If you love touring model homes, then you’ll have fun checking out the baker’s dozen of new models at Pathways at Findlay Creek.
Builders eQ Homes, Phoenix Homes and Richcraft have opened a combined 13 towns and singles in the fledgling community off Bank Street south of Leitrim Road.
Selling at the site since September 2017, the builders were finally able to open their models this summer as the first homeowners were also moving in. So far, about 200 of the expected 900 homes on the 127-acre site have been sold.
For model tour fans, there’s something for just about everyone in the five townhomes and eight singles on show. Here’s a snapshot of each builder’s models.
eQ Homes
eQ has five homes to see — a bungalow single, two two-storey singles and two townhomes.
“Now that we’re building a variety of different styles… we really want to show all the different styles of homes we can build,” says marketing and brand manager Tobin Kardish. “Everything’s been really well received.”
The Riviera, eQ Homes
This two-storey single “is our largest model home yet and it’s perfect for inter-generational families, those with adult children at home, or anyone who wants the flexibility to offer guests their own space,” Kardish says.
The 3,400-square-foot home has four bedrooms plus an optional main-floor in-law suite, which is how the model is done. It’s also a finalist in this fall’s Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Riviera
The Blackburn, eQ Homes
Boasting a Scandinavian style that takes inspiration from nature, this two-storey single is a popular floor plan among buyers, Kardish says. Featuring 2,119 square feet and three bedrooms, it also includes a generous second-floor family room perfect for families to hang out in.
“We wanted to offer a home with plenty of room for a growing family, at a price point that will fit their budget,” Kardish says. The Blackburn is also a finalist in the Housing Design Awards.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Blackburn
The Firestone, eQ Homes
This three-bedroom bungalow is a smaller version of eQ’s popular and award-winning Alexander model. “It’s popular with people looking to downsize and the decor is inspired by a beach vacation house,” says Kardish. “The open-concept living space with 11-foot ceilings is bright and perfect for entertaining.”
It also offers a cosy four-season sunroom in its 1,605 square feet. And, yes, it too is a finalist in the upcoming awards.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Firestone
The Scarlet, eQ Homes
“The Scarlet is an end-unit town model and it’s an affordable option that feels as spacious as a detached home,” says Kardish. “We really maximized use of space in this design.”
Although open concept, there are nooks built into the floor plan to define spaces, like the desk nook next to the living room or the bump-outs in the dining room that are perfect for framing a dining room buffet.
The 1,907-square-foot three-bedroom includes a finished basement, kitchen pantry and a generous master with two walk-in closets.
Another version of this model is a finalist in the Housing Design Awards.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Scarlet
The Juniper, eQ Homes
Small but mighty, the 1,556-square-foot Juniper town makes an impression, thanks to clever design solutions and the fun pops of colour set against a white palette.
“(It) has a lot of living space in a small footprint and really appeals to first-time buyers,” says Kardish. “The layout has separate living and dining areas, which actually makes the space seem bigger.”
It comes with a finished basement family room, three bedrooms and the option for a second-floor laundry.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Juniper
Richcraft
Richcraft has the most models at Pathways with six — a bungalow, two two-storey singles and three towns. In building that many models, “we like to have a little bit of a story to tell as you walk through them,” says marketing manager Shawn Bellman.
Each home has a theme, he says, but all have similarities and a modern styling, which is done by Leclair Decor.
The Pinefield, Richcraft
The theme for this two-storey single is “the chic effect (for) an upscale yet family-friendly home,” Bellman says. “We played with contrast by pairing dark green cabinets with a simple white subway tile in the kitchen and balanced the darker wide-plank flooring with lighter linen upholstery.”
The Pinefield is a new floor plan and one of the builder’s largest homes on a 44-foot lot. It has four bedrooms (with an option for a fifth) and 3,060 square feet. And it’s a finalist in the Housing Design Awards.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Pinefield
The Baldwin, Richcraft
The Baldwin is by far Richcraft’s most popular single on a 35-foot lot, Bellman says, so much so that they came up with an alternate elevation in order to ensure variety in the streetscapes.
“This model has always been a hit for its thoughtful layout and generous size,” he says (it’s 2,680 square feet with four bedrooms). Already an award-winning floor plan, “in this iteration we played with colour and texture, incorporating pops of burnt orange and using woven rugs and velvet upholstery to create a showpiece home that blends nods to Art Deco with our signature light, modern esthetic.”
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Baldwin
The Mapleview, Richcraft
This is the first bungalow that Richcraft has built in a model home row. “We’ve been getting a lot of great feedback with that… it’s a beautiful looking house,” says Bellman.
Part of the Flynn X Richcraft series, where the builder collaborated with architect Jason Flynn, the Mapleview has a theme of timeless transition and was designed to feel classic but still fresh and current, Bellman says.
The 1,695-square-foot home comes with two bedrooms (there’s an option for a third downstairs) and a flex room that in the model is outfitted as a TV room, leaving the main living/dining/kitchen area as a great space for entertaining.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Mapleview
The Fairhaven, Richcraft
As Richcraft’s largest townhome, this end unit feels like a single. It’s a home that’s popular with those looking to downsize without losing the space of the family home (it’s 2,539 square feet with either three or four bedrooms).
Already an award-winning floor plan, this version is done with a “Midtown Modern” theme, mixing traditional elements with modern twists, Bellman says. It’s a finalist in this fall’s Housing Design Awards.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Fairhaven
The Hudson, Richcraft
The Hudson is a mid-sized townhome that works for a variety of buyers from first-timers to those moving up and others who are downsizing. With three bedrooms and 2,130 square feet (not including the finished basement), there’s plenty of room.
Already an award-winning floor plan as well, at Pathways the model is filled with darker, masculine tones that pair well with warm metal accents throughout. “We dressed up the home’s straightforward layout by creating focal points with black marble, bold tile and deep earthy colours,” Bellman says.
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Hudson
The Addison, Richcraft
It’s always refreshing and helpful when a builder offers a model home that does not have upgrades. It’s a great way to see what comes with the home without having to shell out extra for features and finishes.
Such is the case with the Addison, an entry-level home in Richcraft’s lineup with 1,834 square feet.
“This bright, playful townhome was designed with the eclectic personality in mind,” Bellman says. “We mixed new, sleek pieces with interesting antiques and pulled from both Bohemian and Scandinavian influences to bring this space to life.”
MORE: Take a 3D virtual tour of the Addison
Phoenix Homes
Phoenix has probably the most intriguing model at Pathways: one of its income property floor plans that combines a family home with an income suite. “People have been really blown away with how that’s all set up,” says vice-president of operations Rahul Kochar.
Phoenix has just two models at Pathways, having opted to sell the townhome lots it was going to set aside for models due to demand. Both models Phoenix has opened represent a design shift for the builder in that the elevations take a more modern approach, says Kochar.
The Klondike, Phoenix Homes
This home is the largest of the three available in Phoenix’s Income Series. Kochar says the homes are appealing to multi-generational families but are also a good option for those looking for the income potential.
The biggest selling point, he says, is the division between the two units, which have full fire and sound separation as well as separate metering. It takes the idea of converting part of a home to an income property and puts it in a new build. “Just how cleanly packaged the whole thing is I think is the biggest draw.”
The Klondike features a 3,225-square-foot main home with four bedrooms and a second-floor loft and a 1,553-square-foot income suite that takes up much of the basement but also includes a second-floor loft. The income suite can be either one or two bedrooms (it’s a one-bedroom in the model). And the double-car garage can be either reserved for the main home or divided so that the income suite has a garage.
Like many of the models at Pathways, the Klondike is a finalist in the Housing Design Awards.
The Melbourne, Phoenix Homes
Phoenix’s other model at Pathways is the 2,233-square-foot Melbourne. This two-storey single is on a 35-foot lot and “represents that starter single-family home demographic,” Kochar says. While it appeals to young families, he says it’s also attracting empty nesters who want to downsize yet still be in a single-family home.
The three-bedroom home, which has an option for a fourth bedroom, is 2,233 square feet with design details such as a three-sided fireplace and plenty of black or charcoal accents.
Touring the homes
The single-family home models are located along Dun Skipper Drive off Bank Street, while the towns are just behind them on Pingwi Place.
All are open Sunday to Thursday at varying times, and the eQ models are also open on Fridays. Check our Pathways at Findlay Creek development profile for more information.
Editor’s note May 2021: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, model homes may not be open or be open by appointment only. Check with the builder (contact info available on our Pathways development summary).
