BLOOMING IN BARRHAVEN THE ORCHARD (THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, 2013)
(By Anita Murray) – The Orchard takes root on 40 acres within easy reach of both urban and rural treats.
On one side there is the Rideau River and Beryl Gaffney Park; on the other, the Stonebridge golf course. And in between, there will be a pocket of homes known as The Orchard. Taking its name from the commercial apple orchard that was once a part of the old farm site, Uniform Urban Developments will bring about 230 homes to this quaint corner of south Barrhaven that stretches from Jockvale Road to Prince of Wales Drive. Adjacent to Stonebridge, The Orchard is close to both the amenities of Barrhaven and the lure of Manotick, with quick access to Highway 416. Throw in an expanded range of floor plans and it’s a recipe that can appeal to almost everyone. “We expanded our portfolio as a response to the fact that we’re doing bigger-scale projects, but also to the fact that there’s just a broader market to appeal to nowadays,” says marketing manager Emily Myers. “We have everything from young families or young professionals to retired couples. In today’s market we just felt the smartest thing to do is not really limit who we’re going to appeal to.” Once more of a boutique builder known for infill projects such as St. George’s Yard, Uniform has grown with the addition of multiple, larger developments such as Kanata’s Richardson Ridge, launched in late 2011, and now The Orchard, which launched June 15. That meant developing its offering of about 10 Craftsman-style homes into a portfolio of more than 30 bungalows and two-storeys in Craftsman and complementary contemporary styles.
All homes were designed by Barry J. Hobin and Associates Architects Inc. “We felt the need to diversify our product line because it’s really important to make sure that when we finish this community there’s variety on the streetscape and it looks interesting,” says Myers. “We’re addressing more needs across the board.” Addressing more needs also means offering more bungalow plans for single-floor living, flexible layouts that allow for in-law or nanny suites and a selection of housing types from townhomes to bungalows and two-storeys that range from 1,600 to more than 3,800 square feet. Suzanne Jacques has had her eye on the Touchstone bungalow model ever since her son and his family moved to Stonebridge about seven years ago, buying a Uniform home right next door to The Orchard. “I do particularly love the style of bungalow,” she says.
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