 Kelowna Highland Developments plans to build 40 townhouse units with rooftop terraces at Clement Avenue and Clifton Road. |
So, the two business partners in Kelowna Highland Developments used a building design from their native Holland as an example for Kelowna architect Garry J. Tomporowski.
The result is Skyview Terraces, a 40-unit, $16-million townhouse development at the corner of Clement Avenue and Clifton Road.
"There is not too much room in Holland anymore, so they use any available space. Rooftop terraces make total sense," said Zuydervelt this week.
Of the 40 open-concept units, 37 will have 1,700 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and stainless-steel appliances, plus two-car garages. The highlight, though, will be 650-square-foot private rooftop terraces for each unit. The goal is to keep the price tag about $400,000.
"This is kind of unique in Kelowna. Everyone wants his own privacy on the terrace, so there is a big planter between the two houses," he said.
The front and back sides of the terraces will have glass railings to maximize the sense of openness.
The partners worked with the Project Build Society to offer 22 homes in their Elkridge (elkridge.ca) subdivision as affordable housing, and they have applied to add Skyview to the program. The society (projectbuild.ca) is a charitable organization that provides a down payment grant to qualified buyers.
"The biggest problem for new buyers is to get the down payment together," said Zuydervelt.
Canada Mortgage and Housing won't accept a gift from a developer to the homeowner for the down payment, he noted, but will accept a grant from the society.
The partners haven't even advertised yet, but four prospective buyers have expressed interest in reserving units. A development permit approved by city council last week had the details on 11 buildings with access off Highland Drive North.
Since 2008, the Project Build Society has provided grants from $17,000 up to $45,000 to more than 50 families.
"Housing is a key indicator of stability for families. If they're paying between $1,000 and $1,500 a month in rent, they're likely in the ballpark to qualify for a mortgage," said executive director Leanne Hammond.
In the Elkridge development on the Westside, two- and three-bedroom houses range from $310,000 to $350,000 while homes in Sageglenn in Lake Country start at $400,000-plus.
The first 30 homes in Elkridge are finished, with another 56 units to go.
