Latest news with #TheColony

Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Del Webb Breaks Ground On Lost Pines, The Company's First New Austin-Area 55+ Community In 30+ Years
Anticipated to open in early 2026, Del Webb Lost Pines will feature over 500 total residences and resort-style amenities in the historical town of Bastrop, Texas, a 30-minute drive from Austin BASTROP, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 11, 2025 / Del Webb, the nation's leading builder of active adult communities for those 55 and older, broke ground yesterday on Del Webb Lost Pines, the builder's first 55+ community to open in the Austin area in over 30 years. Located in the historic town of Bastrop, Texas and within The Colony, the area's premier master-planned community, Del Webb Lost Pines will feature modern, resort-style amenities and activities tailored to its residents' diverse interests. It has been designed in response to the evolving tastes and desires of today's 55+ homebuyers, who are seeking an active and engaged lifestyle that places priority on wellness, health, and friendship. With Texas topping the list of a recent study as the number one state for retirees, the timing is ideal for the development of this new, contemporary community. The groundbreaking marks the start of the first of two phases of construction for Del Webb Lost Pines, which will include over 260 residences. Upon full buildout, 500+ residences will be available across more than 323 acres. Home sales and a Grand Opening are expected in Q1 2026. Del Webb Lost Pines is just a short drive from Austin and is surrounded by the natural beauty of Texas Hill Country and adjacent to the Colorado River. The community takes its name from the Lost Pines Forest, a stand of pine trees near Bastrop. 'Given the growth of Austin and the rapidly expanding 55+ demographic, we're excited to break ground on this new community and showcase the Del Webb lifestyle to the great town of Bastrop,' said Pablo Rivas, Division President of PulteGroup Central Texas. 'It's been decades since a new Del Webb community has opened in the Austin area, and Del Webb Lost Pines will fill the demand with its beautiful, consumer-inspired home designs and upscale amenities.' Del Webb Lost Pines will feature three home series designed to enhance active adult living, perfect for hosting family and entertaining. Whether downsizing or upsizing, prospective homebuyers can choose from several one-story homes with open designs, spacious kitchens, and energy-efficient construction. Del Webb Lost Pines redefines 55+ living with its modern assortment of planned amenities. At the heart of the community, a state-of-the-art amenity center will serve as the social hub. Expected to be completed Q3 of 2026, the amenity center will offer residents and their guests year-round activities inside the expansive clubhouse, including a fitness center, aerobics classes, multi-purpose hobby rooms, golf simulator, and more. Outside will feature a resort-style pool, bocce and pickleball courts, and miles of walking trails. A full-time Lifestyle Director will plan and oversee all amenities and events, with plenty of opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors. The groundbreaking ceremony held on July 10th brought together Del Webb Lost Pines's visionaries alongside Bastrop City and County officials who commended the project as a welcome addition to The Colony neighborhood and the larger Bastrop community. Notable attendees included: Pablo Rivas, Division President of PulteGroup Central Texas; Bryan Beil, Vice President of Land Acquisitions at PulteGroup Central Texas; and Ashley Ellis, Vice President of Sales at PulteGroup Central Texas. Interested homebuyers are encouraged to visit the Del Webb Lost Pines community website at to join the VIP interest list and learn about upcoming milestones, including community development updates, special events, promotions, and more. Special VIP and events and tours of model homes are expected to start by late 2025. About Del Webb Del Webb is a national brand of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM). Del Webb is the pioneer in active adult communities and America's leading builder of new homes designed for pre-retirement and retirees. Del Webb builds consumer inspired homes and communities for active adults ages 55+ who want to continue to explore, grow and learn, socially, physically and intellectually as they look forward to retirement. For more information on Del Webb, visit About PulteGroup PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America's largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 45 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry's most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup's purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to and Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on X: @PulteGroupNews. Contact Eric Podolsky NewGround PR & Media 617.694.6411 / [email protected] SOURCE: Del Webb - Lost Pines press release


CBS News
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Police cast wide net in probe of defunct North Texas car dealership's business practices
Desire Godfrey said it was time for a vehicle upgrade. The Lancaster mother had her eye on a Lexus. "I had a baby, so I'm looking for something reliable for me and a baby," Godfrey said. She searched online and found what she thought was the right vehicle at The Reserve Auto Group in The Colony. She described the sales process in May 2024 as a positive experience. Warranty and GAP insurance issues But an unexpected oil change six months later changed everything. Godfrey, 33, said a Lexus dealership informed her the vehicle was not under warranty. She also discovered her GAP insurance policy didn't exist. "They (Reserve Auto Group) never paid the warranty company the money they were supposed to pay to activate this warranty and this GAP insurance," she said. Car loan charges continue Godfrey said the costs were included in her car note. She filed a report with The Colony Police Department — and she's not alone. Police said they received their first complaint on Jan. 31. According to a news release, police have been investigating multiple fraud claims connected to the dealership since 2023. The business shut down in December 2024, but complaints continue to come in. Alleged auto fraud pattern Investigators said customers were allegedly instructed to write separate checks for aftermarket warranties or GAP insurance policies. Those payments were supposed to go to third-party providers, but police said the dealership allegedly cashed the checks and never forwarded the money — leaving customers without coverage. Another victim comes forward A second alleged victim, who spoke to CBS News Texas anonymously, said she and her husband also bought a Lexus from the dealership. She provided a non-activation letter from DOWC Administrative Services LLC, a company that offers GAP insurance and warranties. The letter stated: "Please be advised that Reserve Auto has failed to remit payment to Us as the Administrator and Provider for your Contract. Consequently, the Contract was not activated in our system." Investigation still ongoing Police have not made any arrests or publicly identified anyone associated with the allegations. Officers said they are continuing to vet additional alleged victims. CBS News Texas is not naming the person listed as the dealership's owner, as police have indicated he did nothing wrong. He spoke briefly by phone, saying he wanted to schedule an appointment to discuss the claims further because he believed "we did not have all the facts." When asked for clarification, he said he didn't have time to explain. Legal team responds Two emails followed the call, and attorneys from Herrin Law introduced themselves. "We have no comment at this time. Thank you for your interest in our client's side of the story," attorney Benjamin Palatiere said. He requested that all future inquiries be directed to him. Buyer left without coverage Meanwhile, Godfrey said the vehicle itself has not had any issues. But she continues to pay for a warranty and insurance that don't exist. "So nobody wants to refinance the loan. Nobody wants to give me GAP insurance," she said. "It's just more so like I'm going to take it or leave it. If I wreck the car, then I would have to figure out a way to pay that car off." Godfrey said she hopes to recover the money one day.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jonas Renske hopes Katatonia's new era includes more input from his bandmates
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Revered Swedish prog metal gloom mongers Katatonia sent shockwaves through their fanbase in March when it was announced that founding guitarist Anders Nyström had left the band after 34 years and 12 albums. That hasn't stopped co-founding vocalist Jonas Renkse in his tracks, though, and he ushers in a new era of the band with 13th LP Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State. It features a new-look line-up with two new guitar players – Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland – and Renkse is now eyeing new heights. 'When I listen to the album, I hear a band that's still very hungry and wants to do new things and go to new places,' he says. 'There's a drive, a new energy and new ideas.' He'd previously said Nyström's departure was 'a decision not taken lightly,' but that it allowed 'everyone to thrive and move forward with their own creative preferences.' Things threatened to get ugly when the guitarist retaliated by saying:'Katatonia could and should have been mutually laid to rest,' believing Renkse and co should operate under a new name. He also criticised the band's recent setlists for ignoring their earlier material. Renkse confirms to Prog that he's mourning the end of their 'fruitful' partnership – but believes the band's legacy in in safe hands. 'Some relationships go on for a long time, and you maybe don't realise that you've grown apart,' he reflects. 'I'm happy we got to live this dream together. What we have created together cannot be taken away from us.' The new record itself, it sees Renske accompanied by bassist Niklas Sandin, drummer Daniel Moilanen, and the 'overwhelming' talents of Elgstrand (Entombed AD) and Svalland (Letters From The Colony). Elgstrand is no stranger to the band, having deputised for live shows in recent years, while Svalland was 'the guy that I had my eye on' when the search for a new member began. This album is a little bit more guitar-based … I was thinking more as a guitar player than anything else While 2023's Sky Void Of Stars found Katatonia sounding uncharacteristically upbeat, Nightmares returns to a darker sonic world. 'It's something I reacted to,' Renkse says. 'Perhaps subconsciously because of the last album, but when I got the masters back, I thought, 'Wow, this record is really dark!' 'I think, for some reason, this album is a little bit more guitar-based. I was picking up the guitar more often than keyboards, and I was thinking more as a guitar player than anything else.' Listeners can expect plenty of guitar solos too. Nightmares is the third consecutive Katatonia album Renkse has written on his own. He says the new record – which explores 'the nightmares we face in life' – is not very different from its predecessors; but he's afforded himself experimentation with Efter Solen, a fully electronic song sung in Swedish. 'I'm always writing, and it had a very nice vibe to it. I didn't really want to waste it by just keeping it on a hard drive,' he explains. 'I'm very happy to have it as an experiment; it's still very melancholic and dark; it just has a different kind of clothing.' He hopes future albums will see the band sharing the weight of songwriting duties. 'I always encourage it – but in the last 10 years, no one has really stepped up to the plate. Being the sole songwriter is sometimes very lonely; I would love the bouncing back and forth of ideas.'

Vogue
23-05-2025
- Business
- Vogue
What's New in the Hamptons? The Restaurants, Hotels, and Stores to Know for Summer 2025
Memorial Day is here, and with it, the start of the summer season in the Hamptons—New York's unofficial summer getaway. For those who plan to make the trek down the 27-A state highway this summer, here are the new restaurants, hotels, and shops you'll see along the way. An iconic East Hampton mainstay, for example, is getting a new life courtesy of the hoteliers behind The Colony in Palm Beach, whereas in Sagaponack, a general store is making a splashy re-introduction. Below, a roundup of what's new in the Hamptons in summer 2025. Hotels Arguably the most exciting news from out East? The Hedges Inn—the beloved hotel housed in a 19th-century colonial home on the cusp of East Hampton Town—has found new stewards in Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall. The owners of The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach will breathe new energy into the property, with minor renovations occurring this summer and a more extensive update to debut in 2026. 'Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where guests can immerse themselves in the quintessential East Hampton experience—where tradition meets luxury, and community and connection thrive,' Sarah Wetenhall said in a statement. In the remote stretch of 27-A that passes through Wainscott you'll find The Sagaponack, a new hotel that overhauled the former property that once stood on the grounds. Lodging options include guest rooms in the main inn or bungalows, complete with a cocktail bar for guests to make their own summer aperitifs. The Sagaponack has a pool—but the beach is only a short beach cruiser ride away. Restaurants Photo: Glen Allsop Inside The Hedges Inn will be Swifty's, the Upper East Side restaurant that served a dedicated and well-heeled group of uptown New Yorkers until it closed in 2016. (Its owner, Robert Caravaggi, was also maître d' of the beloved Mortimer's.) Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Swifty's will serve everything from Jumbo Lump Maryland crab cakes, chilled lobster salad, and meatloaf, many dishes made with ingredients from local farms. New York's critically acclaimed pizza joint goes rustic with Camp Rubirosa, a seasonal pop-up at 31 Race Lane in East Hampton that'll see their signature thin-crust tie-dye pizza and house-made pastas served in a summer camp-inspired setting—complete with, yes, tents. The French-Indonesian restaurant by Cédric and Ochi Vongerichten will set up their kitchen at E.H.P in East Hampton, where they will serve everything from crab fried rice, lobster noodles, and black sea bass on a deck that overlooks Three Mile Highway. It's just the latest high-profile outpost for Wayan, which also recently opened in Aspen. The world's most famous dinner-to-party restaurant—which also has locations in St. Barths, St. Tropez, and Courchevel—will open in the Montauk Marina this summer. While an exact date hasn't been confirmed, hopefully Champagne bottles will be popping by the Fourth of July. Stores Photo: Glen Allsop You likely don't need us to tell you about the re-opening of the Sagaponack General Store, which has been covered by national outlets like Air Mail to The New York Times as well as local paper The East Hampton Star. ('The Sweet Smell of Nostalgia at Sagaponack General,' read the headline in the latter.) The new owner, Mindy Gray, has completely renovated the store without sacrificing its nostalgic charm: there's a wall of penny candy and rotisserie chickens, as well as shelves made from salvaged wood that came from the original store. The Swedish candy shop will open just off Main Street in Sag Harbor, surely delighting kids—and parents—of all ages with their sour gummy candies and marshmallows.


New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Colony Hotel founders bring Palm Beach posh to East Hampton's Hedges Inn
Despite having only 13 rooms, the historic Hedges Inn — which sits at the entrance to East Hampton village and across from its idyllic pond — has made oversized headlines in the last year. Scott Sartiano, the man behind celebrity-packed private club Zero Bond, leased the inn last summer in the hopes of launching a spinoff club. He was met with insurmountable resistance by village officials and residents, who feared a nightlife vibe and its accompanying noise and traffic. After a flurry of opposition, his lease was not renewed. Now the bed-and-breakfast's new owners, Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall, have been welcomed with open arms. It doesn't hurt that the Wetenhalls had a home in East Hampton for 15 years (until 2021) and also transformed The Colony Hotel into a buzzy Palm Beach destination where vacationing New Yorkers and locals alike flock to its poolside restaurant Swifty's and its rousing trivia and bingo nights. Advertisement 3 The Hedges Inn in East Hampton will have a 'summer Americana' aesthetic. Susan Kaufman The couple brought many of those same elements to the Hedges when it opened last week — along with the whimsical design that's been part of The Colony's lure. 'There is a style that thrives with destinations close to the sea,'' Sarah tells Alexa. 'We want the Hedges to become the best version of herself, and a visual representation of East Hampton, the way The Colony is a visual representation of Palm Beach. It will have the summer Americana aesthetic that's so well loved.'' That means shake shingles; lots of red, white and blue; plus plenty of pops of The Colony's famed pink. The inn's ground floor was already renovated by the previous owners, and the rooms will be refreshed this year, with a larger overhaul planned after the summer season. Advertisement 'Andrew and I love to travel, but we also love the creature comforts of home,'' Sarah explains. To this end, they are adding Matouk sheets, towels and robes along with luxury amenities. 'We are all about creating a fun summer, and we will do so with a smile on our face and kindness in our time,'' she says. As at The Colony, they will offer their Instagram-famous branded bicycles with baskets and route maps, along with buggies that transport guests, chairs, umbrellas and coolers to the beach. 'They make us visually who we are.' The inn, first established in 1873, will now have a 24-hour full-service desk, valet parking, butler service, a provisions bar with complimentary drinks and snacks, curated itineraries and a concierge-by-text service — nicknamed Ahab, after East Hampton artist Jackson Pollock's poodle. In addition to hotel rooms, there will be a three-bedroom, stand-alone residence next door to the property, ideal for extended stays. 3 Sarah (left) and Andrew Wetenhall are updating East Hampton's Hedges Inn with stylish renovations, design refreshes and luxe brand partnerships. Capehart Advertisement 'We can offer a bespoke, customized experience, and we are really excited about reimagining hospitality on the East End,' Sarah says. Guests can indulge in intimate bonfire gatherings (complete with s'mores) as well as Wednesday evening conversations with guest lecturers. The Wetenhalls are known for bringing in designers, beauty brands and famed fitness instructors (including Tracy Anderson and Isaac Boots) for collaborations. 'We do love our partnerships; they round out the guest experience,'' she notes. At the Hedges, those collabs will include Naturopathica spa services, Volvo electric EX 90 cars for tooling around the village and a house car for local rides in the form of a vintage pink Land Rover Defender. 3 Cuisine from Robert Caravaggi's latest Swifty's outpost at the hotel. Glen Alsop Advertisement But the most pivotal partnership remains with Swifty's (originally a New York eatery before being resurrected under founder Robert Caravaggi at The Colony). The restaurant has taken over the 100-seat indoor-outdoor dining space that housed Sartiano's last summer, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including its signature meatloaf and crab cakes, along with farm-to-table local fare. Trivia will reappear as well, but sadly, those uberpopular bingo nights won't make the journey north. 'The New York State gambling laws will not allow it,'' Sarah sighs. Rooms from $599 in May and from $1,499 from Memorial Day weekend on at The Hedges East Hampton