Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/110865
Northwest ���It���s essentially a private, natural oasis in the middle of Winnipeg���s busy urban setting��� Northern Stars Cont���d from page 101 ���That meant preserving as much tree cover as possible, maintaining public reserve areas and adding amenities such as ponds, fountains and, of course, a trail system that the residents could use at their leisure.��� Another popular community ��� this one found just outside the Perimeter Highway, yet still within the City of Winnipeg ��� is The Oaks. The next component in the development���s design was the lots themselves. The objective, Mr. Boles says, was to distinguish them from city lots in two ways. ���The idea behind the development was to create a community that was low impact on the environment where as many trees were retained as possible,��� says Ryder Needham, Director of Residential Development for Longboat Development Corporation. ���First, we wanted the lots in Stone Ridge to be significantly bigger than the average city lot, and they are. The lots average about 60 feet wide, with lots being up to 75 feet wide. That extra width gives you more separation due to bigger side yards, something you don���t always get in the city. ���The vision was to create a community that was as natural as possible, with a combination of trails, parks and wetlands. Home sites were to be carved into the natural terrain.��� That privacy doesn���t end at the side yards, he adds. ���The final phase was just serviced and 36 condominium units have been designated to occupy the area. The development (Country Estates) will feature a combination of bungalow and two-storey, semi-detached units (17 bungalows, 11 two-storeys and eight semi-detached). ���The other thing we tried to accomplish was to have virtually every home back on to public reserve so homes weren���t facing each other,��� he says. ���One of the biggest selling features of Stone Ridge is the fact that you have both privacy and the space to stretch out.��� With the development finishing phase two and going into its third and final phase, Mr. Curtis says the window of opportunity to build in a private, serene community close to the city is dwindling. ���If you���ve been thinking about coming out to have a look, I���d advise you to come out as soon as you can,��� he says. ���The opportunity to build distinct homes that take advantage of the forest views won���t be around for much longer.��� 102 Parade of Homes Spring 2013 Originally the family farm of Winnipeg���s highly-regarded Chipmans, the tract of land ��� which featured a stunning collection of mature trees ��� was turned into a high-end residential development in 2006. Today, the community ��� which is in its final two phases of development ��� sports 122 single family homes as well as three areas with condominium developments. ���We���re very excited about it, because the different designs are going to add even more character to the community,��� Mr. Needham says. People who���ve put down roots in The Oaks can���t believe they were able to find such a countrified setting within city limits, he adds. ���Everyone who comes in to have a look at the community falls in love with it. It���s essentially a private, natural oasis in the middle of Winnipeg���s busy urban setting. Not only is it beautiful and quiet, but it has a spacious feel with big side yards and significant setbacks from street fronts. ���River lots are approximately half an acre in size, while interior lots are about one-third of an acre. You generally don���t get those generous lot sizes in the city.��� Nor do you get such a profound linkage with nature, he says. ���The trails here actually go through the forest and connect one end of the development to the other. And there���s also a 15-metre parkway on the north side of the road that connects to a park.���