The $225 million Aqua planned community is Robins's most ambitious project yet, a bet that the well-heeled will prefer a neighborhood with modernist architecture over a high-rise tower. "Aqua takes the high-rise and spreads it out horizontally," says Robins.

So far, so good. Nearly half the 46 town houses and 105 condo units have been sold in just under 12 months, despite price tags that start at $500,000 and rise to $7 million. Robins is an unabashed proponent of New Urbanism, a movement founded on the principle that good design makes for good social vibes. Buyers also see Aqua as a safe place to put their money.

Robins sees New Urbanism as the Next Big Thing in neighborhood design. In a nutshell, Aqua combines the sidewalks, front porches and pocket-size parks of pioneering New Urbanist towns like Celebration, Fla., with midrise condo buildings created by leading modernist architects. The result is a low-density complex whose highest building has 11 stories. To tart up the village setting, Robins commissioned acclaimed artists Richard Tuttle and Guillermo Kuitca to produce five paintings and a giant tile mural that will adorn a wall located just above a small pool.

Website de Aqua: www.aqua.net