Vasa Lund Place offers high-end life-lease condo living
Vasa Lund Place offers high-end life-lease condo living
By: Todd Lewys
Updated: November 13, 2010
Bill Thiessen remembers the day he got the call about Vasa Lund's newest 55-plus project, Vasa Lund Place. "It was about one-and-a-half years ago," he recalls. "They'd already built Vasa Lund Estates, and thepublic reaction to it (a 55-plus complex for active seniors) had been tremendous. They'd been working on the concept for several years; they knew they had a really nice piece of land that could accommodate a second phase." Today -- after working with Thiessen, who has long specialized in selling condominiums city-wide -- to get the design details of the new complex just right, Vasa Lund Place is due to start construction in the spring.
"Construction of the complex should start in about six months. We expect it to be complete in about two years," he says. "Needless to say, we're very excited. So far -- we've yet to put in our first ad --we've had over 50 quality calls from people who've seen the sign we posted out front. There's a real need for another 55-plus complex in the city's western side. It's going to go a long way toward filling that void." There's little wonder why there have been so many inquiries. For starters, there's Vasa Lund Place's
location, which will be set on a large, gently rolling tract of land located between Vasa Lund Estates and the Swedish Canadian Home.
The development -- which will be three-storeys high -- will contain 80 two-bedroom suites ranging in size from 1,197 sq. ft. to 1,434 sq. ft. Its surroundings figure to be private and attractive, with the complex set well back from Roblin Boulevard with generous green space and thoughtful landscaping features that will incorporate access to a natural riverbank forest. "That's what makes this development different -- the natural forest in behind has been maintained. Walking trails with stone patios have been carved in, and the area is well lit. In short, the river has been made into a very accessible amenity," Thiessen says. "It's as good as you get inside city limits -
- it's like being in the country with all the natural beauty, and the quiet, private location."
Meanwhile, the amenities inside figure to be top-notch. The suites themselves will be spacious, averaging about 1,300-plus sq. ft. in size. There will be three elevators to provide easy access to Best of multiple worlds each floor, with the building being an all-concrete structure (making for a quiet, fire-resistant dwelling). Each open-concept suite will come with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and den or sunroom options. "The designers (Affinity Architects) put in tons of really useful amenities," adds Thiessen. "There will be multi-purpose and crafts rooms, a TV room, billiards lounge, woodworking shop and a library. One of the nicest amenities will be a (full) commercial warming kitchen, where residents can have a caterer come in and do an event for up to 150 people. It's a development made for active people who enjoy socializing."
Thiessen says residents will also enjoy the suites themselves. "Not only will they be big, but they'll be open-concept with high-end finishes. One of the highlights will be a breakfast nook (with glazing on all sides) that in reality is a sunroom. There'll not only be lots of natural light, but flow will also be excellent as the living room, dining room and kitchen will open up onto each other in one big area. It will also be a handicap-friendly design with generous turning radiuses in the rooms." Once complete, Vasa Lund Place will be a not-for-profit, life-lease project that will provide active seniors with the opportunity to invest in an affordable, well-designed, secure complex in a desirable
location. "The entrance fee will be approximately $170,000 (about half the cost of the suite), with condominium fees falling in the $1,700 per month range," he adds. "That fee will include the mortgage, utilities, insurance -- everything but phone and cable."
Due to the strong early reaction to the project -- and the fact that Vasa Lund Estates has been so popular -- Thiessen says to reserve your suite now. "We're taking expressions of interest now," he says. "Everything in this project has been done at a very high level, from the amenities, to the suites to the location. If you're looking for style, value and a great location, this is it."