Homes in The Hill area, in downtown Oklahoma City, is under construction Tuesday. PHOTO BY JACONNA AGUIRRE, THE OKLAHOMAN
Developers hope homes top a hill of downtown OKC rivals
STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: November 14, 2008
Bill Canfield admits he has kept pretty quiet about his contribution to downtown housing. But he says he’s ready to start talking about The Hill, which is the largest of the for-sale housing projects launched to date.
The first 24 residences at NE 2 and Russell Perry Avenue are set to be ready for buyers to begin moving in next month. Another 26 residences are in various stages of construction as Canfield continues his plan to build 150 upscale homes downtown.
"This is really a neighborhood,” Canfield said. "It’s been planned — the view won’t be obliterated by a low-end condo building going up between you and everybody else. The other projects are like outposts in the wilderness — this won’t be like that.”
Canfield said he shied away from marketing because of the lag in getting started — about two years — that stemmed from replacing early subcontractors who weren’t up to standards and site complications that faced all downtown housing projects the past few years.
"It’s hard to give people a list of features, construction quality, and then expect them to really know what’s it’s going to look like,” Canfield said.
Setting them apart
Model homes have been open for tours the past few months, however, and Michael Biddinger and First Source Real Estate have taken up the task of selling the residences. The first phase, which consists of smaller homes between 1,600 and 2,100 square feet, are selling for $420,000 to $559,000.
Larger units of up to 3,600 square feet include one unit, already reserved, selling for about $1 million.
Biddinger believes The Hill has a lot to set it apartfrom competitors — fully finished homes that feature granite countertops, 11-foot ceilings, seven-inch crown molding, wood floors, geo-thermal heating and air systems, and storm shelters.
The Hill also will offer 26 designs to choose from.
With residents set to move in, construction will start next year on a "town hall” that will feature a swimming pool, meeting rooms, exercise area and concierge services.
Canfield and Beddinger said they believe Oklahomans will take to urban living if given a chance to see what it’s like.
Michael Biddinger, managing broker and Bill Canfield, principal in The Hill, stand in a home at 216 Russell M. Perry Ave. PHOTO BY JACONNA AGUIRRE, THE OKLAHOMAN
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It still makes me sick that Canfield was given this land by Urban Renewal over the Triangle Partners with their much better plan. Evidence the good ole boy system is still alive and well. There were plenty of the community at the meeting the day they reviewed proposals for this property and most were stunned who they picked.
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