"The Orchard" Condo in Victoria Park

[Travis Munroe]

I will be following this development closely so feel free to ask any questions.
What is the general consensus on CP of this development? Quite a bit of development in the area including the national music centre and everything that comes with East Village.

The concept of having an apple orchard in between their 2 towers is certainly unique. Is is really sustainable? Based on the images, the orchard is open to surrounding areas meaning it can be accessed by the public. Personally I would rather see it at least 1 story up giving owner's the exclusive feeling and giving it a more uniform look.

Do you think that the relocation of the saddledome will be a positive or negative?

Personally, the train tracks are a non issue. There are quite a few high rise buildings within a block or 2 of the tracks and I rarely hear any complaints.

For those who do not know, it is going to be about 2 blocks east of the ArriVa building / Cowboys Casino

[nik-]

Do I even dare ask how much units are going for in this place?

[Travis Munroe]

I hope to have pricing in the next week - they say mid 200's is where it will start which has me guessing small 1 bedrooms will be 250k starting while 2 bedroom corner units will be 420k starting.

[CN10]

Any ideas when they will be releasing the floor plans? Next week alongside the pricing perhaps?

Nice to see the development of the East Village and Vic Park. Hopefully it slows the urban sprawl that is Calgary. Unfortunately, the pricing in these areas hasn't really been accounting for the growing pains that these neighborhoods will need to go through before their potential is fully realized and that anyone buying here is buying a lottery ticket that we don't see anymore flooding.

My guess is these towers end up being more investor owned due to Lamb's sales strategies and owners being cautious about living in the area (train noise, flooding, general east downtown sketchiness).

[I-Hate-Hulse]

The Orchard screams gimmick to me. Might look nifty in a press release, but going forward it'll be a headache for the Board and spike insurance costs. I say the latter because as it's not fenced but open to the general public, the insurance costs will reflect the liability from that. Unless they figure out dwarf apple trees, people are going to have to climb trees when they get big...you figure where that goes....

Then add in the costs of replacing dead trees, evicting the homeless that will sleep under them, watering them, scooping up fallen fruit.... all for what, 2 units in the building that get "fresh" apples 1x a year?

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Lamb's other Calgary project has been an absolute bust so far (6th and 10th) with many delays and broken promises. At the current pace that building won't be complete for 5 or 6 years.

Mark on 10th and 6th and 10th started sales around the same time, Mark is already many floors above ground while 6th and 10th is still mostly a pile of dirt.

Who knows how long this Orchard project will take. I'd wait to see if Lamb can pull off the first building before I make any commitments to his next project.

[Travis Munroe]

I agree on the Orchard being a issue. If they raise it 1 story giving only owners access to the area it would be a much bigger hit and less of a headache in the long run.
Personally I see this building being bought by a more mature age bracket to live in.
As for the flooding, with proper measures in place, flooding is not much of an issue. There were a few buildings which you would have expected to of been hit hard that saw little to no issues.

[bizaro86]

That sounds like a fun condo board to be on.

"Someone's peeing on the trees again"

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

That sounds like a fun condo board to be on.

"Someone's peeing on the trees again"

Meh, no different than watching Cowboys patrons peeing on Arriva in the laneway when I lived there.

As for this project, Lamb has been all talk with incredibly little action on his other development. I'd love nothing more than to see this project go ahead to give another big boost to the East Beltline area though. If properly designed this building would also be pretty safe come the next flood. Even if the new arena doesn't locate in the vicinity you will still have all the development of Beltline and East Village that will make this a very attractive spot to get into at a lower price.

[topfiverecords]

There are so many other towers in Beltline that are coming up fast. The competition is going to be fierce. I don't think we see construction on this one for a long time.

[lorenavedon]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

There are so many other towers in Beltline that are coming up fast. The competition is going to be fierce. I don't think we see construction on this one for a long time.

not really. Nothing is coming up "fast" and everything coming up is already sold out. With 40k people coming to Calgary every year, this stuff cant go up fast enough.

[cam_wmh]

The Apple Orchard is a goofy gimmick. How that has been pushed upon us as a selling feature, before actual floorplans is bush league. pun intended.

The Saddledome potentially being moved, I feel, imo, isn't a deciding factor.

Generally, the units listed at $250k, are just to attract attention, and are very limiting.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by lorenavedon

not really. Nothing is coming up "fast" and everything coming up is already sold out. With 40k people coming to Calgary every year, this stuff cant go up fast enough.

Just for fun I'll put theoretical money down that the following not started construction yet towers are completed before the Orchard. These are all already started sales, or are actually coming up "fast".
Beltline
- 929 10th Ave SW (WAM towers)
- Mount Royal Village West condo tower
- Smith
- Maple; 1215 5th Street
- Union Square 2
- Park Point
East Village
- Verve
- Riverhouse
- N3
- Bosa towers @ Riocan
Eau Claire
- Waterfront Parkside
- The Concord
Downtown West
- West Village Towers
Erlton
- Anthem
Outside chances
- Beltline Le Germain 4 towers
- OneTen revival
- The XII

Not to mention the developments that there's still likely lots of units available in Vogue and Avenue. Add in Genco 1108 @27 storeys, Ronmor's Beltline tower, Eau Claire market redevelopment, Eau Claire 7 tower dev., Kings on 4th, Telus Sky, WAM 9th Ave, City Centre II, all the midrise in Bridgeland, Inglewood, Hillhurst, Sunnyside and Mission and you've got competition.

[lorenavedon]

if that amount of towers were coming up every year that would be one thing, but the time it takes to put one of these up is so long that the population will soak them up easily. 40k people/year in Calgary. All those condos you listed are maybe what 3000-4000 units? Over the span of 5 years? That's nothing really

[digimat]

Interested in possibly buying at Orchard. What's everyone thoughts with regard to location and developer? I've heard Stampeded has some solid development in the works and could round out that area in the next few years.

Thanks!

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by digimat

Interested in possibly buying at Orchard. What's everyone thoughts with regard to location and developer? I've heard Stampeded has some solid development in the works and could round out that area in the next few years.

Thanks!

The stampede trail development has been 10+ years with little to nothing in terms of actual development. And as I previously mentioned, lamb's other Calgary project has been a total bust so far.

The odds that Lamb will get this development done in a timely fashion AND the stampede trail development will happen anytime soon are about the same as you winning the lottery.

If you are interested in buying a condo in the area go with guardian.

[Bigtime]

As many others have pointed out there are serious doubts in the Stampede's ability to get any of the 4th Street/Stampede Trail developments going.

I think a key component of it moving ahead or not will be the announcement of the new arena and its location. On the Stampede grounds or directly north, go time. If it goes somewhere else, COMPLETELY dead in the water.

[squiggs96]

Tried to edit math and deleted. Not retyping all

[Travis Munroe]

^ Am I the only one who personally does not like the corner kitchens with no island at all? Kind of takes the room of a kitchen away and its as if it is tucked away in the corner. You will need a kitchen table with such a design & very few people actually get us out of a kitchen table in a 1 bedroom unit. So why not make a island with room for bar stools in the middle. It completes the kitchen feel and replaces a kitchen table.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

^ Am I the only one who personally does not like the corner kitchens with no island at all? Kind of takes the room of a kitchen away and its as if it is tucked away in the corner. You will need a kitchen table with such a design & very few people actually get us out of a kitchen table in a 1 bedroom unit. So why not make a island with room for bar stools in the middle. It completes the kitchen feel and replaces a kitchen table.

I think in a one bedroom, especially one this small, that a kitchen table is unnecessary. When I lived in one bedroom units, I had one a few times, but I don't think I ate at it more than once a year. I do like islands, as they can serve as food prep space, an eating area, laptop station, etc.

This unit doesn't look like there is a lot of counter top space, and even where there is, it's likely restricted by the cabinets.