South Orléans homes in touch with nature
Edgewater townhomes enjoy natural setting, mature neighbourhood in south Orléans
ANITA MURRAY
A new enclave in south Orléans benefits from the seeming incongruity of being both in an established neighbourhood and a natural setting.
Called Edgewater, the collection of 55 townhomes and three singles by builder Glenview Homes does walk on the edge — of the Mud Creek ravine, that is.
The strip that marks a dividing line between Minto-built Trailsedge to the west and Richcraft-built Trailsedge to the east is tucked up against the natural ravine on one side, and a community park on another. That makes for a feeling of being in nature, while also taking advantage of the mature neighbourhood built up around it.
“Edgewater is the final enclave of really what was Trailsedge phase 1,” says Jake Shabinsky, Glenview ’s managing director. “Most of the roads are already built; the park is already built; the stormwater pond is already there across from our community. So, it’s really an infill site in a natural, suburban setting.”
That location is a big part of what drew buyer Laura Voicu to the project. As a real estate agent already living in the area, she is looking to potentially downsize from her single-family home when the towns are finished next year. Either that or rent it out.
“It’s close to amenities, close to the ravine and close to major streets,” she notes. “Nothing else is going to be built there. From what I’ve seen, people really prefer to be close to nature, to have privacy and still live in the community.”
But she was also drawn to Glenview as a builder, having seen their homes at an earlier development called Monahan Landing in Kanata. “I liked that (what they offer is) different, different than what we’re used to in Orléans, at least. So, as soon as I heard they were going to be building (here), I really kept a very close eye on when they were going to release their lots.”
Glenview held a preview event in December, partly to get ahead of coming mortgage rule changes in January and partly because they were out of townhomes elsewhere and wanted to be able to offer them to buyers. Of 21 lots released before Christmas, Glenview sold four, including to Voicu and another buyer she brought in.
“I should be an ambassador” of the project, Voicu jokes.
The official launch of Edgewater takes place Feb. 10, when four more lots will be released, including pond view and corner lot options.
There are five floor plans to choose from based on three models, which have been tweaked from Glenview’s most popular townhome options at Monahan Landing.
“We’ve really intentionally redesigned certain aspects of the floor plan — we say for livability — but just subtle improvements here and there,” says Shabinsky.
The idea was to create a floor plan that fits everybody’s needs, which is particularly important since the homes are attracting everyone from first-time buyers to those moving up from a condo flat, as well as downsizers, adds Mirjana Orpat, Glenview’s sales and marketing manager.
“These townhomes were designed for your everyday individual. They’re open concept … surrounded by big windows, kind of like a more stylish, social townhome.”
The two-storey homes are three and four bedrooms and range from 1,697 to 2,270 square feet.
Features include multiple kitchen island options and integrated entertainment spaces. “They all have the same included features that we’ve built our brand upon, like the finished basement rec room, nine-foot ceilings, the upgrades that people have come to expect as being standard with a Glenview home,” says Shabinsky.
Outside, the elevations are new and have a traditional look in an effort to stay in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood.
Voicu chose the popular Willow corner lot, which is the largest of the floor plans available. Boasting a turret-like angled entry, she liked its curb appeal, great square footage and use of space.
“Buyers, and I’m no exception, we pick because it’s an emotional response. I really like the look and the feel. I just chose the one I felt most comfortable with.”