CLASSIC APPEAL
Rocklin on the Creek offer contemporary homes with traditional feel
A unique site in the burgeoning Burke Mountain neighbourhood in Coquitlam combined with a focus on affordability are two of the major factors that appeal to buyers at Woodbridge Homes' Rocklin on the Creek townhouse development.
Jamie Howard, president and CEO of Woodbridge Homes, says he believes the property, which includes a one-acre streamside protection and enhancement area (SPEA), is the only site in the area with creek-front homes.
The creek was rehabilitated by removing a concrete slough and returning it to a more natural state, says Howard, noting Woodbridge Homes then built a bridge to connect the two parts of the property east and west of the creek.
“In that way, we focus the Rocklin community on this creek amenity that bisects the site,” he says.
The development on the fourand-a-half acre site (including the SPEA) comprises 72 three- to five-bedroom homes with the first residents already moved in and building scheduled to complete through to August 2021.
Howard notes a second Woodbridge Homes' development, Baycrest on the Rise, will be located one block northeast of Rocklin.
This three-and-one-third acre site that will include 67 homes will be launched in spring 2021.
When planning for Rocklin on the Creek started four years ago, Howard says the developer recognized “money is always dear,” and that awareness has proved to be even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, he says, noting most of the homes with lower price points have been sold.
“The design is well thought out. It is our responsibility to build a functioning home. We agonize over the design details of the homes so that there are no nasty surprises for homebuyers,” says Howard. “For people to feel at home, they must feel comfortable and safe, and that is the result of a home that is well conceived.”
He says Rocklin on the Creek's classic architectural design, by Ciccozzi Architecture, ensures the development will have a timeless quality.
“It looks good today, and it will look good in 20 and 30 years from now,” adds Howard.
Portico Design Group was given a similar brief and used an array of materials and finishes with traditional and contemporary influences to create a transitional style for the interior design.
Natalia Kwasnicki, a partner at Portico, points to the hexagonal-tile backsplash in the kitchen as an example where tradition-meets-contemporary to produce a timeless design. Choosing an elongated version of a hexagonal tile with a matte finish produces a backsplash that will retain its elegance, she adds.
Two colour palettes, both soft and muted, were created for Rocklin on the Creek. The Warm scheme features oak, true to its natural colour, and white cabinetry that works well with the natural-stone look porcelain tiles in the bathrooms. The Cool palette selections are a nod to the shades of grey popular on the West Coast, with the laminate flooring showing a driftwood-colour influence while other elements leaned to “greige,” says Kwasnicki.
Homes at Rocklin on the Creek range in size from 1,360 to 2,288 square feet. There are three display homes open for viewing: the C3 design (1,490 square feet), three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms; the D plan (2,048 square feet), four bedrooms with flex space/fifth bedroom option and three-and-a-half bathrooms; and the A4 (1,401 square feet), three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms.
All homes include a two-car garage, and there is a ground-floor bedroom suite in all four-bedroom and flex space homes.
The main floor open plan living area — kitchen, dining room and living room — benefits from large windows on two sides of the townhomes, creating a bright and airy setting. In the kitchen, Shaker-style cabinet door and drawer fronts give the heart of the home a clean and uncluttered look while the island, pantries, under-cabinet lighting, quartz countertops and stainless-steel Kitchenaid appliances ensure functionality.
Laminate floors on the main level give way to carpeting on the stairs and in the bedrooms.
In the ensuite bathrooms, natural-stone look porcelain tiles, a glass shower surround and flat-panel cabinetry contribute to the spa-like feel, says Kwasnicki.
With double sinks, the vanity has a recessed kick that gives the appearance of a floating cabinet, another feature that contributes to a spacious and relaxed ambience.
The Burke Mountain neighbourhood offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the natural environment, including several trails and parks, such as the Minnekhada Regional Park and the Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.
Rocklin is attracting a range of buyers, including those who are moving up from condos, first- and second-time buyers and even downsizers.
“We also have two instances where parents have purchased a home, and their child and spouse have also bought at Rocklin,” says Howard, adding when he reflects on the project, he is happy with the unit mix that appeals to a range of buyers and the developer's philosophy of affordability, focus on gracious spaces and good-sized bedrooms in all the floor plans.
“We are happy with the choices we made — you design really well and think you are doing a good job — ultimately, the market tells you if you got it right,” he says.