Upscale Linden Ridge may only be three years old, but it will soon be hanging up a no vacancy sign
By Peter Carlyle-Gordge
When it comes to addresses of distinction, Winnipeg's Linden Ridge Development tops the list of favourites for many home builders and buyers alike.
Located southeast of McGillivray Boulevard and just east of Kenaston, three-year-old Linden Ridge has quickly become known as one of the more upscale and elegant housing developments in Winnipeg.
Dave Sharpe, vice-president of Linden Ridge Development Corporation, says that with its spacious lots, winding pathways and park-like setting, Linden Ridge has proven a very successful development.
"It's set on 130 acres and is already 80 per cent developed," he says. "We are completing the servicing of all lots by the end of this year and expect the entire development will likely be completed by late next year."
Lot sizes are larger than those generally found elsewhere in the city, ranging from 6,000 to 18,000 square feet with widths ranging from 50 to 80 feet. The area is definitely upscale, with homes going from $200,000 and up. When complete, there will be about 350 homes in the development.
Linden Ridge was started in 2001 and has a 4.6 acre lake and eight acres of attractive parkland. It also has a soccer pitch, playground and other amenities. Besides many higher-end homes, the development is also home to the Sharon Home, a personal care facility for seniors. As well, two luxury condominium projects have been developed by A & S Homes. Linden Pointe and Linden Parke South are bungalow and townhouse type condominiums located on Dovercourt Drive close to the lake.
Show home builders for the upcoming Fall Parade of Homes include Huntington Homes, Arlt Homes, Maric Homes, Gino's Homes, A & S Homes, Foxridge Homes and Dynasty Homes.
John Friesen of Dynasty Homes says his company has built more than a dozen homes in Linden Ridge, with most being sold to people aged 45 and up.
"The owners are still working and usually their children are older," he says. "Linden Ridge is a move up for most of them and it's been well designed with basically no through traffic, so the only vehicles belong to residents and visitors."
Mr. Friesen says the homes his firm has built have been priced from $300,000 and up, with living areas ranging from 1,800 to 2,200 square feet.
"The larger lot sizes allow a lot of flexibility when custom designing a new home," he says. "Most of those we've built have had finished lower levels." For those who do have school aged children, the community is part of the same school division as nearby Linden Woods and Whyte Ridge, so children can attend school in either area.
Spacious lots and park-like settings without large volumes of traffic are one selling feature, but so too is the ease of access to nearby shopping centres and professional offices. The community also provides easy access to the University of Manitoba and is close to easily travelled routes to the downtown and airport.
Ken Arlt, president and owner of Arlt Homes Ltd., says his firm has completed three homes in Linden Ridge and is working on a fourth, with more planned.
Arlt Homes also has several lots for sale, with the average being 57 feet wide by 125 feet deep. Prices start at $250,000 and Mr. Arlt says this is definitely a desirable community for the upwardly mobile.
"Linden Ridge has been a very popular development because people are attracted to the location, with its lake and beautiful walking paths," he says. "The setting is fabulous and it also has easy access to other parts of the city."
Mr. Arlt says he expects to build quite a few more homes in the development and says most of the lots are sold or close to being sold. Arlt Homes has a $340,000 show home in the community and it will be a featured part of the Fall Parade of Homes.
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