Gardenview
LOCATION: Grimsby
BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Losani Homes
SIZE: detached, 1,500 to 2,700 square feet; freehold townhouses, 1,377 square feet; condominium townhouses, 1,200 to 1,377 square feet
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PRICE: detached, $279,900 to $332,900; freehold townhouses, $193,900 to $198,900; condo townhouses from $196,000
SALES CENTRE: behind the Pettit House, 290 Main St. West, east of Casablanca Boulevard. Open Monday to Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m.; weekends, noon to 5 p.m.
CONTACT: (905) 309-1928 or http://www.losanihomes.com
There are still opportunities for buyers at the project in Grimsby that was named community of the year in 2007 by the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association.
Called Gardenview, the master-planned community tucked between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment is being built by the family-run Losani Homes. Ultimately, the infill site will contain more than 200 detached homes and townhouses.
Nearly 70 per cent of the project is complete, with many homes already occupied. Still available are about 20 detached homes on 33-, 36-, 40- and 46-foot lots, and a dozen freehold townhouses.
About 30 condominium townhouses will be unveiled next month and be ready for occupancy in late summer or early fall.
"What you need in order for [a development] to be completely successful is a range of product," says chief executive Fred Losani, who explains that this allows first-time buyers at Gardenview to later move into a larger home - or empty-nesters to downsize from one - without moving far.
"[Owners] can trade up on their own street or their own neighbourhood, and that doesn't happen very often."
The community offers tree-lined streets and a pedestrian walkway that will connect to a community park. Additional parks and trails surround the site, which is on land once occupied by a greenhouse operation, one of several such businesses the town expropriated in the 1970s, according to Mr. Losani.
"Our property is basically from the escarpment down to the main road, so it's a pretty cool spot," he says. "On the one hand, you're looking up the escarpment, and on the other hand you've got a view across to the lake."
Residents will still be steps from urban amenities, such as a school, community centre and places of worship, as well as downtown shops, banks and restaurants. The QEW is just a short drive north.
In fitting with the setting, Gardenview homes will showcase natural colours, especially earth tones, while construction materials will include cedar shakes, board and batten, brick and stone.
Each model will come with a different exterior design and several interior layouts.
Among the choices for one model's main floor, for instance, will be having a kitchen, dining room and family room; or a kitchen with an island, family room, den and laundry room; or a kitchen, family room, computer niche and laundry room.
The second floor can be arranged with a large four-piece bathroom to be shared; or two three-piece bathrooms; or two small three-piece bathrooms and a large laundry room.
Other highlights will include two-storey principal rooms, loft areas and single or double garages.
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