Building for Generations to Come
- Jodi Brunner
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
By Mallory Leonard
The corner of New York Road and Kansas Avenue in Plattsburgh, New York looks different these days. When you drive by, you’ll notice the beginnings of a new community — clean lines, modern design and a peaceful environment — perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life and retreating to your very own personal oasis at Emerson Place.
When I arrived at the project site, I was met by Kerry Taylor of K&M Taylor Properties. Her greeting was warm and welcoming and, as we entered the end unit, we were greeted by a similar feel. The interior design made me feel at home without it even being decorated or furnished yet. Staff were putting finishing touches on the unit, and there were smiles all around. There was a sense of pride in this project.
Owners Kerry and Matt Taylor began their real estate adventure in 2003 with the purchase of their first triplex. They followed that up with the purchase of their first student housing property in 2005 and then, two years later, purchased another. As their portfolio grew, they diversified their assets, accumulating student housing, regular residential and commercial properties. “We’re continuing to grow,” Kerry stated. “This project is bringing us in a whole different direction, but it’s all positive and so far, it’s been great.”
Matt had a desire to get into the real estate business, but the two kept their day jobs as they got their footing. “Matt was a heavy equipment salesman and I was in the finance world,” Kerry recounted. Having friends in real estate made them reevaluate what they were doing. “We thought, ‘Do I want to be working for corporate America or do I want to be working for myself?’” Kerry asked. “Being in control of our own destiny was appealing to us.”
The inspiration for their current project came from a renovation they did after purchasing the former Langlois Dance Studio on Smith Street in Plattsburgh three years ago. They converted the property to four apartments, and the satisfaction of transforming the space really spoke to the Taylors. Upon completion of that project, Kerry said they found themselves “absolutely flooded with people who needed housing. That focused us on a need in our community that we could support. More people are opting to rent rather than buy right now. A lot of folks cannot afford the down payment on a home and interest rates are high.”
While there is currently a housing crisis in the North Country, it’s really a national problem. Demand far outweighs availability, making options slim. Kerry and Matt saw a need in the community and found a new direction. The Taylors view young professionals and retirees as their potential renters and their units are being spoken for even before they are completed. “Renters don’t want the upkeep of a home. Lawn care, snow removal and maintenance are all items they want taken care of for them.” Kerry explained. K&M’s units offer peace of mind and a serene environment. Their single-story two-bedroom, two-bathroom units come with guidelines for renters on how to protect the environment.
Projects like Emerson Place take the coordination of many moving parts, and Kerry and Matt stressed the importance of bringing in the right people to make their vision come to life. They joined forces with Supernaw Construction of Mooers for the completion of the project. Chad and Corey Supernaw took over the family company in 2013 from their father who started it in 1985. Through the years they’ve expanded their offerings, becoming an all-in-one company. The Supernaws have picked up more excavation, HVAC and other specialties they used to outsource. “We pretty much do everything from the ground up,” Corey stated. “This sets us apart and a lot of people like that,” Chad added. “Working with separate businesses for things that need to be done can cause delays.”
Kerry described working with the Supernaws as “fast, efficient and no drama.” The first phase of Emerson Place, the two buildings currently completed, took approximately nine months from start to finish. The partnership has been good for both parties and, even though it is their first project together, they know it won’t be their last. “Once the project is complete, we’re going to have twenty-eight units here in six separate buildings. If we start another project in the next couple of years, we would definitely work with the Supernaws again.”
Matt explained plans for the rest of the buildings in the project are flexible. “The ones that are complete are two-bedroom units. We might change it up a little when we get to the fourth and fifth buildings. If there’s a need for one or three-bedroom units, we might do a mix, but for right now this is working well.” The buildings will be in a horseshoe shape, creating a small community. Currently there is talk of including a gazebo for tenant use.
According to Kerry, working with partners on this project who are flexible and understand the vision for it has been incredibly valuable in their journey. From design to execution, the entire process so far has been a great learning experience as they continue with the next phase at Emerson Place.
The Taylors and the Supernaws are optimistic for the future of housing in our area. “Hopefully more people will get involved,” Kerry said “Being able to fill a need in the community makes us feel good about what we’re doing.”
K&M Taylor Properties
172 Maine Road
Plattsburgh, NY 12903
518 569-7469
Supernaw Construction
69 Garrand Road
Mooers, NY 12958
518 726-0193
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