WORRY-FREE LIVING: Presidio Condos at Briargate

   Question: Where can you find a quiet, comfortable, low-maintenance home just a few minutes from shopping and other essentials? 

  Answer: Presidio Condos At Briargate, that's where. The Land Visions LLC development, southeast of Union Boulevard and Briargate Parkway, is so well-built you'll feel you're in a quiet countryside.
   And yet, residents can walk to the Marketplace at Briargate, which includes a grocery store, bank, dentist, eye doctor and several restaurants. It's not much farther to Memorial Hospital North and the Promenade Shops at Briargate.
   "The market that we're targeting are 50 to 55-plus active adults, singles, people changing lifestyles, widows, widowers, divorcees, people who suddenly find a need for smaller accommodations, but still don't want to give up what they're accustomed to in terms of lifestyle, accommodations, convenience. And that's what we've tried to incorporate here," said Wayne Florek, Land Visions' vice president of capital and business development.
   "The other side of the change of status from married to single is that they want to stay in School District 20, so their kids stay in those schools," said Brad Larson, executive vice president and founding partner.
   The community will consist of 12 two-story buildings, with eight condos in most. Another developer started the project with two buildings close to the corner of Union and Family Place. Land Visions closed on the property in May 2007.
   "We just happened to come across this and it happened to be the right opportunity at the right price to do what we wanted to do," Florek said.
   Land Visions learned from its predecessor's mistakes, such as thinking that six garage spaces were adequate for an eight-unit building.
   "We looked at the plans, the structural details, and realized that the first two buildings had two huge dividing walls in the basement. So we took those out, put supporting pillars in and opened up the garage area," Florek said. That also allowed space for elevators to the residences, making every unit handicap-accessible.
   Those original buildings have exterior staircases; Land Visions changed that on subsequent buildings, making access more secure.
   The two-bedroom, two-bath condos are approximately 1,200 square feet and start at $209,500. A combo unit, which doubles the size and adds a half-bath and an optional third bedroom, starts at $350,000.
   The hardwood-floored entry leads to a roomy dining area, with a standard brushed-nickel and frosted-glass chandelier. The living room includes a ceiling fan and a gas fireplace surrounded by tile available in various colors. Above the fireplace, an optional niche is large enough for a television.
   Sliding glass doors lead to a balcony which, in many units, offers views of the Front Range. At one end of the balcony, a closet houses the water heater, air conditioner and heating units; a storage space at the other end is perfect for stashing chairs and tables.
   The roomy master suite includes a ceiling fan and walk-in closet. An optional window seat, which opens for storage, is perfect for reading or napping.
   In the bath, Corian countertops with drop-in sink are standard, but buyers may upgrade to an integral sink and Silestone countertop. Tubs are standard in both baths, but buyers may add a showerhead.
   In combo units, the master suite includes a sitting area with fireplace, a private balcony, a larger walk-in closet and an expanded bath with twin vanities and a separate shower.
   On the other side of the basic units' living rooms, a short hallway leads to a second bedroom. The second bath is nearby, as is the laundry area. They, plus the kitchen, are on the common walls.
   "There's a foot of space fully insulated between units and 18 inches of space fully insulated between each floor. So the sound insulation is excellent," Florek said.
   At 11 by 11 feet, the kitchen is larger than what's usually found in condos.
   "It has a lot of room - you could have two people in here at the same time, working, and not bump into each other," Florek said. The large expanse of Aristokraft cabinetry comes in the standard light oak with flat panels, but owners can upgrade to other colors and raised panels.
   General Electric dishwashers, oversized microwaves and induction cooktops/self-cleaning ovens are included. The appliances come in various options, as does the tile backsplash.
   "We've already broken ground on the next two units, and if somebody gets in during pre-construction, they can pick out kitchen cabinets, tile, whatever they want," Florek said.
   Vinyl flooring is standard, but buyers may upgrade to hardwood. The standard countertops are Corian, with Silestone upgrades. The standard double sinks come in stainless steel, with porcelain or enamel on cast iron as the upgrade. The sinks face a breakfast bar, so it's ideal for chatting with guests while washing up.
   Overhead, recessed lighting is standard, but buyers may upgrade to frosted-glass globes suspended from brushed-nickel fixtures. Every condo has 9-foot ceilings, programmable Carrier temperature controls, smoke alarm and sprinkler systems, and Milgard vinyl windows. Top-floor units have two skylights, and the well-lit parking garages include lockable storage spaces. Each building has a satellite dish, with residents billed individually, and Internet service is through PorchLight Communications.
   Larson and Florek emphasized Presidio's low-maintenance lifestyle, a plus for people who love to travel.
   "You can literally lock up your home, go away and come back and it's in the same condition it was when you left. We've taken away the need to have a lawnmower," Larson said.
   Lush grass, trees and native plants complement the stone and stucco facades. HOA dues of $125 per month pay for exterior maintenance, snow and trash removal, and exterior hazard insurance.
   Residents looking for exercise may cross Union to the 110-acre John Venezia Community Park or walk two blocks east to the Briargate Family Center YMCA.
   Land Visions is already planning other projects, including one downtown. Larson and Florek won't go into details, but advise people who are seeking that ideal home keep an eye on the company Web site, www.landvisionsllc.com.   

For more information about Presidio Condominiums, contact Susan Koutantos at 719-282-9611.