THE CRESCENT AT RED BEST OF ALPINE LIVING
Rossland, B.C. development responds to surging demand for recreational property
There's a lot to recommend the mountain town of Rossland, B.C.
“Rossland is simply one of the friendliest communities I've ever experienced,” says retired university professor, ski bum, skilled musician and craft beer aficionado Bernie Williams.
“Much of what I value and enjoy in life is found in Rossland. The amazing people, delicious local beer, the live music scene, the incredible skiing in winter, the stunning hiking in summer, it's all there. I just can't think of a better mountain town on the planet. And, in a nutshell, that's why I spend as much time there as possible.”
Certainly, given Rossland's popularity, Williams, who lives in Lethbridge, is far from alone when it comes to praising the place. And, not surprisingly given the remarkable surge in demand for recreational property, finding a place to call your own in this historic city is tough.
Much like other notable mountain towns out there (Rossland was incorporated as a city in 1897), it's even tougher to find a home that's affordable. However, the Crescent at Red has changed all that.
Located at the base of Red Mountain Resort, minutes from historic downtown Rossland, the Crescent features 102 modern alpine flats in a sleek and contemporary four-storey building in the heart of this resort. With attractive price points and floor plans that are all about optimizing the Rossland way of life (think outdoorsy and adventurous), the Crescent is turning plenty of heads. And, yes, these savvy little suites have been flying off the shelf.
“Affordable recreational property is difficult to find these days,” says Maria Peters, project director for the Crescent.
“However, when you consider that the Crescent is perfectly situated in the heart of the action at one of the top mountain resorts in North America, it becomes quite obvious that this is a very special opportunity. It has opened the door for many people who never would have dreamed of entering the market to jump in. You simply won't find anything else like this at a Top 10 ski resort in North America.”
The Crescent is currently more than 70 per cent sold. Additional expansions are in the works at Red Mountain.
“Due to unprecedented demand, we are busy working on our next project,” says Peters. “Exciting announcements are coming soon.”
Besides its ideal location just steps from the main chairlift at Red, the Crescent features numerous attributes that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. Keyless entry, bike storage, ski storage, nine-foot ceilings, outdoor terraces, mountain and valley views, and underground parking are just a few of these.
While the units — there is a mix of studio, loft, and one-bedroom plans available — are relatively small in terms of size, they are large in terms of usable space. The open and efficient interior designs are a key element. “Everything you need and nothing you don't” is a tag line that rings true in many ways at the Crescent.
Case in point: there are at least a handful of “connected spaces” that will, no doubt, be a highlight for owners. Ultimately, they keep the prices of the units down and pack a punch in terms of giving homeowners those extras they really need.
The common areas include a retail market, top-floor lounge, observatory terrace, indoor cowork space, fitness room, and commercial laundry. These spaces will allow owners to chill out with neighbours after a ski day, enjoy a barbecue with friends, host a party or work event, and, of course, still have their own private home to retreat to. But, no question, it's the “outdoor spaces” (the ski hill, most notably) that has vaulted Rossland into legendary status among diehard skiers, adventurists and outdoor lovers in general.
Red Mountain is the oldest ski resort in Western Canada and, at 3,850 skiable acres, it's also one of the Top 10 largest ski resorts in North America. Its massive tenure, including multiple summits to descend in every direction, is mind-blowing in scale.
And, due to Rossland's relatively remote location (halfway between Vancouver and Calgary in the West Kootenays), the slopes are seldom busy. So, in Red's case, a powder day can actually go on for days. Red Mountain also boasts a $10/ride snowcat service (for even more powder skiing on Grey Mountain), Rafters (voted the No. 1 apres ski bar in the world by Powder Magazine), The Josie (a spectacular new boutique hotel located right at the base), and much more.
“I'd say Rossland's turn-of-thecentury buildings, mining history, great restaurants and laid-back mountain culture are a few other awesome attributes,” says Bernie Williams, who visits Rossland multiple times a year and in every season.
“Rossland has been voted the No. 1 Ski Town in Canada for a reason. At the end of the day, if you can live here for even a small portion of the year, you win.”