Move-in ready Lexford offers a new chapter in a familiar neighbourhood

Jelson Padrón Sánchez had been looking for a place to buy for well over a year before he decided on Lexford.

“I took my time,” Sánchez said.

“I lived nearby, so I know the area very well. I saw the building, the developer, the construction, the whole process. I passed by every single day to and from work and just kept an eye on it.”

Located at the junction of Shaughnessy Street and Prairie Avenue, the 117-home, four-storey development is Polygon’s first apartment building in Port Coquitlam. The building’s West Coast Modern exterior features a striking combination of white, charcoal and black, accented by wood-look beams and brick detailing.

For Sánchez, a first-time homebuyer who had been renting a one-bedroom basement suite a few blocks away, buying a brand-new home wasn’t initially part of the plan.

“I was looking to buy something used, I would say, something between five and 15 years old.

“I went to some places, different apartments, but I was not happy with what I was looking at. I’m too picky, I’m too clean.

“My realtor told me, ‘Well, Jelson, I think to reach your standards, maybe it would be a good idea to have something new.’”

Lexford offers seven floor plans, ranging from studios to three-bedroom homes, some with flexible spaces. Interiors come in two colour schemes, Trail and River, and feature nine-foot ceilings, low-E windows, roller blinds and plush carpeting in bedrooms.

Contemporary kitchens feature engineered stone countertops and spacious islands, while bathrooms and ensuites have a spa-inspired esthetic. Most homes include a covered deck or ground-floor patio, and many offer mountain views. Heat-pump systems provide heating and air conditioning, while the building is constructed to BC Energy Step Code 3 standards.

Unlike many new developments, Lexford was completed before sales began.

“We thought it would be better to come to market with finished homes so that people could tour their options and touch, feel and see exactly what they’d be buying,” said senior VP of marketing Goldie Alam.

The approach allowed prospective buyers to check out the building’s amenities firsthand.

A welcoming lobby features double-height ceilings, comfortable seating and an electric fireplace. Motion-activated lighting brightens the space as residents enter, while a wall of parcel lockers keeps deliveries organized.

Also on the main floor, a spacious fitness studio features modern equipment and a dedicated yoga and stretching area. A communal lounge has a café-like ambience, with comfortable seating and space for residents to gather.

For Sánchez, who regularly works out, the fitness facilities were a particular attraction.

“My gym is about a 15-minute drive from here, so I’ll probably cancel my membership and use the gym in the building,” he said.

“The yoga room is impressive, too. It’s small but very cute, and nice enough for yoga or tai chi, for people who like that.”