SERENITY RULES IN MANHATTAN 4
Lakeside luxury living pays homage to local landscape
Albi Homes’ Manhattan 4 show home was one of six new show homes launched last weekend in the estate area of The Shores on Chestermere Lake.
“We had well over 200 people out to celebrate,” says Paul Ritchie, community sales manager for Albi Homes.
Soft colours, strong lines and loads of stone detailing characterize this welcoming Craftsmanstyle, 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-storey home.
Step inside and the light-filled entry hall is paved with porcelain tile, which seamlessly flows into slate-grey, hand-scraped, wideplanked engineered hardwood.
The main floor layout links the kitchen dining area and living room with ease and elegant flow.
The entire open-concept main floor pays homage to the landscape, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the mountain and prairie inspired colour scheme.
The curated ensemble features a volcanic palette of ash, pumice and obsidian, all enlivened by judicious bursts of colour: 1960s-style club chairs (think Mad Men) in the great room in shades of forsythia yellow, a game’s table on the lower level sweetened with dashes, squiggles and abstractions of lime green, cherry red and lemon yellow, walls swathed in shades of jade green in one of the two secondary bedrooms.
Like the home’s architecture, the interior design and finishings set a tone of serenity, starting with the base note colours of the volcanic palette.
Glass railings and industrial fixtures ramp up the esthetic.
A textured glazed porcelain tile fireplace surround exhibits warm and inviting earth tones, grounding the room, while echoing the classic styling of the adjacent kitchen where the quartz-topped island is pretty enough to be considered a stand-alone sculpture.
With its waterfall edge and seating for five, it’s a lovely spot to gather, enjoy a snack and a chat with friends, while admiring the culinary prowess of the host.
Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances, including two wall ovens, a gas cooktop and a wine fridge elevate and enhance the look and function of this gourmand’s retreat.
The home’s hardwood flooring runs up the central staircase and throughout the upper level, a nice touch and welcome change from carpet.
Upstairs a large central great room divides the master wing with its jaw-dropping ensuite — an Albi-style feast of sumptuousness with luxurious stand-alone soaker tub and marble finishes — and the two children’s bedrooms.
The home offers storage space from the oversized walk-through pantry to the custom-designed mudroom with hooks and lockers, perfect for storing backpacks and sporting gear and hanging everything from coats to wet towels and swim suits (the lake is mere minutes away).
The lower level incorporates a media centre, built-in wet bar with quartz finishes, games room, fourth bedroom and bath.
French doors open onto a patio space and large lawn.
Ritchie says new home sales in Chestermere are strong.
He attributes the pace to two factors: Price point and value.
“One of the great draws is the land size — lots are large, starting at widths of 46 feet and moving up from there. We are attracting lots of young families with children — it’s our biggest demographic — but also empty nesters looking to build a bungalow,” says Ritchie.
Buyers have a choice of several lots within walking distance of the lake. For those wanting direct lake access, one lakeside lot is still available.
The lot fronts an environmental reserve threaded with walking paths leading down to the beach.
The Manhattan 4 is versatile and can be designed with a level, walk- out or sunshine lower level.
Exterior elevation choices are plentiful and custom design is encouraged.
The base model of the Manhattan 4 starts at $700,000, including home, lot, front-landscaping and GST.
The show home is $799,900 and features several upgrades, including a walkout finished basement and second-level deck.