Rockport Group CEO Jack Winberg of Base31 was at Council’s Planning and Development committee last week to talk up its first village, Hilltop.

“That’s a doorcrashing price, $299k is our entry, and buys a small, stacked townhome. That’s what I call ‘affordable’ — in every conceivable definition.” 

“We are aggressively pricing our units. We want Base31 to get a good start, get shovels in the ground and get the community forming.” Full buildout will only occur in response to market demand.

“We are not making any money on a $299k home. We want to get people here.”

Residents may still suffer sticker shock. The entry-level unit is a 450-square foot, one-bedroom condo with its own garage.

In Belleville, however, new build waterfront Porta Condos by MDM Developments start at 500k. And while they, too, come with resort-style amenities, including a pool, they aren’t in the heart of the County, amidst 450,000 square feet of planned commercial retail and the cultural offerings of B31 District.

Residency comes with membership in Base Living’s Homeowners Association, which offers a clubhouse with a gym and free bikes to ride about town on. 

Hilltop’s prices are competitive. Larger laneway townhomes are between 400K-600k. Bungalow townhomes are 500k-700k, and detached homes with between 30 and 50 feet of street frontage range between $600k-$1 million.

“These starting prices will have a huge impact on affordability here,” stressed Mr. Winberg.

Asked about the timeline for full buildout of the Base’s first residential village, “as fast as we can sell it,” he responded. “It takes 2-3 years to build if we are working continuously.

“It will take longer if the market is not as responsive as we hoped.”

The Base’s new rental apartment building, The Landing, is also full steam ahead. Building of 120 units, 10 percent at affordable prices, starts October 1.

“From what I read in the newspaper today, said Mr. Winberg, brandishing a Picton Gazette, “ours is the first of the new projects meeting the definition of affordable coming to the County.”

Read: Prince Edward County’s Affordable Housing Summit

Councillor Bill Roberts asked about the risks involved in building housing in an uncertain real estate market. “There are competing views,” he noted. “At one end of the spectrum there’s worry about a dead housing market, and an absorption problem in terms of what is already there. The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) is forecasting a 7 percent drop in housing starts this year.

“But on the other hand, the Ontario East municipal conference says growth and housing need here is accelerating. Eastern Ontario needs 700,000 new homes. The ‘missing middle’ initiative is addressing an existing supply that is totally unaffordable for younger people.”

Mr. Winberg was emphatic. “Yes, in downtown and midtown Toronto there are too many condos. That’s exceptional.

“In the rest of the country, we still have people looking to get into the market.

“Housing that is well designed, that addresses people’s needs, in addition to being something they want to live in, and that is well priced: that is selling.

“We believe that if we do a really good job and design with purpose — and we think we have done that here — then it will sell.

“Our design is inspired by communities we know are successful. Putting that together with the District, what will be the cultural heart of the county, we think Base31 is going to be an incredibly attractive place to live.”

Built with Purpose

Four core principles shape the new development. “Nothing in this subdivision is standard,” said Mr. Winberg. “The focus is people over cars, and lots and lots of green space.

“Garages are in the rear, on back lanes. That means the front can feature large, welcoming front porches, inviting neighbours to interact.

“There are almost no fences, lots of open spaces, and gardens and parks throughout to invite playing, strolling, cycling, and connecting.”

Unlike the regular, cookie-cutter subdivision, “our streetscapes will be interesting and varied, mixing a huge number of different housing types, stacked townhomes, bungalow towns, and detached homes, on each street.

“The architecture is actually overwhelming our sales center. There are 7 housing types, each with 5-7 different models, and 103 different elevations, or styles, across them all.” Base Living’s Discovery Centre opens to the public at the end of September.

Mayor Ferguson noted, “This is a tough market. The Base’s partners have taken a tremendous risk in investing in this project and in Prince Edward County. On behalf of the municipality I want to thank you for taking that risk and supporting this community — residents, organizations and businesses. 

“This is a very exciting project and it looks terrific. I wish you all the luck in the world so you can build the whole subdivision, Hilltop, as quickly as possible.”