SPROUTING SPUDS
NORTHWEST APPEAL
Learning to grow potatoes is easy
With a mix of old and new neighbourhoods, Calgary’s northwest has something for everyone
DONNA BALZER A6 See our listings on page B20
A5
FREE mar 31 to apr 6 2017 issue 07-12 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY Vancouverbased developer encouraged by uptick in luxury home sales CREB® STAFF
V
ancouver-based developer Concord Pacific says it is encouraged by the Calgary market. Sales of its Eau Claire luxury condo tower, The Concord, have hit 67 per cent. “It’s coming out of the ground. We’re pouring the P1 (parking) level and you have to understand that this parkade has never been done in North
COURTESY CONCORD PACIFIC
America by anybody. Nobody has ever done nine-to-13-foot ceilings on four levels of parkade. This is a unique situation,” said Grant Murray, senior vicepresident of sales for Concord Pacific. Murray says that coupled with the flood mitigation work that took an extra year to design into the base of the building, it was pivotal to do it right. By Easter, he says, they should be at podium level and the completion is expected to be December 2018. The first phase of the development, at Sixth Street and First Avenue S.W., near the Peace Bridge, is the west tower which includes 105 units in 14
CITY OF CALGARY
storeys. The second phase will be the 17-storey east tower with 113 units. Murray says the developer is hoping to start registration for the East tower this fall. “I do think the worst is over from where we’ve been at,” said Murray, in reference to the Calgary economy. “We have had steady sales each and every month for the last two years. I’m pretty excited about this year being much better than 2015 and 2016.” Murray says the project appeals to a very specific demographic: 218 highend individuals that want to buy in a very unique building out of 1.2 million
Situated at the south-end of the Peace Bridge, The Concord will offer unparalleled views of the Bow River. population. “So we are looking for a needle in a haystack type of scenario,” he said. “What we have found is the sales we’ve had to date are almost 95 per cent owner-occupiers. We’ve had a lot of Baby Boom population who are downsizing.” The luxury home market in Calgary saw an uptick in activity in 2016. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, MLS sales of homes over
$1 million totalled 608 last year compared with 512 in 2015. However, the level of activity is still significantly lower than in 2013, when there were 726 sales in that price category, and 2014, when there were 847. After the first two months this year, luxury home sales of 64 were the same as for the same period in 2016.
CONCORD A3
ALBERTA’S CONTENTS OUT-MIGRATION RIVERSONG ‘STILL ONLY A MAYOR’S LUNCH TRICKLE’: ATB NEWS BRIEFS
MLS® NEW LISTINGS* FEB ’15 – FEB ’17
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Small-town lifestyle Recognizing Artists
A3 ECONOMY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
3,288 FEB15 2,950 MAR15 3,136 APR15 3,064 MAY15 3,161 JUN15 3,122 JUL15 2,733 AUG15 3,081 SEP15 2,678 OCT15 2,182 NOV15 1,491 DEC15 2,741 JAN16 2,906 FEB16 3,227 MAR16 3,217 APR16 3,319 MAY16 3,078 JUN16 2,683 JUL16 2,759 AUG16 2,976 SEP16 2,364 OCT16 1,985 NOV16 DEC16 993 2,385 JAN17 2,457 FEB17
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CREB® STAFF
Seeing the light
W
hile Alberta’s pastures may not be as green as they once were to those moving from out of province, new numbers from Statistics Canada suggest there’s still plenty of allure left in the province. In the fourth quarter of 2016, an estimated 9,785 people moved to Alberta while 12,358 moved out, equalling a net out-migration of 2,573.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
MIGRATION A3
HOMELESSNESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 A road map for Calgary
COMMUNITY PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Houses in Harmony
SAM AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Seventy-eight finalists announced
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B19 @crebnow
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CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL TOUR AT REALTOR.CA
$489,000 | 81 BRIGHTONWOODS CRESCENT SE MLS C4101939 ®
Real Experience Real Results
Lee Edwards 403.540.0540
This well-appointed Morrison home in popular New Brighton combines beauty, convenience, comfort, and great landscaping. Inside, the hardwood flooring leads you into the open concept great room highlighted with a beautiful fireplace next to a bank of windows overlooking the large, full-width deck with clear panels. There is so much to appreciate in this home; from the great kitchen complete with granite tops and stainless steel appliances to the large bonus room featuring vaulted ceilings to the expansive master bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet and beautiful ensuite bath with an amazing walk in shower. The lower level is unfinished but will accommodate sound design features that will enhance any family lifestyle. When you add to all this a great floor plan, a terrific location, and beautiful decor, you have a home that won’t last long.
CANYON CREEK
braggcreekrealestate.com lee@braggcreekrealestate.com