PETERBOROUGH
Peterborough suites tailored to buyers' desires
October 31, 2009
Karen Hicks
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Triple T Holdings, a family business for the past 100 years, has cornered the market on custom-built condos in Peterborough, having built about 500 units in the past 30 years – all built in "small batches" on carefully selected sites.
The 23 hectares of Ferghana, named for its rich literary history and association with horses, is in the city's north end. It incorporates 5.6 hectares of permanent open space, and abuts the University Heights Forest, filled with 100-year-old oak and maple trees, open space and landscaped ponds.
All 20 units in Phase 1 have been sold. Seventeen of 19 units in Phase 2 have been sold, and construction is under way. Reservations are now being taken for Phase 3 and those units will be available in 2011.
"We have a wide range of sizes and prices. We like to think we can offer what you want and you can spend what you want," says Matt Turner of Triple T Holdings.
Commonly, first floor space will range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet.
Homes start in the high $200,000s, Turner says, "and go up to what you want to spend. We have built some for $300,000 and $600,000. It depends on what people want."
The condo fee, based on a main floor footage of 1,200 square feet as an example, would be $220 per month. That would include services such as lawn mowing and snow shoveling, insurance on the building and the reserve fund.
Turner says clients are usually retired, or considering retirement, and are looking for the condo lifestyle. Triple T begins with the client, rather than a book of plans.
"People will tell us what room sizes they want, what the uses will be. They bring us the measurements of their favourite pieces of furniture and tell us about their lifestyle," Turner says. "It is a unique process."
Brother Bill Turner notes that in other developments, the exterior walls are fixed and custom features are only available within.
"We custom build from scratch, with a fresh design for every customer in a condo lifestyle."
Modules are built of two, three or four bungalow units with an emphasis on main-floor living.
"A lot of people are requesting guest bedrooms and other rooms in the basement with a walkout, but their life is on the main floor," Matt Turner says.
Homes are full brick, with casement windows, maintenance-free exterior, and double car garages are standard.
"The perception is that we are a luxury builder, so we keep the quality of our building materials high," Turner says. "You won't find our quality in the average residential build. We have the highest standards."
Ferghana is near Riverview Park and Zoo and on a walking path connecting downtown Peterborough and the Chemong Rd. corridor, with its grocery stores and amenities.
The Ferghana model suite is at 227 Carnegie Ave., Suite 19. In the north end of Peterborough, Carnegie Ave. is west off Water St. at the Riverview Park and Zoo. Call 705-742-3338 or 1-888-265-0547.
Toronto Star