Buyers moving up or moving down
Have Canadian architects solved a problem for homeowners that has plagued the concept of owning since the dawn of time? When you have a baby, mom is moving in, or the nest is finally empty, most people pack up their belongings and move.
Toronto buyers can now invest in the downtown condos where rather than buy a standard pre-designed floor plan like all homes have historically purchased, the FlexNatür buildings offer units of space and residents can add or sell increments of space as available and reconfigure the floorplan.
Flexible condos
Prices start at $250,000 and the architect describes the flexible units as having a “modular reconfigurable raised floor system which is 10″ above the concrete slab. This allows us and the future owners to reconfigure the suite(s) in the future without penetrating the slab and suite below. Drains, taps and plumbing are all in the raised floor. Connection is easily made to strategically place plumbing risers: you could move your shower on a weekend, move the kitchen, etc. The raised floor area is only on the empty side so you step down into sunken (higher ceiling height living rooms, kitchens, dining areas and bedrooms (9′-0″ high ceilings vs. 8′-2″ above)).”
RE/MAX Realtor, Mark Savel said, “The concept works something like this…say you buy two 1 bedroom units next each other and you’re currently live in house outside of downtown (or wherever). After several years of renting out the units, you decide your home is too much of a hassle with maintenance and such, and plan on downsizing to a condo. You can take those two units and combine them into one very easily with the FlexNatür system giving you the space and size you desire.”
Picture tour of FlexNatür units
Evil geniuses in Canada?
Is this a brilliant idea that could sustain itself over time or a passing trend? Could homeowners’ ability to alter their floorplan cut down on the number of moves they make? Do less moves mean less commissions? Are Canadian architects evil geniuses taking down the residential real estate agent? We kid, but we DO want to know what you think of the implications of FlexNatür?
Cheryl Johnson
April 17, 2011 at 6:23 am
If I read this correctly, your ability to expand depends on owning or purchasing adjacent modules. If someone else already owns the adjoining module, you would need to purchase it from the guy who owns it? Sounds like an interesting niche for an agent.
By the way, single-family homeowners have always had the option of altering their floorplans by hiring an architect and contractor.
Benjamin Bach
April 17, 2011 at 7:25 am
Ya it's not so different 🙂