New on the street: Townhome living with a condo feel in Orléans (with video)

In introducing Tamarack’s new gallery townhomes in the Chaperal development in Orléans, the first order of business is to define what the builder means by “gallery townhome.”

Behind the clean-lined modern exteriors of brick and engineered stone are two-bedroom, three-storey units that include a garage, but lack the postage-stamp lawn that comes with the typical town. That’s because these towns are arranged back-to-back. It’s a well-priced concept (starting at $279,900) that is attracting first-time buyers looking for affordability and retirees who reject the narrow confines of a condo but are more than happy to give up the backyard.

Floor plans

All three models have two bedrooms, a third-floor laundry room and a barbecue-sized balcony off the second-floor living area. The ground and second floors have nine-foot ceilings and windows are topped with transoms.

There is an insulated basement space, suitable for storage. A full bathroom and a powder room are standard, but there is an option for an additional full bathroom. The largest of the three models, the Cardiff, has a ground-floor den.

Six appliances, air conditioning, hardwood on the main floor and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) are among the included goodies. The homes are Energy Star-rated.

The Cardiff

The 1,514-square-foot Cardiff is an end unit, which means it’s the only model with windows on two walls. On the ground floor, the airy den has large corner windows. Also off the spacious entranceway, with its large slate floor tiles, is a powder room and a hall closet with double doors.

The master bedroom in the Cardiff has a walk-in couples’ closet that leads to the main bathroom.

The wide stairway in upgraded medium brown hardwood leads to the open-plan living area, where gleaming black kitchen cupboards with horizontal doors (an upgrade) are the star attraction. They’re set off by a glass tile backsplash and light-toned granite countertops and island. The modern decor is in blacks and greys, with a splash of yellow.

Textured grey carpet covers the steps to the two bedrooms, while a tall window in the stairwell lets in a lot of light. At the top is the first of two full bathrooms as well as a linen closet and separate laundry room.

The two-bathroom model starts at $313,400. The option with one full bathroom is $309,900. The second bedroom is compact, furnished with only an accent chair. The more spacious master has a walk-in couples’ closet that leads to the main bathroom. The long thin vertically stacked tiles surrounding the tub are a sleek touch.

The Brockton is full of upgrades. The living room is cosy in creams and a wood shelving unit with the look of a built-in.

The Brockton

The spacious front entranceway, with its bench and large mirror, is possible because the powder room is on the second level of this 1,448-square-foot town. The base price is $279,900, but this model is full of upgrades, including the Craftsman-styled kitchen, with its Shaker cupboards in light cream, some with glass doors, and matching granite countertops. The living area is comfy and cosy in creams and a handsome wood shelving unit has the look of a built-in.

Upstairs, off the surprisingly wide hallway, there are two bedrooms, one full bathroom and a laundry room with a sink.

The Ashton boasts only a few upgrades for a good look at the standard finishes.

The Ashton

The modest number of upgrades in the 1,448-square-foot Ashton model gives potential buyers a good look at the standard finishes. Modern-style oak railings on the stairway, arborite countertops, 40-ounce carpeting and 12 x 12 ceramic tiles are all included in the base price of $279,900. So too are the melamine white kitchen cupboards and backsplash of subway tiles, also white.

To balance this plain look, the decor in the Ashton is appealingly transitional. An area rug with an oversize floral pattern is the inspiration for the palette of rusts and oranges in the living area. The one bathroom upstairs has two entrances, one off the master.

Behind the clean-lined modern exteriors of brick and engineered stone are two-bedroom, three-storey back-to-back units that include a garage.

In the neighbourhood

Shopping at nearby Tenth Line and Innes roads includes a Home Depot, a JYSK Superstore and a Farm Boy. Chaperal borders land for the planned Orléans Family Health Hub, which will be administered by the Montfort Hospital. Construction is due to start in the latter half of 2016, according to a spokesman for the Montfort.

Gallery townhomes at Chaperal

What: An enclave of six blocks of gallery townhomes with 12 to 15 units each in the fourth phase of the planned community of Chaperal.
Builder: Tamarack Homes
Prices: Starting at $279,900 for the Brockton and Ashton and $309,900 for the Cardiff. A $65 monthly fee covers snow removal, landscaping and road maintenance.
Sales centre: 129 Gerry Lalonde Dr., off Brian Coburn Boulevard.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Fridays.
Information: 613-837-1511 or tamarackhomes.com