Warren Afflick takes a virtual reality tour of a new home proposed as a design in the planned community of Coulee Ridge on Friday at the Sunshine Home and Garden Show. The developer, Enclave, is providing the tours of several designs to give potential buyers an immersive view of new housing available in the new southwest Medicine Hat community as well as a separate project near College Avenue, known as Connaught Commons.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A developer behind a southwest view community and another project near Connaught says his firm is bringing the future to home buyers in Medicine Hat as well as modern options to the local housing market.
Enclave Development is promoting its Coulee Ridge and Connaught Commons projects at this weekend’s Sunshine Home and Garden Trade shows using virtual reality tours that take the person inside a digital house plan.
That comes as some in the industry are predicting a pick-up in the home construction sector in Medicine Hat for 2020 after an extremely slow year.
“Coulee Ridge is a bit of known entity, but interest is increasing,” said Enclave CEO Don Sandford, who uses last year’s spring trade show to unveil the initial plans for land north of S. Boundary Road, west of Saamis Heights.
“Builder interest is increasing substantially, and we’re seeing a lot of traction. The challenge is delivering lots as fast as they want them, which is this summer.”
The display, said Sandford, helps buyers get a full picture of house plans, and even pick and choose finishes, without requiring builders to invest in show homes.
It’s also a first peek at the proposed Connaught Commons, planned for city-owned green space near College Drive and Primrose.
A concept drawing shows 18 townhomes, 35 stacked flat units and eight “villa” styled units on the site dubbed “essential living.”
“What we’ve done is quite remarkable considering the restrictions placed upon us by the city,” said Sandford.
Those included avoiding an apartment block on the manicured green space that the city offered for sale to infill developers. Nearby neighbours have objected saying they wished to preserve the open feel and were opposed to large developments or rental-style developments.
Sandford says Connaught Commons will appeal to a number of groups of homebuyers with a look and layout not available to this point in Medicine Hat.
Another high-end developer in the area said they predict a rebound in the residential construction sector in 2020, and the Meadowlands-led development in the county hamlet of Desert Blume won’t be left out.
“We’ll see a better year in 2020, as people adjust and interest rates are lowered,” said Ivan Becker, a realtor who is also involved in the general development of the county hamlet.
He said four lot sales there over the recent winter months are encouraging, and brings sales to 49 in the current 89-lot phase of the golf course community.
“There’s a place for all sorts of development in the Medicine Hat area,” he said. “Our clients are looking for a certain type of lifestyle.”
The competing Coulee Ridge development is marketed as an amenity-focused but not exclusive community that will have an array of styles and pricing. Key is a view of the Seven Persons Coulee, and a man-made recreation pond in second and future phases.
Those lots could be turned over to builders – who have secured 13 in the initial 44-lot phase – this summer, leading to potential occupancy next spring. Another 18 lots are sold to individuals, meaning three quarters have been pre-sold.
The sale of the Connaught Commons site is set to close in September, said Sandford, and until then design work and marketing will continue. The no-basement construction could take place over next winter, he said, if pre-sales warrant.
Mayor Ted Clugston told a crowd at the ribbon cutting of the trade show booth that builders and developers are providing options for Hatters.
“They’re showing a lot of confidence in Medicine Hat, and we wish them all the best,” he said.
