Apartment-style living comes to a low-density southwest Edmonton neighbourhood
Project brings apartment-style living to flourishing community
The housing options in Windermere South just grew.
The community at the corner of Ellerslie Road and 170th Street has been growing by leaps and bounds in the past year with single-family homes, duplexes and town homes. All that was missing was condo apartments.
That’s about to change, with the debut of the Essence at Windermere South, an adultonly apartment-style condo project that backs onto the Windermere pond.
Construction on the first of three buildings will begin this spring with occupancy in late 2014. Interested buyers are already filing into the sales centre near the site. A launch event is planned for April 13 and potential buyers can register now to secure a unit.
Clay Hamdon, president of Cove Properties — the developer, whose specialty is the 18-units-and-over market — says the building’s style and quality match that demographic.
From bigger suites with open kitchens and floor plans, an abundance of windows and oversized balconies, plus an attractive price, the Essence reflects what today’s homebuyers are looking for.
“It’s not unusual to have people say, ‘Wow, our prices are very reasonable compared to your competitors, yet your building is nicer,’” Hamdon says.
“We’re handing over a product that is ultra-modern and top quality, yet better priced than our competitors’.
“Our ability to do so is linked to us being exclusively a multi-family builder, which allows us to use our experience, know-how and buying power much more effectively and efficiently.”
Quality is something on which Cove has built its reputation.
The developer has built more than 4,000 condos in Alberta and B.C. to the highest standards for construction and warranties. They’ve also received housing and customer-choice awards.
The Essence offers various floor plans. The smallest suite is a one-bedroom, 695-square-foot unit that starts at $168,800.
The two-bedroom corner suites with wraparound balcony are the largest at over 1,230 square-feet and are priced at $284,800.
In between are two-bedrooms, and one- or two-bedrooms, each with a flex room — a space that can be used as a den or office or even as an exercise room.
A number of standard features make these suites stylish and modern. Gourmet kitchens boast an oversized, flat surface eating bar, a built-in pantry, and maple cabinets with full extension drawers.
Owners can choose between four designer colour packages, each with optional upgrades.
“We offer options so owners can really personalize their space. Really, the sky’s the limit as far as what you can do,” Hamdon says.
Available upgrades include quartz countertops, stone and glass backsplashes, or laminate hardwood flooring.
“The Essence feels luxurious,” he says. “The master bedrooms are very roomy — bigger than what you’d typically find in a condo — at around 12 by 13 feet. They’re large enough to comfortably fit a king-sized bed plus dresser and nightstand.”
It’s also what you won’t see that adds value to the Essence. Individually-controlled in-floor heating is throughout each suite. And to increase soundproofing in the building, there is blown-in foam insulation between floors.
The Canmore-inspired architecture features acrylic stucco with rundlestone accents and rough-sawed fir balcony columns.
“It’s sort of mountain lodge-meets-suburban setting,” Hamdon says. “The earthy green tones, stone and wood accents make it stand out.”
Backing onto the Windermere pond, the property itself will eventually be landscaped and to make sure the landscaping will look good years from now, Cove has taken the extra step of installing an in-ground irrigation system with drips to all the shrubs and trees.
Essence is a few minutes’ drive from the Currents of Windermere retail development that offers a rich mix of shopping, dining, entertainment and grocery stores.
Residents can quickly drive to recreational facilities and amenities in nearby Terwillegar and Riverbend via Terwillegar Drive, plus with Anthony Henday Drive running right by Windermere, there is quick access to other areas of the city.
Hamdon foresees the Windermere area will continue to thrive. “The area’s ongoing retail and residential expansion will make this the community to envy.”