BARRY GERDING
Black Press
Brad Pelletier, vice-president of Predator Ridge developer Wesbild, says with the golf course community about 25 per cent completed for potential development, Whitetail could send a strong signal about the design direction of the remaining land.
“For us right now, I think Whitetail rivals or is arguably more important than our golf courses,” Pelletier said.
Why is Whitetail such an exciting prospect for Wesbild? Pelletier says it is for two reasons.
One is the desire to step away from the linear design of houses ringing around a golf course, to reduce the house density and move toward more a cluster concept where five or six homes are located together separated from similar clusters by the natural environment landscape.
Second is moving in a different architectural direction, away from traditional Craftsman style homes currently prevalent at Predator Ridge to a unique presentation that responds to the Okanagan landscape and lifestyle.
“In working with our three architects on this project, it means more contemporary roof lines, greater emphasis on outdoor lifestyle opportunities within the home, and more glass and wood treatments for the interior,” Pelletier said.
Claire Radford, the resort’s property specialist, says Whitetail is designed to fulfill the wish lists of a wide range of buyers.
“There will be a few estate lots for people who want that added space and privacy. We’ll also have something that has been in short supply (at Predator Ridge), rancher lots in a range of sizes for buyers who prefer a single-level home.
Radford says cottage-style properties with a garage will be “ideal for buyers who want a smaller full-time residence, or who spend winters in the south and plan to be here for six months of the year.”
The neighbourhood will offer a selection of west- and east-facing lots, with views of the Ridge and Predator golf courses and in some cases Okanagan Lake, ranging in price from the $200,000s up to $600,000.
“It’s something people are very particular about,” said Radford.
“Our buyers from Alberta tend to really want to face into the bright afternoon sun while those who have been living in the Okanagan for a while tend to prefer the morning sun and softer afternoon light.”
And situated between the fairways of the two Predator Ridge golf courses, Whitetail residents will be within easy walking distance to the resort’s many other amenities, such as a fitness centre, sports pub, gourmet dining, 12 kilometres of groomed hiking trails and the Commonage Market.
Pelletier is enthused that the less predictable development approach for Whitetail will be enticing to residents — maintaining the integrity of the natural land layout and characteristics, winding instead of straight-arrow streets that offer a surprise around each corner — will be enticing to buyers.
And where those buyers will come from, he adds, is almost across Canada as Predator Ridge “works hard to market ourselves in areas where others don’t.”
He says buyers are attracted to the Okanagan development from the Lower Mainland and Alberta, as well as further east to Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.
Nearby Sparkling Hill Resort has also added an aspect for buyers to consider.
“They are a fantastic partner for us on our site and we are able to offer our homeowners exclusive day use of the spa’s facilities in the same way they can offer access to golf here as well,” said Pelletier.
