DESIGN DONE RIGHT
Andover ticks the boxes
A thoughtful design can come in the form of an obvious feature, or something subtle that will more likely be appreciated after moving in.
With the Andover, there’s plenty of both.
The 1,405-square-foot townhome, displayed as a show home, is the largest of three floor plans available at a new 51-unit development by Stepper Homes in Heritage Hills.
The community on the west end of Cochrane boasts a storm pond feature and environmental reserve.
The townhome development is fee-simple, meaning the buyer owns and is responsible for the exterior of their home and their yard. As a result, there’s no need for a condo board or monthly fees for upkeep.
Part of the considerate approach to these townhomes is reflected in the value many place on the garage. The front-attached single car garage stretches a generous 12 feet by 24 feet.
This accommodates the space needs of longer vehicles, such as large trucks. And for those with small to mid-sized cars, it clears a spot for a workshop or additional storage.
Many people who move to Cochrane enjoy taking advantage of the proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Ghost Lake, and the Bow River, so having a place to tuck away skis, a snowboard, or kayak would come in handy.
The townhomes are two levels, so much like a single-family home, the garage connects to the main level.
In the Andover, the first thing noticed is the natural light. The rear-facing wall — covered by the great room — is filled with large windows, sending sunshine across the open-concept level.
This includes two doors with glass fronts that open to a back deck, one of the included features with the townhome.
Entertainers will enjoy this design. At 15 feet six inches by just more than 11 feet, the great room looks like a space from a singlefamily home. Large furniture and walking space for guests are no issue here.
As displayed in the show home, a blue accent wall and bulkhead help the great room pop.
Adjacent to the dining area, the kitchen is a functional galley-style with an island and extended eating bar under pendant lighting that seats three people.
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, including an over-therange hoodfan and a full-height mosaic tile backsplash.
A sometimes underestimated end of the floor plan is the front foyer. This one is large, supporting groups of people entering the home at the same time, and includes a bench for people to sit and remove muddy or snowy shoes and boots.
On the second level, there’s a master bedroom and its accessory spaces on one end and two secondary bedrooms on the other.
Down the middle, the townhome offers something different. There’s a loft space that can be used for a variety of purposes. In the show home, it’s displayed as a homework area, giving the children of the home a place to polish off their assignments without taking up bedroom space.
The loft would also work for setting up exercise equipment or rolling out a yoga mat.
Another considerate layout feature is the presence of a secondfloor laundry area. This means the walk carrying a basket of clothes, is only a few steps, rather than a flight of stairs, away.