Copper Creek Condominiums

It looks as though Princeton is in for another change and it’s happening as we speak.

What was formerly known over the years as the Princeton Apartments, is now re-named the Copper Creek Condos, is in the process of being renovated, refurbished and rejuvenated.

“This is an apartment building that was built 25 or 30 years ago, was well maintained,“ says owner Wayne Hunter of the new project. “We basically make them new, we create a new Strata council-a new condominium corporation, so the owners will basically take over the management.”

While driving through town, Hunter saw some real potential in buying the building to convert it into a condominium-type arrangement, to have owners instead of renters, giving the housing crisis in town a little leverage at what he considers will be at a reasonable selling price.

“It just seemed that with everything going on, the opening of the mine, the extension of the golf course, Weyerhaeuser making a decision to consolidate a lot of its operation there,” said Hunter. “The building looked perfect and when we did our investigations, we found out that there wasn’t a lot of housing choice.”

Just recently, Hunter’s company, Global Pacific Financial Corporation, had a similar situation happen in Vernon.

“I think there were 60 some-odd units up there,” says Hunter of the project. “That was a great project—very well received—we sold one-third of the units all in one week. Here in Princeton, we will spend almost as much fixing these up, renovating them, putting in new appliances, which will include an over-the-range microwave oven, new water distribution lines, new electrical boxes, new windows and new venting for the ensuite washers and dryers.”

The plan for finalization of the project is estimated to be the end of August or early September when all units will be ready for sale.

With all new appliances, added balconies, newly built cabinetry, laminate floors, new carpeting, window coverings and fresh paint, not to mention its location just across from scenic Rotary Park, these units will likely not last long on the market. An elevator is also being installed for those, especially seniors, who have difficulty negotiating the stairwells.

“The carpets will be light—a neutral colour, $6,000 worth of cabinetry, all new appliances, new dishwasher, there’s no dishwasher here right now—new window coverings, tiled bathrooms

The building consists of 3 bachelors, 6-two bedrooms, 4 one-bedrooms.

“From the building, you can walk over to the park, Overwaitea, community centres, Seniors’ centre—it’s all central. The most important part,” says Hunter, is we’re catering mostly to seniors.”

With respect to the safety of the building, Hunter made sure everything is up-to-snuff.

“We hired an architect and they had to go through here back in the spring to identify all of the fire/safety issues,” explains Hunter on being the building up to code. “We’re replacing the baseboard heaters just better rated.”

“We want to do everything you can to not make this an apartment building,” says Hunter. “You want people to think that this is an absolute distinct, residential address, so you do all the design features here…we’re going to have nice little marble signs with the address, with the unit.”

Being a condominium, the owners of their units can run the operation, or hire someone to manage it for them.

When the work is done and the units are ready for viewing, Hunter plans to have an Open House by mid-September.

“It’ll be a pretty exciting day,” says Hunter of the event. “Well have lot of people here, probably a radio station on site.

The units will run from $99,000 to somewhere around $179,000 depending on the number of bedrooms and floor.

“I’ll create the first rule, but definitely I will allow small pets,” says Hunter. “Definitely I will allow small dogs—up to 20 lbs....it’s good for people—it’s good for your health.”

For more information on the Copper Creek condominiums, call Wayne Hunter on his toll-free line at 1-866-824-9678.