Livable luxury

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/03/2025 (248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As construction and lot costs continue to rise in new neighbourhoods around the city, young families looking for a move-up home often find themselves priced out of those areas.

One such area is Waverley West’s Prairie Pointe, where 2,000-sq.-ft.-plus, two-storey homes with attached double garages are selling for somewhere in the $600,000 to $700,000 range. That’s too costly for most young families.

Realizing this, builders have been pulling out all the stops to provide house hunters with more-affordable move-up options.

One of those options is Discovery Homes’ new 2025 Spring Parade of Homes show home at 469 Ken Oblik Dr. in Prairie Pointe, says the sales representative for the 1,494-sq.-ft., two-storey home, Reid Boles of Century 21 Bachman & Associates (Moore Team).

“To make homes more affordable, we’re building on more compact back lane lots,” he says. “For example, this lot is 26-feet wide by 105-feet deep. The smaller lot keeps land costs down and allows us to build a well-equipped mid-sized two-storey home.”

Due to the narrower lot, Discovery’s design team had to put a lot of thought into the home’s plan.

Boles says all the hard work has certainly paid off.

“This home is a wonderful design,” he says of the handsome Hampton C. “Even though it’s just under 1,500 sq. ft., it feels bigger than its listed square footage. That’s why it’s one of our most popular three-bedroom plans.”

In a word, the Hampton C is a delight.

The moment you step into the main living area, you’re enveloped by natural light that pours in through large, well-placed windows.

At the same time, there’s a real feeling of volume because each space — living room, dining area and kitchen — is distinct and well-proportioned.

“The living room is generous and flows into a spacious dining area that easily holds a table for six,” notes Boles. “There’s a sideboard nook next to the dining area that was carved into the stairway wall, and two standard, oversized transom windows on the wall next to the table that, along with a huge picture window on the living room’s front wall, let in tons of natural light.”

Then, there’s the island kitchen, which impresses with its seamless synergy of style and functionality.

“It’s a very intelligently designed space,” says Boles. “A mid-sized island with built-in wine rack and large pantry deliver the function along with wide aisles, white-quartz countertops, two-tone cabinets and a gorgeous herringbone-tile backsplash add style along with stainless-steel appliances.”

Boles sees the window over the double sink as a wonderful finishing touch.

“It not only looks incredible with the open shelving above, but, along with a back with a glass centre, it lets in even more daylight,” he says. “A mudroom next to the door with a built-in closet and powder room adds even more function to the area. Add in the living room with its sleek, wall mounted entertainment unit, and you have an incredibly livable and stylish main living area.”

Take the extra-wide staircase upstairs and the Hampton C’s appeal continues.

“To add style and functionality, the staircase is bordered by one-third walls with tempered-glass inserts that add style and allow light to filter upstairs from the main floor,” he says. “There’s also a large window over the stairs that lets in even more natural light.”

Boles says young families will appreciate the second floor’s layout, which is a study in family-friendly efficiency.

“In my mind, the upstairs layout is a 10-out-of-10. The two secondary bedrooms, which are of a good size, were placed to the right of the stairs, and share the four-piece bath. The primary bedroom was placed at the other end of the second floor to maximize privacy.”

To further isolate it, the primary bedroom was set at the end of a 10-foot hallway next to the stairs.

“It offers a big walk-in closet and a luxurious ensuite, and finishes the upper level off perfectly.”

Meanwhile, a double detached garage can be added for about $20,000.

“That means you can get a beautifully finished home for just over $500,000,” Boles says. “Finish the lower level, and you have a home that offers around 2,000 sq. ft. of livable space. The Hampton C is a great plan. It offers families affordable, livable luxury in a great neighbourhood.”

lewys@mymts.net