Finding the upside of Uptown 17th Avenue S.W.
A 17th Avenue condo just on the fringe of the craziness is cool from the inside out.
1741 caters to 20 and 30 somethings with the income for an upscale apartment, who like to have some fun within walking distance.
Located just up the hill from trendy 17th Avenue S.W., 1741, has captured the look and feel of young professionals, says a guy who knows one when he sees one.
A year-and-a-half ago, 20-something Shubrat Dutta was living in nearby Marda Loop and was on the lookout for his third real-estate investment when he walked into a Truman Homes show home in Kensington. The sales staff told him about 1741 and it fit the bill perfectly.
Just up the hill from the heart of the action, 1741 is located on 26th Street S.W., just a few blocks from the soon to be redeveloped Westbrook Mall and a short cab ride or walk to the Red Mile and the Shaganappi LRT station is less than a five-minute walk away.
Dutta says the southwest inner city communities are in for a big transformation that will bring amenities to the area that will drive up housing prices.
A 10-acre development near Westbrook Mall will include new retail shops, a public plaza, restaurants and residential. The plan envisions a walk-able urban centre for locals.
And there are already plenty of places to recreate, shop, eat and drink nearby, Dutta says.
Shaganappi golf course is a few blocks away. Dutta says he loves taking in the hillside view of downtown while knocking a few golf balls at the driving range and also likes to take walks in the surrounding parks.
He says there are also lots of places to meet the wants and needs of life.
Ethnic restaurants and niche bakeries can also be found in the shopping centres that line Uptown 17th Avenue S.W., not to mention comic shops, drum stores that are part of the endless and interesting array of independent specialty stores in the area.
Another convenience is the fact that one of Dutta’s buddies was also impressed by 1741 and bought a unit across the hall.
Dutta says the 920-square-foot place is perfect for entertaining because of the open living space. The galley kitchen plays like a bar lounge with the wood molding that wraps up behind the contemporary countertops and across the ceiling. Potlights draw attention to the full-height shelving at the top of the lacquered white and dark wood cabinetry.
“It looks very modern, like a bar/kitchen area,” he says.
Two chandeliers with hanging Edison light pendants light the main living space. The feel is straight out of a 17th Ave lounge.
Dutta worked with his designer from Interiors by Debbie to enhance the modern vintage vibe.
He kept the living room simple with a low grey, tufted sofa and industrial glass and cement block dining table. A vintage side bar with an old-fashioned decanter and glasses finishes the look.
“People are just loving it,” he says.
He says what convinced him not only to buy, but also move into 1741 was the quality of the craftsmanship he saw from Truman homes.
Extra touches, like marble tile to the ceiling in the showers and on the washroom floors, a touch faucet in the under mount kitchen sink and full-size stacking Duet Whirlpool washer and dryers.
The kitchen is equipped with brushed steel Samsung appliances, including a full-size, side-by-side refrigerator and a gas countertop range and integrated oven and microwave.
The master bedroom has plenty of closet space, with a walk-through to the master ensuite and the guest room also has a smaller walk-in closet.
He also opted for air conditioning, a must, he says, when you live on the penthouse floor.
Extra storage is provided on each floor, Dutta adds, noting he has put all his extra boxes in his storage and still has room to spare.
Downstairs he has one parking stall and storage for his bicycle.
Dutta paid $450,000 for the two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit on the fourth floor and says it has put him exactly where he needs to be, both physically and philosophically.
“I always had a plan to have three condos and then get an infill and let my investment properties pay for the infill,” he laughs.
Its exciting to be in such a great spot, with only one step left in his master plan, he adds.
“I’m loving it,” he says.