“Wentworth has excellent access to the mountains, and is the closest new development to downtown,” says Frank Bohlmann, Beattie Homes’ area manager for Wentworth Estates. He says the community has many other amenities, including a new Co-op grocery store and plans for an elementary school to be built nearby.

Another one of Wentworth’s appealing features is its dedication to preserving the land’s original state through environmental reserves. Nearly 30 per cent of the community is green space, whether mixed woodlands of birch and pine, grasslands or a small pond. The community as a whole has a cohesive look to it thanks to strict architectural controls that require all home exteriors to be stucco with stone or brick accents in muted greys, greens and browns. Right now Wentworth is a fairly small neighbourhood, but a new phase at the north end of the community is in the works.

“The developers have done a super job,” says Bohlmann. “Wentworth really projects itself as an upscale community.”

Beattie Homes’ current project in Wentworth is the Villas, a series of duplex homes bordering one of the environmental reserves. Beattie has two show homes open for viewing, each offering a different floor plan. Each unit is bungalow-style with a developed walk-out basement, nine-foot ceilings, a two-car garage and a generous front yard. Undivided back yards are separated from woodlands by only an iron fence, and the view from the backyard decks is one of a charming forest.

The first model, the Chancellor II, is 1,240 square feet on the main floor and starts at $333,000. The showhome is furnished and decorated in earthy browns which complement the nature theme of the community. A ceramic-tiled entrance branches off into a modest, carpeted flex room, here used as a den, before leading past a recessed plant shelf and through an arched entrance into the spacious, well-lit kitchen. A marble-topped island offers plenty of extra counter space while the oak cabinets and corner pantry provide ample storage. A 4’ by 4’ skylight above the island beams natural light into the kitchen, giving the room added warmth and glow.

The generous breakfast nook is lit by the double sliding doors leading to the deck, which has room for a barbeque and some patio chairs.

The adjacent great room features floor-to-ceiling windows and a vaulted ceiling, making the room feel airy and larger than it is. The hardwood mantle topping the stone fireplace matches the cabinets in the kitchen, giving the two otherwise distinct rooms a touch of unity.

Also on the main floor is the master bedroom, a large room at the back of the house with enough space for a loveseat or a desk by the window. The ensuite has both a luxurious Jacuzzi tub and a shower stall, as well as a walk-in closet and large vanity.

The stairs leading down to the lower level open into a good-sized rec room, large enough for a full-sized pool table, as demonstrated. A family room to one side is the most logical place for a home theatre and some comfy couches. Buyers also have the option of installing a wet bar with a sink and cabinets, making this an ideal spot for entertaining the neighbours – or the neighbourhood! The show  home also features two more bedrooms and a second full bathroom downstairs, although Bohlmann says Beattie can customize the layout for buyers who want to use the space in different ways.

Beattie’s second show home, the Cambridge III, comes in at 1,526 square feet, with most of the added space coming from a dining room, framed by four pillars, on the main floor. The layout is otherwise basically the same as the Chancellor. This model showcases some of the many optional add-ons Beattie offers, including stainless-steel appliances and a natural gas range in the kitchen, double French doors into the den, a Delta three-jet massage shower in the master bath and a full wet bar with a second fridge, as well as a second fireplace in the downstairs rec room. The Cambridge is priced starting at $419,000.

Bohlmann says the Villas of Wentworth are geared towards professionals aged 45 and older and retirees who like the upscale elegance of the neighbourhood and the practicality of having condo fees cover things like lawn care and snow removal, as well as future repairs and maintenance. The Villas will appeal to any buyer who is looking for a sophisticated, well-made home in a beautiful setting, with all the conveniences of living in the city and the feel of living in the country.