With demand for new housing at an all-time high in the highly desirable Crescentwood area, A & S Homes has stepped up to the plate to meet the challenge.
Come early winter 2010, Crescentview Estates -- a three-storey, 20-unit condominium complex -- is slated to be ready for buyers to take possession of their 850-square-foot, two-bedroom units.
"We're very excited about the project," says lead realtor for the project, RE/MAX Professionals' Jason Cianflone. "The complex will be located between Grant Avenue and Scotland Avenue off Stafford. It's going to be a great location, close to downtown and Pembina Highway. That's going to make it very attractive to people who work downtown and university students. Really, we wish we had 60 units to offer instead of 20."
A & S Homes' Vince Spezzano, who oversees the multi-family side of the longtime Winnipeg home-building company, agrees.
"No marketing has been done as yet, but we're already getting phone calls, so the demand is definitely there. The condominiums have been designed to meet the needs of all different types of clientele, from the location to the interior features," he says.
Matthew Yan, A & S Homes' sales manager, says prospective homebuyers should prepare to be impressed.
"The condominiums will be totally new (wood-frame) construction and will come fully loaded with everything, including ceramic tile (washroom, foyer) and hardwood flooring (main living area), maple shaker cabinets and granite countertops (kitchen)," he says. "Stainless steel appliances will also be included in the purchase price.
"We're going to be hitting all three key areas with this project -- quality, price point and location. The complex will be close to all amenities and will also have an elevator."
The suites will be an open-concept design with eight-and-half-foot ceilings. The emphasis will be put squarely on maximizing all 850 sq. ft. of interior space.
"There will be very little space taken up by hallways. That means there will be lots of livable space," Spezzano explains. "There will also be tons of big windows to maximize the amount of light coming in, with the windows being dual-pane argon for optimum soundproofing. The units will feel bigger than their listed square footage. With the high ceilings and all the usable space, they'll feel more like 900 or 950 sq. ft."
Each unit will come with several highly desirable features: its own heating and cooling, a large 16-foot by five-foot balcony and, most importantly, the highest possible level of soundproofing in the floors and walls.
"We went above and beyond normal specifications in terms of the floors and walls. We put the soundproofing of a $400,000 condominium into these ones, as we used the specifications we followed for a previous project," Spezzano says. "The main floor will be concrete. The two floors above will be wood with a thick layer of gypcrete for a soundproofing rating of 55. The walls will be double-stud construction with a soundproofing rating of 66."
Currently, Yan says the project is ahead of schedule. That's good news, as an early-winter possession date is anticipated. Condominium fees will be very reasonable at $161 a month. There will be covered (eight stalls) and uncovered parking, storage lockers on the main floor and full security access. The building's exterior will be a combination of stucco and siding.
Spezzano says he and his colleagues at A & S Homes are thrilled to offer such a high-calibre project in a great area.
"We take pride in what we do, so we've left no stone unturned with this project. The attention to detail, quality construction and superior technology will be there for everyone to see and enjoy."
Cianflone says Crescentview Estates is going to have a lot to offer anyone who's looking to live in a central, happening area.
"If you're interested in owning a suite, call me at 955-5478 to get more information, or go to www.crescentviewestates.com to have a look at what these condominiums will have to offer," he says. "Those seriously interested in reserving a suite can register for a 15-minute presentation with a refundable $500 deposit. If that goes well, we'll get into the finer details. There'll be no hidden schemes; the Cianflone and A & S names are on the line with this project."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Homebuilder: A & S Homes
Address: 880 Scotland Ave., Crescentwood
Number of units: 20
Size: 850 sq. ft.
Style: Three-storey with elevator
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Price: From $199,900
Condominium fee: $161/month
Contact: Jason Cianflone, RE/MAX Professionals @ 955-5478, www.crescentviewestates.com
