Hoping to attract city dwellers looking for a home in greener pastures, Reids Uptown Homes is building a low-rise community in Barrie that will be nearly surrounded by trees, yet close to urban amenities.
The development, called Bear Creek Meadows, is located on Lake Simcoe, less than an hour drive north of Toronto. Reids will construct about 200 houses on the site, which is being developed by several builders. The 100 homes in the first phase will sit on 40- and 50-foot lots, some of them backing on to greenspace.
Entering the community, you will pass reforested areas that the city of Barrie has deemed protected, sales manager Deborah Gibson says. "The trees pretty well envelop the entire community, so it's like its own little country within the city."
There will be biking trails and walking paths around the perimeter of the project, and a park is planned for its centre.
The surrounding neighbourhood is an established one with schools and parks. Nearby, there is a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as golf courses and arenas. Highway 400 runs through town.
The homes at Bear Creek Meadows will be available in bungalow and two-storey designs, with three and four bedrooms and double garages. Many floor plans are popular designs from the builder's other communities.
One is the Muskoka model, which includes the option of a loft. "A lot of people are using the loft as they would an entertaining centre in the basement," Ms. Gibson notes.
"You've got this bright open space above ground, and [owners are] using them as game rooms or offices."
This model also has a den and a combined living and dining room with decorative columns. The kitchen features a breakfast area that opens to the family room, where buyers can have a gas fireplace installed.
Depending on the plan, there will be laundry rooms on the main or second floor, and master en suite bathrooms with corner tubs and separate shower stalls.
In some homes, owners can incorporate dormers, cold cellars and sunken great rooms.
Buyers can move in as soon as June, 2007.
Bear Creek Meadows
Location: Barrie
Builder: Reids Uptown Homes
Price: $306,400 to $348,800
Square footage: 1,460 to 2,745
Sales centre: 346 Ardagh Rd., west of Essa Road, Barrie. Open Monday to Wednesday, 1 to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday by appointment; weekends, noon to 5 p.m.
Contact: (705) 623-7343 or http://www.reidsuptownhomes.com
