June 2015 | Globe and Mail
With its stunning location on the shores of Lake Ontario and a history that goes back to the late-18th century, Oakville has become one of the country's most desired addresses.
The town is substantially more affluent and more educated than the Ontario average, with median family incomes nearing $120,000 annually and nearly double the provincial average of university graduates, according to Halton Region. Median home prices are about $100,000 greater than those in Toronto and, after recently measuring the quality of life in 209 cities across Canada, MoneySense magazine ranked Oakville as one of only two communities in the GTA in Canada's top 20 best places to live.
Those who seek the refuge of home here look for a balance of cultural and sporting events, entertainment options, beautiful surroundings, a community feel and ultimately a place that facilitates the lifestyle they've earned through years of hard work.
Offering residents a perfect combination of town life and city amenities in an upscale setting, the Randall Residences by Rosehaven Homes will soon add to the cachet. In the heart of downtown just a couple of blocks from the lake, the Randall's classical Beaux-Arts style by architect Richard Wengle is also in keeping with the local flavour. The shops and services in the neighbourhood mean residents won't want for anything, and they'll soon find themselves members of an extended family.
“The downtown Oakville lifestyle means boutique restaurants and stores in an intimate setting,” says Rosehaven marketing manager Heather Weeks. “I grew up in Oakville and some have been here as long as I can remember.”
Ms. Weeks points to local market Jubilee as a prime example. Here, you can arrange catering or just pick up a few items for dinner, all while support- ing your entrepreneurial neighbours. “There has been a big influx of new stores, too, which creates a dynamic environment. Oakville is an old town,” she says, with an emphasis on “town.” Local landmark St. Andrew Church, for example, has served residents for more than 160 years.
“Everything is at your fingertips,” Ms. Weeks adds.
Rosehaven offers a trial membership with the Oakville Club and luxury concierge service Quintessentially Lifestyle in addition to the building's own. “It perfectly complements the way our residents live,” says Ms. Weeks.
She says many buyers are taking a step back from their successful businesses to pursue a more balanced life as they contemplate retirement. The Oakville Club is a perfect example of the kind of social community sought by their clientele: set next to a marina and offering a variety of activities including tennis, squash and yachting, as well as dining and catering.
The ground floor will feature a variety of tenants whose businesses complement residents' lifestyles, such as Sotto Sotto, the first restaurant approached by Rosehaven and an eager anchor tenant.
“We want people to be able to just pop downstairs for what they need,” Ms. Weeks says. “So we're looking at spas, perhaps private trainers in a small fitness facility. We're being very selective.”
The Randall Residences, named the Most Outstanding Mid-Rise Building in 2013 by the Ontario Home Builders' Association and offering the Most Outstanding Condo Suite over 801 square feet, is an exclusive 36-suite, four storey building with all the ultra-luxury details one expects: grand rotunda entryways, fabric stitched panel walls, bronzed fireplaces, vintage-stained oak hardwood floors and marble slab flooring with custom inlays for a European hotel experience every day. Suites range from 1,807 to 3,232 square feet starting at $1.8-million. The parking garage is complete and the building's first floor is now being poured.