forefront of Technology

Continuing its commitment to providing cutting-edge style and protection for smartphone and tablet users, Trident Case® today announced that it has partnered with Kim Parker, internationally acclaimed artist, lifestyle designer, and author to launch the all-new Kim Parker® Tech Accessory Collection. The series, debuting with Trident’s Aegis Design, and Kraken AMS Series, will showcase Kim Parker’s signature style floral designs.

“We’re very excited to integrate Kim Parker’s fashion and style expertise with Trident Case’s ultra-protective smartphone and tablet cases,” Trident Case Vice President of Marketing Vickie Achee said today. “While Trident provides rugged protection for delicate technology, Kim Parker provides the most unique floral prints in the industry today. It’s a perfect match!”

“While using my own Apple iPhone and iPad products, I realized that smartphone and tablet cases could serve as the perfect canvas for my floral patterns,” Kim Parker said today. “The new Kim Parker designer series for Trident Case reflects my brand's signature style of exuberant floral design. It is a wonderful canvas combining Trident Case's modern and sleek forms with my organic, rich colors and patterns."  

The American designer’s vibrant prints are licensed on various surfaces such as bedding, bath, designer rugs, pillows, housewares, tableware, giftware, wall art,stationery and fashion accessories. Now, she’s entering the world of mobile and tablet accessories with none other than Trident Case. “We’re honored to be Kim Parker’s first partner in the world of technology accessories,” Achee asserted.

Kim Parker is an internationally acclaimed artist, lifestyle designer, and author. She is the winner of several design awards, and her work has been featured in countless fashion and design publications worldwide. Her vibrant floral prints are licensed on various surfaces such as bedding, bath, designer rugs, pillows, housewares, tableware, giftware, stationery, wall art and fashion accessories. For more than a decade, the Kim Parker® brand has been sold at world-class retailers such as Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Crate & Barrel, Kohl’s, Harrods, WH Smith, John Lewis, Sears, JC Penney, Amazon.com, B&N and Walmart to name a few.

The new Kim Parker® Tech Accessory Collection will be launching with a few floral prints: “Petunias” in white, and “India Garden” in black for smartphones, and “French Garden” for tablets.  The Aegis Design Series for Samsung Galaxy® S5 and iPhone® 5S and iPhone® 6 will have an MSRP of $34.95.  The Kraken AMS Series for Apple® iPad® 2, 3, 4 will feature the French Garden floral print and offered for an MSRP of $79.95.  The Kim Parker® Tech Accessory Collection will eventually expand across multiple Trident Series, for additional devices.