Article by Denise Deveau – Postmedia Content Works
Anne Robinson has a special distinction at St. Elizabeth Village located on Hamilton Mountain, also affectionately called the Village. She’s the very first condo purchaser for the Upper Mill Pond project scheduled to open in October of this year.
“I’m Numero Uno. I’m super excited to move in.”
When Robinson viewed the plans two years ago she couldn’t wait to join the community, so she also bought an existing Garden Home in the Village to begin experiencing the lifestyle right away, she said.
The 76-suite mid-rise Upper Mill Pond project by Zest Communities is the latest addition to the Village, which includes 558 existing Garden Homes and 1000 residents aged 55+ who enjoy all the pleasures of an active lifestyle on the 114-acre property,
Developed with Forrec’s master plan, the Village will include a town square, restaurants, theatre and shops and long stretches of nature trails for hiking enthusiasts. Upper Mill Pond offers a variety of unit layouts, ranging in size from 733 sq. ft. to 1,328 sq. ft. Additional amenities include a health club, indoor pool with a hot tub, exercise room and movement studio, private patio area, café, guest suite, lobby lounge, and event space with a kitchen for entertaining and gathering.
Robinson said she wasn’t in the market to buy when she saw the Village for the first time. “I actually came with a friend who was looking to buy a condo and invited me to join her. As soon as I got here, I just liked the feel of the place. I felt so at home.”
One of the first things she is looking forward to after she moves in, is sitting in the living room lounge in front of the fireplace reading a book, she said. “It’s just such a nice place to be.”
Her new ground-floor two-bedroom, two-bath unit features a spacious 22-foot patio surrounded by shrubbery. “Having the pool and everything on the first floor is what attracted me,” she said.
Evelyn Eaton first purchased a townhome unit in the Village with her husband Ivan, after trying an upscale retirement home. “Our house in Niagara-on-the-Lake was too big and became too much work, so we decided it was time for us to move into a senior residence. It took a month for the novelty to wear off. I can’t say anything bad about it. We just weren’t ready for that kind of life, so we ended up buying a little house in the Village.”
Sadly, Ivan passed shortly after they moved in 2019, so she decided a condo would be better suited to living on her own. “I’ll be about a block away from where I am now. The condo will be a new beginning for everything – for me, for life as a single person, and the end of COVID hopefully.”
As a first-floor unit buyer, she appreciates the fact that all the amenities are on the same floor. “The hot tub, sauna, pool and gym are right across the hall from me. I can imagine myself sneaking over there for a late-night sauna,” she said.
While her family would like her to return to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Eaton values her independence. “I have a two-bedroom unit so my children and grandchildren can come and stay from time to time.”
Her loyal companion these days is her Pomeranian Kodi. “He’s been my lifesaver. I’m so thankful I have him. And I’ll have a big patio for him to run around on.”
Agi Felvideki said that when she heard about the project, she looked into it right away. “I loved that it’s surrounded with wildlife and waterfronts.”
The last time she moved was 25 years ago to her townhome in Mississauga. “It’s a different generation living here today. Now it’s time to go.”
Her new one-bedroom unit is on the third floor facing the property’s two ponds. “I love the location of the building. It’s right in the middle of the Village so everything is in walking distance.”
An added bonus is that a friend of hers who came with her when she was viewing the site purchased a townhome in the same village. “She’s there already.”
A successful entrepreneur, Felvideki plans to continue to run her decorating business Creative Dreams. “Some people are still active in their professions and want to give back to the community. I would love to do that. The atmosphere in the Village creates a great environment for everybody to be active. After all, you want to have fun at this age too.”
To learn more about the community, and its available units, visit www.stelizabethvillage.com/uppermillpond/ and start living with Zest.