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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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by Sue Orsen/The Victoria Gazette All residents of Victoria Flats have daily access to a large and luxurious open-air patio on the rooftop of the five story building in downtown Victoria. Equal patio access is granted to those paying $1,100/month for a studio apartment and those paying $2,400/month for a plush two-bedroom apartment. Views to the north reveal Stieger Lake and its northern shoreline in Carver Park. Everybody loves a lake! The attractive buildings in between are the Lakeside constructed in 2014 (on the left) and the City Hall/Library which opened in January 2015. Views to the west are especially interesting on Classic Car Nights when people-watching is better than anything on television or at the Mall. Off in the distance rise the Stieger Lake Condos built in 2004. The firepit on the Victoria Flats patio especially attracts residents on a cool evening. A row of chaise lounges offers naps and reading time in the sunshine much like at a sandy beach resort. Gas grills are available in addition to the private deck opportunities. The rooftop patio is a favorite daytime amenity of Victoria Flats residents. Doors to the patio are closed every night at 11 o'clock. *** Thank you, Karen Fogarty (VF Leasing Consultant) and Alexandra Anderson (VF Property Manager moving to the Corporate Office) for your hospitality and information, and welcome to Victoria, Burgundy Abram (new VF Property Manager). In responding to comments about apartment rental fees being on the high end, Karen replied, "They're in line with metro area numbers, and we were 100% leased less than a year after becoming available. Maybe people don't realize all the amenities that come along with being a resident of Victoria Flats." Karen referred to the rooftop patio and firepit, the well-used fitness room, the community room, the coffee bar, several other strategically located gathering spaces, 91 enclosed parking spaces, a car wash area, also a dog wash area and dog run -- not to mention beautiful downtown Victoria with its restaurants, ice cream parlour, lake, outdoor bandstand, library, brewery, salons, shops, bike trails, and Carver Park, all on its doorstep. *** "Our residents seem to love the environment here," said Karen. "It's not ever too crazy and it's not too quiet. It's a nice place to live." Added Alexandra, "Our residents love the town. They love the walkability, the lake, the restaurants. It all makes them want to stay." She said that generally the renewable leases are for 12 months. Where do Victoria Flats residents come from? "They come from all over," replied Karen, "including other states but mostly from Minnesota, 70%, and we have lots of people from Victoria." When Owner Bill Beard was asked how he found Victoria, he replied, "We didn't find Victoria. Victoria found us. City staff called and asked if we could meet and discuss the various redevelopment opportunities that could be available in Victoria. We accepted and became excited about what Victoria had to offer." *** Victoria Flats is quite a large footprint and presence in downtown Victoria. Bill Beard confirmed that the footprint of the building is 23,527 square feet, for a total building square footage (five floors) of 117,628 square feet. It replaced what was formerly a single family home and a public parking lot. The Flats is approximately 46 to 49 feet high on Quamoclit Street (above) and a little higher from the car court (parking lot side). The private, enclosed parking garage on the bottom two levels, which accommodates 91 cars, was nearly empty on the recent Monday afternoon, August 20th. Where were the cars? "People are at work," said Alexandra. In other words, most residents at Victoria Flats are younger than retirement age. There are 15 new public parking spaces on the perimeter of the Flats -- 9 parallel and 6 diagonal. The outdoor parking lot includes 37 public parking spaces. *** THE REST OF THE STORY IS IN THE PAPER EDITION. |
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September 2018 |
