From dark, moody and contemporary to soft, light and traditional — the new models at River’s Edge are a showcase of layouts and design choices for buyers. Just be prepared to take some time: there are a whopping 11 designer-decorated models by Claridge Homes to tour.
The five two-storey singles and six two-storey townhomes are meant to show buyers the wealth of choice that Claridge has available in Riverside South.
“We’re giving people the opportunity to explore different layouts, sizes and styles until they find the perfect fit,” says Kayla Pollock, Claridge’s interior design and marketing manager. “Seeing a floor plan on paper is one thing, but walking through a home, feeling the space and visualizing your life there is entirely different…. It’s really about empowering buyers to make informed decisions and find their dream home.”
The models at River’s Edge opened last August and have been getting a lot of positive reaction, says the project’s sales representative, Claire Williamson. Buyers “love them — the use of space, the decorating, the colours, just the whole package. People have said our layouts are better than others they’ve seen; that they’re very functional and there’s a choice depending on what someone’s needs are.”
The choice of models to showcase was deliberate to display a range of options catering to the many different types of families and individuals interested in River’s Edge, Pollock says. “We have homes ranging from approximately 1,800 to 3,000 square feet, with three to five bedrooms, offering a mix of layouts ideal for young couples, growing families and multi-generational living.”
River’s Edge is part of the well-established and growing Riverside South community, close to Manotick, just across the Vimy Memorial Bridge from Barrhaven and with a new LRT station. “It offers a unique blend of natural beauty, urban convenience and a strong sense of community,” says Pollock, who led the team that designed the models.
Since the models opened, she has seen an influx of specific floor plans being purchased. “Clients arrive at our design centre wanting the exact upgrades we showcased in the home.”
That’s part of the reason her team is “striving to try to showcase as many of our floor plans as possible over the next year or so.” By the time they’re done, there will be six or more new Claridge models — a total of 48 — in the builder’s various communities across the city.
“We find a lot of our buyers will tour most, if not all, our sites before making a decision,” she says, and giving them lots of choices to physically walk through helps with the buying process.
At River’s Edge, “each home has its own unique personality, reflecting the diverse tastes and lifestyles of our potential buyers,” she notes. Three of them were also award winners at last fall’s Housing Design Awards.
“I’m very proud to be able to say that these homes were (designed entirely) in-house,” says Williamson.
The townhomes on display range from 1,635 to 2,225 square feet and offer a variety of features, from a double-car garage and second-floor family room to a walk-in pantry, two-storey living room, mud room and main-floor office.
The single models range from 2,385 to 3,000 square feet and showcase features such as a two-sided fireplace, gourmet kitchens, main-floor home offices, cathedral ceilings, built-in bar, loft, and primary suite fireplace.
All homes come with quartz counters, hardwood on the main floor, soft-close cabinetry and air conditioning among the included features. The townhomes also come with a finished basement rec room. For a limited time, all homes come with a design centre bonus and the singles include the bonus of a finished basement rec room. (In the model homes, all basement rec rooms have been finished but are not furnished.)
Here’s a snapshot of each model, which are all named after golf clubs:
Two-storey singles
There are five two-storey singles to tour.
Portmanock
Features: 3,000 sq. ft.; 4 bedrooms; 3.5 baths
Design style: Traditional
About this home: Doubling as the sales centre, this home is bright and airy, with a palette of soft neutrals and plenty of natural light.
“People walk in and they feel at home,” says Williamson.
Pollock describes it as transitional elegance “that seamlessly blends classic design elements with a modern, airy sensibility (for) a space that feels both timeless and fresh.”
The model shows the optional extended kitchen (with pantry wall and a breakfast table attached to the island) and the finished basement rec room that leaves space for an additional bedroom. Other features of note are the two-sided fireplace separating the living room and dining room, the main-floor office with double French doors, and the upstairs loft, which could be turned into yet another bedroom.
Watch for the funky stairwell light fixture, reminiscent of an elegant, linked chain.
Dooks
Features: 2,545 sq. ft.; 4 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Dark academia meets modern
About this home: The design was inspired by the “unique architectural layout” of the home, says Pollock. “The vision was to create a space that fosters both intimate gathering and grand entertaining (for a homeowner) who appreciates both classic beauty and modern sophistication.”
While the dark and moody style is tailored to a mature homeowner, the home’s layout in general is also ideal for couples of any age or young families, she says.
Although the model does not showcase any alternative floor plan elements, it does show the potential to customize through optional millwork, particularly with the built-in bookcases in the office and living room. The home also features a two-storey living room, built-in bar, main-floor home office with double doors and primary suite fireplace and vaulted ceiling.
Shinnecock Hills
Features: 2,480 sq. ft.; 4 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: French country meets modern
About this home: One of three of the River’s Edge models that were winners at last fall’s Housing Design Awards, the Shinnecock pairs rustic charm with classic contemporary elegance. “It’s a style that evokes the warmth, colours and character of a countryside manor,” and was inspired by the vision of a mature couple transitioning to a new chapter in their lives, says Pollock.
Where the Portmanock was soft and light and the Dooks was dark and moody, the Shinnecock is a mesh of the two, using darker woods to get that deeper colour. The model shows the extended kitchen layout, incorporating extra cabinetry on either side of the dining area window and bench seating underneath it.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of the Shinnecock Hills is its deceptive spaciousness,” says Pollock. Although narrow enough for a 31-foot lot, “the home feels remarkably expansive, particularly on the second floor.” Like the majority of the single models, the upstairs hallway is extra wide.
“I love that house,” notes Williamson.
Carne
Features: 2,385 sq. ft.; 4 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: French country meets modern
About this home: It’s not obvious, but this model is done without upgrades. Building on a modern coastal esthetic, the home features a light, bright palette, clean lines, and natural textures and subtle blue accents to further enhance the seaside theme.
“This design choice was inspired by the enduring popularity of coastal esthetics and the desire to showcase the design centre’s most sought-after standard finishes,” says Pollock.
The open-concept main floor also makes for a central hub for family gatherings and entertaining, she adds.
Cork
Features: 2,395 sq. ft.; 4 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Modern with a hint of traditional accents
About this home: It’s not as moody as the Dooks, but this model still has plenty of drama, with generous accents of rich green onto a neutral palette. “It’s a space that seamlessly blends clean lines and modern sensibilities with the enduring elegance of small classic details,” says Pollock.
“This design choice was driven by a desire to bridge the gap between modern and traditional esthetics, while leaning far more on the modern side… While transitional design remains a popular choice among homeowners, there’s a growing appreciation for more modern styles.”
The model does not showcase alternate layouts, but it does show other options, such as the wall oven and waterfall counter in the kitchen as well as the open shelving in the island.
Townhomes
There are six two-storey townhomes you can walk through.
Birkdale 3
Features: 2,255 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Transitional, conservative and timeless
About this home: The first thing that sets this corner model apart is the double-car garage — an unusual feature in a townhome and the only Claridge floor plan at River’s Edge that has one. As a corner-lot floor plan, it has a side entry, immediately opening the foyer to the rest of the interior.
Also setting this townhome apart is the second-floor family room, which spans the width of the front of the home. There’s an option to turn this space into a fourth bedroom, but the model showcases the possibilities of a family space. “The upstairs is fabulous,” says Williamson.
Pollock has styled this home with the idea of a balanced esthetic in mind, blending traditional and contemporary elements, “resulting in a space that feels both comfortable and current.”
Woodhall
Features: 2,180 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Timeless Bohemian
About this home: Available as an interior or end unit, the model is an interior one with a cosy open-concept main floor perfect for entertaining. Differentiators in this home are the walk-in kitchen pantry, the separate stairs to the basement at the rear of the home (which also means light from the large living room window spills down into the basement), a rec room fireplace and enough room upstairs for a full walk-in laundry room.
The modern Bohemian design style infuses “a free-spirited energy into a contemporary setting,” says Pollock. “It’s a style that celebrates individuality and self-expression, with eclectic touches and a relaxed vibe.”
Lytham
Features: 1,635 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Transitional with a hint of coastal
About this home: This home, the smallest of the town models, is designed without upgrades to show how buyers can get a well-appointed home even if they don’t have the budget for extras.
“This design choice was guided by the desire to create a home that offers both enduring appeal and lasting value,” says Pollock, adding that it was envisioned with first-time buyers in mind. “The transitional esthetic, with its subtle coastal influences, ensures that the home will remain stylish and appealing, whether the homeowner chooses to upgrade in the future or utilize the property as a rental investment.”
Sussex
Features: 1,835 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Transitional with a touch of farmhouse chic
About this home: The modern farmhouse chic esthetic is a style “that seamlessly blends the warmth and charm of farmhouse design with the clean lines and contemporary sensibilities of transitional style,” says Pollock. “The result is a space that feels both inviting and sophisticated…. The Sussex caters to the needs and aspirations of young couples and first-time homebuyers, offering a space that’s both relaxing and stylish.”
It’s not surprising, then, that the model won two awards at last fall’s Housing Design Awards, one for the overall home and one for its kitchen — and that it’s one of Claridge’s most popular townhome models, particularly among first-time buyers.
The model showcases a popular upgrade: extending the kitchen into the breakfast area. It’s a choice that “provides increased flexibility and storage in the kitchen, catering to those who love to cook and entertain,” she says.
A fun element to watch for: the white appliances with brushed brass hardware.
Wentworth
Features: 2,105 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Transitional leaning more towards the traditional timeless side
About this home: The Wentworth is another award winner. Available as either a three- or four-bedroom townhome and either an interior or end unit, Claridge has opted to show the three-bedroom interior floor plan.
The decor is a bit bolder than its neighbours, with an infusion of rich earth tones and deep neutrals for a bit of a desert feel. “This design choice was guided by the desire to create a home with enduring appeal and broad market reach,” says Pollock.
The home is also defined by its unexpected two-storey living room, the separate dining room and the open upper hallway overlooking the level below. Upgrades that are showcased include the extended kitchen integrated into the breakfast area, offering additional storage and counter space, and a long, linear electric fireplace in the living room (the standard fireplace is located in the basement).
Wrexham
Features: 2,340 sq. ft.; 3 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
Design style: Transitional with hints of coastal and countryside charm
About this home: This home is the largest of the towns on display, competing in square footage with some of the singles and you can tell when you walk in by the spaciousness. The model is an end unit (although it could also be an interior), so it benefits from extra windows.
It has a main-floor office decked out with inset built-in shelving, an open-concept kitchen/dining/living area and a very generous primary suite.
Pollock wanted a feeling of relaxed, countryside living with a touch of seaside charm in the home, which comes through in the choice of colours, textures, artwork and finishes.
“These 11 models truly represent a ‘suite of options’ for our buyers,” Pollock summarizes. “We’ve curated a collection that demonstrates a range of styles, from modern to transitional, with varying levels of upgrades and finishes.
“Buyers will see how different layouts utilize space, how optional features can be incorporated, and how various design esthetics can transform a house into a home. Our goal is to inspire buyers and help them envision the possibilities within each space.”
For more information on River’s Edge, see our development summary.
