Fresh as the day they moved in
Willsons’ Markham home has stood the test of time due to the high-calibre work of builders
Markham has undergone a tremendous transformation since 1985, when Barbara and RonWillson moved into their brand-new Greenpark home in Penhurst Court. Now the houses in their neighbourhood, which is close to 16th Ave. and McCowan Rd., are not brand-new anymore and the trees have matured. Markham, formerly a township and now officially a city with a skyrocketing population, has blossomed into a thriving residential community. “From 16th [Ave.] to Major Mackenzie Dr., it’s nothing but houses,” says Ron, an active retiree who used to work for Service Canada.
The neighbourhood has been a great place to raise a family. The Willsons’ now-adult son and daughter have moved away, as have most of the local kids, and new, younger families have started moving onto the street. But Barbara recalls fondly how her family used to join in the summer potluck picnics at the end of the quiet cul-de-sac where their house is located.
Greenpark Homes continues to play a part in shaping the neighbourhood. Currently under construction, UV2 — the first condo tower in the area — is part of Greenpark’s nearby Upper Village community at 16th Ave. and Markham Rd. It’s a multifamily condo development ideally suited for homeowners like the Willsons, retirees who eventually might be looking to downsize but want to remain in the community they’ve come to love — and would prefer to stay with a reputable builder they know they can trust.
Lino Pellicano, vice-president of the high-rise division of Greenpark, says that creating quality homes is held in the highest regard by the company. “It’s part of our everyday focus on every project,” says Pellicano. “We see quality home-building as our primary promise of benefit to our buyers. But we also focus great effort on selecting premium locations with great neighbourhood amenities.”
It’s the same story across the GTA, where committed developers are working hard to meet the demands of a robust market by offering a wide variety of homes that are built to last.
“The quality of new homes in the GTA is among the best in the world,” notes BryanTuckey, president of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). “Greenpark Homes is just one of our member companies that help to build vibrant, well-planned, well-designed complete communities across the GTA for the up to 100,000 people and 50,000 jobs that come to this region every year.”
Meanwhile, theWillson residence has weathered the last 28 years well. The 2,056-sq.-ft., 4-bedroom detached home, purchased by the couple in 1984 for $110,000, looks as good as new. “It’s been solid and low-maintenance,” says Barbara, a semi-retired nurse.
For starters, it was built properly and has received a fair bit of TLC from its owners. The Willsons have replaced the roof and upgraded the furnace. And a few years ago, they launched what they’ve dubbed their “local infrastructure maintenance program,” with the goal of keeping their home looking its best for years to come. In addition to new flooring and new windows throughout the house, they replaced all the kitchen appliances and installed new cabinetry and a granite countertop. Barbara has also developed a penchant for painting, which has freshened up the look of the home’s interior. Indeed, the walls are awash with her favourite hue: cranberry. Says Barbara, “If all it takes is a coat of paint to make our home look as fresh as it did the day we moved in, then that’s what quality means to me.”
But the Willsons maintain that the renovations and improvements were done only to enhance the house. The bones of their home — the structure itself, the mechanical systems and all other critical elements — have held up admirably. “We spend a lot of time here,” says Ron. “And it’s always been a nice, secure place to come home to.”