The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com ADVERTORIAL The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 2, 2008 - 7 `Millpond In The Village' p g Local Builder Delighted to Build in Thornbury, ON By Rebecca Sum " If an idea's worth having once, it's worth having twice" ­ Tom Stoppart (1937 - ) It's been said "twice is the charm" and that's how local builder Jonathan Sprawson president of DQI Design Quorum Inc., feels about the unique ambience of our beautiful town of Oakville and the charm of Thornbury, ON. Just two hours north of Oakville is Thornbury, a picturesque town that closely reflects what we value so much here in our hometown of Oakville. A pleasant downtown, serene harbour and waterfront, scenic trails and an active lifestyle are just a sampling of what awaits you only 15 minutes west of Collingwood. Thornbury has been called "the Oakville of Georgian Bay" and it is the perfect home for the exceptional new construction project `Millpond In The Village' by DQI Design Quorum Inc. A limited collection of 27 luxury townhomes, `Millpond In The Village' is a beautiful residential enclave nestled on the millpond shores in the Town of Blue Mountains. As part of the Georgian Triangle, this delightful town is the ideal setting for those interested in four-season town's council, conservation committees and local politicians was an important facet in the design and building process. DQI speaks highly of them all and appreciates their support. Interestingly, a town building inspector and a local planner have both purchased units in the development. Although being involved in many other projects, both recognized Millpond's unique offerings and are pleased to see it come to fruition. Offering four-season living at its finest, `Millpond In The Village' is just steps from town, harbour, trails, local ski clubs and golf courses. Residents will be able to easily walk or cycle to the vast selection of year-round recreational and says Sprawson. "To do this with some control, we decided early on we had to become the clients. What happens far too often is that a designer will have some great ideas but the client will veto them in the interest of conformity and budget - in our system, we control budgets and design so we have a freer hand." Urban and building design can, in Sprawson's opinion, influence our lives in very positive ways - culturally, socially, physically, economically, spiritually. "We can learn a lot by looking at other models such as small European medieval towns and villages for direction," says Sprawson, adding these wise words: "A look back to go forward." With so much focus on the environment and how we can become more responsible and improve the choices we make, it is refreshing to see business leaders in our community show this same kind of consideration. "When we live in a community and can literally walk or ride a bike to school, work, shopping, or entertainment, we not only save money and time and create a smaller more sustainable living foot print, but we also get to know our neighbours and community - we become part of a greater whole," says Sprawson. work activities. Commenting on the exclusiveness of this project is Christopher Invidiata, Sales Representative with RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage: "It's about living." He adds: "Our buyers are three types of people ­ if you're relocating, you'll live well. If you're active, you'll play well. If you're retiring ­ you'll retire well...it's all here." Currently under construction, Phase 1 of the project (King Street units #1-10) will be ready for occupancy in late fall of this year and purchasers can be in before the ski season starts. Unique to this project are an additional 17 waterfront luxury townhomes with customizable floor plans and numerous upgrade selections. Every convenience has been planned for. Offering all the benefits of condominium living and a maintenance-free lifestyle, clients will also have the opportunity to put an elevator in their unit if needed. With so many options available, prospective purchasers will not be disappointed. "What's living. Not only will you find a relaxing atmosphere close to nature, it's also a wonderful background for those who enjoy the outdoors. Hiking, golfing, flyfishing, biking, canoeing and cross-country skiing are just a few of the many activities one can enjoy here. Meticulously crafted with consideration for the town, environment and homeowner, `Millpond In The Village' is a project that has been seven years in the making. With the first piece of land purchased in the summer of 2000 and construction starting this past October 2007, builder DQI has not lost their exceptional vision for this development. "Being a graduate Architect and having travelled quite extensively for school and pleasure, it gives one an interesting perspective on how we do things and how we could do things," says Jonathan Sprawson. "It has always been my feeling that we have developed enough new land and that we should go back and reuse, rethink, re-design the existing sites," shared Sprawson, adding that DQI has never taken a virgin site and built something new on it. Not always the popular viewpoint of other developers and builders, DQI prides themselves on being the exception. "We have always looked to infill projects," Sprawson and the team at DQI have tried to introduce these ideas in their `Millpond In The Village' project ­ unique design for people and community. "In Millpond, we were trying to create an Ontario coastal architectural style or character - still low maintenance and locally found materials, but introducing an almost nautical look and feel," said Sprawson, adding: "Thornbury is a beautiful example of a small Ontario town, we wanted to build on that." Fundamental to this project is the assurance of continuity and thoughtful, integrated urban planning. With 25 years of award-winning design and construction, DQI oversees every aspect of this project, from architectural drawings and site development, through to the building process and project management. As well, local trades and suppliers have participated wherever possible, providing an invaluable infusion of knowledge of this northern area. Support for the Millpond project has been consistent and unwavering. Not only have neighbouring residents and local businesses been accommodating, even the town's employees saw the potential in DQI's vision for the area. Working closely in cooperation with the exceptional about Millpond is how many of the units can be personalized to each individual, you really can make your own floorplan and have that custombuilt flair," shared Invidiata. To view elevations and review floorplans, visit www.millpondhomes.ca or contact Donna Brookes, Broker with RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage at 905-338-9000 or direct at 905-339-3444 x 228.