Prince's Island Estates

These 94 homes were built of concrete, steel, and brick plus stucco cladding in 1995 in four groupings around a courtyard. Of course the property fronts onto the Bow River and its pathway on the north, and looks to the Eau Claire public plazas and splash park to the east. Yet as close to the summer-time hurly burly as they are, the buildings are screened by park-like city lands on those sides for a hidden-away feeling. The courtyard within the development allows for some short-term parking and gardens, overlooked by various balconies above and by the garden patios AND roof-top balconies of the 18 three-level townhouse-style suites that enjoy views both into the courtyard and outward. 'Nice!

The indoor parkade houses 171 titled parking stalls, so that many homes here have parking for two cars, and a few stalls are owned by non-resident folks who work nearby, with security arranged so that non-resident parkers have no access to the buildings. There are also 19 indoor visitor stalls and room for some more short-stay parking in the courtyard driveway. In a unique design, the first level of parking is actually at grade, with another level below it and the courtyard above it. This way at-grade suites around the perimeter of the development have direct walk-in access to their suites, while those on the second floor have private stairwells up to their homes. Only upper-floor residents use the four elevators.

With terraced construction allowing for some large patio spaces and varied building heights from six to nine storeys, these four towers blend into the park-like setting and don't loom over the Bow River or its pathways. This is a luxury development with a social room, car-wash bay, gardens and a village-like feel.

Unit factors are allocated to suites in proportion to their sizes. Exterior windows and doors are common property for maintenance and eventual replacement. An exterior re-cladding project was under way in 2011. I have the Condo Plan on file.