Ithaca Builds

Mapping, photos and information for Ithaca construction and development projects

Simplex Modular Factory Tour

March 17, 2015 // by Jason Henderson

I ventured down to Scranton, Pennsylvania for a factory open house tour at the Simplex Homes production facility a couple weekends ago, and thought I’d share some photos here. Simplex produces modular units for builders putting together everything from single-family homes, to townhouses, four-story apartment complexes, and student dormitories. Modular construction is essentially just a construction technology that can be applied to many different structures and situations. Simplex specializes in wood-framed units with a surprisingly-complete level of finish already done before trucking and craning on-site. In addition to production efficiency, factory-settings tend to ensure better QC, material recycling, and environmental control.

Their production is most notable in the Ithaca area for Belle Sherman Cottages, an East Hill 19 single-family detached and 10-townhome project developed by Agora Development and built by Carina Construction. Project page and photos here.

When visiting, the crews were working on a ~300 box project for a four-story multifamily development for downtown Philadelphia.

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Belle Sherman Cottages Photo Update October 2014

October 16, 2014 // by Jason Henderson

The Belle Sherman Cottages project developed by Agora Development and built by Carina Construction has been on a roll with home sales this year, with only one home remaining to be sold. Deposits are currently being taken for the townhome units, of which there will be ten total (Karen Eldridge is the listing agent for brokerage). There were four homes currently underway when I stopped by October 5th, one of which (Lot 18) looks finished-up, with the others to be completed soon. The foundations are excavated, poured, and CMU block wall foundations assembled before Simplex modular pieces are brought on site and fitted. The interior is finished out at the same time each structure is roofed, sided, and porches, driveway, garage, and various finishes built.

Photos taken September 9th:

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Photos taken October 5th:

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Belle Sherman Cottages May Photo Update

May 27, 2014 // by Jason Henderson

Agora Development’s Belle Sherman Cottages Lot #19 (all the way in the back) has been finished-up, along with the foundation, modular placement, interior finish work, and siding on Lot #13 (white and tan front), which sold earlier this year. Lot #5 (Classic Bungalow Style) has also been sold, the foundation dug, footers poured, and Insulated Concrete Form blocks have been assembled for pouring concrete inside to form the foundation walls. Lot #3 has also sold, which will be a Craftsman Farmhouse-style home.

Renderings and pricing information for the townhouses have been posted on the project’s website here: Belle Sherman Cottages Townhomes. The modular homes are sourced from Simplex out of Scranton, PA, with on-site construction by Carina Construction. Carina posted a video about their work online here: Carina Construction Video

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Lot #13 in April:
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April 12th:

Lot #19, and townhouse footprint to the right:
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May 18th:

Belle Sherman Cottages Lot 19 Foundation Set & Modular Pieces on Site

October 31, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Agora Development’s Belle Sherman Cottages Lot #19 (sold back in June) has a fully dug and set foundation, and the four modular pieces from Simplex Homes in Scranton, PA are on site. The first two pieces are carefully hoisted onto the foundation by crane, levelled and secured, then the next two are hoisted and set in place. The adjoining walls and ceilings are secured with steel plates and create a double-sized cavity space (which is actually quite advantageous for sound suppression), and I was very surprised at how non-modular the interiors were from a tour back in the Summer- the build quality is also superb. Carina Construction will probably be putting this up in short time.

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Belle Sherman Cottages Site Photos

July 24, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Lot #14 (Number 112) is all done and Lot #2 is coming along. There’s a new gravel path towards Lot #19 (just sold, way in the back), so site work there should begin soon. The planned townhouses will go north-south along this new path, and also east-west along an additional drive to be built going east.