Nestled on the edge of Kanata Lakes, just minutes from the area’s best shopping, restaurants and entertainment, you’ll find The Normand luxury apartments. Constructed by Lépine Apartments, the colourful maritime-inspired building offers residents a carefree, upscale lifestyle unique to the Lépine brand. With a focus on open accessible spaces, luxury finishes and amenities designed to improve quality of life, The Normand is as much about the experience as it is about the residence.

Opened in February, the six-floor building offers one, two and three-bedroom rental apartments ranging in size from 770 to 1,900 square feet. The units are spacious and feature top-of-the-line appliances and high-end finishes. Kitchens are equipped with top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, and tile backsplashes and flooring. Stunning natural wood cabinets (Laurysen Kitchens Ltd.) offer plenty of storage and each unit has a convenient breakfast bar as well as a more formal dining area. All apartments have their own in-suite laundry, and many have utility closets for added storage.

Select units offer special features such as a built-in home office, large walk-in shower, ensuite bath, balcony, or private terrace. With a wide variety of layouts and configurations, residents can choose a floor plan that works best for their lifestyle. The apartments are designed with ease of living and sustainability in mind. The first thing you’ll notice, says Cindy, are the “wide open spaces. The apartments are large and airy.” Entrances and doorways are oversize to allow for easy movement and large windows flood the space with natural light. All units feature beautiful hardwood floors (Westboro Flooring & Decor Inc.) in the main living areas, while the bedrooms are kept cozy with plush wall-to-wall carpeting.

But what truly sets The Normand apart is the lifestyle it provides, says Lépine leasing specialist Cindy Massicotte. Residents can simply “lock and leave and don’t have to worry about anything,” she says. “We have an on-site superintendent and everything necessary to ensure you can just relax and enjoy life.”

The building is especially appealing to people who are interested in living in Kanata Lakes but don’t want the responsibility of owning a home and the upkeep that comes with it. A focus on health and wellness is evident in the many amenities available to residents at The Normand. There’s an indoor saltwater pool, a well-appointed fitness centre and a tranquil yoga studio that allow tenants to workout at their convenience without ever having to leave home. The outdoor courtyard provides greenspace and walking paths, and the convenient location offers easy access to nearby parks and Kanata Lake’s many walking trails.

There are also several common areas that encourage an active social life, including indoor and outdoor sitting areas and shared terraces. A large games room offers billiards, card tables and a big screen TV, making it a perfect place to host a gathering or get-together with friends in the building.

When it comes to the colourful exterior of The Normand, Cindy reveals that company president Francis Lépine “comes up with the different designs and loves to think outside of the box.” Using the Maritime Way street name as a jumping off point, Cindy says, “Francis was inspired by the colourful Newfoundland houses and the design evolved from there.”

The maritime theme is carried throughout the building with architectural features like circular windows and a stained precast concrete exterior that looks like wood siding. Subtle nautical touches such as a compass and wave motif outside the pool, and a vintage navy diving helmet in the mailroom, add a little whimsy to the common areas.

Lépine Apartments is a family-owned-and operated company. With almost 50 properties completed, Lépine has become a leading builder and operator of resort-style rental communities in Eastern Ontario.

“We build them to last with a focus on quality materials and sustainability,” says Cindy.

In today’s climate, where rising house prices and soaring interest rates have made luxury living unattainable for many people, the lifestyle The Normand offers is more attractive than ever. Without the burden of home maintenance and mortgage payments, condo fees, property taxes and special assessments, people have the time and financial freedom to live a different lifestyle.