A beautifully tiled, black-trimmed walk-in shower serves as the centerpiece of the ensuite.
The light-filled primary bedroom comes with a private covered balcony.
Photos by Todd Lewys / Free Press
The layout of the dining area and kitchen in Panache Homes’ spacious two-storey design makes it ideal for entertaining.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Style and functionality merge seamlessly in the well-conceived main living area.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
There’s no shortage of functionality and fashion in the eye-catching kitchen.
As attractive as a brand-new infill home in an established area can be, it’s unwise to rush into buying.
That’s because one important detail needs to be carefully examined before signing the purchase agreement — how well was the build executed? This is a critical detail, as some infill homes are built on short time frames with sub-par structure and mediocre finishes to make for a quick sale.
Suffice it to say, such a hastily built dwelling is unlikely to age well. That can lead to unwanted maintenance costs and repairs within the first five to seven years of owning it — all after paying a premium price to live in a desirable neighbourhood.
Reid Boles says there are no such concerns with a sharp-looking two-storey home that was recently built at 557 Centennial St. in River Heights north.
“First, the home was built on piles, which is something you need to do in River Heights,” he says, adding that a second home with different interior finishes is also up for sale next door. “Second, it has a low-maintenance exterior with siding and stone. Inside, great attention to detail was paid to its layout and the quality of all the finishing materials.”
That attention to detail is evident the instant you enter the home’s main living area.
Natural light pours inside, while there’s a true sense of space — even though the home sits on a compact 25-by-102-foot lot, and is listed at 1,514 square feet in size.
Although the home is mid-sized, it feels a good deal larger. That’s because every available square foot has been well utilized, says Boles.
“To say the least, the use of space in this home is impressive. That’s because the floor plan is so well-balanced. Each space in the main living area, from the living room to the dining area and kitchen, is just the right size and very well-positioned.”
The result is that each space feels distinct with excellent flow between. Not only that, but the area is absolutely filled with natural light.
“There’s no shortage of light because the area is basically surrounded by large windows,” says Boles. “And each area has a personality of its own because of its proportion and placement. Flow between spaces is excellent. That isn’t always the case in homes this size.”
A commitment to a creative minimalism is the reason the main living area has such a high livability quotient.
Features like a streamlined entertainment unit in the great room, a tempered-glass insert bordering the upper-level staircase and large, well-placed windows combine to create a bright, spacious interior feel.
At the same time, each space impresses with its function and subtle flair, and the kitchen encapsulates just how much thought went into the home’s overall design.
“Like the rest of the home, they got all the little details just right,” says Boles. “There’s a built-in wine rack on the front of the island, and then there are the cabinets — black down low and glossy-white up top with woodgrain accents overhead that match the open shelving over the sink.”
Boles notes that quartz countertops and a sleek window over the double sink add style, and two additional design features add functionality.
“A pantry across from the island, which seats two, adds storage space, while a powder room around the corner next to the back door is a great feature — there’s no need for anyone to go upstairs to use the bathroom when you’re entertaining.”
Head upstairs via a four-foot-wide staircase that’s framed by a tempered-glass border with black railing, and the home’s seamless blend of style and utility continues .
Both secondary bedrooms are a good size at eight-by-10 feet, and are adjacent to a spacious, richly finished four-piece bath.
Then there’s the private primary bedroom, which is set down a 10-foot walkway that’s defined neatly by a pair of tempered-glass inserts with black trim that mesh perfectly with black light fixtures, door handles and even door hinges that create a modern, eye-catching esthetic.
“Privacy is increased by a laundry closet that buffers the bedroom further from the kids’ bedrooms,” says Boles. “It offers a luxurious ensuite with gorgeous walk-in shower, a walk-in closet and a patio door on the side wall that leads out to a private covered balcony.”
The home’s combination of style, livability and location is hard to beat, he says.
“This is an established neighbourhood that people want to be in for its character and central location,” says Boles. “To be able to find a brand-new, high-quality home here is no small feat, and we have this one, and another next door available now.”
lewys@mymts.net
Builder: Panache Homes
Address: 557 Centennial St., River Heights North
Style: two-storey
Size: 1,514 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: three
Bathrooms: two-and-a-half
Price: $604,900
Contact: Reid Boles, Century 21 Bachman & Associates (Moore Group), 204-799-3951 or Scott Moore, Century 21 Bachman & Associates (Moore Group), 204-995-7355
Open House: Saturday, May 2, 2:30-4 p.m.
