Fox Run Richmond – Caivan Communities
[dropcap]R[/dropcap]Richmond is celebrating its’ 200th anniversary this year and the planned launch of Fox Run by Caivan Communities on Richmond’s western development land is arguably the beginning of the single largest change to come about in Richmond in 200 years! Frank Cairo, developer and co-founder of Caivan Development Corporation stated “launching Fox Run during Richmond’s bicentennial year is no accident either.”
The official launch of Fox Run is coming early this spring. The sod is already in at the entrance to the show homes that are now taking shape. New home sales will soon begin. The deep communal well and pump house that will service the community is 75% complete. The wells should be commissioned and in place by summer. Building lot servicing has commenced and should be completed by summer with new home construction beginning in the fall. Cairo maintains the storm water management pond and park landscaping around it is going to transform the view of the property from Perth street. That will be something to watch for soon.
It is fair to say that not everybody in Richmond is happy with development on the scale proposed by Caivan Communities. The company recognized the concerns of the community and cut the number of homes original proposed by 25%. A second large developer, Mattamy Homes, has plans for a development of a similar size on the same lands. Taken together these two subdivision plans would result in a doubling of Richmond’s population over time. That doesn’t sit well with many who fear a loss of village feel and character. It appears that Mr. Cairo has heard those concerns as well.
[pullquote-left]“I want Fox Run to be seen as a contribution to 200 years of history in the village.”[/pullquote-left]Cairo stated “I want Fox Run to be seen as a contribution to 200 years of history in the village. Our community will look nothing like a cookie cutter homogeneous build. When it comes to colour, material and features there will be nothing on the Ottawa market compared to Fox Run. We spent vast amounts on design to achieve that goal.”
“We will be using all natural material and a style of architecture that is authentic in its attempt to return to a style that goes back 200 years. Richmond’s Fox Run will have no vinyl siding. Our product will be aggressively priced. At the same time it will be a custom quality product at a production price.”
One reason construction has been delayed is to take the time necessary for extensive consultation with prospective customers. From a campaign launched during the 2017 Richmond Fair entitled “I Love Richmond” through to focus groups and other input, a lot of prospective customers have contributed feedback to the design process.[pullquote-right]“Fox Run constitutes a reinvention of the home based on all the feedback received from customers.”[/pullquote-right] “Fox Run constitutes a reinvention of the home based on all the feedback received from customers” stated Cairo. “We heard very clearly there is a need for more open concept spaces, more windows, more frontage and more functional basement spaces.”
In short, Fox Run will showcase a completely new product in terms of architecture, community planning and lot sizing with larger lots than in a typical new development in Ottawa.
Customers are responding well with over a thousand having registered interest already. Phase I will result in approximately 163 homes being constructed. At full build out the community could contain approximately 750 single family homes comprising a mix of detached as well as town homes. There will be up to 31 new streets and a park. There are no town homes planned in the first phase. Cairo believes that for the type of product he plans to build there is a real gap in supply. As well, customer feedback is showing a strong preference for the Richmond location with all the infrastructure that is in place and the lack of crowding when compared to other growth areas in the City.
Fox Run is special to Frank Cairo and Caivan Communities for another reason. As an independently planned and constructed community it is their “first born”! From their new offices at 2934 Baseline Rd., Frank and his team of about fifty well experienced staff are moving forward quickly as a medium size builder in the marketplace. This is the first of several big steps. Orleans Village will follow Fox Run later in the spring and a community in Barrhaven is planned for fall. Added to that are plans for eight new master planned communities in the Greater Toronto Area on over 800 acres and five active communities in South West Florida on over 700 acres.
Obviously, Frank Cairo is no stranger to development and home building. His pedigree in the development industry is quite unique. He knew he always wanted to be in the development industry and see the outcome of his work but it wasn’t until he worked as a co-op student at Mattamy Homes that he got a clear picture of his goal. “I always wanted to establish my own business and establish my own rules about how communities and homes should be built. I want to do it the right way and meet consumers where they want to be.”
At the age of 28 he lead the Ottawa Division of Mattamy homes, Canada’s largest land development and home building company, as President. In that capacity he was directly involved in the development of Richmond’s Community Design Plan. Considering his senior management experience in the industry, coupled with a background in civil engineering as well as that of a professional planner he is well equipped to take on most any development task. Since founding the business with his friend and fellow University of Waterloo grad, Troy van Haastrecht, Caivan Communities has become a force to watch on the Canadian land and home development front.
Expectations have been set high and Richmond residents will be watching as Fox Run launches and grows. If you are interested in following the launch of Fox Run you are encouraged by Mr. Cairo to register on Caivan Communities website at http://caivan.com/communities/ The company continues to gather input into their design and development. Ideas and feedback are always welcome. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
So here comes the next 100 years in Richmond!
