When the brain trust at Karma Developments discovered a four-hectare tract of land off Lee Boulevard and Barnes Street in the Richmond West area, they couldn't believe their good fortune.
However, instead of being dumbstruck at their fortuitous find, they acted right away.
"Let's just say we jumped on the land right away," said Marc Kipnes, who along with partner Myles Kraut heads up the Karma Developments team. "Finds like this don't come along very often, so as soon as we saw it, we bought it."
Predictably, Kipnes and Kraut aren't wasting time in putting the sprawling piece of land to use. This fall, construction is due to start on Annex, an ambitious condominium/townhome project that will act as a fine complement to nearby Bridgwater Forest and South Pointe.
Once the project is complete, prospective homebuyers will find one of the most comprehensive condominium/townhouse developments ever undertaken in the southwest part of the city.
"We plan to put up two multi-storey towers (with 100 one- and two-bedroom condominiums), 56 two- and three-bedroom bungalow condominiums and 28 three- and four-bedroom townhouses," Kraut said. "The towers will be concrete and steel, with corner units benefiting from curtain wall glass. All the homes will be built on piles, with concrete dividing walls between the bungalows. It's going to be a spectacular complex when it's finished."
Not only will all the buildings be built on piles, but they will be comprised of quality materials both outside and inside, said Kipnes.
"For example, the bungalows will be built out of hardi-board rather than stucco," he explained. "In the towers, the floors will be hollow-core construction to reduce sound transference, as well. No matter whether you choose to live in the tower, a bungalow or townhouse, you're going to be living in a quiet, solid home. The towers will also have terrance homes on the main level with yards and a private entrance; that's going to be a very cool design feature."
As cool as the different homes are going to be, they are also going to offer two key amenities: space, and a high level of interior finishing materials. The bungalows will also have full ICF (insulated concrete form) basements for added space.
"Interior designs will be open-concept, with nine-foot ceilings in towers and bungalows, 10 feet in penthouses -- that will make already generous spaces feel that much larger," said Kipnes. "And we've finished the suites very well so there'll be no need to upgrade -- maple cabinets (mod thermofoil in towers), granite countertops, ceramic tile backsplashes and hardwood floors -- and stainless appliances -- will be standard."
Units in the towers will range in size from approximately 720 sq. ft. to 1,122 sq. ft., with the defining characteristics of suites being little in the way of wasted space, added Newan, Greenberg and Associates' Barry Greenberg, who along with partner Monica Newman is marketing the project.
"The layouts of the suites is great -- there's absolutely no wasted space," he said. "They're very efficient units, something you can see in person in our presentation centre at 1325 Markham Rd."
Kraut agreed.
"We learned a lot from a design standpoint from our other projects, The Mosaic (condominiums at Bison Drive and Pembina Highway) and Chancellor Gate. The result is units that make the most of the space available, and that seem quite a bit larger than the listed square footage," he said. "There'll be lots of room to move and lots of storage in the tower suites, bungalows and townhouses."
In addition to offering a trio of housing options, Annex will also feature an internet café, communal patio and gym -- as well as ample underground and surface parking, the latter with environmentally friendly permeable pavers.
"Everyone who buys a home at Annex will have access to the café, gym and patio," Greenberg said. "Marc and Myles wanted to make it a social place, not just a place to live. It's going to be a great community."
A community, said Newman, that will not only be cutting-edge, but affordable, with prices starting at $179,900 for tower units and $270,000 for bungalows and townhomes. Condominium fees will range from $160 to $249 in the towers, while monthly fees for bungalows and townhomes will be $133 to $184.
Newman said Annex is going to offer an unprecedented mix of style, quality and affordability.
"The tower units, bungalows and townhomes are going to be upscale, but not for an upscale price, something people have been tuning into. Even though we only have a sign on the site right now, the response has been overwhelming. Annex is going to provide incredible value in a great location."
For more information on Annex, visit www.annexcondos.ca or call (204) 955-9898.
