Like most projects of this size, the story of Brytan began several years ago. In the Summer of 2000, a week-long charrette was held to master plan the community of Brytan in Gainesville, Florida. Under the guidance of renowned town planner Andres Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), the vision of Brytan began to take shape. Following the principles of new urbanism, Brytan is a mixed-use development, meaning that residential units are located above retail and office units. Large yards have been replaced with parks, plazas, green spaces and smaller, more intimate courtyards. Planning, engineering and crafting the necessary requirements for a vibrant community were refined and detailed over the next several years. The end result is a community, utilizing Arts & Crafts or craftsman architecture, incorporating 700 residential lots and 300,000 square feet of office and commercial space among open green spaces, nature trails and gardens of all types.

In 2006 ground was broken and the building of Brytan began. Phase 1 of Brytan includes Market Street, Brytan’s district of shops and restaurants, as well as the neighborhoods of Midtown and Parkside West. Brytan is designed to have the more dense residential areas closest to the Town Center. Thus, Midtown is composed of unique live/work units and attached row houses and is the neighborhood located closest to the Town Center. Parkside West, a neighborhood just below Midtown, provides residents wonderful craftsman style single family homes with rear lanes, delightful courtyards and detached garages on the back side of the lots. Future phases will provide those housing choices as well as cozy bungalows and trendy townhouses. For those who wish to lease a residential unit, Brytan offers studio and one to three bedroom apartments. Many of these units cater to the “urban trendsetters” with locations right in the Town Center over retail establishments. Close and convenient have never been more true than when you live in the Town Center of Brytan. For those who prefer being close to town but not living above it, the Parkside West neighborhood has several dignified mansion apartment buildings that contain up to six units. With their unique location on the north side of the neighborhood, these apartment mansions provide an easy jaunt to the Town Center, yet also the serenity and security of neighborhood living.

Brytan is designed as a compact community with neighbors living, working and socializing in close proximity. Neighbors and guests should tolerate a certain amount of activity, noise, pets and exuberant children as part of a vibrant community. The abundant plazas, green spaces, trails and parks provide perfect backdrops for everyone from the most active person to one that prefers a slower pace in life. It’s your life…it’s your community…it’s Brytan.