Arkell Lofts: Loft-Style Living in The Royal City

Located in the heart of Wellington County and referred to as “The Royal City,” Guelph has consistently been rated one of the top places to live in Canada. Boasting one of Ontario’s lowest crime rates, the city is steeped in history, host of the popular annual Hillside Festival, and was even named Ontario’s most romantic city in 2011. Those looking to become a part of this vibrant community will be interested in Granite Homes’ latest condo development - Arkell Lofts. Mixing natural materials with sleek and contemporary design, this community reflects Guelph’s unique mixture of modern development and the landscape’s heritage.

Last weekend, Granite Homes celebrated the Grand Opening of the Arkell Lofts model unit, the Monterey model, a 1,622 square foot plan, marking the beginning of this new phase of development in the city. Located in Guelph’s south end, at the corner of Gordon Street and Arkell Road, this clean and contemporary urban community was voted Most Outstanding Design (Medium Density) by the Guelph and District Home Builders’ Association.

Arkell Lofts was designed by Altius Architects, a firm well-known for clean and contemporary designs that incorporate environmentally-friendly practices. The Lofts reflect the city of Guelph - mixing modern architecture with natural materials such as glass, limestone, and treated wood. The Lofts are also surrounded by extensive landscaping, and the top floors of the buildings are linked by a bridge that allows for gardens and pedestrian walkways to flow between the buildings, creating a natural oasis. These architectural choices produce urban-style living amidst the natural and historically influenced landscape of Guelph.

Monterey Dining - via Granite Homes

Upon entering the model unit, visitors found themselves in an open-concept living area with 9’ ceilings and large windows that allow for an abundance of natural light. The main floor also features a large kitchen designed to accommodate gourmet cooking and entertaining. The 9’ kitchen island is the perfect gathering space and is furnished with elegant quartz counters. The dining area also features a private balcony where guests can get a breath of fresh air or residents can relax with a glass of wine and a good book.

The second floor features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bedroom represents the epitome of luxury, with his and her closets, a private balcony, and an ensuite. Designed to convey elegance, the bathroom features quartz counters, a walk-in tiled shower, and frameless glass door. The laundry facilities are also tucked away upstairs in this thoughtful design.

Granite Homes’ Interior Design Consultants have created modern contemporary interiors, blending natural materials with sleek surfaces, incorporating bold colour accents and tasteful neutral finishes. However, every homebuyer is unique and Granite Homes has ensured that personalization is possible through the introduction of the Home Design Studio. The Studio is staffed by in-house Interior Design Consultants specializing in residential design and available to cater to the specific needs and tastes of each homebuyer. It is these small touches that make Arkell Lofts a great choice for future homebuyers. Starting at $369,990, you can call Arkell Lofts home by May 2015.

Monterey Kitchen - via Granite Homes

Explore Ontario’s “Royal City”

Arkell Lofts is surrounded by great shopping, amenities, excellent schools, and the historic downtown Guelph, which merges modernity and history in the Market Square. The original Market Square functioned as a public space surrounding the original City Hall in the 1800s. Guelph’s new Market Square, built in 2007, is a modern interpretation of the historic space. The renovated square was designed to function as a community gathering space and hosts a number of events including festivals, concerts, and civic celebrations. At the centre of the square stands an outdoor skating rink surrounded by stone benches, decorative lighting, and greenery. Bordered by the shops and restaurants on Carden Street, and a beautiful glass pavilion, this scenic public space is a natural meeting place and community anchor.

Guelph’s Farmers Market has also been an important part of the Guelph community for over 180 years. Here families can find fresh meat, cheese, produce, baked goods, preserves, and prepared foods from a number of farmers throughout the year. Downtown Guelph is also home to a number of excellent restaurants and cafes for any palate. Residents can grab a pizza at OX, enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and live music at The Red Brick Cafe, or sit down to a quiet dinner at Babelfish Bistro.

Guelph is steeped in history and home to the Guelph Civic Museum, located in a former convent dating back to the 1800s. The museum features a number of rotating art and historical exhibitions. Not far from the museum lies the River Run Centre. In addition to panoramic views of the Speed River, this theatre boasts a 785-seat concert hall and 225-seat studio theater.

With 79 kilometers of on and off-road trails, Guelph is a great place for cycling enthusiasts of all levels. Active residents can join the Guelph Hiking Trail Club, climb at the Guelph Grotto climbing gym, rent a canoe or Kayak at Speed River Paddling, or tee off at the Victoria Park Valley Golf Club and Guelph Lakes. In the summer, families can take a short drive over to the Elora Gorge Conservation Area and swim in the former limestone quarry, or fly 200 feet across the Gorge on the Elora SkyRider Zipline! For those looking for something out of the box, check out Guelph’s Donkey Sanctuary of Canada or the Arboretum. Avid sports fans can also head over to the David E. Hastings Stadium and catch a Guelph Silvercreeks game, or visit the Sleeman Centre for a hockey game (or concert!).

Growing families will appreciate Guelph’s excellent education system and Arkell Loft’s proximity to a number of top rated schools. The Sir Isaac Brock Public School, Westminster Woods Public School, Saint Paul Catholic School, Bishop Macdonell Catholic Secondary School, and Echo Montessori are all within a 4km radius of the neighbourhood. For those looking to continue their education, Guelph is also home to one of Canada’s top post-secondary education and public research institutions, The University of Guelph. After school activities are also within reach as the Fighting Griffin Martial Arts Studio and Emotion Dance Company are just five minutes by car.

Via Granite Homes

Get to know Granite Homes

Granite Homes is no stranger to Guelph; The Highlands of East Guelph and the Morning Crest neighbourhood are popular communities. For over a decade, Granite Homes has been building communities in Ontario, putting an emphasis on timeless architectural design, developing homes with great curb appeal, and creating communities that homeowners will be proud to live and set firm roots. The company preserves its reputation as an expert in the field by employing only the industry's most experienced professionals and conducting eighteen internal and external inspections to ensure the highest level of quality is maintained. Rather than disguising quality features as “upgrades,” Granite Homes includes granite countertops in the kitchen, swing doors on all closets, Moen faucets, ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers, and your choice of railing style for no extra cost.

Granite Homes also focuses on building “Healthy Homes” by using products with a low VOC, providing dehumidifiers to maintain humidity levels, and implementing heat recovery ventilation systems where necessary. Additionally, high performance windows, improved insulation systems and draft-proofing, efficient lighting, and energy-efficient mechanical systems help homebuyers keep their ecological footprint small.

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