In the current real-estate market, a few shady trees and a little old-world charm go a long way. A little world-class luxury and a staggering list of services certainly don't hurt, either.

The real-estate gurus at Cambridge Development have proven they know this better than most with the opening of the Preserve on Fredericksburg, the picturesque, new community that's all set to take its place as the last word in Southern luxury and elegance.

Although the property is still a work-in-progress by C. F. Jordan Construction Services, according to Mitzi Ramirez, community director for the Preserve, the residents have been pouring in since before the clubhouse opened on Nov. 30.

"We signed our first least on Oct. 18 at our first pre-leasing party at the Forum Building, which is where the Lynd Company corporate offices are located," Ramirez said. "The Lynd Company is the management company of the property. By the time the clubhouse opened, we had seven leases."

Stroll through the clubhouse and the completed buildings, and it's easy to see why. Inside the clubhouse, you'll see warm woods and stones, large windows and leather in shades of brown, as well as a number of atmospheric accents like clocks and globes, all enveloped in warm, earthy tones.

The indoor atmosphere translates to the grounds with uncommon ease, as the unit buildings feature the same color scheme of burgundy, taupe and forest green and meticulous attention to detail shown by Cambridge Development Group, Humphreys & Partners Architects, designer Karen Kramer & Associates and contractor C. F. Jordan with development capital provided by USAA Real Estate Company.

Of course, the Preserve has much more to offer than scenic beauty. This marriage of natural and architectural beauty truly sets new standards for community planning. The overall effect is that of what Ramirez calls "a master-developed neighborhood," which is a major point of interest for many of the Preserve's clientele.

"A lot of our residents have sold or leased their houses and want to go back to not having to deal with the maintenance of the yard and the home, but still want all of the features," she said. "They can get all those same luxuries and amenities that they got in their home when they live here without (the maintenance)."

The Preserve goes all the way with this idea, since it has the look and feel of a large, upscale neighborhood; the units are even built in the aptly named Big House Design, the brainchild of Humphreys Partners & Associates that basically refers to apartment buildings that resemble large, single-family, two-story homes, according to Ramirez. A significant factor in this design is that each apartment has a direct-access garage like a house.

"Approximately 75 percent of my property has either a one- or a two-car, direct-access garage," Ramirez said. "Also, the units are a little bit of both a townhome and an apartment because if you are on the second floor, you have a direct-access private entrance from the ground level, so there are no exterior breezeways or staircases. That really sets us apart from any other development here in San Antonio."

The 75 percent with garages refers to the Texas Grand building type, which consists of three apartment-homes on the first floor, seven apartment-homes on the second floor and 10 garages, "so every single apartment-home in that building will have a one- or two-car, direct-access garage," Ramirez said.

The other 25 percent of the property refers to the San Antonian building type, which includes seven apartment-homes on both the first and second floors and no garages - just open parking.

The same attention to detail being shown to the buildings is also being shown to the natural landscape. "They've saved as many trees on the property as possible," Ramirez said. "There's one large oak tree that we planted, but everything else was here. They didn't just come in and flatten things out, even though that would have made it easier on the construction."

Environmental consciousness is a significant part of the lifestyle offered at the Preserve. Everything associated with the property is "as energy-efficient as it can possibly be," Ramirez said, adding that all of the property's brochures, business cards and tri-folds are printed on 100 percent certified green paper, and everything in the apartments that can be energy-efficient is energy-efficient.

It uses energy-efficient, double-paned windows, as well as energy-efficient light bulbs in the patio lights, garages and inside the apartments. And it has a rain cistern on the property that collects water from around the pool for irrigating some common areas.

Apart from the usual amenities associated with luxurious properties, such as a pool and barbecue/gazebo area, 24-hour fitness and business centers and walking trails, the Preserve will also feature two dog parks, as well as a full concierge service that Ramirez said will go above and beyond the normal expectations.

"I know a lot of properties say that, but I want this to be one of the first properties in San Antonio that really delivers on it," she said. "We want our residents to know they have a personal assistant in our concierge service."

Residents have the option to drop off and pick up their dry cleaning through the office. They can arrange to have staff members walk their dogs if they're going to be away for an extended period of time, and they can even give access to staff members to book travel plans for them.

"We understand most of the residents probably won't take full advantage of that, but some of them will," Ramirez said. "And we will be here to give probably some of the best customer service that can be found anywhere in San Antonio."

And as a USAA Real Estate Company property, the Preserve also offers a 5 percent discount to USAA employees, as well as a waived security deposit and pre-approved credit.

The Preserve has many charms, from its elegance and practicality to its features and amenities, but what really makes it stand out is the sense of community and the lifestyle it offers its residents.

"It's not just something we're going to do during lease-up," Ramirez said. "The attention to detail (on all parts) is incredible, and that's going to show not just in the exterior of the property and the amenities, but it's going to flow all the way through to our office and how we take care of our residents and our prospects as they come to live with us. Our residents are going to get great service, as well as a great place to live."