CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS // REAL ESTATE
CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS RE-THINKING SPACE
BY JOHN HARDY
N
ow more than ever, new home builds are a unique juggle.
Traditionally, Calgary builders focus, plan and strategize. This time it’s about the Alberta economy, some subtle and common COVID disruptions like workingand-school-from-home have already altered lifestyles, affordability, the cost of raw materials – from lumber, concrete, copper plumbing and shingles – unpredictable consumer confidence and the shifting wants, needs, musthaves and consumer trends. Calgary new home builders weathered the recent business ups and downs triggered by the pandemic. They are now innovatively adjusting to the new normal: a house is not just a home – it’s a flexible space. “The pandemic did have everyone rethinking their space,” explains Stephanie Myers, vice president with Calgary’s Jayman BUILT. “We all realized quickly that our homes could not adapt to become the home office, home school, entertainment and gym spaces that we now need them to be. There is a significant
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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM
CALGARY NEW HOME BUILDERS WEATHERED THE RECENT BUSINESS UPS AND DOWNS TRIGGERED BY THE PANDEMIC. THEY ARE NOW INNOVATIVELY ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL: A HOUSE IS NOT JUST A HOME – IT’S A FLEXIBLE SPACE. shift in what the consumer is looking for and builders are introducing new home designs to accommodate. It’s not just about needing more square footage. It’s how effectively the space is used.” While strategizing for consumer trends has always been a vital factor for new home builders, the sudden and ongoing pandemic disruptions have fast-tracked the new home
