Luxury apartments that feel like condos

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/05/2018 (2744 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An established player in the Regina rental housing market has expanded into Winnipeg and will officially unveil its first luxury apartment complex Tuesday.

Located next to the new outlet mall in south Winnipeg, the Summit at Seasons is a 416-unit, five-building community that developer Altern Properties hopes will bring something new to the rental experience in the city.

“This is our first property in Winnipeg. We’re excited to be in Winnipeg because we think it’s a great city, with a lot going on, a lot happening,” said Jamie McDougald, Altern’s chief operating officer.

“What we think sets us apart from the competition is that we look to enrich the lives of our tenants. Our motto, our slogan, our tagline, is: rethink rental.”

For many people, the idea of renting is a step down from owning, McDougald said.

But Altern believes whatever one’s reason for not wanting — or being able — to own a home, renting shouldn’t have to be a downgrade.

That’s why, in addition to apartments that have “the feel of a condo,” the “resident-focused” development features a clubhouse, common area, fitness centre, barbecue and fire pit area, games lounge and other amenities.

An outdoor pool is expected to be finished by the summer of 2019.

The development will feature underground parking, on-site administration and around-the-clock customer care.

“Rent is a four-letter word, but renting shouldn’t be downgrading your lifestyle in any form or fashion. You shouldn’t have to compromise comfort or convenience. In fact, we’re looking to enhance it. We’re looking to bring rental options to tenants that maybe they didn’t have previously,” McDougald said.

“We know product is important. That’s why we put in high glass windows, cabinetry, quartz countertops, walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms, luxury vinyl plank flooring. You get the feel of a condo when you’re living in one of them.”

Altern organizes a number of events and social gatherings for residents — including fitness and yoga classes, movie nights, pop-up vendors and holiday parties — as part of the effort to help foster a community feel.

They also employ a loyalty program, which sees them partner with community retailers to negotiate discounts and specials they can provide to residents.

“We want our residents to get a greater sense of the communities in which they live.” McDougald said.

“We’re looking to go beyond building our specific community and build the wider community.”

In addition to the Summit at Seasons complex, Altern has a few other projects in the works in the city.

There are two active developments in the Bridgwater neighbourhood.

The first has roughly 175 units, while the second, which is expected to be completed by November, will have more than 200 units.

Altern is developing a property in southeast Winnipeg, but details on how the project will take shape are scarce since it’s early in the process, McDougald said.

In total, Altern will have more than 1,000 units in the city, in addition to the 1,400 units it manages in Regina.

The grand opening for Summit at Seasons is set for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, and will be attended by industry partners, management and owners.

“We still have vacancy, but so far the tenants and residents we have seem to appreciate what we do,” McDougald said.

“People have seen the level of product, the units, the amenities, the services we provide, and we’ve seen people embrace that in the short while that we’ve been here.”

Know of any newsworthy or interesting trends or developments in the local office, retail, industrial or multi-family residential sectors? Let us know at fpbusiness@freepress.mb.ca

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe