important things you should know

Questions And Answers

The Estates of Niagara is committed to bringing you a comfortable and engaging environment. That is why we have collected the most asked questions about our 55+ Active Adult Lifestyle Communities and created a question-and-answer section for your review.

River Crest Estates

(A standard condominium property consisting of 60 units, as a 55+ Active Adult (Aging in Place) Lifestyle Community with optional Club Membership and home services)

Located at the north end of Niagara Falls at the southeast corner of Mountain and Mewburn Road, with easy access to the highway. River Crest Estates is steps away from Niagara’s best shops, restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions and much more.

Our future address will be: 2626 Mewburn Road, Niagara Falls Ontario L2J 0G4

River Crest Estates – 2023, with occupancy in late 2024/early 2025

River Crest Estates – Condominium Sales with apartment homes ranging in size of 750 to 1804 SF.

Common Fees at River Crest Estates: Upon taking possession of their apartment home unit or suite, each owner pays a monthly occupancy fee, until final registration of the Condominium, along with a monthly condo maintenance fee, for their share of the common costs including interior and exterior maintenance, management, insurance, and reserve fund. The Occupancy Agreement has a full breakdown of the average monthly additional expenses like, insurance, operating, maintenance, and capital reserves along with smart sub-metering utilities.

  • Rules and Regulations for the Community
  • Condominium Purchase or Leasing Agreement for your selected Unit or Friendship Suite for exclusive use.
  • These documents can be found in our Legal & Membership Login section, which requires a password; please contact a member of our marketing team for full access.
  • We also have our A-La-Carte services, which are fully optional and would require you to sign a separate agreement to have access to those services.
  •  

Initial owners of a unit or a Suite, shall have a choice of colours from the Builder’s samples for the following items: (if they have not already been installed or ordered at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed).

Kitchen cabinets and countertop, vanities and vanity tops, ceramic tiles, luxury flooring (1 colour maximum), paint for decoration of interior walls (1 colour maximum)

  • Select your suite and meet with other like-minded Residents that will share the communal space with you inside the apartment home (unit), sharing operating, household cost and even car expenses.
  • Maintained privacy, relationships and control your activities within your Suite
  • Bring your furniture, car and pet (please note: one car per apartment home unit)

  • One-bedroom Suites with a private bath with walk-in shower, large closet and sitting area, access to outdoor balcony, or ground floor terrace, along with shared living, dining, and kitchen complete with all appliances.
  • In-unit laundry room with stacked washer/dryer.
  • Unit controlled heating/cooling
  • One shared parking space per unit included
  • Resident safety check (unexplained absence at lunch time).
  • Optional Meal Plan: Daily, Monthly packages with choice of two entrees, with up to 3 meals a day (special diet upon request).
  • 24-hour vending service offering coffee, tea and snacks.
  • Member electronic emergency response calls and credit system, with access to all doors, elevators, and parking garage.
  • Security Camera Surveillance in common areas and at all entry points including garage.
  • Access to all common amenities, including Wood Working shop, Hospitality Room, Games/Cards Room, Chapel/Library, Theater Room, Exercise areas Room, Spa, Gyms and pools
  • Monthly calendar of events, outings and holiday activities
  • Property & Operations Sales Manager, daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM available for general inquiries and/or booked appointments.
  • Fire safety and sprinkler system: smoke detectors, heat sensors, third party 24-hour monitoring, Fire alarm/horn, emergence hallway and common area lighting and emergency evacuation plan.
  • Exterior maintenance including landscaping and snow removal
  • Quarterly unit inspection and preventative maintenance program
  • Visitor parking spaces – no charge

WaterView Estates & Wellness Suites

Retirement Lifestyle Community


ASL – Life Estate or Lease, where each suite is 334 SF including a common kitchenette. All unit’s participant will enjoy the benefits of the Wellness program.


ISL – Life Equity Estates or Leasing – Unit are 1,001 SF and Friendship suites are 500 SF including shared communal kitchen, dining, and Living room area. All unit’s participant will take enjoy the benefits of the Wellness program.


Life Membership Agreement and Leasing – ISL & ASL retirement community)

Located at 518 Queenston Street, St. Catharines, Ontario overlooking the Welland Canal and only minutes away from both Niagara Fall and Niagara -on-the-Lake, offering a total of 104 Suites within a five-story building, with easy access to the highway and only steps away from Niagara’s best shops, restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions and much more.

2024, with occupancy in late 2025

Initial owners of a Unit or Suite shall have a choice of colours from the Builder’s samples for the following items: (if they have not already been installed or ordered at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed). Kitchen cabinets and countertop, vanities and vanity tops, ceramic tiles, luxury flooring (1 colour maximum), paint for decoration of interior walls (1 colour maximum)

At WaterView Estates as a Charter Life Membership Holder or a Club Lease resident, you will pay one monthly fee which will cover all the base requirement as listed above and have access to the A-La-Carte services for an additional cost.

  • Select your suite and meet with other like-minded Residents that will share the communal space with you inside the apartment home (unit), sharing operating, household cost and even car expenses.
  • Maintained privacy, relationships and control your activities within your Suite.
  • Bring your furniture, car and pet (please note: one car per apartment home unit).
  • One-bedroom Suites with a private bath with walk-in shower, large closet and sitting area, access to outdoor balcony, or ground floor terrace, along with shared living, dining, and kitchen complete with all appliances.
  • In-unit laundry room with stacked washer/dryer.
  • Unit controlled heating/cooling
  • One shared parking space per unit included
  • Resident safety check (unexplained absence at lunch time).
  • Optional Meal Plan: Daily, Monthly packages with choice of two entrees, with up to 3 meals a day (special diet upon request).
  • 24-hour vending service offering coffee, tea and snacks.
  • Member electronic emergency response calls and credit system, with access to all doors, elevators, and parking garage.
  • Security Camera Surveillance in common areas and at all entry points including garage.
  • Access to all common amenities, including Wood Working shop, Hospitality Room, Games/Cards Room, Chapel/Library, Theater Room, Exercise areas Room, Spa, Gyms and pools
  • Monthly calendar of events, outings and holiday activities
  • Property & Operations Sales Manager, daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM available for general inquiries and/or booked appointments.
  • Fire safety and sprinkler system: smoke detectors, heat sensors, third party 24-hour monitoring, Fire alarm/horn, emergence hallway and common area lighting and emergency evacuation plan.
  • Exterior maintenance including landscaping and snow removal
  • Quarterly unit inspection and preventative maintenance program
  • Visitor parking spaces – no charge
  • Rules and Regulations for the Community
  • Life Equity Estate Purchase or Leasing Agreement for your selected Unit or Friendship Suite for exclusive use.
  • These documents can be found in our Legal & Membership Login section, which requires a password; please contact a member of our marketing team for full access.
  • We also have our A-La-Carte services, which are fully optional and would require you to sign a separate agreement to have access to those services.

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

Yes, there are rules and regulation for all residents and a copy of the rules and regulation are attached to the acquisition agreement. At the Estates of Niagara, we offer a new concept in lifestyle living in the Niagara Peninsula; that means engaging with the unparalleled atmosphere, experiences, energy and comfort of our lifestyle community specially designed for our Owners, including business professionals, empty nesters and retirees to name a few.

Yes. A dog or a cat (maximum of 9 kilograms or 20 lbs) along with a caged bird and fish aquariums (10-gallon tank maximum) are welcomed guests at Estates of Niagara, with a maximum of two small pets per unit. Reptiles and rodents are not acceptable pets in our community environment. Pets must always on a leash when outside your residence. Pet owners must pick up and dispose of all pet waste in a tied bag (see Rules and Regulations).

The Estates of Niagara is committed to bringing you a comfortable and engaging environment. That is why we have collected the most asked questions about our 55+ Active Adult Lifestyle Communities and created a question-and-answer section for your review.

WHERE ARE THE ESTATE PROPERTIES LOCATED?

A standard condominium property consisting of 60 units, as a 55+ Active Adult (Aging in Place) Lifestyle Community with optional Club Membership and home services.

 

Located at the north end of Niagara Falls at the southeast corner of Mountain and Mewburn Road, with easy access to the highway. River Crest Estates is steps away from Niagara’s best shops, restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions and much more.

Our future address will be: 2626 Mewburn Road, Niagara Falls Ontario L2J 0G4

Life Membership Agreement and Leasing – ISL & ASL retirement community)

Located at 518 Queenston Street, St. Catharines, Ontario overlooking the Welland Canal and only minutes away from both Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, offering a total of 104 Units, including Friendship Suites within a five-story building, with easy access to the highway and only steps away from Niagara’s best shops, restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions and much more.

MORE QUESTIONS

River Crest Estates – 2023, with occupancy in late 2024/early 2025


WaterView Estates – 2024, with occupancy in late 2025

River Crest Estates – Condominium Sales with apartment homes ranging in size from 750 to 1804 SF. Each Condominium Apartment home unit can be legally divided into Co-Ownership consisting of two Friendship Suites that could be shared with other members, each with their own room and shared common areas such as the kitchen, living, and dining area. This type of housing allows seniors to remain in their communities and be surrounded by friends and families. Services can also be provided at lower costs due to the efficiency of multiple residents in one home.



WaterView Estates – Full Retirement Lifestyle Community

ISL – Life Membership Agreement or Leasing: – Apartment Home Units are 1,001 SF and Friendship suites are 500 SF including a shared communal kitchen, dining, and Living room area. All our members will enjoy the benefits of our optional Wellness programs

 

ASL – Life Membership Agreement or Lease, where each suite is 334 SF including a common kitchenette. All our members will enjoy the benefits of our Wellness programs.

Those who choose to make Estates of Niagara their home, will be helping to reinvent the way a 55+ Active Adult Lifestyle Community should be enjoyed.

                                                                                          Enrollment Fee

Bronze Level          Club Member                              $250.00                       Silver Level             Charter Lease Member             $20,000.00

Gold Level              Charter Friendship Member    $50,000.00                 Platinum Level      Charter Unit Member                $100,000.00

Membership has its advantages

Initial owners of a Unit or a Suite shall have a choice of colours from the Builder’s samples for the following items: (if they have not already been installed or ordered at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed.  Kitchen cabinets and countertop, vanities and vanity tops, ceramic tiles, luxury flooring (1 colour maximum), paint for decoration of interior walls (1 colour maximum)

All lease Members are pre-qualified by Management and placed on a Leasing waiting list.  Once there is an approved lease member, they will be introduced to you to ensure that they meet your needs, then we would move forward to a lease agreement, with the following fees:                                               

a) Marketing fees of the first month lease amount for that suite (see monthly lease fee)                                                                                                                  

b) A monthly occupant fee of $490.00 per occupant of the suite if in excess of the permitted two occupants per Unit, charged to to either your account or on their Membership Account.

          

c)  All household expenses are a negotiation between you and the lease member, prior to a written lease being signed by all parties.

Estates of Niagara has established a strong membership selection process that gives all existing Members the opportunity to meet new prospective members. Working with our House Coordinator, we have established a 6-step process to ensure that the individual needs of potential Condominium Owner or Life Membership Holders and prospective lease members are compatible.  We offer a three (3) to six (6) month trial period to ensure that you and your Co-housing partner are compatible with each other, and if at the end of the trial period, there is an issue that can not be resolved, we will do our best to accommodate you by moving the lease member to another suite (subject to availability).

Common Fees at River Crest Estates:

Upon taking possession of their apartment home unit or suite, each owner or Co-owner will pay a monthly occupancy fee, until final registration of the Condominium, along with a monthly condo maintenance fee, for their share of the common costs including interior and exterior maintenance, management, insurance, and reserve fund.  The Occupancy Agreement has a full breakdown of the average monthly additional expenses like, insurance, operating, maintenance, and capital reserves along with smart sub-metering utilities.

 

At WaterView Estates as a Charter or Club Member, you will pay one monthly fee which will cover all the base requirement as listed above and have access to the A-La-Carte services for an additional cost.

An example of an independent living accommodation is shared Apartment Home Unit that is shared among individuals, each with their own room and shared common areas such as the kitchen, living and dining area. This type of housing allows seniors to remain in their communities and be surrounded by friends and families. Services can also be provided at lower costs due to the efficiency of multiple residents in one home.

It is important to understand the meaning of home from a senior’s perspective to inform service providers and stakeholders in responding to integrated housing needs.

 

  • Mixed-use developments with housing located near services and amenities to reduce some of the accessibility and transportation barriers that currently exist;
  • Allow construction of smaller units such as accessory dwelling units for those wishing to down-size, reduce housing costs or house a live-in caregiver; 

 

Coordinate housing adaptations and community supportive services delivery to increases availability of Independent Supportive Living (ISL) options as a viable alternative. Overall, addressing the core housing need and integrated housing needs of seniors will require adaptations and transformation with respect to home design, neighbourhood design, possible Co-Ownership or Co-Housing, cost sharing, transportation, and health and home-care services.

An example of independent living accommodations is shared home ownership, we call Friendship Suites, where a house is shared among individuals each with their own room and shared common areas such as the kitchen, dining, and living room. This type of housing allows seniors to remain in their communities and be surrounded by friends and families. Services can also be provided at lower costs due to the efficiency of multiple seniors in one home.

The Occupancy Agreement as a full breakdown of the average monthly additional expenses like, property taxes, insurance, operating, maintenance, and capital reserves along with ISL smart metering utilities, if applicable.

Each Apartment home Unit is approved for 2 occupants with no additional fees, a third or fourth occupant would be charged the additional second person fees as listed on the A-La-Carte Menu.   

Our Club members also have access to our A-La-Carte service menu, which is fully optional and would require a separate sign agreement for you to have access to those services.  

  • Fire safety and sprinkler system: smoke detectors, heat sensors, third party 24-hour monitoring, Fire alarm/horn, emergence hallway and common area lighting and emergency evacuation plan.
  • Exterior maintenance including landscaping and snow removal
  • Quarterly unit inspection and preventative maintenance program
  • Visitor parking spaces – no charge

Members control all aspects of operating within their assigned unit, and each resident contributes to, and is accountable for household decisions

Approximately 25% of Canadian households, are led by people over the age of 65 years, 75% of these households are owned and 25% rent accommodation.


Housing moves by seniors can be characterized as either “lifestyle,” “planned,” or “crisis,” each of which is typically underpinned by several “push” or “pull” factors. These relate to changes in the individual’s circumstances or specific “trigger points” linked to an individual’s health. Push factors include difficulties with maintaining the home or garden, the cost of energy bills associated with a larger or older home, or with steps or stairs, linked to the increased risk of falls. Pull factors include the accessibility of local shops and services often framed in terms of reliance on a car or a desire to move closer to other family members.


For many seniors, several factors seem to delay their decision to move, often until a crisis is present or imminent, which may include the following:

  • A strong emotional attachment to one’s existing home
  • A desire to sustain social networks within the immediate community
  • The potential disruption and costs associated with moving
  • A human tendency to defer planning for the future and ignore or discount potential or real changes in physical mobility and/or health
  • A fear that an unknown future dwelling may not match up to expectations
  • Lack of availability and understanding of alternative affordable and/or attractive housing and/or downsizing options that are suitable.
  • As we age, we are more likely to face a disability or to find that their disability creates challenges for them and that they need help. Without informal and formal support (e.g., homecare), older people with disabilities are among those who are most likely to want or need to find alternative forms of housing.
  • “Aging at Home” with dignity within a self-governed and controlled Unit or Suite
  • Active adults can stay in the community with friends and family
  • Independence, dignity, and self-respect
  • Community relationships
  • Support and relief to family/caregivers with a safe and secure environment.
  • Encourage you to participate in the everyday lifestyle of membership and advocate mutual support and respect for individual differences.
  • Access to Assisted Living facility if needed.
  • As of 2018 the average monthly cost for senior accommodations in Ontario was $3,038.00 per month, based on 43,983 units within the province.
  • Latest reports are showing monthly fees in the range of $4,800 to 6,000.00 per month for an Independent Supportive Living and higher for Assisted Living

FRIENDSHIP SUITES

Select your suite and meet with other like-minded Residents that will share the communal space with you inside the apartment home (unit), sharing operating, household cost and even car expenses.

  • Maintained privacy, relationships and control your activities within your Suite
  • Bring your furniture, car and pet (please note: one car per apartment home unit)

One-bedroom Suites with a private bath with walk-in shower, large closet and sitting area, access to outdoor balcony, or ground floor terrace, along with shared living, dining, and kitchen complete with all appliances.

  • In-unit laundry room with stacked washer/dryer.
  • Unit controlled heating/cooling.
  • One shared parking space per unit included
  • Resident safety check (unexplained absence at lunch time).
  • Optional Meal Plan: Daily, Monthly lunch packages with choice of two entrees with up to 3 meals a day (special diet upon request).
  • 24-hour vending service offering coffee, tea and snacks.
  • Member electronic emergency response calls and credit system, with access to all doors, elevators, and parking garage.
  • Security Camera Surveillance in common areas and at all entry points including garage.
  • Access to all common amenities, including Wood Working shop, Hospitality Room, Games/Cards Room, Chapel/Library, Theater Room, Exercise areas Room, Spa, Gyms and pools.
  • Monthly calendar of  events, outings and holiday activities
  • Property & Operations Sales Manager, daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM available for general inquiries and/or booked appointments.
  • Fire safety and sprinkler system: smoke detectors, heat sensors, third party 24-hour monitoring, Fire alarm/horn, emergence hallway and common area lighting and emergency evacuation plan.
  • Exterior maintenance including landscaping and snow removal
  • Quarterly unit inspection and preventative maintenance program
  • Visitor parking spaces – no charge

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

Yes, there are rules and regulations for all residents, and a copy of the rules and regulations are attached to the acquisition agreement.   At the Estates of Niagara, we offer a new concept in lifestyle living in the Niagara Peninsula; that means engaging with the unparalleled atmosphere, experiences, energy, and comfort of our lifestyle community specially designed for our Owners, business professionals, empty nesters, and retirees to name a few.

Yes. A dog or a cat (maximum of 9 kilograms or 20 lbs) along with a caged bird and fish aquariums (10-gallon tank maximum) are welcomed guests at the Estates of Niagara, with a maximum of two small pets per unit. Reptiles and rodents are not acceptable pets in our community environment.  Pets must always on a leash when outside your residence. Pet owners must pick up and dispose of all pet waste in a tied bag (see Rules and Regulations).

Once you are approved as a charter lease member and have paid the required membership fees, the lease will require the First and last month in advance, plus any second person charge, along with any services agreements.

The Estates has many advantages for single individuals and couples, including a sense of community and belonging, broader social network, and a place to continue to live a purpose-filled life, in a maintenance free environment which is very important. It comes with the security and peace of mind of knowing others are close at hand, if needed. Truly a benefit for someone who lives alone!

  1. Rules and Regulations for the Community
  2. Condominium or Life Estate Purchase or Leasing Agreement for your selected Unit or Friendship Suite for exclusive use.
  3. Document Disclosure

 

  1. Membership Enrollment Agreement 
  2. Membership Lease Agreement (including marketing and management fees) 
  3. Life Membership Agreement for either a Friendship Suite or Unit 
  4. Exclusive Use Occupancy Agreement