Doors set to open in Maple Ridge
Former site of the Montgomery family farm will welcome its first occupants in March
Classic and modern, with a touch of rural living and local history. They’re all elements of a new residential development in Maple Ridge.
Once home to just one family, the 10- acre plot is now the site of a development that, when completed, will encompass 85 stand- alone houses.
Ranging from 1,850 to 2,270 square feet, the homes feature Craftsman- style exteriors and modern interiors.
With prices starting at just over $ 500,000, the three- and four- bedroom residences at Montgomery Acres are meant to appeal to young families and empty nesters, says Norm Jones, sales manager with developer Epic Homes.
Now, though, the first homes are just nearing completion, and Montgomery Acres still has a rural feel. Even with construction going on, both at Montgomery Acres and nearby at 240th Street, the natural setting dominates, with treelined pastures and horse trails. Kanaka Creek lies to the east, and Golden Ears summit rises to the north.
In some ways, the area is similar to when the Montgomery family grew award- winning fruits and vegetables on the land. It was in 1946 when Joe and Anne Montgomery purchased the farm, raising their children there and selling their produce to area stores. In 2011, Epic purchased the land from the Montgomerys.
It still feels “a little undeveloped,” buyer Zia Castillo says. “When you go to the actual community and see the houses, you can see it’s almost like a farm.”
She and her husband, Truong Nguyen, were attracted to the new feel of the development, and also to the design, she says.
“We liked the layout, especially the main floor,” she said.
The main floors of the homes, which come in six different floor plans, are designed for spaciousness, with 10- foot vaulted ceilings and open plans. Windows are large to accommodate as much natural light as possible, and living rooms are equipped with natural gas fireplaces.
In the show home kitchen, a large island adds to the openspace feel. Quartz countertops, ceramic backsplashes and custom self- closing cabinets fulfil foodies’ desire for esthetic and practical pleasures. Both kitchen and dining area have wood laminate flooring.
Upstairs, the master bedrooms have walk- in closets and vaulted ceilings. Large five- piece ensuites feature dual sinks, free- standing soaker tubs, separate showers and ceramic tiling on floors and walls.
For the basement, buyers can choose an unfinished or finished option. The latter would then turn the lower level into a rec centre with a home- entertainment room and wet bar.
Castillo, however, says that her husband likes the idea of the unfinished basement.
“He wants to turn it into his man cave,” she said. She’d like a small gym downstairs as well, she says. “But mostly he’s going to be doing some woodwork.”
Nguyen and Castillo also chose to bypass the Control4 system, which allows homeowners to control everything from lighting to heating to sound from a wall- panel or smartphone.
They did, however, add in the gas range for the patio, and opted for an appliance upgrade, which includes a gas convection range and oversized front- load washer/ dryer.
Montgomery Acres was the last of four potential new homes Castillo and Nguyen saw on the first day of their search.
“We noticed a lot of young families in the area, which is really nice,” she said. “The neighbourhood feels safe, and it’s not very crowded. There’s not a lot of traffic and it’s not that noisy.”
She can count on lots of quiet when she and Nguyen take possession.
“Our house is going to be finished first. I’m a little anxious to be the first one there. But knowing more homes are going to be built in that area makes me feel good.”
Montgomery Acres “isn’t that far off the grid,” notes Epic Homes’ Jones.
The West Coast Express is less than five minutes away, and the development is close to both the Lougheed Highway and Maple Ridge town centre. Family- owned Bruce’s Country Market, in business since 1948, is nearby, as well.
Until late last year, when Nguyen’s career ( he’s a frontend engineer) brought them to Vancouver, the couple had been living an itinerant life, moving to and from apartments in San Francisco, New York and Seattle. Both in their 20s, Nguyen and Castillo — a registered nurse — live in an apartment in Kitsilano.
Their move to Maple Ridge takes place at the end of March.
“This is the very first time we’re going to be living in the suburbs,” Castillo said. “But after a year of moving around, we kind of want to settle down. And for our budget, and for the type of home we wanted, we could only get it in Maple Ridge.”
She adds that her husband, who works in Vancouver, will have to commute.
“But I think he’s going to get used to it.”