The Gramercy Terrace Home by Minto

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	[CLICK to enlarge] The Gramercy : Front Elevation Source: Minto

	[CLICK to enlarge] The Gramercy : Interior Source: Minto

The advantage of the home at street-level - in this case Minto's Radcliffe 1V - is that you don't have to climb upstairs to get to your front door. The disadvantage is that, since it is the lower unit, it is built half-way below grade (or ground-level). You get compensated for that, however, by a lower price for the lower unit. When we last looked it was priced at $11,500 less than the Gramercy IV upstairs.

In the case of Minto's Gramercy IV there is a unique advantage in including a home office which the lower unit (The Radcliffe IV) does not possess. (This may be news to Minto, but we'll explain what we mean when we come to the office, or study, later on.)

Both designs are available only in Chapman Mills, Barrhaven (SW Ottawa) and Avalon in Orleans (Ottawa East).

Since we first started visiting Terrace Homes in all of the Ottawa suburbs (and in Gatineau), this type of condominium has achieved a distinct significance as housing prices have continued to rise, leaving them the most affordable homes in town - or rather, on the fringes of town. But as demand for them has surged as a consequence, builders have not been slow in raising their prices too.

Terrace Homes are generally designed for young singles and couples. Most designs - if not all - feature two bedrooms. They also provide all the other features most desired by first-time home buyers. However, their designs differ according to the best usage of the parcel of land on which they are built, and the price. And prices depend not only on features and finishes, but also location.

Minto's two designs are priced to sell in the type of volume they are accustomed to as mass market home builders; so their prices may be a little less than other, comparable, Terrace Homes. We were impressed by the value they offer - which is the most important criterion.

On entering the Gramercy IV, you find a 14'4" wide module that creates a feeling of spaciousness because your sight-line stretches 40'8" from one end to the other. To your left is a dining room open to a good size living room beyond it. To the right- with a powder-room beside it - is an open kitchen extending into what we immediately saw as a home office. In fact Minto has designated it as the breakfast room. However, since most young people are unlikely to entertain formally nowadays (as their parents or grandparents once did) allocating space for two eating areas only a few feet away from each other is an anomaly.

Despite the reasonable size of each of the two levels, which total 1,343 square feet, not only is that "dinette" concept out-of-date, but the space can be put to much better use.

Today a home office has become the most used room in the house- far more important than a separate breakfast room or second eating area. Fortunately, this roomy office is 14'4" x 6'4". It is conveniently close to the kitchen, and it has its own deck to go out for a stretch, after sitting for hours in front of the computer.

The upstairs plan features a bedroom at each end, each of which has its own en-suite bathroom. The master bedroom has its own balcony. A laundry room is situated between the bathrooms. And there is just enough storage space. As with most Terrace Homes, there is outdoor parking.

We have walked through both show-homes on several different occasions and compared their layouts with other Ottawa-Gatineau Terrace Homes. In our opinion, they provide the best design in town for this type of home. And, linked to the price, they offer the best value. So we have no hesitation in awarding our HomesExplorer ™ 5-Star Design Award to The Gramercy IV.

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The sole aim of the HomesExplorer™ 5-Star Design Awards Program is to reward excellence in the new homes industry by awarding five stars for the best design or innovation in a particular category. Our 5 Star Rating is awarded solely for excellence in design or innovation. Quality of construction and service are for buyers to ascertain themselves.