Minto Communities Canada is set to launch Phase II of its Heights of Harmony master-planned community in Oshawa, offering homes for a diverse range of families types in Durham Region.

Heights of Harmony is Minto’s third community in Durham Region and its second in Oshawa – a suburban city located just east of Toronto. The multi-phased master-planned community in northern part of the city is to be built out to include approximately 800 housing units on 97.5 acres, according to Vince Santino, vice-president of development for Minto Group.

Santino told RENX Homes Minto is “reinforcing our commitment to Oshawa and to Durham, and to do our part to increase much-needed family housing in what we think is one of Canada’s fastest growing communities” with Heights of Harmony.

The second phase of the development will add 168 townhomes suited for diverse lifestyles in a city Minto says is experiencing “unprecedented growth.”

Minto is a fully-integrated land developer and homebuilder that has constructed over 99,000 homes and has an investment management portfolio of $4.1 billion as of January 2022.

It has presence in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and the United States.

Heights of Harmony Phase II

Phase I of the development broke ground this spring and has sold out. Phase II, located off Harmony Road North adjacent to the first phase, will launch in late September.

It is called Heights of Harmony because of the natural landscape in the area – rolling hills and open spaces – Santino said. A 28-acre park near a six-kilometre trail system will anchor the community.

Unlike Phase I which consisted of traditional townhomes and single-detached family homes, Minto emphasized a different mix of housing in Phase II: back-to-back and rear-lane townhomes.

The back-to-back townhomes will start in the $600,000 range and have floor space between 1,349 square feet to 1,628 square feet with two- or three-bedroom options. The rear-lane townhomes range upwards from 1,886 square feet and will start in the $800,000 range with three- or four-bedroom units equipped with front yards and two-car garages.

“The variety of housing types, or mix of homes, was very well received,” Santino said. “Certainly, you cater to a wider market when you’re doing that.”

Heights of Harmony Phase II emphasizes supporting different life stages, including first-time buyers and young families, to “move-up” buyers and multigenerational homes.

Minto feels there are many first-time buyers in north Oshawa who grew up in the area and wish to remain in the city, which the company is accommodating with back-to-back townhomes as an entry-level product. The rear-lane townhomes are designed for families that want to move up to a bigger townhome.

Flexible floor plans for certain models in both types of townhomes will allow for individual adjustments to work-from-home or home office layouts, or additional bathrooms.

Sustainability is built into the homes through energy efficiency measures that received Energy Star for New Homes certifications, and high-performance building envelopes to reduce heating and cooling needs.

The community is near Highways 401 and 407, as well as the Oshawa GO Bus Station. It is also close to shopping centres, educational institutions including Ontario Tech University and the Oshawa lakeshore – the city is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario.

Heights of Harmony won the 2023 BILD Award for the low-rise project of the year, which Santino said is a testament to the quality of its design.

Minto’s plans for Heights of Harmony and other communities

Minto’s intent for Heights of Harmony is to see it grow into four phases. Future phases will again offer single-family homes.

Santino said Minto is still is seeking future development opportunities in Oshawa and Durham Region.

Phase I is planned to welcome its first homeowners in the fall of 2023. Phase II site servicing is expected to run from the fall and into the spring of 2024, with the first homeowners moving in by the end of 2024.

Elsewhere, Minto also has two high-rise communities in downtown Toronto and its Union Village community in Markham under construction. In Etobicoke, it will launch the West Shore community in October and hopes to have residents moving into a high-rise community in Oakville (Oak Village) later this year.

Santino said Minto will also continue to focus on growing its presence in the markets of Ottawa, Calgary, British Columbia and in the U.S.