Real estate agent Andrea Wiebe says there's a perception -- which is incorrect in many cases -- that condominiums on Wellington Crescent aren't affordable.
"People think they're incredibly expensive," she says. "While that's true in some cases, there are units in the area that are affordable and offer excellent value. When they come up for sale, it pays to take a look. You can't beat the location, and the buildings, while older, are concrete, which makes them very solid, quiet places to live."
One such example is a quaint two-bedroom condominium at 502-245 Wellington Crescent (a.k.a. Crescent Villa). At 1,000 square feet on the nose, with an elevated view of the city -- and a price tag of $224,900 -- it offers space, utility and quick access to pretty much any part of the city.
There's one other bonus: unlike many condominiums in the various complexes on Wellington Crescent, this one has been extensively updated. Consequently, although the building dates back 51 years to 1960, unit 502 is anything but a throwback to the 1960s.
"The outgoing owner did a great job of refreshing the suite -- it's not dated at all," says Wiebe. "The layout is open-concept, which makes it very contemporary. And the choice of finishing materials really sets off an interior that has incredible flow."
Whereas many of the condominiums in the area are carpeted, this one isn't. Instead, newer natural maple hardwoods run through the entire main living area and even down the hallway leading to the private bedroom wing (which also contains a four-piece bathroom).
Not only are the hardwoods easy on the eyes and simple to maintain (all you need is a dust mop; no vacuuming required), but their soft tone merges beautifully with all the sunlight that pours in from a virtual wall of windows in the living room.
"Those (south-facing) windows are part of the original design -- having windows that big back then, I think, was pretty rare. The result is a bright, sunny and relaxing interior where you can sit and read a book or watch TV with all kinds of natural light flowing in," she says. "The view is incredible, too."
There is ample space to eat and a kitchen with plenty of counter and storage space.
"The dining area (placed by a large window) is a nice size, and the galley-style kitchen offers a cutout that not only opens it up to the living room, but also contains an eating nook for two," Wiebe says. "It's also been nicely upgraded with (tan with black accents) granite countertops, espresso maple cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. There's also a handy pantry, too. If you like to entertain, you can do it easily."
Many open-concept units don't have a secluded bedroom wing -- but this unit does. Both of them are a good size, and the four-piece bathroom is nearby. This makes the unit feel more like a house.
"Both bedrooms are big and provide you with options," adds Wiebe's sales associate, Eric Neumann. "The master bedroom has a big, south-facing window that makes for a bright, relaxing space, and the second bedroom -- which can be used as an office or guest room -- has a door that leads to a side balcony (where) you can barbecue or enjoy a cold drink while you look at the river running in behind."
Wiebe says 502-245 Wellington offers exceptional value in a very desirable location.
"I think it offers the best of both worlds. The building is solid, the suite has been beautifully upgraded to contemporary standards, and you can get anywhere in minutes. The condo fees are among the lowest in the area, too. It's a beautifully redone condominium that's got so much to offer," she says.
lewys@mts.net
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DETAILS
Location: 502-245 Wellington Crescent
Size: 1,000 sq. ft.
Style: Apartment-style condominium
Year Built: 1960
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,250.50 (Gross 2010)
Condominium Fees: $469.15/month (includes all utilities and cable)
Price: $224,900
Contact: Andrea Wiebe or Eric Neumann, Realty Executives First Choice @ 885-8999
