New buildings will be banned for “unpatriotic” owners

A developer wants homeowners to fly through the stars and stripes. Photo: haveseen/iStockphoto

A US developer is building homes exclusively for “patriotic Americans” who will be required to fly Stars and Stripes all the time.

The homes on the 43-home estate, called 1776 Gastonia, will go to sale for people over 55 at prices. starting at $450,000 (£350,000). According to the brochure, it will be a community “where patriotism lives.”

Buyers will be required to comply with “the standards of 1776,” including the obligation to “preserve the country and uphold the constitution.”

Residents will be given a flag when they move into the North Carolina estate, Brock Fankhauser, owner and founder of Great American Homes, told local television station WCNC.

“We treat the American flag like an architectural element. We install in the same way as a lamp. And so those who agree with what we are doing will know about it in advance. Those who may not agree with this will know about it in advance, and it will not become a secret for anyone.”

He added: “Our vision is to combine elements of American patriotism, home ownership as the American Dream, and our country's founding ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The patriotic message is this. on a sales website showing Mr. Fankhauser, his sales team and a dog wearing 1776 T-shirts.

“Love for family and country”

Customers are told the Gastonia 1776 will be “built around love for family and country, as well as a positive outlook on the future with respect for the past.

“Our low-maintenance homes and communities seek to convey the hope of starting a new venture while recreating the American spirit of a true community of close-knit neighbors who share patriotic values.”

The idea is reinforced by street names in the development, including Paul Revere Drive and Constitution Lane. Despite donating to the 2020 Donald Trump campaign, Mr. Fankhauser insisted that his project was apolitical.

“I also said that it is very important for us to distance ourselves from any political movement, any political parties and any politicians. We are totally out of touch with that.”

It is not clear how the flag-raising requirement will be enforced. The estate is expected to include a requirement in its agreement, which will be enforced by the homeowners association.

Associations, which are commonplace in the United States, have broad powers and can bring legal action against tenants—including homeowners who do not comply rules.