Model community

Although inclement weather slowed progress initially, it has certainly not dampened enthusiasm for a progressive new housing development in West Hants.

Brison Developments will celebrate the New Year with a grand opening of what is named ‘The Crossing, Windsor’s Premier Land Lease Development.’

The Crossing aims to promote a stress-free, country-living alternative in one affordable package, says project manager Randy MacQuarrie. Located at the gateway to the Annapolis Valley and stretching over acres of unspoiled countryside, he said, this development is the “happy medium” investment for seniors or retirees ready to downsize, but still needing some ‘breathing room. “We’ve had so many couples come in and say they are ready to sell the family home, but have found their only other living option is a retirement home or apartment.”

The Crossing, however, is uniquely designed to encourage the optimal active, rural lifestyle, with the added convenience of local amenities and services. Homeowners at The Crossing are moments away from shops and services, and the proximity to Metro and the Valley is prime, said MacQuarrie. “Standing here on site you’d never guess how close everything is.”

And that’s rural living at its best, he said. “It’s the kind of place where you can go out and enjoy working in the garden, but yet don’t have to worry about having to shovel the driveway during the winter.”

Many unique features

Snow removal is just one of the built-in maintenance packages that make The Crossing unique.

That, along with the knowledge that friends are right around the corner, gives homeowners an added sense of security and community. “The people that have shown the most interest want to know they have privacy and convenience, but at the same time they want to know there are good neighbors watching out for them,” MacQuarrie said. “This is not just a development,” he said, “it’s a community. And that’s what people are looking for when they come here.”

From the post and beam postal kiosk at the end of the lane to large landscaped lots, everything about The Crossing is designed to promote the idyllic county experience in a stunning rural setting.

All of the five Prestige model homes now on site boast a wide variety of features such as master en suites with whirlpool tubs or his and her closets. Other options include, mud rooms with laundry hook ups, designer kitchens with walk-in pantries and more.

One home at The Crossing has already been sold. A couple from Pugwash had their pick of lots. And MacQuarrie says although it’s hard for buyers to think about moving at this time of year, it does take about 12 weeks to custom design a Prestige home.

Things taking shape “If buyers are interested, the time to talk is now if they want to be in by spring,” MacQuarrie said.

Although there was a lot of interest in the one show home on display at the Exhibition grounds earlier this year, potential buyers can get a better feel for the development at the actual site, MacQuarrie said. “People need that visual before they are ready to commit. They need a sense of what it will be like to live here. Now it’s real.”

Developer Mitch Brison is excited things are finally taking shape. He said between the weather and the amount of bureaucracy involved in this size of project a lot of time, money and energy has been invested to make The Crossing a reality for 2009. “We are over the finish line.”

Brison admits the housing slump in the United States has made Canadian buyers more cautious, but this is all the more reason why buyers need The Crossing option. “People are more hesitant now, of course, but that is why this development is so appealing,” he said. “This demographic is very strong and we’re expecting the market to be good. We are offering top of the line housing during an economic time that is aware of the bottom line and good value.”