Latest phase of Okanagan development has spectacular sights
MICHAEL BERNARD
The Vancouver Sun
Project: The Vistas at Skaha Hills
Project location: 501 Skaha Hills Dr., Penticton
Project size: Third phase of 24 two-bedroom-and-den and three-bedroom condos overlooking Skaha Lake in the Okanagan. Part of a $250-million master-planned community of 600 homes on 550 acres with an on-site vineyard, restaurant, swimming pool, fitness room and walking trails, Close to Skaha Beach, city shopping and Penticton airport.
Prices: Homes range from 1,500 sq. ft. for $439,000 to 1,692 sq. ft. for $599,000
Developer: Greyback Developments
Architect: Nick Bovanda, CEI Architecture
Interior Designer: Kim Upton, BID
Sales centre: 120 Sandhill Rd. (corner of Highway 97 and Old Okanagan Highway)
Sales Contact: Curt Jansen
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday — Saturday
Telephone: 1-877-225-7382
Website: www.skahahills.com
Occupancy: June 2017
Skaha Hills executive Curt Jansen is delighted to show visitors the latest computerized wizardry for The Vistas’ villas — and the software is impressive. It gives potential buyers a bird’s-eye view of Skaha Lake, below the resort-style development’s latest phase of 24 yet-to-be-built homes in two buildings perched on the mountainside.
“It’s pretty authentic what they can do now with computers,” says Jansen, who as vice-president has overseen brisk pre-sales of the latest phase of the 600-home master-planned community on 550 acres.
“We give you a fly-through view inside the unit, and you can see what the three colour palettes look like. Then we take you outside on the huge decks where we have outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplace and seating area, and you get the view.”
The balconies, a particularly popular feature among buyers, are super-sized when compared to the usual Metro Vancouver condo. The smallest balconies in the 1,500-square-foot-plus models measure 506 square feet, with a significant amount of that under cover to protect occupants from the Okanagan’s strong summer sun.
The largest balcony for the 1,690-square-foot model is 560 square feet, while the first-floor suites have an extra 36 square feet of ground-level patio space. All the expansive decks feature outdoor gas barbecue hookups and glass railings on the decks to maximize the views.
While the latest computer renderings of The Vistas villas are useful for buyers being asked to commit a year in advance of completion, they fall short of the real thing. Jansen recently took some visitors to the future site of The Vistas, up the roadway past maturing vineyards and more than 45 finished or under-construction single-family homes sold during the earlier phases. They were treated to the view down the 11-kilometre lake, which can described as breathtaking.
The development is well situated. Far below is the city of Penticton and its airport, about a five-minute drive away. Down the hill are the sandy shores of Skaha Beach, ranked by Chatelaine magazine as among Canada’s 20 best beaches.
Not surprisingly, the 24 homes in the two buildings that went on sale last month have already been reserved well in advance of their completion date next June. However, more villa homes are to be released within the next year and additional phases of single-family homes are on the drawing boards.
Sales have been brisk since Greyback Developments began marketing Skaha Hills two years ago on land it has leased through the Crown from the Penticton Indian Band, said Jansen. That way, homeowners escape paying steep transfer taxes and GST because they lease rather than purchase their land for 99 years. The model has been proven to work well with Raven Woods, a similar aboriginal land development by the Tsleil Waututh Nation in North Vancouver.
The interiors of the villas feature an open-concept kitchen and living space, a large island for entertaining, professionally designed cabinets with soft close hardware and quartz countertops. Flooring is durable and easy-to-maintain luxury vinyl planks.
Appliances include a 22.3-cubic-foot Blomberg french-door refrigerator with ice-water dispenser, a Blomberg tall tub dishwasher, Italy’s Fulgor convection wall oven and gas cooktop with a chimney-style exhaust fan over the island, and a Panasonic microwave oven with stainless steel trim.
Buyers can choose from several upgrade packages. They include a Fulgor Milano Induction cooktop and a SMEG brand built-in 24-inch Speed Oven and 1,000-watt microwave. Also available is an electric fireplace option, a built-in entertainment centre and audio speakers in two locations, and a built-in desk. On the balcony, a Kingsman Aurora Gas Fireplace and a dual element comfort heater overhead can take the chill off spring or fall evenings.
The master ensuite has his-and-her sinks, a tiled master shower and tiled backsplash, and Kohler toilet and bathroom tub shower enclosure.
Meanwhile, work continues on building out the master-planned community’s amenties. In June, Stage West Hospitality opened its $5.2 million PLAY Winery on the same hill with stunning lake views. It features a tasting lounge, wine shop and indoor-outdoor bistro and expects to bottle its first vintage wine next year.
Also planned is an amenities centre complete with swimming pool, hot tub and fitness facilities, with pickle ball courts nearby. The entire development is laced with walking and cycling trails and at the entrance to Skaha Hills is the nine-hole Skaha Meadows public golf course.
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