WHEN RE/MAX Professionals' Glen Harvey talks about his newest condominium project -- Terra Commons -- he can barely hide his excitement.
"At 340 units in total, it's the largest condominium project in the city," he said of the development, found at 1225 Troy Ave. (just west of McPhillips Street).
"Not only that, it's extremely energy efficient, too. Each building features geothermal heating, tri-pane low-e argon windows and R38 insulation (exterior walls were wrapped with insulation). We actually have a someone living there right now. His budget for all utilities is just $53 per month."
The goal at Terra Commons is to provide prospective homebuyers with value and quality. Value will come in the form of two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites priced at a reasonable $189,900 and two-bedroom, three-bath or three-bedroom, two-bath units for $199,900. Suites will range in size from approximately 900 to 1,100-plus square feet -- significantly larger than similarly-priced suites located in other areas of the city.
"All the units are a good size and the finishing quality is incredible. Buyers get either white or espresso maple cabinets, glass tile backsplashes, engineered hardwood floors (dark and light hues), white quartz (Caesar Stone) or black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances," said Harvey. "You also get central air conditioning and dura deck balconies with tempered glass railings. It's also a great location, only 12 minutes from downtown."
While the finishing quality is excellent, so too is the layout. Main living areas (kitchen, living room and dining area) are open-concept. Kitchens come complete with a compact four-foot island, which can be used as a food preparation station and/or eating nook. There's plenty of cabinet and counter space -- made all the more attractive by the fact it's either quartz or granite -- and the interior is bright thanks to large, well-placed windows on the suite's front wall.
The 1,100-sq.-ft. display suite also came equipped with a main-floor laundry niche off the kitchen and two-piece bath off the foyer. Meanwhile, off-white baseboards and taupe walls nicely complement the dark or light hardwoods.
"I don't think anything else in the city comes close to the quality of workmanship and finishing materials found in these condominiums," he added. "They're just gorgeous."
Another key, said Harvey, is that Terra Commons offers a new -- and affordable -- alternative to buying a relatively ancient single-family home.
"You can buy in this area for $50,000 to $70,000 less than you'd be able to in south Winnipeg. If we put these condominiums there, they'd be selling for $249,900 or more. This project also represents a great opportunity to buy at the lowest price possible. Buy now and your price is locked in," he said. "There will also be no bidding wars and the price is the price, plus you get to select the unit you want and the finishes."
In addition to the peace of mind that comes with buying a new dwelling, Terra Commons also offers other home-like features: private entrances, main-floor units with fenced-in backyards, generously-sized bedrooms and master suites with well-appointed ensuites (tile floors, quartz vanities, tile backsplash and shower/bath combo) and smart, durable taupe short-twist carpets in bedrooms (which are bright due to oversized windows).
And because the project is new construction -- all but one building is new, with the oldest being two years old -- condominium fees promise to be very reasonable.
"Fees for the two-bedroom, two-bath suites will be about $79, while fees for the three-bedroom, two-bath suites will be around $95. That's because everyone will pay their own heat and hydro, which also won't cost much due to the energy efficient construction," Harvey said.
"I think buyers are getting a pretty good deal --two-bedroom townhouse-style units will be selling for $174,900, and we've just released a limited number of two-bedroom, apartment-style suites for $129,900."
To find out more about Terra Commons, which is being marketed by Glen and Bruce Harvey and Associate, visit www.terracommons.ca or call Glen Harvey at 999-1942 or Bruce Harvey at 997-7744.
