UNDERSTATED LUXURY
High-end contemporary condos bring resort-style living to Westboro
The birds chirped on cue and dog owners strolled down a tree-lined path in late June as Derek Nzeribe explained the peaceful allure of new luxury condos coming to a quiet corner of Westboro.
“This is a location you can’t reproduce,” says Nzeribe, who is regional director for the Milborne Group. “You’re in the middle of Westboro, in the middle of one of the most vibrant communities in Ottawa, shops, dining, everything at your doorstep; yet you have such a suburban feel to this, such a parklike setting.”
That park-like setting is the sheltered grounds of the former convent along Richmond Road near Island Park Drive that has become Q West. But where earlier phases of the project featured more affordable condos that line the street and an urban vibe aimed at firsttimers and young professionals, this is different.
“It’s a boutique brand within an overall master plan,” says Nzeribe, who is handling sales for the project, which is called Monocle.
Almost completely wrapped in glass to better connect the inside and the out, the four-storey building oozes elegance and is clearly aimed at an upscale clientele looking for spacious one-level living close to the ground, without the maintenance of a private home and with the amenities of a fivestar hotel, and then some.
It’s the first project to be marketed under a new parent company — Choo Communities — created by developer David Choo to reflect the lifestyle brand of his three companies: Ashcroft Homes (builder of Q West); Alavida Lifestyles, which builds and runs retirement homes, and Envie Student, which provides student living. And it’s the first time a Choo condo will include mix-and-match services usually offered only through Alavida.
That’s possible because the Q West project will also feature a retirement residence on the site, right next to Monocle, in fact. Having the infrastructure, staff and support services so close at hand means amenities at Monocle can include à la carte offerings such as valet parking, housekeeping or dining services that residents don’t have to pay for if they don’t want to use them.
“It’s a concept that’s very new to Ottawa and it hasn’t been done in any projects I’ve seen but it makes
so much sense,” says Choo. For those who want to be pampered, the options are there, but for those who don’t, condo fees can be kept in check.
“It’s understated luxury,” he says. “It epitomizes people like myself (who) can afford to live anywhere and it defines where we want to live and how we want to live.”
Designed with himself in mind, although he’s not yet ready to give up his Glebe century home and its cove mouldings, spaces at Monocle are contemporary, expansive and high end.
“This is all about cachet and luxury,” Choo says. “It’s not about cove mouldings; I think I’m past cove mouldings.”
There are 62 units across the four storeys, with units ranging from one-bedrooms with just over 800 square feet to a massive three-bedroom, all with ensuites, plus den and great room in more than 3,600 square feet.
“This is anything but squeezy,” says Choo.
Features include 10-foot ceilings, powder rooms for guests, semi-private elevators, groundfloor walk-out units dubbed “bungalows” and corner suites with wraparound balconies topping 1,000 square feet.
The building will run the length of the “Nun’s Walk,” a walkway of mature maple trees that has become popular with area residents. It links to Byron Linear Park at the south end of Monocle, wrapping a layer of green around the building.
“It’s so tucked away off the street,” Choo says. But while it’s very private, it’s also very open, in that there’s an almost absence of anything but glass on exterior walls.
“To have an entire expanse of glass overlooking the maple trees, you don’t find that,” Choo says. “We think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people.”
The building was designed by architect David Blakely with a classically modern exterior featuring sleek lines and plenty of glass. Inside, the look by Drake + Khan Design is sophisticated and contemporary. Common spaces are refined and include a large lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows, fitness room with sauna and whirlpool, party room and rooftop terrace. And individual suites, while imagined through renderings, are fully customizable. “Apart from the four walls, everything is wide open,” Choo says.
More than 25 per cent of the units are spoken for, although the project has not yet officially launched. A VIP event in late June attracted more than 70 potential residents and resulted in another handful of units generating interest.
Construction is not expected to be complete until spring 2021 to allow for all the remaining elements of Q West — Monocle, the retirement home and a third building that will be integrated into the west wing of the convent — to be built at the same time, along with renovations to the abbey.
The final plan for the convent and its addition is still being determined and has seen its share of controversy, something Choo acknowledges while defending the process.
“Through the process of exploration, we found out how weak (the abbey) is and you can see the back wall is collapsing. It’s an enormous amount of money to re-adapt it. So, we’ve looked at various schemes … (but) heritage buildings, if you don’t have a willing sponsor, you can’t do anything with it. It costs a lot of money. I’m trying to be the willing sponsor, but there’s a limit to how much financial resources you can put into something.”
The plan now before the city would see either condos or rentals in the convent addition, bringing the abbey up to code and creating spaces that could be a combination of commercial, retail and community.
In the meantime, Nzeribe is booking appointments with prospective buyers at Monocle. “It’s going to be a spectacular building.”
Tohavean entire expanse of glass overlooking the maple trees, you don’t find that. We think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people.