Penncross by Streetside marks the condo giant’s third instalment in the town just a 20-minute commute from the hubbub of Calgary. With two successful projects under its development belt, Turnbury @ Crystal Shores and Tucker Hill, would-be residents are sure to enjoy the benefits of experience with their purchase.

The four-storey Victorian apartment-style project is already under construction in its location anchoring the entry to the municipal golf course in Crystal Ridge. Purchases are expected to begin the final week of May when the sales centre on Crystal Green Lane launches.

“We will have a comfortable pace (for sales),” says Kendra Milne, marketing co-ordinator for Streetside Development Corporation. “What it does is it protects the construction costs with the market of changing costs and materials and labour, so it means buyers don’t have to bear the brunt of it.”

The project is right in schedule, a truth that would not have been possible a year ago, so residents can also include peace of mind things are moving ahead as planned among included features. Add to that “standards” of maple or cherry cabinetry, plush or Berber carpet, a full energy-efficient appliance package, a choice of four colour palates, and larger-than-average suite sizes, and the value of Penncross is hard to miss, says Milne.

“We feel we can really offer the community homes that really fit with the small-town atmosphere and what they are looking for when they do choose Crystal Green,” she says.  Two gazebos and a pair of putting greens for exclusive use of residents and guests to hone up their handicap are among unique perks to be enjoyed at Penncross, which will usher in first owners in the fall of 2008.

The four-storey building will house 147 apartment-style condominiums in total, 131 of which will be generous two-bedroom suites. The remaining 16 one-bedroom plans are considerably larger-than-average, at 900-square-feet.“Our floor plans are significantly larger,” explains Milne, adding two-bedroom will span upwards of 1,200-square-feet.

And buyers are not just saving their green (suites start in the mid-$200,000s); they are also purchasing “greener” homes. Solar-powered exterior lights, low water use landscaping for all common areas, and energy-saving appliances are all part of the environmentally friendly features at Penncross.

As for curb appeal, Victorian-inspired streetscapes will boast turrets, scores of windows, and splashes of colour as part of the exterior appeal of the project, says Milne.

Outdoor courtyards, plants and trees and walking and running paths are also part of the exterior elements sewn into the condominiums’ appearance and planning.
Meanwhile, protection and easy access to prized rides will never be a concern—a welcome change for anyone leaving behind the frustrations of apartment life in downtown Calgary—as ownership includes an unheard of two stalls in surface and/or underground heated facilities.

So far first-time buyers from Calgary and Okotoks as well as empty nesters looking to tone life and maintenance responsibilities down a bit have shown interest in the project by registering, says Milne. “We were actually surprised to have an overwhelming number of current Okotoks residents as well as people who are looking to relocate to the town … since they have improved all the roads out to Okotoks the commute is much faster and smoother.” CL

For more information about Penncross, go to http://www.penncrosscondos.com or visit the sales centre (opening in late May) at #1 Crystal Green Lane. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., or weekends and holidays from noon to 5 p.m., while the sales centre will be closed both Thursday and Fridays.