“They’re very well-appointed in the interiors and the exteriors,” says Christine Scott-Nyuli, president of Avalon Master Builder. “It’s a rare style of home.”

Each Bordeaux townhome will be built according to Built Green’s silver standard, with many reaching the gold standard. Built Green features include low-E windows, programmable thermostats, walls with an added inch and a half of polystyrene insulation, high efficiency furnaces and power vent hot water tanks. The last two are especially important because they both offer superior efficiency and are sealed systems, giving the benefit of added safety.

Avalon builds all their homes to Built Green silver standards. This raises resale values on the homes, while adding comfort and cutting down on bills for the owners.

Architectural features include French-country exteriors, and unique details in each of the six floorplans. The 1878 square feet. Champagne plan includes a casual eating nook as well as a formal dining room, and on the second floor, the master suite is separated from the second and third bedrooms by a large loft area with vaulted ceiling. This plan features an abundance of windows as well as arched openings that look through from the dining room to the great room and entranceway.

Two more interesting plans are the 1731 square feet. Gamay plan with a half-rounded, open-to-below staircase; and the 1812 square feet. Chardonnay with massive walk-in closets.

“The neat things about all the plans is that there is something special in all of them,” says Scott-Nyuli.

The homes range in size from 1541 to 1878 square feet. The 1541 square feet. Merlot features three bedrooms and two and a half baths, as does the 1629 square feet. Beaujolais plan. The 1751 square feet. Chablis floorplan also offers three bedrooms and two and a half baths, as well as a second floor loft with vaulted ceiling.

The style of the homes, as well as the space, makes them the perfect option for anyone looking to downsize without compromising their lifestyle.

“Someone that has a 3000 square feet. home, had three kids and they’re looking for something smaller, but they don’t want to give up any of the style, or the community or the amenities, might be interested in this type of home,” says Scott-Nyuli.

The exterior stylings fit right in with the homes in Cranston, with stone and stucco finishings and a double car garage on each home. The low-maintenance condo lifestyle also fits with the surrounding amenities, as Bordeaux owners will have plenty of time to enjoy activities such as walking or biking in the river valley, enjoying the 20 acres of park space right in the community or simply relaxing in their fully maintained, fenced backyards.

The full exterior maintenance of these homes makes them an attractive option for homebuyers who spend much of their time working or enjoying recreational pursuits and don’t want to spend their time working in the yard.

Avalon Master Builder recently won the Multi-Family (Small Volume) Customer Choice Award at Calgary’s 2004 SAM (Sales and Marketing) Awards, and are now eligible to win again at the provincial level.

The Bordeaux sales centre is currently open at 70 Cranleigh Dr. SE, and the showhome is scheduled to open in November. Homes at Bordeaux start at $245,900, with the first possessions beginning late this year or early next year.