Developers achieve high standards in homes

ANDREA JOHNSON
QUESNEL CARIBOO OBSERVER
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

They have names such as The Thompson, The Quesnel and The Mackenzie.

Nestled along the west side of the Fraser River and each distinctive in their own way, they feature landscaped front yards, high ceilings and gas fireplaces.

And it’s a subdivision like no other being built in Quesnel.

It’s Riverfront Walks, a gated community at 1702 Dyke Rd. suitable for both families and retirees alike.

Riverfront Walks developer Ozzie Jurock from Vancouver had a vision like no other when he saw the potential in a unique subdivision like this one three years ago.

B.C.’s North, he said, is on the cusp of a real estate boom.

“There are great things in store for the North,” he said.

“We’ve invested in B.C. the last three years and purchased [property] in Prince George, Prince Rupert and Terrace.

“We believe there is another Fort McMurray in the making [in the North].”

It only made sense for Jurock, of Worldwide Referrals Realty and a leading edge real estate author, to invest in Quesnel.

“In Quesnel, there are beautiful lakes and great winter sports,” he said.

“A gated community is for privacy and security. Everybody has access to white sand. The whole idea of the average lot size is so you don’t have to spend the weekends cutting the lawn. They’re suitable for everybody.”

Available for $249,000, the homes are worth their value, compared to other areas in the province, where similar developments would cost more than $900,000.

Jurock enlisted the expertise of Quesnel’s Icon Homes to build the homes.

Standard features in the three different house styles include laminate flooring, pressure treated sundeck and porch, ceramic foyer, a custom shingle roof with a 25-year warranty, heated double garage, security system and concrete walks and driveway.

Icon was more than happy to help out.

“Riverfront lots are neat to see,” Icon manager Phil Christie said.

“There were technical challenges with the land and proximity to the water. We haven’t designed houses like this before. We put a lot of options in the house.

“There was a strict budget and there is more detail in the houses, such as five inch crown mouldings and solid maple cabinets. They were all designed inhouse – the site and layout, it was fun.”

Nobody should question the colour of the homes either, Jurock said.

“When you look at the colours, they are award-winning colours. It is beautiful, modern but tasteful. When you look at any magazine, these biscotti colours are very popular.”

He’s also optimistic Quesnel is ready for a subdivision like this one.

At their open house in early June, more than 300 people showed up to view the 47 lots available. Phase 1, 29 riverfront and 16 inside lots and the four new homes, will be complete this summer, and Phase 2, four new homes will be available by fall.

Lot sizes vary from 5,900 sq. ft. to 13,300 sq. ft.

“I think this city has 10 years to change,” he said.

“You look at Kimberley and it was a mining town. Now it’s changed into a ski town. There is so much history here and tourism.”

The Northern B.C. real estate market is booming right now.

The B.C. Northern Real Estate Board reports that, at the end of May, sales of all types of property reached an unprecedented $122.7 million for the year, shattering the record of $95.6 million set last year.

In Prince George, 774 properties exchanged hands in a city of 77,000, up eight per cent compared to the first five months of last year.

In Quesnel, the average single-family home is selling for $139,447.

“The Peace region is booming,” Jurock said. “Nobody saw it locally. You [Quesnel] are sitting on all the assets. In Tumbler Ridge, we saw a huge positive. It’s been an unprecedented year so far. Prices jumped $71,000 in one year. Why on Earth shouldn’t Quesnel get in on that?”

Riverfront Walks are available to view by appointment. For information, call 992-6227 or go online to www.riverfrontwalks.ca.