MARKET ANALYSIS
THE APPEAL OF APARTMENTS
The housing market is setting up for a favourable spring
LOVE YOUR LAUNDRY AGAIN
Whether in the city centre or suburbs, apartment style condos are just right for many Calgarians
DIGITAL DOWNLOW A6
A5
STATISTICS A8-A9 FREE apr 7 to apr 13 2017 issue 07-13 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
BUILDING AN ARTISTIC CITY Public art is a big part of Calgary’s appeal and developers are getting in on the action
S
ome public art is iconic: think Wonderland, the giant child’s head that sits in front of the downtown Bow building or The Conversation, the statue of two businessmen talking on Stephen Avenue. Others inspire or enchant: think the Women are Persons statues of the Famous Five in Olympic Plaza or Auspicious Find, the shape-changing 15,000-glass marble sculpture that sits in Prince’s Island Park. With 1,200 different pieces, these “moments of delight” that surveyed Calgarians asked for in public art, are everywhere, says Sarah Iley, City of Calgary manager of arts and culture.
“Public art in Calgary enlivens our landscape, all year round” she said, while needing to be able to weather our climate. Iley says there will be significantly more art added throughout the city, over the next few years, with the continued investment in city infrastructure. Public art, some of which includes donated art, is featured all across the city. It can be seen in dog parks, recreational centres, community parks, LRT stations, fire stations, underpasses and bridges, or in 62 public buildings. Under a public art policy established by city council in 2004, most funding comes from City of Calgary capital budget projects that are over $1 million. One per cent of the first $50 million of total eligible costs, and half a per cent over $50 million – up to a
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* MAR ’15 – MAR ’17
4336
3765 4114 4493
5022
5706 5641 5394 5141 5137 5215 5600 5623 5327
5681 6084 6242 6148 6004 5685 5656 5877 5427
CITY OF CALGARY
maximum of $4 million – goes towards public art. For example, $30,000 of a $3 million capital project would go to public art. When the public art policy was reviewed in 2009, public feedback suggested a desire for improved community consultation and increased use of local artists. That has led to more functional artwork, including local artists’ displays on utility boxes throughout Calgary neighbourhoods and the upcoming artistic bike racks at LRT stations. Developers are also getting in on the action. Commercial and residential real estate projects can secure bonus density or special height allowances with public art contributions. At Encana’s The Bow, two public art sculptures – Wonderland and Alberta’s
5114
for creb®now
4990
BARB LIVINGSTONE
Dream – allowed the energy company to build Calgary’s tallest building. It has now been surpassed in height by Brookfield Place, which also is providing public art in exchange for height allowances. Lamb Development’s 6th and Tenth condo project will have The Land of Horses installation, by Chilean artist Francisco Gazitua, as part of the $1 million it is spending on improvements to the Beltline site. The Mark on Tenth by QualexLandmark’s renowned artist Douglas Coupland displays his interpretation of Calgary, Alberta in the 21st Century, which was included by the developer as an attraction for buyers. In 2018, Anthem Properties’ Parkside on Waterfront will have a pathway installation, called Coyote
BRIGHTER OUTLOOK FOR ALBERTA IN 2017: TD ECONOMICS CREB® STAFF
MAR15 APR15 MAY15 JUN15 JUL15 AUG15 SEP15 OCT15 NOV15 DEC15 JAN16 FEB16 MAR16 APR16 MAY16 JUN16 JUL16 AUG16 SEP16 OCT16 NOV16 DEC16 JAN17 FEB17 MAR17
W
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
ith the worst of the oil price correction likely in the rear-view mirror, Alberta can look forward to a rosier economic outlook in the coming year, according to the latest provincial forecast from TD Economics.
ECONOMY A3
MEMORIES MADE AT THE LAKE .......... LAST A LIFETIME!
OPEN HOUSE APRIL 15 & 16 (Easter Weekend) 2 - 5pm 658 Lakeside Dr, Little B ow Ye ar Round Resort
JESSE YARDLEY / MANAGING EDITOR
Frozen River by artist Stephen Glassman, resides in the northeast at Rotary Park. and Moongate, that visitors can walk through on their way to Sien Lok Park. Iley says other commercial projects, including Telus Sky and Manulife’s new tower, have leveraged art projects to gain density bonuses, which allow density beyond normal planning requirements. Other major city attractions like the Zoo, Telus Spark, National Music Centre and the New Central Library all have, or will have, public art, because of civic funding contributions.
PUBLIC ART A2
CONTENTS NEWS BRIEFS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 RADON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 Testing and remediation
EVENT LISTINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 DEVELOPMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Victoria Park
COMMUNITY PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Cranston
SATELLITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Mattamy in Airdrie
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B18 @crebnow
CREBNow
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$498,900 | C4103682
Custom built, one owner fully developed 1080 sq. ft. Bungalow backing onto the Lake! Pine vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, two decks and double attached garage! Four large bright bedrooms, two full baths, central A/C, underground sprinklers and much more!
JANET L. MERICLE
403-660-4137 www.janetmericle.com
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