The latest model homes by Urbandale Construction are prime examples of both ends of the home-buying spectrum.
At one end there are three condo flats perfect for first-time buyers, investors and downsizers. At the other end it’s two single-family homes with plenty of room for growing or multigenerational families.
“We have the full spectrum to offer,” says operations manager Melissa Boudreau.
The common denominator for all is a priority for comfortable and functional living spaces and an insistence on energy efficiency. The flats, for instance, are Energy Star certified, while the singles are not only net zero ready, they also come with a starter package of solar panels to help offset energy use.
“Just like these Urbandale homes are a great investment — because Urbandale is building to tomorrow’s standards — these solar systems are going to pay dividends in the long run for homeowners, saving them thousands and thousands of dollars,” says Todd MacArthur, director of operations at FIG Solar, which has partnered with Urbandale on the solar installation.
The energy efficiency and air tightness of its homes is a key component, but just as important to Urbandale is how the homes look and live. Particular attention has been given to the layouts to make the most efficient use of space and maximize function and flow. Then Urbandale brought in Wei Sanchez Design Studio to style the homes.
New model homes by Urbandale: The condo flats
Called Leitrim Flats, these low-rise buildings are located along Bank Street near Leitrim Road and just across from burgeoning Findlay Creek. This growing area now boasts a plethora of amenities and green space.
“It’s a very walkable community,” says Boudreau.
There will be 99 units in all, which are pre-built before they’re released for sale, with Urbandale choosing finishes and colours.
“That was a decision we made for efficiency,” she says. “With all the uncertainty in the marketplace, we saw this as an opportunity to take away uncertainty for potential purchasers.… They can see what they’re buying and it’s a quicker timeline.”
There are three floor plans to choose from — the models showcase one of each — ranging from 1,089 to 1,254 square feet. All come with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, either a balcony or patio and a surprising amount of storage space.
“We were pretty impressed with all three units,” says Wei. “And (they) do feel very different so you get a lot of choice.”
She and her business partner, Mark Sanchez, styled the flats with a particular tenant in mind, opting for light and airy with an organic and textural feel for the lower unit (the Brixton), which they saw being occupied by a young family or single parent. The middle unit (the Highgate), which is the smallest, they pictured housing a sporty single person or couple, choosing a mix of styles inspired by the darker floors.
Upstairs in the Knightsbridge, meanwhile, “it was a little bit more architectural,” Wei says. “The windows really spoke to us, so we thought we’d do a bit more modern furniture.” They imagined the owners as a professional family.
“We tried to make everything feel a bit different so that different homeowners could see the potential.”
All units include bike racks and come with a parking space, quartz counters throughout, a walk-in shower in the ensuite, luxury vinyl plank flooring, six appliances and at least nine-foot ceilings.
“These are ready to go, people can purchase and move in very quickly,” says Boudreau, adding that Urbandale’s partnership with RBC and its green mortgage option “makes them more accessible to a broader audience.”
The net zero ready singles
Although Urbandale has been selling its net zero ready homes for a couple of years, “we never had anything to actually show the public,” says Boudreau. “It made sense to build the homes, where we can showcase what we’re doing…. When people go to view the model homes, they’re not just seeing the beautiful features and finishes, they also have an opportunity to interact with some of the unique net zero ready features.”
The models are located at Urbandale’s flagship Riverside South community but are also available at its other developments.
The Penticton is Urbandale’s largest 44-foot-lot home and “really showcases the possibilities within a 44-foot lot,” she says. “(It) demonstrates well how efficient a floor plan can be; you have ample space and storage.”
Wei Sanchez opted for an organic, neutral feel in the home. “It’s drawn from Scandinavian design, but also Japandi design, and we kind of mixed a few things together,” says Wei. “But the idea was for it to feel very warm and inviting.”
The floor plan is an update of Urbandale’s popular Portland design, with key changes including the removal of a corner pantry in the kitchen to create a butler’s pantry with walk-in storage and swapping out the curved staircase, which ate up a lot of real estate, for a “switchback” one.
“You still have an impressive central staircase but it’s just a more efficient use of space,” says Boudreau.
Next door, the Hazelton is “a really well-designed four-bedroom home with a ground-floor den in a small footprint,” she says. The home sits on a 31-foot lot.
For this home, Wei Sanchez kept the upgrades in check so that buyers could see what they would get with a mostly standard home, says Wei.
Aimed at a younger family than the Penticton, they opted for more colour (like the dusty teal cabinets in the kitchen and deeper teal ones in the primary ensuite) and styled the main-floor office to show how two people could use the space.
“We wanted this house to feel comfortable, feel a little bit like you’re at a cottage,” yet still contemporary, she says.
Adds Sanchez: “It’s much more eclectic.”
For more on the models and communities, visit our development summaries for Riverside South and Leitrim Flats.
