Riverpointe subdivision has exclusive feel
New Windermere development will feature large homes, lots
There’s going to be a buzz of activity in the new subdivision of Riverpointe this summer. The subdivision is the latest in the larger Windermere community and is the last tract of land in the northwest section to be developed.
Riaz Choudhry, president of VIP Development Group, refers to Riverpointe as the jewel of Windermere.
“This is a high-end development with estate homes, walkouts, water features and plenty of green space.”
Roads are in, street lights are up and show homes will soon open. This summer, there should be a flurry of residential building. Those who have already bought a home are finalizing plans with their builders. Choudhry expects the first residential homes will start going up in the next three weeks.
Riverpointe, north of 16th Avenue and east of 170th Street, overlooks the North Saskatchewan River and is above Anthony Henday Drive.
A 60-metre-wide ravine and city parkland act as buffers between the community and the Henday.
“Riverpointe is at the end of 170th Street so there is no through traffic,” explains Choudhry.
“It’s very quiet and private and has an exclusive feel to it, but you still have the convenience of being close to the Henday.”
The neighbourhood is also minutes from the Currents of Windermere for amenities and retail services.
An on-site sales office opened about three months ago and Choudhry reports it has been busy.
“We’ve had a lot of interest and a number of sales. About 30 homes are in the design stage and will start building in the next few weeks. It’s been very good.”
There is a total of 173 lots. Compared with most city lots, these ones are big with 46- to 86-foot building pockets. To put that in perspective, an average city lot is about onesixth of an acre. The lots at Riverpointe are double that. There is also more space between houses, with about 14 feet (four metres) total as the minimum.
Homes start at $900,000 (including the lot). Unlike many subdivisions where the homebuyer’s choices are restricted to three or four builders, Riverpointe has no builder group. Rather, as with all of VIP’s developments, this is an open build, meaning it is open to the public.
“If you want to live here, you can buy the lot and choose your own builder,” says Choudhry. “People are attracted to open builds because it gives them more leeway. These are total custom builds and as long as they meet the architectural guidelines, we are open to different ideas.”
Choudhry says some homeowners are building passive solar homes, while others are going with a contemporary style, and yet others are choosing more traditional looks.
Architectural controls are in place. There will be no vinyl siding or asphalt shingles. Instead, you’ll be seeing tile or cedar shingles, stucco or Hardie Board, and stonework. There is also a minimum house size. Bungalows are minimum of 1,800 square feet and twostoreys must be at least 2,800 square feet.
Running through the centre of the community is green space with two storm ponds and two waterfalls. A number of lots are walkouts backing onto the ponds. More walkouts or partial walkouts are along the ravine, and more lots are situated along 16th Avenue, which is no longer a road but green space with a walkway.
Choudhry sees the amount of green space as one of the main features in Riverpointe.
“You have the ponds and park, the ravine and the 16th Avenue walkway. The trails lead directly down to the river and connect to the city’s vast trail system. With the river and ravine, this really is a beautiful location.”
He predicts the development will take a couple of years to complete. And because there is no more land in that particular area, residents won’t need to worry about further development going on around them.