Condos
Life in the Fast Lane
Condos take root along rapid transit lines
By Jim Timlick
>> Winnipeg’s burgeoning housing market is help ing breathe some new life into an old idea. Transit-oriented development (TOD) has been around in one form or another since the develop ment of New York City’s boroughs in the late 1890s.
Although TOD might still be an unfamiliar concept to some Winnipeggers, it’s quickly gaining popularity, says Shannon Goodwin, a realtor for Rancho Realty Services, the company handling sales for StreetSide’s Metro and Parkline develop ments. “Most of our buyers are people doing the commute to down town and want to leave their car at home because of downtown parking. The other half would be students and people who are going to either of the campuses,” says Goodwin. “There’s a real desire among these people to not fight for parking or pay for parking and they’re willing to use the public transit system.” Location has been a major selling point for the two develop ments, Goodwin says. A short bus ride from downtown and popular destinations like MTS Centre and The Forks, they’re in the heart of a mature neighbourhood and close to popular amenities such as bars and restaurants. “It’s all about location and accessibility without long drives and parking. Everybody sees that as a positive,” she says. “It’s also about the fact you are in an older, established neigh bourhood. You have mature trees, older houses and a sense of community.”
The basic premise of TOD is to provide higher den sity, pedestrian-oriented residential development within a five- to 10-minute walk of a transit station. StreetSide Developments is helping to pioneer the concept here in Winnipeg with two new TOD proj ects in the heart of South Osborne: The Metro con dominiums and Parkline
‘It’s all about location and accessibility without long drives and parking. Everybody sees that as a positive.’
townhomes on Hugo Street South, adjacent to the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor and a stone’s throw from the Osborne Transit Station.
Parkline Metro Streetscape
34 Parade of Homes Spring 2017
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