LEVITT BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC.
B A T T L E C R E E K , M I.
Levitt Building Systems, Inc. was the modular homebuilding subsidiary of Levitt and Sons, Inc. The company was established in 1970, and the factory and headquarters were based in new 140,000-sq. ft. plant built on a former wheat field south of Battle Creek, Michigan. The modular subsidiary was established to create opportunities for potential homebuyers who had been priced out of the market. Levitt had estimated in 1970 that with the average home priced at $32,000, created by the demand for new single-family homes, a buyer would have to earn at least $16,000 per year to afford that price. In 1970, however, only 16% of potential homebuyers earned that much. Levitt's goal was to provide quality, affordable shelter for the average family earning $8,000 to $10,000 per year. Interestingly enough, this was exactly the same market in 1970 dollars that had made Levitt and Sons so successful with Levittown, N.Y., where new homes were priced at $7,990 by 1951 in the final phase of that community.
During the 1960s, Levitt and Sons did well in responding to market demands and priced its new homes accordingly. The homes became larger and more expensive, though still priced under those of the competitors when considering the standard features included in the sale price. With demand gradually driving market prices of new homes up, Levitt inadvertently targeted the middle- and upper-class buyer. To open up the homebuying market to the typical renter, Levitt and Sons debuted its site-built townhomes in 1967 at Rittenhouse Park in Willingboro, N.J., and later in Maryland at Belair Town in Bowie, Crofton Towne in Crofton, and Harbor View in Joppa. Shifting its townhouse operation from site-built to prefabricated modular construction was another way of keeping the costs of such units lower, and to maintain a foothold in this market. In addition, the company's modular units were available to other builders and developers.
The 1971 Brochure and Homes:
Courtesy Paul Lisicky and Jeffrey Auchter
FOLDER
View the Front Cover for Levitt Building Systems, Inc., featuring a view of its charming Colonial townhomes.
View the inside of the folder, showing interiors and exteriors of the traditional and contemporary townhomes and the townhome living:
Page 1 Page 2
View the Interior Pocket of the folder, promoting its "total support system" for builders and developers in the townhome and garden apartment market.
COMPANY PROFILE
View the Profile of Levitt Building Systems and the services the company provides to builders and developers.
GARDEN APARTMENTS
All Garden Apartment units complete with Sears refrigerator, electric range and oven, and dishwasher, wood cabinets, shag carpeting, Travertine tile floor, ceramic tiled bath, louvered closet doors, double-glazed insulated sliding windows, full soundproofing, rough-sawn fiberboard siding with wood trim.
LAGUNA
RENDERING
PLAN
1 or 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, separate Dining area, Living Room with Sliders to Balcony, Master Bedroom with Dressing area (2-Bedroom model only).
TOWNHOMES
All Townhome units complete with Sears refrigerator, electric range and oven, and dishwasher, wood cabinets, shag carpeting, Travertine tile floor, ceramic tiled bath, louvered closet doors, insulated sliding glass door with screen, fenced rear garden with patio.
TRADITIONAL SERIES
Traditional townhomes include aluminum and masonry exteriors and double-hung wood Colonial style windows, removable for cleaning.
BERKSHIRE
RENDERING
PLAN
2 Bedrooms
FAIRMONT
RENDERING
PLAN
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, Family Room-Eat-in Kitchen with Sliders to rear garden.
JAMESTOWN
RENDERING
PLAN
3 Bedrooms, 1-1/2 Baths, Living-Dining Room with 3-unit Sliders to rear garden.
CONTEMPORARY SERIES
Contemporary townhomes include rough-sawn fiberboard siding with wood trim, and double-glazed insulated sliding windows.
BRENTWOOD
RENDERING
PLAN
2 Bedrooms, 1-1/2 Baths, Living-Dining Room with 3-unit Sliders to rear garden, Master Bedroom with Walk-in Closet and Dressing area.
FONTANA
RENDERING
PLAN
2 Bedrooms
JUNIPER
RENDERING
PLAN
3 Bedrooms, 1-1/2 Baths, Living-Dining Room with 3-unit Sliders to rear garden.
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