Larkspur

Larkspur is a gated 55+ active adult community of 134 single-family ranch homes in southeast Cherokee County with an Alpharetta mailing address — a combination that gives residents the conveniences of Alpharetta while benefiting from Cherokee County's generous senior property tax exemptions (most of the school tax portion is waived for homeowners over 62). Built by Edward Andrews Homes between 2016 and 2021, the community is now fully built out with an active resale market. The homes are architecturally inspired by the bucolic landscapes of Texas Hill Country and Napa Valley, with rustic modern farmhouse exteriors featuring Hardie board, stone, board-and-batten accents, and covered front porches. All homes are master-on-main ranch designs ranging from 2,450 to 2,680 square feet in their base footprint, with 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 baths, and 2- or 2.5-car garages (side-entry optional). Popular floor plans include the Alexander, Ashland, Burnett, Briscoe, and Kenton. Many homes were built with optional upstairs bonus rooms, finished terrace-level basements, and outdoor fireplaces, so resale inventory varies from tight 2,500 sq ft ranches up to 4,500+ sq ft homes with three finished levels. Basement homesites are relatively rare and command premiums. The social heart of the community is The Ranch House, a Texas Hill Country-inspired clubhouse with a covered veranda, gathering room with catering kitchen, activity/fitness room, and meeting spaces for clubs and events. Outside, residents gather at the resort-style swimming pool and sundeck with an outdoor fireplace, two pickleball courts, a bocce court, an activity lawn, and a community garden where residents tend vegetables and flowers. Two ponds with fishing, meandering creeks, and miles of walking trails wind through the community, giving Larkspur a genuine nature-connected feel that sets it apart from more typical suburban 55+ developments. Active clubs include bocce, fishing, gardening, hiking, pickleball, and swimming groups. Location is a major selling point. Larkspur sits just off Bates Drive between Hopewell and Campground roads, about 10 minutes from Halcyon, 15 minutes from downtown Alpharetta and Avalon, and a quick hop to GA-400 (via McFarland Parkway/Exit 12B) for trips into Atlanta (under an hour south). The Collection at Forsyth, Big Creek Greenway, and Lake Lanier are all close by. The gated entry, tight home count, walkable streets, and strong resident social culture have made Larkspur one of the most sought-after active adult addresses in the north metro, with homes typically moving quickly when listed.