Down-sizers’ dream

When Karma Developments’ Myles Kraut saw the plot of land he’d purchased at 130 Allard Ave. in Westwood (formerly the site of Allard School) he had an immediate vision.

“I knew the condo market across Canada was very slow,“ he recalls. “Apartment-style condos weren’t moving well, so I visualized putting up a combination of bungalow- and townhome-style condos to buck the trend.“

He says there were three reasons why he decided to go the bungalow and townhome condo route.

“First, people — in this case down-sizers — need a home that’s livable and that offers plenty of storage. Apartment-style condos often lack the livability and storage space of a single-family home. Second, people can age comfortably in place in bungalows.”

His third point is a crucial one.

“The location of the development will allow folks who’ve always lived in Westwood to stay in the community they know and love,” says Kraut, who’s fronted countless developments and has built more than 900 homes over the years. “They will be in familiar surroundings close to shopping, services and more. That will make for an easier transition.”

Speaking of transitions, it’s taken time — in this case about 15 months — for the project to move from the conceptual stage to reality.

After much prep work — the school has been safely dismantled and removed — the site is now ready for construction to begin.

“As they say, the shovels are in the ground, with all kinds of machinery on the site to prepare spots for the attached bungalows and townhomes,” Kraut says. “We’re very excited to get things started. We’ve pre-sold about 70 per cent of the homes. We have 16 bungalows and five townhomes left, with one of every floor plan still available.”

Kraut notes that Glendale Estates is not going to be your run-of-the mill condominium development for several reasons.

“Foremost, we want to make the buying experience as easy as possible. Each home comes fully loaded, so there will be no need to upgrade. All you need to do is drop by our presentation centre, which is right on site. You can see all the finishes and choose the ones that best fit you.”

Suffice it to say, the finishes are impressive.

Exteriors will be clad with stone, Hardie board and acrylic stucco, while interiors will be elegantly adorned with quartz countertops, maple or thermofoil cabinets, tile backsplashes, warm-toned wide-plank flooring — and stainless-steel appliances.

Those luxurious finishes will be complemented by bright, user-friendly main living areas designed to provide enjoyment whether you’re watching a movie or entertaining.

“We tried to think of everything,” says Kraut. “Large tri-pane windows will let in lots of natural light and be energy-efficient, while pot lights on the ceiling above will ensure spaces are nice and bright. Bathrooms will be beautifully finished, and each space will be a generous size. Double wall systems with three inches of air space and tons of insulation will make for quiet interiors.”

No stone was left unturned in the design of exterior spaces and their surroundings, Kraut says.

“Each home will have a fenced, fully landscaped backyard with a deck — and there will be an option to screen in the deck or put up a gazebo if you want. And both the front and backyard are going to be fully landscaped with trees and other greenery.”

Not to be overlooked is the fact all homes come with two key amenities: a full basement and an attached garage (most homes will come with a driveway).

Each home will also be equipped with a high-efficient furnace and central air conditioning.

All appliances — washer, dryer, fridge, range, dishwasher and microwave — will be included in the purchase price.

“Again, we wanted the adjustment for down-sizers to be as seamless as possible, so it was a must that the homes came with a full basement and attached garage,” Kraut says. “These are features that make life so much easier — having a finished basement with storage space, and a garage that not only provides extra storage, but gives you a place to put your car out of the sun, rain and snow.”

The prime location will also make it easy to go for walks in the neighbourhood and access local conveniences such as the library, shopping, community centres, the YMCA and more.

“Our goal was to provide the same amenities as a single-family home with all the benefits of condo living in spacious, beautifully finished homes,” Kraut says. “To us, apartment-style condos just didn’t work.”

Visit glendaleestates.ca to find out more about available home plans and pricing.

lewys@mymts.net