The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 90

I 114 The Ottawa Citizen, Saturday, February 22, 1997 i i i fni ttliil til ti i- -j i i r( The waiting is over: Ashcroft's Central Park is here A 1 'NI i I -i I i -f" and developing communities in Barrhaven and Orleans. The builder has won design laurels from the Ottawa-Carleton Home Builders' Association and consistendy earned a top rating from the Ontario New Home Warranty Program for after sales service. When the streets are finished and the parks are developed, Central Park will bring a distinctive blend of imposing architecture and shops to the western edge of the Experimental Farm. Central Park will appeal to first-time buyers with affordable terrace homes and townhomes, to growing families interested in single homes, and to older buyers wanting the convenience and low maintenance of living in a bungalow. There will also be an upscale commercial flavor to Central Park as Ashcroft fine-tunes plans for terrace townhomes that feature retail stores on the first level and spacious townhomes on upper levels.

It's all available in Central Park by Ashcroft. Central Park is close to shopping and a short jog from Dow's Lake. The Experimental Farm, located across Merivale Road, ensures there will always be a big feeling of space around Central Park. The development of Central Park has been a top priority since Ashcroft was the successful bidder on the 87-acre parcel of rolling land, buying it from the Region in late 1996. This is the last big piece of vacant land in the city and Ashcroft president David Choo is clearly excited about bringing a distinctive community to Ottawa buyers wanting a convenient, urban location.

"This is a unique parcel of land in the region and the best location left within the Greenbelt," says the longtime Ottawa resident who left a successful career in the high-tech industry five years ago to launch Ashcroft Homes. Since then Ashcroft has quickly become a leading builder in Ottawa-Carleton, posting 125 sales last year, By Sheila Brady Citizen advertising features writer One of the city's fastest rising builders, Ashcroft Homes, today opened a sensational sales pavilion and the opportunity to buy a new home across from the Experimental Farm at Merivale Road. David Choo and staff at Ashcroft Homes have been working long hours to bring a distinctive community of terrace homes, affordable town-homes, convenient bungalows and a lineup of single homes to the National Capital's spring home market Central Park is now here and the early news indicates this latest Ashcroft offering is going to be a big sales hit- Original plans called for the community of 800 homes to be completed within five years.That time span will likely be dramatically shortened. During the past week, pre-registered visitors have reserved lots, ensuring 10 per cent of Phase 1 is already sold out Rick Madonik, Citizen Sensational sales pavilion: Grace and Colin Du relax by massive fireplace Visitors were excited by the location, the community of Central Park, and pricing which starts at $112,900 for a terrace home. When completed Central Park, located north of Base line Road between Merivale Road and Clyde Avenue, will feature a community with big helpings of green parkland, and a network of walking and bike paths.

I He ill f- St a New Home Event in Ottawa's History Rick Madonik, Citizen Buying decision: Picking ideal lot in a distinctive community Sensational sales pavilion at Central Park is a sure show stopper KV ana shcroft Homes has pulled out all the stops, opening a sensational sales pavilion at Central Park that ives a new meaning to buying a new home. it's a Once-in- a-Lifetime Opportunity "We wanted to create a presence at Central Park and we think we have," says Ashcroft president David Choo. "This is a big, distinctive site and we wanted a distinctive sales pavilion." The impressive pavilion Is a rich golden color outside and inside features big windows, a massive fireplace, comfortable couches and giant silk kites suspended from the ceiling that soars 30 feet above the ceramic floors. "Our goal was to set new standards for buying a new home," says Suzanne Proulx-Johnson, director of sales and marketing for Ashcroft. There isn't a desk in the sales pavilion.

Instead sales staff sit with clients in one of the comfortable couches located a few feet in front of the oversized fireplace. "Our goal was to set new standards for buying a new home. Suzanne Proulx-Johnson, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ashcroft Homes Visitors can easily check out colored renderings of home plans in cosy alcoves on one side of the sales pavilion. On the other side of the pavilion, homebuyers can JUST itumm Sure, it's cold we've got the hottest location in town! Why live in the "burbs" when you can now live in the very heart of the city? Central Park offers a spectacular site for a new community, complete with its own parks, ponds and walkways, minutes from all of Ottawa's many amenities. You have an amazing selection of homes to choose from, ranging from exclusive enclaves of bungalows backing onto parkland to full-scale micro-communities with townhomes, semi's and singles.

And to top it all off, you'll get the high quality and superb service that Ashcroft Homes is famous for. Yes, it's all yours right now and right here at Central Park! mmmm Ifp 4 I "1 see and touch part of what adds up the Ashcroft quality. A kitchen and bathroom display shows off the company's dedication to quality products. A close look at Ashcroft's specification sheet and building standards clearly demonstrates Choo's commitment to top housing. There is an area in the kitchen where visitors can sit and pick from a large selection of samples and finishing material.

A round glass table and comfortable couch are located in a bright room where privacy can be a priority. Yet there is nothing formal in this private area. Instead, the room looks as if it could be part of someone's home: It is inviung. "We wanted to offer a relaxed, comfortable environment and to make the planning and purchasing of a new home an enjoyable and rewarding experience," says Proulx-Johnson. "We want people to come and relax.

We want people to have fun as they make buying decisions." Even the kids will have fun at the Ashcroft sales pavilion. A play area has been set aside for young shoppers. A huge deck at the rear of the sales pavilion will give visitors easy access to stand and look over the rolling land that will become Central Park. When visitors come into this new style pavilion, they will see the site plan for the large parcel of rolling land and colored drawings of homes designed to fit almost any budget and lifestyle. Terrace townhomes start at an affordable $1 12,900 while single homes start at $152,900 for the three-bedroom Ambassador.

Single homes will go up to $259,900 for the Lexington. In between there are townhomes starting at $129,900 and bungalows starting at $178,900 for the Ashcroft will customize any of their plans, tailoring the interiors to fit the buyer's lifestyle and priorities. Architectural controls on the exteriors ensures that homes in Central Park homes will be distinctive yet fit into the community plan. Many of the homes in Phase 1 back onto parkland. All of the homes feature detailed brick and stone work, distinctive gables and a big emphasis on windows.

The homes have an established feel that is more urban than suburban. This is the Ashcroft touch that will make Central Park a unique address to call home. FIRST COME, R125CtoVElMsiS! ZT HlH MlJRE INMOHMal ION CALL. II srm I SALES OFFICE HOURS: Won. Ihun.

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