It's something you don't see often these days: a recently built home situated in a setting as mature and historic as 88 Settlers Rd. in the picturesque St. Vital enclave of River Pointe.
"This is virtually a new home -- it was custom built in 2010," said Chris Pennycook of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate. "Not only that, but it's also on a big, pie-shaped lot that's surrounded by mature trees, something you don't always find in new communities. There's also a piece of history out back -- Louis Riel House. Its presence guarantees you'll never have neighbours across the way."
Indeed, River Pointe, which has quietly flown under the radar since the community commenced development in the late 1980s, is an area with much to offer. It's close to key amenities (St. Vital Park, St. Vital Shopping Centre and a host of amenities on Kenaston Boulevard), yet secluded. A host of options is minutes away, yet when you arrive home, you're in a world of your own, both outside and in.
The world inside -- which was designed and crafted by Gino's Homes with input from the outgoing owners -- is truly something to behold.
"Basically, the owners took one of Gino's best plans and made some modifications to it," Pennycook said. "The area that contains most of the modifications is the kitchen and family room. One of the first things you notice is that it isn't a totally open-concept floor plan -- a three-quarter wall divides the kitchen from the family room."
That wall provides a backdrop for a kitchen designed to be much wider than normal, in the neighbourhood of eight to 10 feet wide.
"The kitchen is gorgeous and extremely functional," Pennycook said. "That width, along with a host of beautiful maple cabinets, granite countertops, (beige/chocolate brown) tile backsplash and a breakfast bar (that seats four), makes it a great spot to prepare meals in for the family or while entertaining. It's a separate space, but it's still very accessible."
That ease of access is derived from a floor plan that features wide hallways connecting the kitchen seamlessly with the dining room, and the dining room with the family room. Thanks to a pair of bay windows on the rear wall -- one off the kitchen, the other off the family room -- light abounds. A garden door at the rear of the kitchen simultaneously adds light and access to a big backyard deck.
"Altering an already excellent plan made it that much better. The added ceiling height combined with the big bay windows (plus an ornate window placed over a plant ledge on the rear wall) bathes the area in light. The high ceiling also paved the way for the family room's highlight: a gas fireplace set in floor-to-ceiling cultured stone. The (front-oriented) dining room, with its arched entrance and big window, is an ideal spot to entertain."
As important as it is to have a functional, well-appointed great room area, it's equally important for the other areas of the home to work well. That's not an issue, Pennycook said.
"There are three big bedrooms on the main level -- the master suite was placed by itself on one side, with the two secondary bedrooms on the opposite side of the home," he said. "And there's also a main floor laundry/mud room (with a door for garage access) across from the master bedroom."
Because the home is a 1,944-square-foot bungalow, space isn't an issue; all three bedrooms are exceedingly spacious.
"The master bedroom is huge, and includes a three-piece ensuite (with five-foot tile shower), big walk-in closet and three windows. Then the two secondary bedrooms are set well away for privacy purposes," he said. "They offer all kinds of space, and there's a four-piece bathroom that was placed conveniently between them."
Downstairs, there's a lower level any family would appreciate, Pennycook added.
"It offers over 1,600 square feet of liveable space, which brings the home's developed area to about 3,700 square feet. There's a fourth bedroom, huge rec room with media area, sitting area and games area," he said. "The flooring is top-quality laminate oak. Two large windows let in lots of light, and there's all kinds of storage space. The home also comes with central vacuum and central air conditioning."
All in all, 88 Settlers rates as a rare find, Pennycook said.
"Homes like this don't come available that often -- a custom-designed home in a mature setting close to all kinds of amenities. The location and quality is hard to beat. This home, which was designed with elegance and comfort in mind, is a great alternative to building a new home in a community that will need to mature. This is a like-new home that's ready to enjoy in a gorgeous, mature setting."
lewys@mts.net
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DETAILS
Location: 88 Settlers Rd., River Pointe, St. Vital
Year Built: 2010
Style: Bungalow
Size: 1,944 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Taxes: $6,421.42 (gross 2011)
Price: $689,900
Contact: Chris Pennycook or Lori Hopfner, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, at 989-5000
