20 March 2010

'Man Cave' Comes with Casita Option

Calgary Herald
Cool room part of unique show home


Did you hear the one about the guy who walks into a show home and says: "I'm looking for a man cave?"

He tours the home, comes back and says: "I found one, right here."

That's pretty much what happened to Debi Ulansky, area sales manager for Brooklyn Custom Homes, at the company's show home in Monterra on Cochrane Lakes by Medallion Development Corp.

The man cave the visitor was looking for was the developed lower level of the Villa A bungalow, which has been finished as party-central in the 1,698-square-foot upscale home.

It's a cool room. There is a quiet sitting area tucked away into a corner, as well as a large bar area with stainless steel appliances, a sink and a granite-topped bar that will seat six.

There's also a games area in the show home with card and pool tables -- and a really neat media room.

Decked out to look like a 1950s soda shop, the room has an eating bar on the games room side. Inside the room are three aluminum-framed retro cafe tables -- and John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John singing a song from the movie, Grease, on the TV screen.

But there's something else that sets this home apart. It has a casita option -- a small detached bungalow at the front of the home with a gate that opens onto a courtyard between the 312-square-foot casita and the home, itself.

"The casita can be used as an office, fitness room, crafts room or garage -- whatever the buyer wants to do with it," says Ulansky, adding that the idea was brought to the Calgary market by Brooklyn officials after trips to Las Vegas and Arizona.

The Villa A, one of four villas available from Brooklyn, has a base measurement of 1,662 square feet. But the addition of three options, including the casita, brings the size up to 1,698.

The Prairie-style elevation used on the show home is one of two available. The other is Craftsman.

Ceilings on the main level are 10-feet high and doors are eight-feet high. On the lower level, ceilings are nine-feet high.

Stepping into the foyer of the home, Oxford-stained maple flooring stretches into the great room straight ahead.

Pillars with frosted glass panels separate this room from the kitchen and hallway. A large fireplace in the great room has a cultured stone face and a maple mantel.

Opposite the great room is a flex area that has been finished as a spare bedroom.

At the end of the hallway is the carpeted master bedroom. The adjoining ensuite has a linoleum floor, as well as a stall shower, a soaker tub wrapped in ceramic tile, a granite-topped vanity with twin sinks, and a carpeted walk-in closet.

Back down the hallway past the great room is the kitchen with espresso-stained maple cabinets. There's also a corner pantry, linoleum floor, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and granite countertops.

Other features include a wine rack and ceramic tile back-splashes.

The central island is finished with a granite top and has a flush eating bar for two. It also holds the microwave oven, as well as storage drawers. Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining nook with a door leading to the rear deck and tucked inside, a handy ironing center.

The garage entry is behind the kitchen, along with the laundry room and bathroom with tub/ shower.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BUILDER: Brooklyn Custom Homes; the Villa A.

AREA: Monterra on Cochrane Lakes.

DEVELOPER: Medallion Development Corp. PRICE: The base price of the model is the mid-$700,000 range with lot. The price of the show home -- with lot, GST, upgrades and furniture -- is $857,000. 

DIRECTIONS: From Cochrane, take Highway 22 north and then left on Cochrane Lake Road. 

HOURS: The show home parade is open from 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and noon to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. It is closed Fridays.

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