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Stabroek News

Brittany Manor revived - Wood's Havendale development 80% complete
published: Sunday | April 29, 2007


A section of Brittany Manor, a new housing development under construction in Havendale, St. Andrew, with the detached helper's quarters in front. The units which were sold for $10-$10.5 million have appreciated to $12-$12.5 million, says developer Christopher Wood. - Photo by Ashford w Meikle

Ashford W Meikle, Business Reporter

Christopher Wood's Brittany Manor, a gated community of about 50 two-bedroom middle-income townhouses on Watervale Avenue in upper Havendale, is back on the market and near completion, the developer said last week, having shaken off the controversy that prompted a cease order by local authorities two years ago.

"The project is almost 80 per cent complete and we are aiming for a completion date of June this year," Wood told Sunday Business on site tour last week.

Do well for purchasers

"It's going to do well for the purchasers and those who stuck with us are pleased with the price appreciation of their units," he noted, alluding to the controversy the development caused when the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation locked it down.

The original project, known as Watervale Operation Pride, was abandoned by National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) in 1999 after the development had caused major flooding in the surrounding areas from heavy rains in September of that year.

Wood bought the 4.5 acre property two years ago from NHDC but was immediately faced with opposition from the Water Resources Authority, Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, NEPA and residents in Havendale and Meadowbrook who argued that the development would adversely affect their properties during the rainy season and create a strain on the water infrastructure.

But, the developer, who has some 20 years experience, said the issue was blown out of proportion and that rectification of the faults was really a simple matter.

"It was no big thing really. With my prior experience I knew what the issues were even before I bought the property. The first scheme was abandoned because they did not put in infrastructure for the drainage system, which cost only $17 million," he said.

"I don't know how they could have started a development without doing a proper technical assessment," reflected Wood.

The problem, he said, existed long before the project, adding that flooding has been a problem for Havendale residents for the past 50 years.

"The technical personnel were aware of it but nobody wanted to put in the proper drainage system for the area," said the developer.

Having decided to go ahead with the project, Wood went about the construction of Brittany Manor - literally a glade surrounded by the hills of Havendal>"I demolished the three existing structures which [NHDC] had put up," he said. "They were small, did not fit in with what I had in mind and were below the road level."

Having done that, Wood constructed a 4,000 square-foot drainage system on the property leading to underground culverts, which connect to the storm drainage system.

"All our units are above the road level so, even in the absence of the drainage system, the water would still flow on the road and if the public system fails, the homes would still not be affected," the developer said.

Standard fixtures

All of Brittany Manor's two bedroom-two-and-a-half bathroom townhouses, feature detached helper's quarters, double carport as well as backyard space.

The units are 1,400 square feet with the usual standard fixtures as well as ceiling fans and water heater. Recreational facilities will include a gym, clubhouse, swimming pool, badminton court, jogging trail, children's pool and waterfall.

Originally, the units came on the market for $8 million but, in the past two years, there has been a 25 per cent appreciation in their selling price with the remaining townhouses sold for between $10 to $10.5 million. They now have an estimated value of $12 to $12.5 million.

Sales are handled by Valerie Levy and Associates, and the units are all said to be sold.

Targeting the requirement for the market

"I am targeting what is required in the market. I have been speaking with real-estate agents and they say that there is a shortage of homes in this price range," said Woods.

"When you compare prices you can't get comparable units elsewhere in Kingston. If these units were in Cherry Gardens or Norbrook, they would be going for $16-$18 million."

The developer says he is able to contain his costs because he does not subcontract the construction, and has an on-site office.

Wood's other developments have included Chrisann's Beach Resort in Tower Isle; Margate Mews and the Madera Manor, two townhouse complexes on Shortwood Road; Norbrook Green in Norbrook, Waterloo Station on Waterloo Avenue, as well as luxury townhouses in Cherry Gardens.

ashford.meikle@gleanerjm.com

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