A FUNNY BEND IN THE ROAD

On the edge of a property in Coolwood Acres stand three trees that are only there because, back in 1956, Florence Coolman (with a B.A in biology) stood in the proposed right-of-way of the new neighborhood’s street insisting that her farmer/banker/developer husband reroute the street to save the trees. Back then the company was named "Coolman (Bob) and Coolman (Florence), Inc.", and she had as much say as he did. So there is a weird bend in the road – trees saved. Now, it's not that Bob (her husband) wasn't "green" - he was just extremely practical. It was not only a matter of doing the right thing, but to do it sensibly (probably the farmer in him.)

Now known as Coolman Communities, our longevity and experience has afforded the company with the wisdom to determine the best course. Bob Coolman, our founders’ son and President of Coolman Communities, Inc., knows there is no such thing as a “one man show”. Combine the strengths of the company’s team members and the end result will be an ecstatic client - a “win” for everyone involved. For that reason, he has assembled a team of talented individuals with a combined 150 years of experience, committed to producing top quality, affordable homes for completely satisfied customers.

50 years, some 1500 homes, and 2000+ homesites later, the tradition begun by Bob and Florence Coolman continues. We didn't do it the conventional way back then - and we don't operate like anyone else now.

Take a drive around Valparaiso. Go on. Recognize these? Sylvan Manor, Coolwood Acres, Hidden Hollow, Heritage Valley, Walden, Timberbridge, Keystone Commons, Hawthorn Hill, Aberdeen, Rockwell Corners, Meridian Woods, North Hampstead, and Essex Park. All are Coolman Communities and all are unique neighborhoods meeting the needs of its homeowners. Nearly 10% of all families in greater Valparaiso live in a community where Coolman served as the primary builder/developer If Coolman has a legacy, it is – addressing needs not met through “conventional subdivisions", and then crafting communities to meet those needs.

The "tree-hugger" tradition that began with Florence Coolman continues today has become part of our “legacy.” Every community crafted by Coolman Communities incorporates unique and unusual ways of addressing a rapidly approaching world. Every Coolman Communities home today is certified GREEN BUILT - no matter which of our neighborhoods it's built in. And every Coolman Communities home is ENERGY STAR RATED at at LEAST FIVE STARS. It's never been easy being green (I think I heard that some place) - but then, in the world we live in, what's the choice? Thanks to Bob and Florence, we were "green" long before green was Cool…man.