MANHATTAN BY SHANE HOMES
Plan has space for a large family
A move-up model isn’t just about more square footage, but some of the additional design considerations not typically found in a starter home.
The Manhattan by Shane Homes is an example of a floor plan that doesn’t just provide more space, but goes that extra mile. This 2,406-square-foot, single-family model with a front-attached, twocar garage can be seen as a show home in the northeast Calgary community of Cornerstone.
In addition to its open-concept kitchen, great room and dining area, the main level has a handy flex space that the builder has aptly dubbed a lifestyle room.
Closed off by sliding doors, the 10 foot 10 inch by 12 foot space is full of potential. In the show home, it’s staged as a formal dining room, but other households may prefer to use it as a home office, art studio, or even a children’s play area, where toys and books can be tucked away.
Along with a large window, the area pulls in light through a cutout in the wall facing the foyer.
The foyer, itself, makes a favourable impression with its soaring open to above feature. It also provides a thoughtful amount of space for multiple people to enter the home, remove boots and coats, and not feel cramped.
On the back half of the main floor, the design is about connections.
An L-shaped kitchen opens to a dining area and great room that are both located along the rearfacing wall.
There’s a sink at the island that allows those in the kitchen to face and be part of the conversation with people sitting in these nearby spaces.
The island, located under pendant lighting, also has an extended eating bar where three people can comfortably sit.
Features in the kitchen include a full-height backsplash, stainless steel appliances, such as a wall oven, and a large number of cabinets and drawers.
Further storage is available in its walk-through pantry that links to a mud room that accesses the garage. This creates a direct and convenient path for hauling bags of groceries after a trip to the su- permarket.
The kitchen also boasts a builtin wine rack with slots for 32 bottles.
Catering to the needs of a larger family are four well-sized bedrooms on the second floor. The largest secondary bedroom is similar in dimension to the master bedroom in many other homes and has a walk-in closet. It’s easy to imagine this bedroom appealing to buyers who have their parents living with them.
From the master bedroom, the ensuite is both eye-catching and functional. Two sinks flank a makeup desk and sit under a full-height and full-width mirror. There’s also a stand-alone shower, and a corner soaker tub under two large windows. The walk-in closet is accessed through the ensuite.
While the laundry room doesn’t directly connect to the master bedroom, it’s conveniently located just outside the door. It contains a front-load washer and dryer and wire shelves for storing containers of detergent, bleach and fabric softeners.
Centring the second level is a 12 foot seven inch by 14 foot seven inch bonus room, which is more than enough space to support a large sectional sofa. The bonus room pulls in sunshine through two windows and features an entertainment centre, ideal for everything from a Netflix marathon to taking in a hockey game.
Cornerstone is a community by Walton Development and Management. The community is slated for around 38 hectares (95 acres) of park and school space, along with 14 kilometres of pathways and 72 hectares (180 acres) of natural wetlands.