With roots in custom homebuilding and a focus on care and concern for the customer, Lucchetta Homes has built a business around homes “that we will want to live in ourselves.” Long established in Niagara, the company is also now poised to take advantage of the growing interest in the region.

Sales Associate Paul Snack explains Lucchetta’s philosophy, and the appeal of smaller markets such as St. Catharines and Fonthill.

It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of 2021. What kind of a year has it been for Lucchetta Homes?

Considering that many companies had a tough struggle throughout these past 20 months, we have been very fortunate at Lucchetta Homes to have had a pretty good year. The residential building industry was allowed to continue construction throughout the pandemic. While we all had to follow strict industry protocols (and continue to do so today), we haven’t stopped. The road wasn’t always smooth, and we faced unexpected cost increases and shortages of materials due to supply chain disruptions. We experienced some delays, but our customers were very understanding. Bottom line is, everyone at Lucchetta has been healthy and safe.

What is it about Lucchetta that helps it stand out from other builders in your market?

The housing market, as we all know, has been very strong lately, and we have benefitted. Our creative home designs and intriguing neighbourhood concepts resonate with our clients. Lusso Urban Towns in St. Catharines has shown to be a great fit for families, while our development at Hunters Pointe in Welland is a wonderful active adult lifestyle community.

The Lucchetta family has been developing communities in the Niagara Region since 1960. Naturally, the market evolves a lot over such a span of time, but what are some of the more notable changes in the last few years?

Throughout the company’s evolution, Rob and Ed Lucchetta realized it would be much more efficient to build a collection of homes in one location than to shuffle the company’s tradesmen from one custom house to another within the region. Lucchetta Homes is now concentrating on designing and developing a number of communities in the Welland and Fonthill areas, and now expanding into St. Catharines at Lusso. With the new work-from-home trend, buyers are flocking from the GTA to a much quieter and more refreshing environment here in Niagara. Toronto is only an hour away. St. Catharines is a growing community with a very appealing, central location within Niagara. It has everything and every amenity you will ever need.

Wellness is something we’re hearing more and more about, due to COVID, among other things. How important is this in Lucchetta communities?

In our communities, we provide monthly maintenance services, thus eliminating the need for homeowners to have their own lawnmowers and snowblowers. Through a low-cost monthly association fee, we maintain the common area property, plow streets, driveways and walkways and cut the homeowners’ grass. At Hunters Pointe, we also include membership in the private, fully-equipped community centre just up the street. All our homes are Energy Star-rated and built with efficient HVAC systems with ERV air exchange and filtering equipment. Where possible, we use environmentally friendly materials and utilize energy-saving building techniques.

What else are prospective homebuyers telling you these days?

We are currently building in two very different marketplaces. In St. Catharines at Lusso Urban Towns, we are attracting young professionals with families who want a functional and contemporary home close to schools, shopping and recreation. Lusso has easy access to highways and lots of outdoor activities for the whole family.

Prospective homeowners love the niche we have created at Hunters Pointe, where our buyers can downsize into bungalows on smaller lots. This 55-plus group want a well-built, low-maintenance home that is energy-efficient, close to amenities and situated in a comfortable, well-planned neighbourhood. They appreciate the home services and security we have included, to allow residents to “lock and leave” without worry. Our product at Hunters meets all these requirements and more.

Affordability is such a growing concern, and building in Niagara, Lucchetta is able to offer homes at lower prices than in the GTA. But even this region is seeing notable price growth. What else is the company doing to address this issue?

The world has discovered Niagara. Buyers from all over the province are calling. This demand is contributing to the increase in prices. Another issue is the cost of building materials. They continue to increase, which makes it very difficult to predict future pricing.

How are things coming along at Lusso Urban Towns? What are some of the most appealing attributes of this community?

Lusso Urban Towns is an exclusive enclave of 16 townhomes now under construction in the heart of Niagara in St. Catharines. This is an exciting new venture for the company. We are constructing an appealing collection of two-storey, three-bedroom homes in a variety of layouts and beautiful, contemporary exteriors. These are not your typical cookie-cutter towns by any means. The site is located in a well-established neighbourhood close to all amenities, including schools, shopping, the regional hospital and all kinds of entertainment and activities. The sales office is open and we’re building now. When completed next year, Lusso Urban Towns will be a perfect community for growing families.

What else is Lucchetta focused on these days that you can share? What’s next?

We’re always looking for new opportunities. We have plans to continue building at Hunters Pointe over the next few years. There are smaller developments in and around Fonthill we are considering. We’re not like some of the big guys that buy up hundreds of acres and build 500 homes. We build 40 to 50 homes a year, with care and concern for the customer. Rob and Ed Lucchetta are very hands-on, and on-site every day, making sure we live up to our long-time motto to build “Legendary Luxury” and to “construct homes that we will want to live in ourselves.” Our roots are in custom homebuilding, so we endeavour to bring this philosophy into every home we build today.
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AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE...

How have you managed during the pandemic? Taken on any new hobbies or acquired new skills?

To be honest, I’ve been really busy with work throughout COVID and got out of the house a great deal. I have spent more time at home with my wife Lori, and played more golf with my 13-year-old son Zac. There were things that I’ve missed, such as not seeing family or friends on a regular basis and the limitations on volunteering in the community with our local Rotary Club. I’m sure we saved a few dollars not venturing out as much, and I’ve become a better cook.

What, or who, is your greatest inspiration for what you do?

Meeting new people from all walks of life is always interesting. Being relatively new to the homebuilding business, it has been exciting to learn about a new product and a new industry. The people I work with are fantastic and the buyers are great. Every day brings something new.

What’s on your reading lists these days?

The Trend Hunter.