Serenbe’s Next Chapter: Big Plans, Big Questions
What the $1.7B expansion means for residents—and why it’s more thoughtful than you might think.
Heads Up! All local events have moved to our new website: www.lifeatplay.co! Going forward, I’ll still include local news and highlight a few events at the bottom.
Serenbe’s all over the news this week—AJC, Axios, WSB, and more.
The buzz? A $1.7 billion expansion plan. Hotels, an aging-in-place wellness community, expanded school buildings, new civic spaces… big plans, big numbers.
But if you live here (or love it from afar), you might be feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Is Serenbe about to change into something we don’t recognize?
As someone who lives here, I wanted to offer a more grounded take—less breaking news, more: what it actually means for life in and around Serenbe.
Let’s break it down together.
In today’s issue:
🏗 What’s Going On with Serenbe?
🌱 My Take: Change with Care
📍 For the Locals: Events + In Case You Missed It
🏗 What’s Going On with Serenbe?
Serenbe filed an official Development of Regional Impact (DRI) plan. Basically, the DRI is like Serenbe’s roadmap for the next decade—how the neighborhood plans to grow while keeping the things we love intact, like the peaceful vibe and natural beauty.
Anytime a place plans to add a lot more homes, roads, or amenities, they have to file a DRI. It’s like saying, ‘Here’s what we’re thinking—how will this impact traffic, nature, and daily life?
Here’s what could be coming:
By 2029:
97 Aging-in-Place homes with healthcare and wellness offerings in Mado (across from Halsa)
A 110-room hotel called The Selborne in Selborne (left of The Hill)
Expanded Terra School: gym, library, maker space, high school
New civic and performance spaces
By 2035:
A 70-room destination hotel (between Mado and Overlook)
Retail + office building next to The Selborne
A traffic circle at Selborne Way and Atlanta Newnan
Clarifying the numbers:
The 1,700-unit number includes the 600 or so homes already built.
It’s all within the existing Serenbe footprint (no new land grabs) and has been approved through the city as part of the current master plan.
It’s a 10-year master plan filing, not a greenlight to start building tomorrow.
Timelines are subject to funding, and pieces will roll out in phases.
And now… the heart of the plan.
And yes—it’s all very much in line with the original master plan laid out decades ago. Below, I’ve included a hand-drawn sketch by Serenbe’s founding architect Phill Tabb (a fellow resident), which reminds me that this community has always been a long game—a slow, thoughtful unfolding.
Who’s Phill Tabb, you ask? Picture the guy who helped Serenbe feel like… well, Serenbe. He’s not just an architect—he’s like the philosopher behind the layout. The way the trails wind, how the neighborhoods feel like they’ve always been there—it’s all part of Steve Nygren and his vision, guided by the principles of sacred geometry.
I haven’t gotten to sit down with him yet, but I’m dying to. For now, if you’re curious, check out this Serenbe Stories podcast from February 2020. And if you’re new here, you can learn more about Steve Nygren at Serenbe.com or in this quick video.
What the Planning Commission Wants You to Know
A friend who serves on the Chatt Hills planning commission reminded me that managing growth here is all about balance—protecting our rural feel while respecting landowners’ rights. It’s not an easy job, and I’m so grateful for each of the volunteers who take on this responsibility.
The commission takes every proposal seriously, making sure approvals aren’t rushed or done lightly. If you want to stay in the loop or share your thoughts, the best way is to follow the city’s official channels and attend public meetings—they really do listen, and your voice makes a difference.
🌱 My Take: Change with Care
I’m excited about this next chapter for Serenbe.
Change is never easy, especially in a place this special. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
Something my friend and executive coach
says, “It’s not change people fear—it’s the uncertainty.”When change comes fast (and without context), people feel disoriented, excluded, even powerless. And that’s where the resistance lives. Not in the change itself, but in the feeling of being left out of the story.
There’s a great Forbes piece Karen shared with me that digs into this idea, arguing that “people hate change” is often just a lazy excuse for poor communication. What we really hate?
Being surprised by decisions we didn’t help shape.
Feeling like our routines—and voices—don’t matter.
Watching our communities shift without understanding the “why.”
Which is exactly why I believe we need more thoughtful dialogue right now—not less. And to be clear: I’m not just optimistic about what’s coming—I’m also deeply rooted in why I moved here in the first place.
Years ago, I listened to a Serenbe Stories podcast episode (Season 1, Episode 12) that planted the seed for this whole life shift. In it, Steve Nygren talks about designing a street where a school, a daycare, and future senior housing will sit across from one another—intergenerational by design. He describes windows and terraces where aging residents can hear children playing, where shared reading rooms and art studios will bring the youngest and oldest neighbors together.
That floored me.
It still does.
Because that kind of design doesn’t just look good on paper—it shapes hearts. It says: we’re not meant to age alone. We’re not meant to silo by generation or season of life. We’re meant to stay connected.
Turns out, Serenbe isn’t alone in seeing the power of intergenerational connection. This story from AARP about a preschool inside a Seattle retirement home highlights just how impactful it can be when the very young and the very old share space and stories.
Serenbe was always meant to be a living model of what’s possible when you lead with care, not just code. It’s not perfect. But it’s proof that a different kind of future is possible.
We can meet change with fear—or with presence.
And I’m choosing presence.
📍 For the Locals
EVENTS THIS WEEK:
All local events have moved to our new website: www.lifeatplay.co! Huge shoutout to Brittany Beasley-Davis—if I’d tackled this solo, it would’ve taken another month. Have an event to share? Email us at hello@lifeatplay.co.
I’ll share more about the site next week.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Spring! by Terminus at Serenbe Catch stunning outdoor ballet this weekend at Wildflower Meadow! Showtimes: Friday, May 10-12 at 7:30 PM. Use promo code SPRINGMOM for Buy One, Get One FREE tickets to Sunday’s show. Get tickets here!
Meet Best-Selling Author Marie Bostwick! Marie Bostwick, author of The Book Club for Troublesome Women, will be at Serenbe for a reading and signing on Friday, May 16, from 2–4:15 PM at Guild One (across from Hill’s & Hamlets).
Community Brickworks Backyard Bash Join the 4th annual Backyard Bash at 4 Sevens Farmette on Saturday, May 17, from 4–7 PM for food, drinks, live music, and community fun! Proceeds support vital local programs—grab your tickets and make an impact. Learn More.
Piano Lessons at Serenbe Kim Bracey is enrolling new students for summer classes and camps, including a Piano Camp on Sunday, May 18 (9–12 pm) for ages 6–10. Plus, there’s a free introductory lesson to gauge interest! Limited spots available—contact Kim at braceykim@gmail.com to learn more!
Cotton & Clover May Market Stop by for unique finds, home decor, and some fun surprises. Open daily from May 14–17, 10 AM–5 PM at 508 Main St, Palmetto.
Garnish & Gather Meal Kits Georgia’s local meal kit service, Garnish & Gather, delivers fresh, chef-created meals to Typo Market on Mondays. Use code SERENBE35 for $25 off your first order! Order here.
2025 Rural Georgia Photo Contest Got a great shot of rural Georgia? Enter the Georgia Rural Center’s photo contest—categories and details on their website. Enter here.
New on Serenbe Stories: Josh Green on Growth & Storytelling Urbanize Atlanta’s Josh Green shares his take on Serenbe’s evolution since 2013 and why storytelling matters. Listen now
Kentucky Derby Weekend: A Different Perspective While many are celebrating the Derby, take a moment to watch Living the Story—a short film by local Chatt Hills filmmaker Amy Perez about Zorro’s Crossing Horse Sanctuary. The sanctuary rescues off-the-track thoroughbreds (OTTBs) who might otherwise face grim futures. Learn more about their mission and consider supporting this incredible nonprofit. Watch the Film
Serenbe’s story has always been about blending the old and the new, nature and community. This expansion? It’s part of that story. Let’s stay curious and keep showing up—together.
Till next time, Gina.
Thank you for providing this information. I aspire to move to Serenbe one day (the sooner the better!,) but my husband is hesitant. He said he wants to live where our friends are. So now I am on a campaign to convince all of our friends to move here :-) Some are listening and interested...it's a start. They often ask about the future direction, so I'm pleased to have all of this to share. Keep it coming!!
All great things ahead it sounds like to me!