If you're a Transcona resident looking for an alternative to buying a well-used resale home, a viable alternative is coming your way.
It's Park City Condominiums, a complex to be located in a mature, quiet neighbourhood on Pandora Street.
"You can't beat the location," said Bill Thiessen, the lead realtor for the project. "It's a nice, quiet area that has all kinds of longtime homeowners surrounding it on adjacent streets. And it's not way into Transcona, so access to the south of the city and downtown is quite quick.
"At the same time, it's close to everything on Regent Avenue -- Kildonan Place, restaurants, shops and services -- and to Lagimodiere and Highway No. 1 if you have a cottage in the Interlake or Whiteshell."
Thiessen said the hallmark of the development, aside from its excellent location, will be the generous size of the units and its quality, inside and out.
"There will eventually be a total of 12 buildings, with six townhouses per building," he said. "Square footage will range from 1,450 sq. ft. to 1,650 sq. ft., with units having two or three bedrooms with one or two baths."
The units will feature an imaginative design that will place the emphasis on maximizing space while providing plenty of style.
"Suites in the middle will have three levels," Thiessen explained. "The main floor will house the living room, dining room, kitchen, a two-piece bath and a storage room. The second will contain two bedrooms, a four-piece bath, laundry room and more storage, and the third floor will be where the master suite and a handy bonus room will be. The master could also be a family room, due in part to the fact that it has access to a balcony."
Suites on the corners of the complex, while smaller (1,450 sq. ft. versus 1,650 sq. ft.), will also come equipped with some novel design features.
"They will have big windows on two sides and will feature a bright, open-concept main floor similar to the one in the larger units," he said. "As well, the second floor will have two large bedrooms, while the third floor will contain a feature I think people will love -- a giant balcony off the den and master suite that will measure in at 10 feet by 22 feet.
"The idea was to provide residents with more outdoor space, which will also be usable in poor weather, as the balconies will be covered."
As for the building's exterior styling, it will feature an arts-and-crafts design theme.
"I think people will really like the look -- it's going to be organic and natural, with roof overhangs and rustic finishes. It's a look that should appeal to everyone, and, more importantly, fit in well with the neighbourhood. It's a complex that will merge well with its surroundings."
Inside, the emphasis will be on quality, Thiessen said.
"The finishing quality is going to be exceptional, with luxury finishes across the board," he said. "The cabinetry, countertops and flooring are going to be top-notch. When you combine that with a large square footage, efficient layouts and a host of thoughtful interior design features, the result is a condominium that you're going to enjoy living in."
One final bonus was incorporated into the design of each unit: a garage.
"Each condominium will come with its own interior garage that also has an extra eight feet of space that can be used for additional storage. I think that's a nice touch that shows the development's designers really tried to do their homework. The units are going to feature a nice blend of user friendliness and style."
Not to mention exceptional value, Thiessen said.
"Overall, the main goal was to provide buyers -- whether they be young couples or empty-nesters -- with extreme value. Prices will range from about $249,000 to $275,000 (depending on size of unit chosen), and condominium fees will be very reasonable at $125 to $150," he said. "The big thing, though, is that buyers can expect great quality. The goal was to make these condominiums as quiet as a single-family home, and with the same style and space, too. They're a real alternative to buying a 1950s-vintage home."
For more information on Park City Condominiums, call RE/MAX Performance Realty's Bill Thiessen at 946-5638.
lewys@mts.net
