Nothing quite compares to the feeling of relaxing up north at the cottage – the gentle breeze across the lake, a sense of tranquility as you gaze out onto the shimmering water, the serene sound of waves lapping the shore. Now imagine all this without the three-hour commute, without battling long-weekend traffic and with all the comforts of home.

Starward Homes recently announced the arrival of Harbourtown at Erie Beach, a charming community of 39 homes nestled on the shores of Lake Erie. Surrounded by history, your shoreside Harbourtown home is a short drive from the U.S. border and embraced in the Niagara Region, offering fantastic shopping, a major airport, exceptional dining and a host of fabulous outdoor amenities.

The Harbourtown community is further enhanced by the Friendship Trail, which extends 16 kilometres through Fort Erie, running parallel to the north shore of Lake Erie and right through Harbourtown.

This relaxing and idyllic trail takes visitors through lush farmland, pretty villages and quiet residential areas, eventually arriving in historic Old Fort Erie, Lake Erie and the Niagara River Recreation Trail. Much of the trail is located upon an abandoned rail line, great for walkers, hikers, cyclists and rollerbladers alike.

“Over the past 100 years, our company has built about 8,000 homes, creating impressive neighbourhoods and responsible developments where the dreams of many, many families have been realized,” says Ward Campbell, president of Starward. “We are now committed to expanding the Starward family of homeowners into the Fort Erie area by providing our customers with a unique home buying experience.”

The Harbourtown site offers nine extraordinary lakefront lots dedicated to custom homes. These enormous lots, some which are up to 58-by-231-feet, are directly adjacent to the Friendship Trail.  It features a picturesque naturalization area to one side and Lake Erie beyond. Purchasers are free to build the home of their dreams, indulging in all the luxuries and extras their heart desires.

Starward Homes is proud to earn recognition as the first builder in Fort Erie to offer homes meeting the Energy Star for new homes specifications. Residents will enjoy a home that is 30 per cent more energy efficient, saving up to three tones of green house gas emissions each year and 1,200 kilowatts in electricity.

Also offered in Harbourtown are semi-detached and single-family homes. Floor plans range from 1,645 to 1,930 square feet and feature charming exterior elevations, some with wraparound front porches and decorative columns. The entire community is architecturally controlled as well, meaning that no two identical homes will appear side-by-side.

Homes are two or three-bedroom designs with some featuring an upstairs loft area for a computer nook and luxurious master bedrooms with walk-in closets and convenient ensuites.

Site: Harbourtown
Location: Fort Erie
Builder: Starward Homes
Price: Starting in the mid $260,000s
Sales Centre: Located on  Bardol Avenue, off Dominion Road or Lakeshore Road in Fort Erie.
Call: 289-320-9078  or visit www.starwardhomes.com. E-mail; harbourtown@starwardhomes.com