The Enclave at Ellicott Hills

The Enclave at Ellicott Hills is an established 55+ community tucked into a leafy, manicured setting in the heart of Ellicott City, Maryland — one of Howard County's most desirable and historically rich corners of the Baltimore–Washington corridor. Built between 2003 and 2013, the community brings together two distinct housing products on a single beautifully landscaped property: 164 elevator-served condominium units developed by Bozzuto and a collection of villa townhomes built by Chateau Builders, for a total of 280 residences. All homes are now resale only. The condominiums are laid out in four-story, brick-and-siding mid-rise buildings with symmetrical facades, covered entryways, and elevator access — a comfortable fit for residents who want single-level living without stairs. Units typically run from roughly 1,600 to 1,800 square feet with two or three bedrooms, open floor plans, hardwood floors, custom plantation shutters, and walk-out access to private balconies or decks. The villa townhomes offer a different flavor: two-story attached homes with first-floor owner's suites, unfinished basements for storage or expansion, one- or two-car attached garages, private courtyards, great rooms, separate dining rooms, and optional sunrooms or screened porches. Floor plans range up to four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, giving homeowners room for visiting family and grandchildren. Daily life revolves around the 6,200-square-foot clubhouse, which serves as the social heart of the community. Inside, residents have access to a full cardio and strength fitness room, a dedicated aerobics studio, a library with internet access, multiple card and game rooms, and a social lounge anchored by a fireplace, television, and comfortable seating. An adjoining service kitchen makes the social room a natural host for parties, holiday gatherings, and club meetings. Large windows overlook the outdoor swimming pool, which includes a lap lane and an ADA-certified handicap lift for accessibility. A separate kiddie pool is provided for visiting grandchildren, and an outdoor tennis court — lined and used for both tennis and pickleball — sits alongside patios, open natural space, and walking paths that wind through the property's mature landscaping. An on-site community management professional handles day-to-day operations, and the community is gated for added security. HOA fees vary meaningfully between the condominium and townhome sections (roughly $173 on the low end to $508 monthly on the high end), and they cover water, sewer, trash, lawn and grounds maintenance, snow removal, common areas, and management — a true low-maintenance lifestyle where residents don't touch yard work or exterior upkeep. Location is one of the community's strongest selling points. The Enclave sits minutes from historic Ellicott City's Main Street district, famous for its 19th-century stone architecture, boutique shops, restaurants, and the oldest surviving railroad station in the United States. Columbia is about ten minutes south, offering the Mall in Columbia, Merriweather Post Pavilion for national concert acts, and the dining and retail of downtown Columbia. Patapsco Valley State Park, with more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, forms the northeastern edge of the Ellicott City area, and Centennial Park — with its 54-acre lake and paved walking loop — is a short drive west. Route 29, Route 40, I-70, and Route 100 all feed directly from the area, putting BWI Airport about 11 miles (roughly 17 minutes) away, downtown Baltimore about 25 minutes, and Washington, D.C. within a 45-minute drive. Residents who still work, consult, or travel regularly find the location hard to beat, and those who've retired appreciate access to major medical centers, top-tier healthcare, and a steady stream of cultural, historical, and outdoor options without ever having to leave Howard County.