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NEW HOMES & CONDOS

Experiencing Ellicottville

MARTIN SLOFSTRA Editor, New Homes and Condos

It

makes sense. Try a community on for size before you move into it. And so at the invitation of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, I spent a recent weekend at EllicottVillas, a brand new fractional residence and club launched this spring, while also taking in many of the local attractions. Just one hour south of Buffalo and already well known as a ski town, Ellicottville aspires to be a four-season playground combining the charm of an historic town - and its abundance of shops and restaurants - with numerous other outdoor pursuits ranging from golf and hiking to mountain biking and horseback riding. As of this spring, outdoor adventures have another option, zip lining at the recently opened Sky High Adventure Park. That village feel is in perfect evidence everywhere you look, from the way you are greeted by locals to the quaint neighbourhood surroundings and tree-lined streets. "Doesn't this place feel great," declares Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, and host of the tour. (It's also on his business card and has become the village slogan.). The "sell" now is that Ellicottville is more than a vacation spot, it's a place to live, if not year-round then for parts of the year. Hoping to capitalize on Ellicottvile's growing reputation as an all-season resort town are local entrepreneurs Mark and Kathleen Balus, owners of EllicottVillas, Originally intended as a whole ownership luxury vacation home community, the Balus' had attempted to sell the condos as fully owned units but believe the economy hasn't recovered enough to restore investor confidence. As a result, EllicottVillas is transitioning to a fractional private residence club, catering to a market demand for worry-free, flexible vacation homes.

COVER STORY

New 'EllicottVillas' offer four-season vacation living near a charming historic downtown

Buyers can purchase an eightweek-per year/one-sixth undivided interest in either a two, three or four-bedroom class residence, that includes two prime winter weeks and two prime summer weeks. Each villa is designed as a threestory town home with garage, private deck and patio area, offering 3,000 square feet of living space that includes a spacious great room and kitchen, guest room, and third floor master with sitting area and fireplace. Once the clubhouse is completed, owners will also have access to a heated pool and jetted spa, fitness centre, games room, owner's lounge and sauna. As an added enticement, visitors can experience the villas on a trybefore-you-buy basis. Summer rates for the three-bedroom, 3,000 sq. ft. condo are $450/night weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) and $550 weekends (Friday/Saturday). Visitors can stay up a week and if they opt to purchase a fraction, the cost of the stay will be credited back to them. With six units already constructed, three-bedroom and four-bedroom villas are priced at $129,000 and $139,000 per 1/6 share respectively. Special introductory pricing of just $99,000 is also available on two separate two-bedroom floor plans. Located within walking distance of downtown Ellicottville, plans call for expansion from the current 16 villas in phase one to up to 50 homes on the 10 acre site. An easy drive from Ontario, Ellicottville hopes to pique the interest of vacationers who don't want the hassle of air travel but are looking for year-round recreational enjoyment.

WHILE IN ELLICOTTVILLE

It's

amazing how much you can pack into a weekend visit. It helps maybe that everything is so close together - it takes about five minutes to drive across town and most attractions are within walking distance. 1. Ellicottville Brew Factory. So many beers, such little time. A great place to be on a Friday afternoon, to meet with our tour hosts and chat with a few promiment citizens and local business owners. 2. The Silver Fox Steakhouse. Great food and hospitality. The locals, many of whom are ex-Canadians, will make a point of greeting you and make you feel right at home. Who minds waiting an hour or so for a table if the place is so friendly. 3. Coffee Culture. Love the open-pit fire in front of the store. Open all day for either a late night dessert or breakfast. Our Saturday starts here and the grilled cheese sandwich I have is one of the best I have had ever. 4. Golf Academy. I take a lesson courtesy of the Phil Ritson/Mel Sole Golf School at Holiday Valley, rated now as one of the best golf schools in the country. After a few practice shots, the resident golf pro identifies three flaws in my swing (only three?) I have some homework to do and I promise to practice more when I get home. 5. Tour of Ellicottville. Chamber of Commerce executive director Brian McFadden takes me on a tour of the best that the village has to offer including stunning luxury homes that blend beautifully into and offer breathtaking views of the Holiday Ski club area. 6. Sky High Adventure Park. After lunch, it's off to this "playground in the trees" which opened just this summer. Featured attraction is zip lining which I'm told is hard to find in this part of the world. Not as tough as you might think as I see kids as young as six- years-old try the entry-level runs. 7. 'On deck' at EllicottVillas. Finally, some downtime. Never mind it's a cool, wet weekend, that two-way fireplace with one side facing out to a spacious outdoor deck suits us nicely. The remote controlled gas fire- The Toronto Sun n July 8 & 10, 2011 place is a nice touch. 8. Dina's Restaurant, Part One. Quiet sit down dinner and our chance to meet with the owners of EllicottVillas. Local entreprenuers Mark and Kathleen Balus tell us they see great potential based on the quality of life that Ellicottville has to offer. 9. Dina's Restaurant, Part Two. Back here next morning for breakfast at this local favourite. Somebody in our group orders the Burrito bomb with extra salsa, which defies any description I possibly could give it. (See above.) I play it safe and ordered a western (N.Y.) omelette. 10. Downtown Ellicottville . Perfect backdrop for a Sunday stroll. Shops and boutiques galore, lots of crafts from local artisans and friendly shop owners ready to serve you. - Martin Slofstra

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