NFL star opens swanky gated community in struggling California city with homes starting at $400K

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He’s going for the two car garage!

A Super Bowl winning quarterback is behind a new community nicknamed “Gridiron Grove.”

David Carr, a former NFL signal caller for the New York Giants and Houston Texans, is one of the partners for a new development in Clovis, California and he says he’s taking it all the way to the house. 

David Carr, a former NFL signal caller for the New York Giants and Houston Texans, is a partner for a new development in Clovis, California Bonadelle x David & Melody Carr

“This is America to me, family is still valued here,” Carr exclusively told the California Post. 

Traditions at Heritage Grove kicked off sales earlier this month starting at $400,000 for a three bedroom two and a half bath home, which is way down from the Golden State average of $900K.

Clovis sits just north of Fresno in California’s agricultural rich Central Valley, not far from where Carr was a Bulldog at Fresno State before becoming the NFL’s 1st overall draft pick by the Texans in 2002.

In a time where successful athletes find wealthy enclaves by the sea, Carr, who won the 2012 Superbowl with the Giants, has chosen to move back to the landlocked area where his NFL career was shaped.

David Carr (8) of the New York Giants calls a play against the Oakland Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Oct. 11, 2009. Getty Images
“This is America to me, family is still valued here.”

“It’s still home.  It’ll always be home for us. You’re in New York, you’re in the Bay Area but this place in particular is special, there’s always something on your plate grown in this area,” Carr said.

Clovis, referred to as the “Gateway to the Sierras” has had its struggles economically. The area consists of wealthy agricultural land owners farming cattle, while others are often left behind. 

“Not everyone can have a farm, so you need starter houses with a community feel. You can open your garage doors and meet people, talk to your neighbors. That’s how I grew up, playing football in the street, using light posts as end zones,” Carr said.

David Carr of Fresno State is selected as the first pick of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden in New York, April 20, 2002. Getty Images

Carr and his wife Melody are partnered with the experienced Bonadelle Family who have been building homes in the Fresno Valley for 80 years.

NFL star David Carr and his wife Melody in a home at Traditions at Heritage Grove, nicknamed “Gridiron Grove”. Bonadelle x David & Melody Carr

 “I believe in what they’re doing, I believe in this area. I want it to grow,” Carr said. 

The Traditions at Heritage development features four homes to choose from ranging from just over 1200 square feet to almost 1900 square feet.

The largest homes in the community dubbed “The Encore” feature up to 4 bedrooms and two and a half baths.

David Carr, Melody Carr, Bianca Bonadelle, Mia Bonadelle, Lisa Bonadelle, and John Bonadelle. Bonadelle x David & Melody Carr

Amenities include 9 foot ceilings, abundant windows, kitchen island with sink and breakfast bar, and phone charging stations in the kitchen and master bedroom.

The gated neighborhood located on Cherry Lane near Minnewana Avenue also features a pool and pickleball court in case you want to trade in your pads and helmet for a racquet.

Carr says his brother Derek Carr who played for the Saints and Raiders also has a house nearby. 

Derek Carr (4) of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Saturday, December 24, 2022. Getty Images

The ex-Giant revealed his son Austin and his wife, Kaleigh are expecting a baby boy “any minute”, and looking to move into “Gridiron Grove” so they can be close to the dozens of Carr’s in the area.  

“It’s a little slower than when he was hailing cabs at six years old, ” Carr said referring to the time when he was playing in New York with family in tow, “Now he’s hand feeding cows instead, and we’re about to pass that on to a new generation.”

“This is where I’m supposed to be,” he added.

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