Calgary Condo Living October 2013 by Source Media Group

CONTENTS october 2013 | voLume 9 issue 166

FOCuS On 10 High tea A spot of tea for you and me COvER FEATuRE 14 Copperﬁeld Park II we love you! Copperfield Park II sets high standards in multi-family living COnDO PROFILES 20 The culture of VEN Bucci Developments’ Ven relishes kensington’s cultural vibe 25 Block party Avi Urban’s live-work homes at The Block blasts oﬀ 30 Smart living einstein the next era of condos brought to you by The Providence Group 36 A step to the future STePS Bridgeland introduces a new way of condo living

On TREnD 63 Pantry party Make the most of your pantry space SHOPPInG 69 Kitchen helpers Small appliances that help with just about any culinary task

41 The lifestyle equation eighty5nine sums up the best of west side multi-family lifestyle

FEATuRE 75 East Village and public art Public art plays crucial role in revitalizing east Village

COMMunITY PROFILE 47 The lure of the lake Multi-family developments get in on the action in Auburn Bay

94 Tales from the condo zone Passing inspection

52 Kensington comes through The inner-city community picks itself up from ﬂoods LIFESTYLE 57 Chestermere calling Princess gets to stretch her legs in her owner’s new Chestermere Station home s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : c e L e b r at i N g i t s 10 t h Y e a r

COLuMnS 79 Condoscapes by Richard White 81 Ask Maria by Maria Bartolotti 83 Hope at Large by Marty Hope 85 Around Town by Pepper Rodriguez ITEMS 8 Editor’s Message 80 Maps 84 Ad Index

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE |

Festive October The leaves are changing colours, there’s a distinct chill in the air; summer it seems has come to an end — way too early for me. But this isn’t an ordinary October for us here at Source Media Group, as the month also marks the 10th year anniversary of the publishers of this magazine you hold in your hands. The milestone marks a decade of success for our company that also publishes DOMUS, New Home Living, Okotoks Living, Red Deer Living and a slew of industry-specific and lifestyle magazines. I’ve been with the company for less than half of that time (coming on five years now), and it has been a great ride so far. I look at it as a job that allows me to chart the city’s growth, just looking back at the display of covers of our magazines in the office, I can’t help but be nostalgic at how far residential developments in the city have come in that span. Our cover feature on Copperfield Park II is a great indicator of this growth, and I can still remember writing the first cover feature for the Brad Remington Homes development not two years ago, and now here it is already 50 per cent sold in the current phases. We also get to show a couple of Jeremy Sturgess-designed condos this issue, with STEPS Bridgeland by the Giustini Group and The Block by Avi Urban, which both feature distinct courtyard living that builds stronger communities within that community by giving residents an environment where they can get to know each other better. The six live-work townhomes are all that’s left at The Block, but STEPS is just starting. We also have Vertical Properties’ eighty5nine, one of the most best-selling condo developments in the sought-after west side of Calgary. Ven by Bucci in Kensington is another hot inner-city development that seems to have weathered the flooding with aplomb. Einstein at Marda Loop by the Providence Group presents another innovative way in modern design for contemporary multi-family living. Ten years ago, Auburn Bay wasn’t even on the map, but this distinctive lake community in the south by Brookfield Residential Next month: has become a favoured destination for new homeowners and Designing your more of them have an opportunity to settle here with a host of study, and new, affordable townhome and semi-detached home options shopping for that have opened. bookshelves We also have the second part of Richard White’s feature on are focused. inner-city public art, this time focusing on East Village. I can still remember how desolate the area looked a decade ago, but I did a little walk through of the neighbourhood to take some photos recently, and boy, was I impressed with just how much it’s developed! The Riverwalk seems a really great area to spend a sunny afternoon. Calgary really is an amazing city, and the range of multi-family options available is nothing short of astounding. I can’t wait to see what other developments are coming down the line when we celebrate our 20th anniversary. You better believe that Condo Living is your best source for the latest happenings in the industry.

PUBLISHER

Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca Editor

Pepper Rodriguez pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART director

Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca graphic designers

Lama Azhari lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Colleen Leier colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL

Maria Bartolotti, Karen Durrie, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick, Jessica Patterson, Jennifer Seamone, Richard White, Janine Workman, Portia Yip, Jim Zang Photography

Don Molneaux, Pepper Rodriguez ADVERTISING SALES

Al Donegan al.donegan@sourcemediagroup.ca accounting

Donna Roberts accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group Issue 166 • ISSN 1918-4409 Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Condo Living® is published 12 times per annum with copies available for distribution at more than 1,500 locations every month. Condo Living® accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to: cleditor@sourcemediagroup.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. Condo Living® is a registered Trademark the property of Source Media Group Corp. Reg. USPTO 3,584,683 & 3,584,583.

Pepper Rodriguez

Editor pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca

@CondoLivingYYC 8 |

Contact: Source Media Group Corp., 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9; Tel 403.532.3101 Toll free 1.888.932.3101; www.sourcemediagroup.ca

CondoLivingCalgary

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FOCuS On | By Aaliya Essa

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| FOCuS On

hIGh Tea

A spot of tea for you and me

TEA HAS BEEN around for centuries, but teapots and kettles have had plenty of variations. Now, teapots are not only short and stout, they can be tall and slim, round or square, made of glass, ceramic, iron and many other permutations. They can even serve a decorative function, as teapot collections have gained popularity. So, although tea may be one of the humblest drinks around, the way you serve it certainly doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be.â&#x20AC;&#x201A;cL 1] Tomoko teapot set, $35 at Pier 1. 2] Le Creuset demikettle, carribean, $85 at Orange Works. 3] Eclipse-frosted teapot, $14.99 at Stokes. 4] Chantal whistling tea kettle, $120 at William Sonoma. 5] Dragonfly cast iron teapot, $29.99 at Stokes. 6] All-clad stainless steel teal kettle, $120 at Williams Sonoma. 7] London Pottery geo teapot, aqua, $30 at Orange Works. 8] Elephant teapot, $22.95 at Pier 1. 9] Staub teapot, cherry, $155 at Orange Works. 10] Owl teapot, $30 at Pier 1. 11] Pugg teapot, yellow, $24 at Orange Works.

12] Pugg teapot, poppy, $24 at Orange Works.

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Copperfield we lo

Copperfield Park II sets high standards in multi-family living

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| Advertising cover Feature |

park II ove you!

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uccess is never guaranteed, especially in the real estate industry. But if anything is bound to be a sure fire hit, then Copperfield Park II is it. In fact, this sequel to the enormously popular multi-family development by Brad Remington Homes has been so well received that the majority of the first two phases are already sold. It had a very auspicious launch that foretold its success, and lays to rest any doubts that the new development will be anything less than a hit. “The launch of the latest phase of Copperfield Park II fell on the weekend during the historic flooding in June that hit Calgary, we weren’t sure of the response we would receive, given the state the city was in,” says VP of Sales and Marketing, Bryan Logel. “We decided to go ahead with the event in spite of the circumstances. Imagine our surprise when 21 people were already lined up when we opened.” This experience stands as a testament to buyers responding to Brad Remington Homes’ “Love It, Live It, Afford It” vision for Copperfield Park. Logel says it is this philosophy of designing top-quality homes that suit a variety of lifestyles and keeping it at an affordable price that is behind their tremendous success. “The response has been amazing and sales are exceeding all expectations,” Logel says. It’s difficult to improve on perfection, but Logel says that by listening to feedback from clients and prospective buyers, they’ve come up with a few small tweaks to the suite designs to make them even more attractive. “We added some more square footage to our A-Plan, making the second bedroom larger and improved the storage space,” he says. The A-Plan starts in the $220,000s. The new B-Plan is an open concept two-bed, two-bath end unit that starts at $209,900 plus GST, making it the most affordable in its class in the entire city, Logel points out. “In the past, it wasn’t possible to purchase an end unit at such an affordable price. We have designed a viable option, at a great price for people who want to take advantage of the benefits of owning an end unit.” Those advantages would be additional windows, increased views and exposure, and open concept living.

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| Advertising cover Feature |

“People are falling in love with the show suites at Copperfield Park.” The C-Plan and its variations remain the top selling design, starting at $199,900. They meld function and affordability, and were designed for a wide range of buyers. The C Plan consists of a deluxe two-bedroom dual ensuite layout, an oversized version and a three-bedroom variation. The one-bedroom E plan has been so successful that it sold out in the initial phases, but Logel says they will have more soon. It’s a premium one-bed starting from $149,900. Copperfield Park II’s version of the micro-suite that has been all the rage on the West Coast is the F-Plan. “It really is amazing what we can do with 525 square-feet when every square feet is accounted for and maximized”, Logal says. It starts from an amazing $129,900. Copperfield Park II will be comprised of six four-storey buildings with 360 apartment-style condos clad in premium siding and real brick accents. A well-manicured, linear park will run through the length of the development, which sits across from one of the expansive green spaces dotting this entire southeast community. It has an unbeatable location at the heart of Copperfield in the southeast, with terrific accessibility, especially with the opening of the 130th Avenue S.E. extension that improved travel times for residents almost overnight. “Stoney Trail extension is also set to open October 1st and this can only improve accessibility of the community,” Logel says.

“I really believe this quadrant of the city is where all the growth will be happening, you can already see it in the new South Campus hospital just down the road, the massive Seton commercial complex next to it, and the new employment centre in Quarry Park,” he adds. Couples, young families and active seniors have all found a home in Copperfield Park I and II, attracted not just by the price but by the high standard of finish of both the exterior and interior layouts. “We were able to sell homes here on the strength of the exterior looks alone. Unbelievable as it may sound, one buyer told me that they didn’t even need to see the show suite judging from what the building looked like,” Logel says. Speaking of show suites, Logel says several new ones will be built when the new building of Copperfield Park II opens either by year end or early 2014. “People just fall in love with the show suites that we have right now, as they really set an emotional tone in presenting what life can be like here. But the new ones we have planned are guaranteed to set an even higher standard,” he says. All condos come with a parking stall, but that is hardly all the buyer receives with Brad Remington Homes. “You get higher than industry standard building specifications, including a water prevention building envelope and Super Seal waterproofing wrap that eliminates the chance of moisture getting into the homes and foundation; R5-rated Super E windows that will maintain room temperatures whatever the weather outside; and even small things like soft-close drawers and cabinets, because this is how we define affordability. Our buyers don’t have to miss out on the finer things in life.” n

Fa s t Fa c t s Community: Copperfield Project:

Copperfield Park II

Developer: Brad Remington Homes Style:

Apartment condos

Size:

From 525 sq. ft. one-bedroom, to 973 sq. ft. two-bedrooms

Price:

From $129,900 plus GST

Address:

279 Copperpond Common S.E.

Directions: South on 52 St. S.E. and east on 130 Ave. S.E. Website:

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www.copperfieldpark.com

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CONDO PROFILE | By Portia Yip

The culture Bucci Developments’ Ven relishes Kensington’s cultural vibe

n an urban village fuelled by trendy boutiques, artsy hangouts, chic restaurants and cafés galore, one can only wonder how a new condo can blend in so smoothly. But Bucci Developments’ latest project in Kensington does just that and more. VEN, the four-storey multi-family development with 115 homes, is a reflection of people and culture coming together in a coveted and thriving community. Shane Styles, Sales and Marketing Manager for Bucci, describes how inspiration struck when he came across Vendome Café in the area. From there, he connected with the Venn diagram, interconnecting circles, and the relationship between the neighbourhood and its residents. “It really came from the idea that these two areas together, Hillhurst and Sunnyside, form what is collectively known as Kensington.” VEN has nine upscale-urban floor plans from 645 to 1,350 square-feet with features perfect for urbanites or new inner-city enthusiasts. “Looking at our buyers we’ve got young professionals, downsizers and a little bit in between,” says Styles. “They all want to stay urban and be close to the downtown core.

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That’s why location has been such a winner.” At 60 per cent sold, construction is just about to break ground and the development is slated for completion in the spring or summer of 2015. Situated along a residential street off 5th Avenue and McHugh Bluff Park, VEN’s location is golden. “You rarely find a location this perfect; close to everything but still with a quiet neighbourhood feel,” says Styles. “People love the fact that they can still walk to the Safeway and the C-Train.” But walking through VEN’s A Plan — a one-bedroom plus one-bath show suite — is the perfect introduction to the luxurious yet comfortable lifestyle found in every suite. The kitchen is a definite wow factor with wrap around quartz countertops, a full stainless steel appliance package and a retro-glam porcelain backsplash. Space is also a recurring theme from the nine-foot high

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| CONDO PROFILE

of Ven ceilings (up to 14 feet for homes on the top floor) to the glamorous bathrooms with long marble surfaces, built-in shelves with motion sensor lights and an attached walk-through closet. Suites start in the low $300,000s to just over $600,000 for these incredible open-concept floor plans. The two colour palettes available, the Solstice and Equinox, are designed by the acclaimed Portico Design Group and enhance the modern living space. Each home also comes with a gas barbecue hook-up and plenty of balcony room for entertaining or relaxing after a long day’s work. The award-winning A Plan comprises most of the homes in VEN, but there’s even more versatility in the B Plan or “Junior Two Bedroom” that was highly sought-after in Bucci’s Tribeca in Mission project. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom plus den plans have also been very popular at VEN, but Styles says most of them have already been sold. But whether you become a VEN resident or a visitor, the living wall is a must-see for everyone. In the lobby there stands an impressive eight-by-20 foot wall full of lush, tropical plants. It not only adds to the overall esthetics in the building but

VEN...is a reflection of people and culture coming together in a coveted and thriving community.

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it improves air quality and contributes to eco-friendly living. “It also just gives you a real fresh and airy feeling when you come in,” says Styles. Other Built Green features include a recycling program, sustainable cabinetry materials and a white-painted parkade to reduce the amount of lights needed. Bucci Developments also combine their West Coast experiences with certified Alberta building envelope engineers so VEN will have the same industry-leading waterproofing and rain screen technology to combat what Mother Nature throws at us. Coupled with its prime location, tasteful floor plans and upscale design, it’s no surprise that VEN suits just about anyone. Last month, Bucci Developments also led the way to a whole new level of convenience by signing-on with Bazinga. “We’re the first ones in Alberta to do it,” says Styles “Bazinga is a social networking platform for condominium buildings.” Bazinga originally started in Vancouver and it allows residents, developers, property managers and staff to connect with one another to get information instantly. Back in April, Bucci Developments also got a head start in connecting with the community through a project known as Wreck City. Making way for VEN, homes along 5th Ave were about to be demolished. But artists and curators were given the opportunity to turn the homes into temporary art installations — and the art doesn’t stop there. “The plan is to take images of that artwork, since there’s none of it left now, and display the art around the building when it’s done,” says Styles. As a two-time winner of the Multi-Family Builder of the Year award, it’s clear Bucci Developments’ dedication and energy flows through each and every one of their projects. “We’re not a big company. We’d rather do fewer developments and do them really well than expand,” says Styles. “As I like to call it, we like to keep our team light, tight and bright.” CL

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Fa s t Fac ts Developer: Bucci Developments Project: VEN Area:

Sunnyside/Hillhurst

Style:

Apartment-style condos

Size:

From 645 to 1,350 sq. ft.

Price:

From $300,000 to $500,000

Sales Centre Address: Second floor – 306 10th St. N.W. Hours:

Open daily noon - 6 p.m. (closed Fridays)

Website: www.vencondos.com

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By Pepper Rodriguez | CONDO PROFILE

The Block Party

Avi Urban’s live-work homes at The Block blasts off

ixing professional and personal lives can be a delicate balance to maintain, but when you live where you work, you definitely get an edge in the game. The Block’s last few remaining homes are all live-work townhomes, and they definitely are all about enjoying this lifestyle to the fullest in a contemporary, urban setting. There’s still room to join the biggest block party in town, but only if you act fast. There are only six of these three-level, two-bedroom units left in what has undoubtedly been one of the most successful developments for Avi Urban. The apartment-style condos in this exemplary four-storey, 60-unit development on 17th Avenue are all but sold out, snapped up just a few months after their launch last fall.

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“We knew we had a very special location here on 9A Street just off 17th Avenue in Lower Mount Royal, and we wanted to create a community that’s just as remarkable, and I believe we have that with The Block,” says Avi Urban President, Charron Ungar. “The hardest part for me was holding myself back from buying my own unit here.” The Block’s live-work townhomes were saved for the last, and they are well worth the wait. The live-work townhomes range from 1,528 to 1,675 square-feet, and have grade-level parking from the back lane for more privacy. The double attached garage can fit more than just the cars. “There’s enough room here to suit the buyer’s needs — as a home office, a hobby room or just as extra storage space,” Ungar tells Condo Living. Avi Urban has created live-work condos before, particularly for their Olive development in Bridgeleand. “It’s a wonderful concept that fits a very specific type of homeowner. That’s why we held off in releasing these units, because we wanted to show buyers the actual product first,” he says.

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Now that construction is approaching the final stages, with first possessions already expected in the next three months, the time to release the live-work homes has finally arrived. “Response has been terrific, people get the vision of what we want to create here,” Ungar says. The three levels of living space ensures some separation of professional and personal lives, of entertaining with friends and privacy. The double garage is your own personal space, while the next floor has your kitchen, dining room and living room designed in a contemporary open concept to better host parties, and the top floor has the two bedrooms and attached ensuites for greater privacy. The in-floor slab heating, the top-of-the-line finishes like stainless steel appliances and engineered hardwood floors, the tall ceilings and oversized windows in all the homes combine for a stately, contemporary home. But Avi Urban goes beyond the flash to create an environment that encourages building strong bonds of community. The Block indeed stands out in the community, with its blend of wood and steel materials, which Ungar says was not an easy combination to construct, but creates a truly distinctive look and feel for the building. “There’s an industrial feel made warmer by the inclusion of wood elements.” But it’s the fully-landscaped courtyard at the centre of the development that is its most defining features, as it creates a friendly, inviting oasis that residents can enjoy and get to know their neighbours better. s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

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The Block engenders individuality as well, as although homes may share similar floor plans, each buyer gets the freedom to personalize their suites to fit their tastes. Fa s t Fac ts “We wanted to create a community-within-a-community, we’re creating an environment where like-minded people can congregate and really feel at home in each other’s company,” Ungar says. And it’s not just the courtyard, some homes share open spaces along the walkway where neighbours can marvel at the readily available views of the cityscape, he adds. The Block engenders individuality as well, as although homes may share similar floor plans, each buyer gets the freedom to personalize their suites to fit their tastes. “We’ve introduced a concept where resident’s can choose their own colour for their front doors that gives them a sense of uniqueness, and another way they can know and identify their neighbours better,” Ungar says. “What we really hope to accomplish here is give residents a sense of pride of ownership, make them proud to call the building their home, just as I’m proud to call it an Avi Urban development,” he adds. CL s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

Community: Lower Mount Royal Developer: Avi Urban Project:

The Block

Style:

Apartment-style condos and live-work townhomes (only the latter are available now)

Size:

Townhomes are from 1,528 to 1,675 sq. ft.

Price:

Starting in the $570,000s

Directions: Near corner of 9A St. and 17th Ave. S.W. Website: www.liveattheblock.com

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CONDO PROFILE | By Aaliya Essa

Smart living

Einstein the next era of condos brought to you by The Providence Group

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ondo living in Calgary just got a whole lot ready sold, it’s clear that this kind of lifestyle is appealing smarter with the introduction of Einstein, and to buyers, and there is a growing demand for it. Buyers the development in Marda Loop is already won’t have to wait for long to see first hand what it’s really like to live here, as completion is planned for the turning heads. After years of planning, The Providence Group is taking summer of 2014. condo living to a smarter level with Einstein in Marda Prospective buyers here, says Beyer, consist of young Loop, which allows for technology and convenience to professionals that want to live downtown, close to work, to be intertwined into one sweet bundle. hot spots in the core, and still be within a close proximity “One of the issues when you buy a condo,” says Gary to amenities such restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. Beyer, President of The Providence Group, “is when you Being located at 1521 – 26th Avenue in the trendy Marmove in you’re handed a bunch of keys, fobs, and swipe da Loop area, in the southwest just on the outskirts of cards for the front entry, for the back door, for parking, downtown, has an abundance of advantages as residents or for your unit. It becomes a real paper weight,” can enjoy a variety of unique restaurants and boutique Einstein offers its residents a whole new way of life, stores, and still have the luxuries of a mature commuwhere you can enjoy all the benefits of a condo lifestyle, nity with existing pathways and parks within walking distance. without a bulky set of keys jangling in your purse or pockets. “People are much more active Fa s t Fac ts Imagine a life that is centered today then they were 10 or 15 on a simple click of a button on Community: Marda Loop years ago,” says Beyer. “The lifeyour smart phone, a secure app styles of our demographic is to that can open a door, the garage, Developer: Providence Group be out almost every night, and or even change the temperature, Project: Einstein this is one of the many benefits and that’s just for starters. of a condo lifestyle,” says Beyer. Style: Apartment style condos “Whether it be an iPhone or “To be carefree, maintenance 667 to 775 sq. ft. an Android, it really doesn’t Size: free, where you can lock-up and matter, people are looking at Price: just leave.” Whenever you want. Starting at $314,000 plus GST a very powerful little tool, and Sales Centre: 139 - 17th Ave. S.E. For as long as you want. more and more there are apps At Einstein, it’s all about easy Appointment only during the week. living, location, and convenience and software providing people Hours: with ways to buy and shop, to do without the huge inner-city Saturday - Sunday: 11 to 4 p.m. price tag. everything,” says Beyer. Website: www.einsteincalgary.com With 75 per cent of units alOptions include the Nucleus

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Residents have access to a rooftop patio, the perfect setting for enjoying time with family and friends, or even making new friends. floor plan, which has two-bedrooms and two-full-bathrooms, as does the Electron, and Neutron. The Ion layout has two-bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms. Suites start from a very affordable $314,000 to $359,000 plus GST, and range from 667 to 775 square-feet in size. That’s only part of the equation that equals Einstein, however. The suites here are designed with a flexible layout, with traditional living spaces intended to be multi-functional. Sleek European design adds to its smart sophistication and über stylishness. “We’ve introduced what we call a flex table. It’s a portable table, with a butcher block top so it can be used for food preparation, it’s a kitchen island height, so it’s very conducive to an active lifestyle, providing a comfortable place to do your work,” says Beyer. “But at the same time you can dress it up and fit six to eight people around it when you have guests over.” Standards at Einstein are of the highest quality, with finishing’s like quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and ceramic tile in the bathroom. Everything is premium except the price.

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The bedroom layouts allow for a king or queen-size bed, with custom built-in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, which include closet organizers. “All of our master bedrooms accommodate king size beds, our second bedrooms typically accommodate queen size beds so they are amply spacious rooms. One of the ways we were able to achieve this was we introduced wardrobes,” says Beyer. “These are very conventional in much of the world, but we don’t often see them here. Our wardrobes take up 15 per cent less space in the bedroom, and they provide 50 per cent more storage area.” Residents also have access to a rooftop patio, the perfect setting for enjoying time with family and friends, or even making new friends with other residents in the condo. At Einstein, it all adds up: a lifestyle that caters to buyers wanting to live in a modern high-tech condo, in a desirable location, at a price that is within reach. Here you can have a two-bedroom condo, with two-full-bathrooms, and still have money left over to enjoy your life too. Now that’s smart. CL

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CONDO PROFILE | By Jennifer Seamone

A step to the future

STEPS Bridgeland introduces a new way of condo living

signature design by Architect Jeremy Sturgess brings to Bridgeland a completely new vision of architecture and modern community living. STEPS Bridgeland condominiums, located on 8th Street between McPherson Road and McDougall Road, centers on an interior courtyard concept that brings a whole new light to condo living. “It is state of the art living and provides a very different opportunity for the buyer,” explains Sturgess. “Courtyard living is better than a block, it replaces corridors and hallways and provides an attractive expanse of living space.” For Sturgess, STEPS Bridgeland is the culmination of a career long thesis into courtyard living.

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| CONDO PROFILE

Purposefully designed, each aspect of the project capitalizes on the unique concept and location. With city views to the west, park views to the north and a south -facing courtyard, the elevations showcase each individual landscape. “A project like this has never been seen in Calgary before,” says Tim Taylor of SQ FT Real Estate, whose company is responsible for sales and marketing. “For all those involved in STEPS, it is truly a legacy project. In 10 years time this will (still) be ahead of its time.” The courtyard concept provides a unique opportunity for dual exposure allowing light and air to move through two ways. Each home will have a balcony or outdoor space facing either toward the courtyard, the exterior, or both. Boldly colored expanses of tall narrow glass decorate the interior courtyard on all six levels serving to add privacy and a dynamic tapestry of light. “The sunlight and glass will have light dancing in the courtyard, creating a dappled effect,” says Sturgess. Whether it is a townhome, penthouse, or single level home, STEPS provides a distinct living situation to each homeowner. “Real estate should be

fun,” adds Taylor, “it should inspire you and captivate the mind.” The façade of the building is modern and distinct, presenting what Sturgess describes as a “better physical expression to the public, more dynamic and interesting in the context of the streetscape.” Each homeowner’s choice of one of four interior accent colors, provided they purchase in time, will be mirrored to their exterior balcony, creating an individual identity for the homeowner and a freeform expression of color. “I am excited about the randomness,” adds Sturgess. Cultured stone begins at street level then transitions to black steel punctuated with a profusion of floor to ceiling windows and

box styled balconies. The entire building is constructed of concrete, including polished concrete floors with in slab heating in the homes. The interiors are carefully designed utilizing every modern convenience, including the option of a hydraulic kitchen counter lowering to table height and then back up. A modern Italian style kitchen with European appliances, integrated fridge and dishwasher and flat modern cabinetry bring the cutting edge exterior from outside in. “Every home you buy isn’t just a box,” says Taylor, “it is a piece of architecture.” Beyond the innovative architecture and sleek interiors, the design represents a fundamental shift in how homeowners will interact with each other in comparison to traditional block living. The courtyard is intended to bring a commonality of purpose and vision to residents, creating a collective place where people interact on a more meaningful level. “It is more than a community, it is a village style community which crosses the boundaries of the physical living space and moves to the courtyard and into the community,” says Taylor.

“A project like this has never been seen in Calgary before… for all those involved in STEPS, it is truly a legacy project. In 10 years time this will (still) be ahead of its time.”

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Fa s t Fac ts Community: B ridgeland Developers: Giustini Development Corporation, Assure Development, Rose Corporation Project:

STEPS Bridgeland

Style:

Modern six story condominium featuring town homes, penthouses and one level suites

Size:

From 344 sq. ft. studio to 2,136 sq. ft. townhomes

“…STEPS will add economic clout to the neighbourhood spurring on business and amenities further bringing a focus to this area.”

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Price:

Studio from $189,900, one bedroom from $239,900

Address:

8th Street Between McPherson Road and McDougall Road

Sales Suite: 921 1st Avenue N.E. Hours:

Monday to Friday noon to 6 p.m., weekends noon to 5 p.m.

Website: www.stepsbridgeland.com

Aptly named, STEPS Bridgeland is located steps from the shops, services and restaurants that define this hip and trendy community. “Bridgeland is already a destination, and STEPS will add economic clout to the neighborhood spurring on businesses and amenities further bringing a focus to this area,” says Taylor. Well known as a community where old meets new and trendy meets traditional, the exciting fusion of this area is undeniable. Drawn by vibrant street life ranging from the landmark eateries of La Dolce Vita and La Brezza to the quick and healthy meals found at The Main to the funky Blue Star Diner, residents and fans from across the city come to experience great food and inner-city living. “It is a lifestyle people are buying,” says Taylor, “it ‘s a continuation of their personal style and flair.” Projected start build time is 2014 with 87 homes remaining. Near the LRT and the bow valley park system, this is an opportunity for great adventure and self-expression. As Taylor states, “it is signature.” CL s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

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By Pepper Rodriguez | CONDO PROFILE

The lifestyle equation eighty5nine sums up the best of west side multi-family lifestyle

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he simplicity of eight5nine’s name says it all. Sitting at the corner where 85th Street and 9th Avenue S.W. meet, it is this much sought-after west side location that has been at the very heart of its incredible popularity. Vertical Properties, eighty5nine’s developer, only began sales in April releasing 71 of 83 units, and now, less than 10 remain. “It was a surprisingly busy summer — we were closing deals all through the Stampede season, which is normally a slow period, but not this time,” marvels sales manager, Anna Crossley. She says buyers are lining up because eighty5nine offers the sublime confluence of an ideal location, the perfect product and affordable pricing. “We’re also about to release the 12 townhome component of the development and we already have an extensive list of people interested in it,” she says. “We are confident eighty5nine will be sold out this fall,” Vertical Properties’ Charlene Reinke told Condo Living. Vertical Properties is owned by Al Morrison, of Morrison Homes fame, and has some 55 years of experience in the home construction industry. Crossley says its not just downsizers who are pushing the demand — it’s the single professionals, and couples beginning a new life. “We’re getting a lot of young people new in the home market who grew up in the area and want to stay here, and active seniors who want to simplify their lives but not necessarily give up on the luxurious style they are used to and want the lockand-leave lifestyle we offer.”

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Key to their success is their west side location in West Springs. “It’s the most sought-after part of town, it is a well-established community with tons of amenities within a short distance, including boutique shops, unique restaurants, coffee shops, groceries, schools, places of worship, you name it,” she adds. The area is becoming a foodie’s dream with new bistros and fine dining establishments opening seemingly everyday. “There’s a Mercato’s just across the street, Vin Room and Fergus & Bix are popular spots to unwind, and the

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new Redwater Grill has everyone really excited.” The Westside Recreation Centre is also just down the road, so there is really no need to install a lot of in-house amenities like gyms, which keeps condo fees low. “Our condo fees are around $300, which is pretty low considering what eighty5nine offers.” It does have a central courtyard that runs through the middle of the complex and some homes are still available that open directly to this beautifully landscaped feature. “The courtyard gives residents the opportunity to know their neighbours, a safe common area where they can congregate.” eighty5nine’s City Home condo design is a unique advantage, too, as it offers a spacious, two-level lifestyle for a typical apartment price point. “Our one-bedroom units sold out right out off the gate,” Crossley says. Available are two-bedroom homes with two-and-a-half baths from 1,172 to 1,224 square-feet. s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

| CONDO PROFILE

…quartz kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances on top of upgraded vinyl flooring gives the interiors a contemporary chic style. All homes are beautifully designed with contemporary finishings. James Hardie siding gives the exteriors a classy, durable street appeal, quartz kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances on top of upgraded vinyl flooring gives the interiors a contemporary chic style. The nine-foot ceilings add a feeling of spaciousness. Each home also gets a secured parking stall. The townhomes, which will be released later this year, will be similarly styled and will be from 1,355 to 1,426 squarefeet and priced starting from the $440,000s. The prices and the perks have been a big part of their success. A partnership with Crate and Barrel that gives buyers deep discounts to furnish their home at this popular retailer has also gotten very positive feedback. “We offer the same deal at our Sonoma at Sage Hills development and that has been positively received, as well.” Construction of the first phase at eighty5nine has already started and possessions should begin by next year. CL s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

Fa s t Fac ts Community: West Springs Developer: Vertical Properties Project: eighty5nine Style:

Two-level apartment condos and townhomes

Size:

1,172 to 1,224 sq. ft for apartment condos, and 1,355 to 1,426 sq. ft. for townhomes

Address:

882 85th St. S.W.

Directions: West on Bow Trail and right on 85th St. S.W. and follow the signs Hours:

Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.

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By Janine Workman | community profile

The lure of the lake O

Multi-family developments get in on the action in Auburn Bay

ffering trendy streetscapes, innovative floor plans and a multitude of nearby amenities, Brookfield Residential’s southeast community of Auburn Bay certainly has all it takes for a leisurely lifestyle by the lake. Now, as more multi-family and duplex projects get going in this popular southeast community, more people are getting the opportunity to enjoy this resort-like life than ever before. Apartments and townhomes from the low $200,000s from Mosaic Lakeside by Brookfield Homes, Stonecroft Homes, and ZEN by Avalon Master Builders are selling well, as are the semi-detached homes from Brookfield Homes Side-bySide that start in the low $300,000s. Why they have been doing well is no secret. Auburn Bay’s 43-acre lake is a fabulous lifestyle amenity that’s hard to find in landlocked Calgary, but it’s far from the

only attraction as the community sits next to the future Seton Urban District, a 365-acre urban development set to deliver downtown energy through retail, recreational and professional opportunities. “It creates that pedestrian lifestyle that really appeals to all homebuyers,” says Karen MacPhee, Area Sales Manager, Mosaic Lakeside, multi-family division for Brookfield Homes. As a perfect example of urban living with style, Mosaic Lakeside is a collection of 176 stacked, condo-style townhomes, all with the convenience of a single, double or tandem attached garage. With only eight homes left in the Mosaic Lakeside development, these maintenance-free homes draw on amenities already in place in Auburn Bay to keep monthly fees low. “They really appeal to everyone, from that first-time buyer to the downsizer as well,” MacPhee says.

Auburn Bay’s 43-acre lake is a fabulous lifestyle amenity that’s hard to find in landlocked Calgary...

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Megan Berg and Mike Snider are first-time home buyers in Mosaic Lakeside, ready to take possession of their 800-square-foot, two-bedroom Ruby model this September. Berg and Snider liked the Ruby for its bright, open floor plan and lake and mountain views. “We looked to rent in downtown Calgary and then we started seeing that it’s pretty much cheaper to own a house right now,” Berg explains. Homes in Mosaic Lakeside offer two-and three-bedroom options and span 720 to 1,450 square-feet. “It’s kinda perfect for what we need, we don’t need anything bigger, it’s just the two of us,” Snider says. The couple explains the re-sale value of Auburn Bay appealed to them, as did the young energy of the community. “We know lot of people that are moving and buying in Auburn Bay,” says Berg. Also new from Brookfield Homes is Muskoka, a 106 home development that offers nine floorplans including the desirable stacked bungalow models, the Olive and Slate. Available in one-, two- and three-bedroom plans from 720 – 1,400+ square-feet., Muskoka Townhomes will offer purchasers several personalization options and attached garages. “We have had great success in the Auburn Bay community,” says Kelly Halliday, Sales and Marketing Manager with Brookfield Homes. “Muskoka is not only a reflection of the active lifestyle and community feel of Auburn Bay, it also offers the cottage country charm that one would find in the beautiful lake district of Muskoka in Ontario.” Also doing well is Stonecroft Auburn Bay, a four-building condo complex that will house 200 homes when complete.

A newly-opened show suite features the largest floor plan, which offers two-bedrooms and a den. Complementing Stonecroft’s urban, maintenance-free living, homes come standard with sleek quartz countertops, chrome accents, stainless steel appliances and hardwood and carpet flooring. Starting in the low $200,000’s, 10 floor plans are available, spanning 600 to 1,008 square-feet. Located directly across the street from the new South Health Campus and a minute’s walk to Auburn Bay Lake, this development has quickly caught interest since its release. “One of the features is it’s a great location,” says Fred Thiessen, Stonecroft Developments’ co-owner. For those looking for private outdoor space, Avalon Master Builder’s ZEN townhomes offer two- and three-storey homes with fenced back yards and one-storey garden homes with private patios. “It’s nice that we can cater to so many different customers with different needs,” says Avalon’s Dean Clark. Pet-friendly ZEN will feature 189 homes, starting at $275,900, including GST. Homes range from 1,017 to 1,273 square-feet, with plenty of different options through the nine floor plans available to choose from. A maintenance-free development, ZEN truly takes care of the details, including mowing the grass in your backyard, a lifestyle choice Clark says works for a lot of people. “The majority of Calgarians are really seeing that and appreciating that, because we are a very busy city,” he explains. And for those looking for a little more independence, Brookfield Homes is offering side-by-side homes, starting from the low $300,000s. The semi-detached homes range from 1,116 to 1,413 squarefeet and come in five floor plans, with one more on the way — the

“IT’S NICe ThaT We CaN CaTer TO SO maNY DIffereNT CuSTOmerS WITh DIffereNT NeeDS.”

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| COMMunITY PROFILE

Fast Facts commmunity: Auburn Bay developer: Brookfield Residential builders & prices: Apartments and Townhomes – Mosaic Lakeside by Brookfield Homes, Stonecroft Homes, and zEn by Avalon Master Build – from the low $200,000s Semi Detached Homes – Brookfield Homes Side-By-Side – from the low $300,000s Single-Family Homes – Brookfield Homes – from the $300,000s, Innovations by Jayman – from the $350,000s, Baywest Homes, Cedarglen Homes, Jayman MasterBuILT – from the low $400,000s Estate Homes – Albi Homes, Morrison Homes – from the low $600,000s hours:

Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.

directions: South on Deerfoot Trail and exit on Seton Blvd. and follow the signs. Website:

www.liveauburnbay.ca

Willow. Upon completion, approximately 575 side-by-side homes will be built. On offer are options for dual master suites, two bedrooms with a loft or three-bedroom plans. Each side-by-side home has its own separate title, so it’s not a condo and does not carry with it condo fees, which is part of their appeal. You own the land these homes sit on so you’re free to do what you want with your front and backyards. “I would say we’ve hit a bit of a niche, in that we are able to capture a market where people are looking at affordability as well as getting their wants,” says Nada Nosal, Area Sales Manager, Auburn

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Bay Side-by-Side, single-family division for Brookfield Homes. Tiffany and Mike Jones, recently purchased a Side-by-Side, three-bedroom, 1,404-square-foot Linden model in Auburn Bay and take possession this November. “We are so excited, it can’t come fast enough,” Tiffany says. “We like the lake and within the next few years we are going to have kids, it will be perfect for kids.” The couple found by choosing a semi-detached home they were able to fully upgrade their home to suit their needs, and build a garage, for a comparable price as a basic, single-family model. “We really liked Brookfield Homes,” Tiffany says. “I really like the style of them, I think the houses are so cute.” And, with already established parks, pathways, a 13-acre beach, volleyball and tennis courts, tot lots and a water park, they are confident they chose the right community. “We might move out of the side-by-side, but I don’t see us leaving Auburn Bay for a very long, if at all,” she says. cL

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COMMunITY PROFILE | By karen Durrie

KeNsINGTON COMes THROuGH

The inner-city community picks itself up from the floods

he floods have come and gone, and the inner-city community of Hillhurst/Sunnyside seems to have come through the other side none the worse for wear, with life seeming to be getting back to normal. The northwest neighbourhood of Hillhurst/Sunnyside (better known as Kensington) was first settled more than 130 years ago, and though the sweeping hands of time are apparent in its historic buildings and homes, today it also features a mix of contemporary condos and funky facades. The area is also home to the vibrant Kensington business district spanning Kensington Rd. and 10th St. NW. More than 250 trendy boutiques, upscale restaurants, pubs and coffee shops buzz with residents and further-flung Calgarians endeared to the destination. Although not officially a neighbourhood, “Kensington” is used interchangeably with Hillhurst/Sunnyside by residents and developers alike. In recent years, Hillhurst/Sunnyside has become a desirable location for builders to lay down stakes, adding more high-density choices to a neighbourhood that

contains what a New Yorker magazine article recently described as “The Triangle of Life,” says Shane Styles, sales and marketing manager for Bucci Developments, builder of the upcoming Ven condominium development on 5th Ave. NW. “The triangle of life is about how happiness relates to a triangle: where you work, where you sleep, and where you shop for the things you need everyday,” Styles said. When those things are in closer proximity, the philosophy goes, people are happier campers. The C-train runs through Hillhurst/Sunnyside, there is a Safeway grocery store within walking distance for residents, and the area is just minutes from downtown, making walking to work for many a breeze. That’s one of the big selling points of the area for resident Dean Edgar, who lives with girlfriend Cindy Ellis in a stylish mid-90s condo on Second Street. “I like the ease of walking downtown to work, or going for beers, and we do some restauranting,” says Edgar, who works in gas marketing for Husky Energy. Edgar snapped up the condo eight years ago when a friend put it on the market. He’d been living in an apartment in Kensington prior to the move, and knew he wanted to stay in the area. The June floods affected a number of Sunnyside residents, whose

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| COMMunITY PROFILE

The area is just minutes from downtown, making walking to work for many a breeze.

St. John’s Tenth Street by Streetside Developments

PIXEL by Battistella

spectacular community spirit was in evidence as they helped one another recover from it. Does the flood give Edgar second thoughts about living in the area? He says no. “I’ve been through two floods and wasn’t affected by them,” he says, adding he helped stricken neighbours clear out sodden basements. Facing the bottom of McHugh Bluff (incidentally named for Felix McHugh, an early homesteader and entrepreneur), the VEN condo site was also not affected by the flood. At the time of this writing, Ven was at its earliest stages, with the demolition of a row of dilapidated houses on the street just getting underway. Other new condo projects happening in this hip locale include Streetside Development’s St. John’s Tenth Street, and the colourful Pixel on 9a Street, by Battistella. Both are all but sold out. St. John’s will have 95 condos with 39 different floor plans that appeal to tastes that run from traditional to modern. PIXEL features dramatic architecture with bright yellow cubes scattered across its façade, creating a sleek, multicoloured entrance. The eight-storey midrise is as high as neighbourhood controls allow, and will feature a rooftop garden for residents to mingle and enjoy the sights and sounds of Kensington. The project is nearly sold out, says Adrienne McGarvey, administration manager for PIXEL by Battistella, and will be ready for possession by November. s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : c e L e b r at i N g i t s 10 t h Y e a r

PIXEL fits neatly into the city’s plans for the area, promoting mixed-use development. “They want to keep single-family homes that have been here for 100 years, but are also keen to promote affordable housing so that it doesn’t become really gentrified,” McGarvey says. The Kensington area’s appeal, she adds, is that it’s a neighbourhood where you truly do have everything, including a cinema (The Plaza Theatre), at your fingertips, and there is a real neighbourhood feel within an inner-city community. These are among the many reasons that developers are leaping at the chance — indeed Bucci snapped up the VEN site within 20 minutes of it being put up for sale — to build in the area. Developments almost sell themselves since they’re in a veritable village with all amenities in place, and one that has a lively and pulsating heart. cL

“It’s a neighbourhood where you truly do have everything, including a cinema (The Plaza Theatre), at your fi ngertips, and there is a real neighbourhood feel within an inner-city community.” Photo by Dave Macaulay. o c t o b e r 2 0 1 3

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Story by Karen Durrie | Photos by Don Molyneaux | lifestyles

Chestermere calling Princess gets to stretch her legs in her owner’s new Chestermere Station home

enn McIntyre’s number-one priority in searching for a place to lay down roots was a yard. Her brawny Boxer, Princess, needed to have enough leg-stretching space to keep her happy. Next on the list was a roomy kitchen. McIntyre is a bit of a cupcake queen, called on regularly by friends and family. She took a cake decorating class a few years ago, and realized a talent and a love for doing it. “You find out how many weddings and birthdays and showers there really are,” she laughs. But by day, McIntyre, 27, an engineer by training, is a project manager at Siemens Canada. She purchased a townhome pre-construction in the neighbourhood of Chestermere Station in Chestermere in February 2012, and moved

in, along with her boyfriend Alfred Hoolahan, last March. She had been renting a basement suite in the southwest community of Killarney when she decided it was time to move up to home ownership. Making a list of all the things she wanted in a home, from presentation to price point, McIntyre says everything at Townhomes of Chestermere Station by Slokker Canada West fit the bill. Designed to maximize the efficient use of space, the townhomes feature open living areas that flow effortlessly from room to room. Full-height cabinetry, oversized casings and baseboards give an upscale look to the sleek, modern interiors.

Princess with owners, Jenn and Alfred

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…after pricing out similar townhomes in Calgary, the pair realized a savings of about $30,000 by purchasing in Chestermere. McIntyre’s favourite features of her 1,140-square-foot, two-bedroom townhome include the large bonus room that she uses for her office, the oversized gleaming black granite island in the kitchen, and the walk-in closets. The espresso-hued laminate flooring matches the same shade on the kitchen island and cabinetry, and longhaired pile carpet in a café-au-lait tone provides a warm welcome up the stairs to the second floor. Walls are painted in a subdued tan hue, accented by pops of clean white in railings and doors. The attached garage has an entry coming into the home’s foyer, which includes a closet and pocket bathroom, and a door down to the basement — where the laundry room and Alfred’s “man cave” with television and furniture currently reside — and which the pair will eventually develop into a cozy rec room. McIntyre enjoys her office at the top of the second-floor stairs. She occasionally works from home, and the open, well-lit space is perfectly appointed with her desk and drafting table. 58 |

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She could have opted to have a third bedroom built in place of a bonus room, but wanted to keep the open-concept plan flowing from the main floor. The space contains a comfy brown leather couch, room for a piano, which she hopes to purchase in the future, and an airy gallery-style environment, where she will hang a display of her father’s abstract and nature photography. A massive headboard with built-in cabinets, shelves and nightstands dominates the large, bright master bedroom. “Half the furniture is new, “ McIntyre says, adding that after pricing out similar townhomes in Calgary, the pair realized a savings of about $30,000 by purchasing in Chestermere. Back on the main floor, the tidy kitchen looks to a dining area with a view of the back yard, and flows over to a livingroom with a tiled fireplace set into the far corner, perfect for chilly fall and winter days. The townhomes are handy — right across the street, in fact — to the Chestermere Station shopping area, with a grocery store, restaurants, shops and services. McIntyre was already familiar with the town, having family that already lived in the area. s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : CE L EBRATI N G i t s 1 0 t h Y EAR

| LIFESTYLES

Her commute to work is about 20 minutes via 17th Ave. or “whatever road seems to have less traffic that day.” She is excited for the east portion of Stoney Trail to be completed soon, for quick access to other points. Chestermere Lake is minutes away, and the couple rides bikes around the lake frequently. “It’s very quiet, we have met a lot of the neighbours, and they are all really nice. We took the dog out front before we got (backyard) grass, so she helped us meet most of our neighbours.” McIntyre plans to live in her townhome for three to five years, and eventually upsize to a single-family home in Chestermere. “I absolutely love it here. I could settle here the rest of my life. It has a small town feel and is close to everything. Everything is within walking distance,” she says. cL

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“I absolutely love it here. I could settle here the rest of my life.”

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By Jessica Patterson | ON TREND

Pantry party Make the most of your pantry space

hen Karen Fron was a child, her grandmother had a fair-sized pantry with a window in her little house. “It was a place of magic,” says Fron. “Hanging on the wall across from the window was her rolling pin, wooden spoon, colander, and cheese grater. When we went to visit I’d be told to go into the pantry and see what special treat was waiting on the small counter.” These days, Fron is an interior designer, with her own design company in Calgary, who believes pantries are an integral part of any kitchen. “Pantries are becoming one of the most requested home features today,” she says. “Having a pantry allows for great organization and also adds a bit of charm and nostalgia.” There are several styles of pantries offered in homes now: there’s the traditional corner pantry tucked away by the kitchen, then there’s the walk-through pantry which usually leads from the kitchen to the mudroom and garage for easier access when bringing groceries in, and then there’s the closet pantry which is popular among condos and townhomes as they save a lot of space and gives the kitchen a sleek, modern look.

“Pantries are becoming one of the most requested home features today.” OMAR shelving units. Photo courtesy IKEA.

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Left: GORM shelving units. Below: SAMLA storage boxes. All photos courtesy IKEA.

Making the most of your pantry space takes some organization and thought, the interior designer says. “It takes work to keep a pantry tidy and organized,” she says. “It’s It’s a good idea to do a straightening of the pantry before grocery shopping. That way you’ll know what you have and can even plan a few meals around using what’s already there. After shopping, it’s important to put away provisions where they belong and with similar items. For condo owners, pantries are perfect storage spaces. Often times, all condo owners get are a set of cupboards or cabinets as pantry space for dry goods, but sometimes, that’s all you really need. “If you have a condo, then it’s really important to keep on hand only what you need,” Fron says. “The pantry should be for items that are daily use and maybe a spare or two. This is why it’s important to

figure out how a person lives and organize accordingly.” Use every extra inch of space for storage in your pantry. Shelving can be built in, or could hold seasonal items. Drawers and narrow shelving units can also be put to good use. “There are so many storage options on the market and these can be placed where needed,” Fron says. “Rubbermaid makes nice drawers, IKEA has great storage units to buy. Think outside the box and see what can be used to create the space in a way that compliments your lifestyle.” Style and function go together in small spaces like condo pantries. “We like to say that when buying something new, pretty costs just as much as ugly,” Fron says, laughing.

“There are so many storage options on the market and these can be placed where needed ... Think outside the box and see what can be used to create the space in a way that compliments your lifestyle.” 64 |

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“Often people don’t realize that pretty doesn’t have to cost a lot. There are many stores that offer beautiful items for lower prices, as well as thrift stores and yard sales.” Organize your pantry so that visually it looks appealing, the interior designer says. “Group items together, like vinegars and oil with spices,” she says. “Putting the work into it at the beginning will pay off every day. If this sounds overwhelming, there are professional organizers that will help out. Today we all live a busy life, but being organized saves time and stress.” For any pantry space, it’s important to organize the shelving based on your needs, says Alicia Zoffranieri, national public relations specialist at IKEA Canada. “IKEA has quite a few pantry options to choose from,” she says. “Two of our most popular pantries include the GORM & OMAR shelving units. Each of these products have options for customers to be able to purchase separate add-on pieces to make organizing their pantry quick and simple.” “Always put your heaviest items towards the bottom of the pantry where you can easily lift them,” Zoffranieri says. “It’s best to keep the top of the pantry free for items you seldom use and save the middle for your most used items to make them easily accessible for you.” From hanging baskets to maximize every inch of available space, to a wide variety of boxes, IKEA has lots of different options for storage, Zoffranieri says. “SAMLA storage boxes are a great option because they come in a variety of sizes and are available in clear plastic or black (for those who don’t want the clutter to show),” she says. As for adding a little personality to your pantry, scour garage sales for neat or colourful glass bottles or boxes. If staying neutral with clean and tidy lines

If you have a pantry with doors, a stylish and sleek lighting option is the INREDA LED (top) light strip, which is suitable for use in the pantry. GRUNDTAL (bottom) cabinet lighting is a good one and easy to mount on top of a pantry.

is your aim for your pantry, various retailers carry basic lines of plastic storage. “IKEA also carries storage boxes that are colourful and vibrant,” Zoffranieri says. “Two of our newest storage boxes in that range are the KVITTRA & PALLRA boxes.” The last thing to remember in organizing your pantry is lighting. Your pantry lighting should be as good as the lighting in the rest of your kitchen. Look for lighting that is both functional and stylish. “There are several lighting options available at IKEA for closets, cabinets and pantries,” Zoffranieri says. “GRUNDTAL cabinet lighting is a good one and easy to mount on the top of a pantry. If you have a pantry with doors, a stylish and sleek lighting option is the INREDA LED light strip, which is also suitable for use in the pantry.” CL

KVITTRA (left) and PALLRA (right) storage boxes.

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By Kathy McCormick | shopping

Kitchen helpers Small appliances that help with just about any culinary task

he impossible happened in the movie, “Field of Dreams” simply because one man believed that it could. ‘Build it and they will come.’ It seems today’s small kitchen appliance manufacturers have discovered that it is true — they’re building and people are coming. They’re not only coming, they’re buying — and buying lots, say retailers. Small kitchen appliances are one of the largest growth areas for big-box retailers — so much so, that many of the smaller local shops have stopped carrying them — they aren’t able to offer the bulk-buying prices and variety of the large chains. “The variety is incredible today,” says Mike Pearson, a manager at a local big box retailer. “There is something for everyone, whether single-serve coffee makers, which are huge now and found everywhere, breakfast machines, waffle makers, yogurt machines, or even more specialty-type items.” Today’s families are much more health conscious — and that’s a challenge for parents today when hectic school and extra-curricular activities eat up so much of a family’s time. That’s why anything that helps parents in the kitchen is welcome, says Andrea Zimmerman, category business manager, small appliances, at Canadian Tire. “Today’s households are focused on fresh and healthy meals, but with a limited amount of time available we have seen a surge in small appliances that enable moms and dads to accomplish fresh and healthy in a timely manner — for example, single-serve coffee systems, crock pots, blenders and food processers allow families the ability to create fresh meals quickly at home.” A big seller right now is juicers, made popular by a movie extolling the virtues of healthy diets, starting with the juicer, says Pearson. “It brought focus to juicers and the healthy aspect of using them.”

Ninja Pulse Blender is one of the most popular small appliance sellers. Prices at just under $80 at Canadian Tire.

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shopping | Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Stay or Go Slow Cooker – $59 at Canadian Tire. Has three temperature settings, to provide a variety of cooking functions.

available at our fingertips — get the kids involved by having them help you choose a recipe and drop the ingredients into the pot. Turn it on in the morning and come home to a fresh cooked meal.” Here are some of the other most popular small kitchen appliances at Canadian Tire designed to make life easier for the busy household where children are back on schedules and hectic calendars mean organization and easy meals to keep everyone healthy and happy: KitchenAid Food Processor, 7-Cup Quickly mince, blend, mix, and emulsify foods with this model making it quick and easy to prep ingredients for lunch, dinner or an evening snack. $149.99 at Canadian Tire.

“Crock pots are often overlooked as a major time-saving tool and kitchen essential. While they force you to plan ahead, they make mealtimes easy and relatively painless...” Juicers, blenders and appliances to make slushes, smoothies and other nutritional drinks have been around a long time — and because they allow people to eat nutritiously, they’re going to stay. And there is something for every budget: prices range from the Magic Bullet Single Shot at under $30, to $800 or $900 for one of the Vitamix series, the Rolls Royce of blenders. And at Canadian Tire, the Ninja Pulse Blender is one of the most popular small appliance sellers. Priced at just under $80, it blends up tasty and healthy smoothies for the kids and their parents in the morning — the perfect start to a hectic back-to-school day. It has a large capacity and powerful pulse technology, plus its dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup quick and easy. Another favourite of Zimmerman’s is the crock pot. “Crock pots are often overlooked as a major time-saving tool and kitchen essential. While they force you to plan ahead, they make mealtimes easy and relatively painless, plus, there are literally thousands of recipes

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Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1 Grill Four appliances in one, this kitchen helper serves as a contact grill, Panini press, flat grill, and regular grill, allowing you to quickly press sandwiches for lunch or dinner, or grill up meat and veggies for a speedy dinner. Bonus — both upper and lower plates are nonstick, easy to remove and dishwasher safe. $129.99 at Canadian Tire. Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Stay or Go Slow Cooker Come home to a hot dinner every night with this cooker. With three temperature settings (high, low and keep warm), it provides a variety of cooking and serving functions. $59 at Canadian Tire Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker What kid doesn’t love dessert? Treat the little ones to a cool, yet healthy, treat with Yonanas. It transforms bananas and other frozen fruits into delicious, creamy ice-cream-like desserts. $49.99 at Canadian Tire. Over at Williams- Sonoma, these are some of the popular choices:

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| shopping Breville Crispy Crusty Pizza Maker, $189.68 at Williams-Sonoma (online). Great for making brickoven style pizzas.

Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker This compact countertop machine is a game-changer for making extraordinary, brick-oven style pizzas — in about 10 minutes. The dual heating elements replicate a brick oven by heating the built-in baking stone up to 660 degrees Fahrenheit, guaranteeing crisp, golden crusts every time. $189.68 at Williams- Sonoma online. Breville Smart Grill and Griddle Similar to the Cuisinart Griddler above, this innovative and versatile three-in-one machine can be used as an open grill, a flat griddle or a Panini press/contact grill. Non-stick cast-aluminum grates with embedded heating elements heat up quickly and evenly — and easily sustain high temperatures. $379.43 at Williams-Sonoma online. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor This stream-lined Mini-Prep Plus easily dispatches those small but time-consuming prep tasks, from chopping herbs to grinding nuts. At the push of the button, its touch-pad controls switch from Chop to Grind — so you don’t have to change the blade. $50.54 at WilliamsSonoma online. KitchenAid Pro-Line Dicing and Food Processor This top-of-the-line food processor perfectly dices, shreds, purees, mixes, and kneads with precision and agility. From chopping small quantities of nuts to dicing whole potatoes, this machine offers the ideal balance of versatility, performance and power. $758.92 at Williams- Sonoma online. And let’s not forget about looks. Today’s small appliances can be highlights of the kitchen design — no need to hide them away in forgotten cupboards anymore. Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1 Grill – $129.99 at Canadian Tire. Four appliances in one, this kitchen helper serves as a contact grill, Panini press, flat grill, and a regular grill.

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“Another big area of growth is the novelty items, such as Margarita makers, snow cone machines, or great big popcorn machines on wheels.” KitchenAid, for example, has a line of appliances that are sleek and colourful. Think fire-engine red stand mixers, or the all-new Artisan Stand Mixer ($299.99 at London Drugs) that comes in 26 colours, including luscious Boysenberry or Persimmon or Pistachio Green. And add in your choice of Hand Mixers, Stick Blenders or Food Choppers in matching colours for $39.99 each. “The assortment of machines today has grown dramatically compared to 10 years ago,” says Pearson. “Another big area of growth, especially around Christmas time, is the novelty items, such as Margarita makers, snow cone machines, or great big popcorn machines on wheels.” Anyone for a Circus-Themed Waffle Maker? From Smart Planet, it’s just $19.99 at London Drugs — and the waffles come out shaped like circus animals. Last, but certainly not least, parents need a good cup of joe to get them going in the morning. A huge seller at all retailers right now is the coffee maker — in particular, the one-cup machines that can customize each cup. “Coffee makers and machines are consistently popular,” Zimmerman says. “Canadians love their coffee and being able to make a fresh cup at home to start the day has remained a tradition. Single-serve machines like Tassimo and Keurig enable you to cater to everyone’s needs — making anything possible — making tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso in seconds. Why not cater to everyone’s different wants?” Zimmerman says. Build it and they will come. CL

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Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor – $50.54 (online) at Williams-Sonoma.

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By Richard White | FEATuRE

eaST VILLaGe & PuBLIC arT PuBLIC ART PLAYS CRuCIAL ROLE In REvITALIzInG EAST vILLAGE

t is not by accident that when Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) developed its master plan for East Village redevelopment the idea of commissioning public art was a key tactic. Titled, “Art In The Public Realm,” the plan called for major public artworks at key nodes as a means of creating a more inviting and interesting public realm (i.e. sideways, plazas, parks and pathways). What was unique here was the “public art first” policy which saw some of the art commissioned and installed even before a single condo was built. The first commission was with Derek Besant, one of Calgary’s most internationally renowned artists.

Besant’s “I AM THE RIVER” was a 200-site temporary city-wide art installation commissioned by the City of Calgary aimed at reminding Calgarians of the importance of our rivers. One of the installation sites was along the new RiverWalk on the pillars underneath the 5th Avenue flyover and the new public washroom buildings. Perhaps ironic, but shortly after they were removed from RiverWalk, the river flooded, but not at this site. I AM THE RIVER depicted the somewhat distorted faces of 50 Calgarians submerged into the waters of the Bow. The portraits were controversial, but Besant thinks, “Good public art elicits debate! It motivates the public to get out to see and judge

Editor’s note: This is the second of Richard White’s two-part series on how public art has affected livability — or at least the perception of it — in Calgary’s inner-city. s o u r c e m e d i a g r o u p : c e L e b r at i N g i t s 10 t h Y e a r

Promenade by Julian Opie. This 24-foot high, four-sided LED rectangular tower projects six cartoon-like figures walking briskly in and out of view. Photo by Pepper Rodriguez. o c t o b e r 2 0 1 3

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THE PUBLIC IS DRAWN IN TO COMTEMPLATE THE COMPLEXITY AND AMBIGUITY OF THE IMAGERY AND CREATE THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING. the work for themselves.” For East Village, it was the beginning of changing the public’s image of the area from that of skid row to one that could be a hip-happening place. The second piece by internationally renowned, new media artist Julian Opie, is “Promenade.” This 24-foot high, four-sided LED rectangular tower projects six cartoon-like figures walking briskly in and out of view. This kinetic artwork’s constantly moving and changing is a perfect metaphor for Calgary. The decision to locate it above 4th Street S.E. so it can best be seen by cars leaving downtown on the 5th Avenue flyover is a curious one, given it is situated more in the vehicle realm than in the pedestrian one. It serves more as a billboard for the new East Village brand, than an artist’s statement. To me, it needs a stronger street level to effectively enhance the pedestrian experience, which is part of the walkable image being marketed for East Village.

On East Village’s new Riverfront Lane (Calgary’s sole pedestrian-only street) sits CMLC’s third commission, “THESAMEWAYBETTER/ READER” by Calgary artist Ron Moppett. This longest freestanding mural in Canada is 110-feet long and about 12 feet high. Moppett design it, while Franz Mayer of Munich (who has one of the world’s foremost studios for mosaics and stain glass) manufactured and installed the 950,000 mosaic tiles. The mural’s imagery is a complex mixture of representational, abstract and symbolism. The subject matter is a collage of narratives from Calgary history — everything from primeval plant life in the first section to palm trees that William Reader, Calgary’s first Parks Superintendent tried to grow in Central Memorial Park in the early 20th century. The rich bold colour creates a playful and cheerful sense of place. The public is drawn in to contemplate the complexity and ambiguity I AM THE RIVER by Derek Besant

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Photo by Pepper Rodriguez

of the imagery and create their own understanding. With the mural at ground level and facing southeast (capturing and reflecting the winter sun), it creates a very warm and pleasant pedestrian experience, which invites you to linger. The newest public artwork is a series of temporary murals painted on the pillars of the 5th Avenue overpass on RiverWalk at 4th Street S.E. and the washrooms. Completed in July, by Calgary artists Kai Caunoc-Boettcher, Ivan Ostapenko and Daniel J. Kirk, are rich in past and present imagery collaged into narrative, dream-like compositions. The public project everyone is waiting for is the St. Patrick’s bridge, which unlike the Peace Bridge has not been embroiled in any controversy even though its price tag is also in the $25 million dollar range. In this a case design competition was launched by CMLC and the public was able to see and comment on the 30 proposals. The winning proposal by the French firm RFR Hasall nicknamed “The Skipping Stone” for its series of arches that look like a stone skipping over the water. It was widely accepted by the public and academics. The bridge was expected to open late in 2013, however the June flood will definitely delay that. The Skipping Stone bridge along with the redevelopment of St.

“Skipping Stone Bridge” at St. Patrick’s Island

Patrick’s Island hopefully by the end of 2014 have been instrumental in making East Village and Bridgeland more attractive places to live. The same could be said for the 4th Street S.E. Underpass, which links East Village to Victoria Park and the Stampede. It also has an enhanced urban design with the LED lighting and the kinetic canopy that moves with the wind — a contemporary whirly-gig. It also has been widely praised by the public and has been the catalyst for new developments including the Village Ice Cream shop. Last Word. Is the use of public art as a catalyst and brand for urban livability a fad or a trend? My bet — it is a trend, which is a good thing. CL THESAMEWAYBETTER/READER by Ron Moppett

Moolenium

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COnDOSCAPeS By Richard White

SCuLPTING The CITYSCaPe

Is Calgary’s urban design being wasted by crowded building space?

fter returning from Chicago this past spring, I had to ask myself the question “Why isn’t Calgary known for its great architecture?” Over the past 10 years, billions of dollars has been invested in private and public buildings and public art, yet for the most part they have not captured the imagination of the international urban design community or Calgarians — The Bow tower and Peace Bridge being the exceptions. Billions more have been approved or are in the planning stages, yet I wonder if we will get the architectural bang for our buck. Over the summer, while walking through the City Centre, the issue continued to nag at me. “Why isn’t Calgary an architectural tourism city like, say, Dubai or Chicago?” One of the thoughts I had was that Calgary’s Downtown is too dense, i.e. you can’t see the interesting architecture for the buildings. Our historical buildings on Stephen Avenue are invisible unless you are on the street itself. The Calgary Tower (Canada’s first and taller than the Seattle Needle) no longer seems like a tower and will become even less so with proposed developments surrounding it. Would the Eiffel Tower be so popular if it was surround by numerous tall 30-plus-storey buildings? In both Chicago and Dubai one of the things I observed is that their architectural gems have space around them so you can see almost the entire building. They are situated like sculptures in an art gallery. In Chicago they use the river to separate many of the buildings, which has resulted in architectural river cruises that are extremely popular and educational. In Dubai, they have lined up their buildings along highways, intersections or along the waterfront to give them some separation and space. But, in Calgary our towers seem to compete with each other, rather than being synergistic. For example,

The Bow does not interact well with the Suncor Energy Centre and Keynote condo/ office complex does not interact well with Nuera, Alura, Sass and Vetro. I love the way the Guardian (nee, Arriva) condo sits on its own so you can enjoy the elegance of the entire building. I love the rooftop ornamentation, which is still visible from all sides. I am curious to see how this will change with the addition of the two taller Guardian towers coming up. The Montana also sits alone on the southwest edge of the city centre with its unique rooftop adornment. Macleod Trail between 11th and 14th Avenues has some of the same features as Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, which is lined for several kilometers with sculpture-like vanity towers like medieval soldiers lining up for battle. In Calgary, Keynote, Alura, Nuera, Sasso and Vetro are also lined up nicely so you can appreciate their design without being blocked out by other buildings. In August, I put out the idea that perhaps our “Downtown is too dense for its own good?” in an Everyday Tourist blog which got a lot of response, mostly negative as the common perception is that Calgary isn’t dense enough. I realize we can’t have space around every building in the City Centre, but I am thinking we might be able to create some more synergy and perhaps identify some iconic sites for signature buildings. If you are interested you can read the blog for yourself. I’d love to get more comments. http://everydaytourist.ca cL

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Photo courtesy Tourism Calgary

richard White is the urban Strategist at Ground3 Landscape architects. he has written about urban living, urban development and urban design for 25 years. he can be followed @everydaytourist or you can view more of his blogs, rants and essays at www.everydaytourist.ca

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ASk MARIA By Maria Bartolotti

CONDO QueSTIONS What to ask when buying a condo

’m looking at buying my first-ever condo. What kind of questions should I ask the realtor? Are there any documents I need to check? Owning a condominium is not the same as renting an apartment where all the duties and responsibilities of running the building are handled by the building owner and caretaker. In a condominium complex, ownership responsibilities belong to you and all the other unit owners in your condominium corporation. No one ever wants to get stuck with a lemon so it’s important to do your homework. 1. How much are the condo fees and can I afford to pay fees associated with living in a condo? As a condominium owner you are responsible for paying a monthly fee towards your share of the operating and maintenance expenses. A portion of this fee is allocated towards the capital reserves to pay for major expenditures over the lifetime of the building. The condo fees are made up of all the costs associated with running the condo corporation. From water and sewer, common electricity, insurance, payment to a management company, landscaping and snow removal are just a few items that may be included in putting together a budget. Condominium fees are not optional or negotiable and must be paid to the corporation on a monthly basis. 2. If you are buying a condo with an established condo board, read the minutes of board meetings. The minutes will tell you about the kinds of projects are ongoing in the complex, which ones have been completed or have not been completed. Who’s griping about what, any upcoming special assessments, reserve fund studies and any capital improvements and more.

3. Ask if the condo carries insurance and what does the insurance cover. Most owners purchasing into a condo believe that the condo insurance policy in place for the corporation will cover their personal content and living expenses. Well, I’m here to tell you otherwise. If your building is damaged by fire or a flood or a leaky roof, you will be on the hook for the damage done to property in your own unit — furniture, clothing, electronics — as well as finding accommodations while the unit is repaired. Your condominium corporation carries insurance to cover the building and common areas. So, do your homework and know what the policy covers. 4. Does the condo have current or updated bylaws? Every condominium has a set of bylaws, which set out the rules and regulations that govern the corporation. They are a legal binding obligation of the owners and occupants in a condominium corporation. In order for the bylaws to be enforceable they must be registered with Land Titles. Older bylaws may not meet the requirements of the Property Act and should be updated. These are just a few questions and documents that you might want to ask your realtor about. If you are purchasing a condo for the first time, I would recommend enlisting the services of a professional Condo Document reviewer. In Alberta, it is an automatic condition of the sale to have the documents reviewed. The reviewer will be able to pull all the necessary documents required for the sale of the condo unit and will sit with you to explain and review the documents. Until next time… cL

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Editor’s note: Readers are encouraged to ask their most confounding condo questions to our resident condo specialist: Maria Bartolotti.

maria bartolotti

is the owner-manager of New Concept management Inc. She has developed a strong reputation for rendering timely and eﬃcient services to the condominium industry. maria believes that her company’s success hinges on her hands-on approach to condominium management as well as maintaining open lines of communications with her clientele. maria is actively involved in her industry. for more information, visit www.newconceptmanagement.com

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HOPe AT lARGe By Marty Hope

aSSeSSING The fLOOD’S effeCTS The road ahead looks murky long after floodwater abated

ike the John F. Kennedy assassination of 1963 and the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, the devastating floods of 2013 will remain firmly entrenched in minds of all Calgarians and Southern Albertans. And while thousands of folks continue to try to put their lives back together, to either renovate their damaged homes or find new accommodation, there is no doubt in the minds of a couple of veteran realtors that the aftermath of the floods will have an impact on the housing markets in and around Calgary. Norb Park and Tom Burk, associate brokers of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Calgary, say there is no question the flooding will continue to have an impact on the marketplace. But right now, there’s “no way of telling the extent of the impact.” The report by Burk and Park comes in the wake of a statement by Becky Walters, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), that said, in part: “In the coming months, flood victims, particularly those who are planning on selling their homes, will have some big decisions to make. Will they sell or will they fully remediate their properties?” These questions are most concerning for people living in flood-affected areas where mould and mud have claimed countless homes. “Some of our clients that were searching in the inner core have decided to re-examine their priorities. Will they trade the convenience and lifestyle of Mission for the higher ground of Altadore? Some that were considering Bridgeland but are now only prepared to look at properties north of 1st Avenue. All of this is in response to the flood,” says the Park-Burk report. One effect of the flood that is becoming apparent is that it has put added pressure on an already strained rental market, especially in the inner-city. “There are just no rentals left out there, and whatever’s left are so astronomically priced that renters will be better off coming up with the

downpayment for a place of their own,” Park tells us in a phone interview. “There is a lot of investor activity, too, and they’re snapping up a lot of units in multi-family projects and putting them in the rental market. Some projects though are still a ways away from completion, and it may be interesting to see what happens when these come on-line when rental properties that are being built at the same time enter the market.” He notes that demand for townhomes have skyrocketed, as these homes with party walls seem to be the favoured model of first-time homebuyers. Park does say that cost escalation may become a problem down the road. “There’s an upward pressure on costs — it’s not on the same level as in 2007 when costs went up 40 per cent in six months just before the market crashed — but it is worrying enough that we may need an interest rate hike just to cool things down a little.” But still, nobody knows for certain how much the flood will affect the market, one thing is for sure — there will be an impact. “All we can do is wait and see,” says Park. On the new homes front, the president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Calgary region, Doug Whitney, says it will take time to sort out issues tied to the flooding. Oh yes, there will be an impact, says Whitney who is also the vice-president of sales for Crystal Creek Homes, and most of that will be in the form of labour and materials. But just how dramatic that impact will be is as clear as mud right now. “I would say it’s really too early for people to fully know the impact,” says Whitney in a recent interview. “The rebuilding isn’t going to happen all at once because sorting out funding issues will take a long time. Certain key trades will be more involved than other, especially those on the mechanical and electrical sides, as well as insulators, drywallers and tapers. But we don’t think it will hit all at once.” cL

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norb Park, Doug Whitney (R)

marty hope. for more than two decades marty hope has been reporting on the housing and development industry in Calgary, throughout alberta, and across Canada. In march, he was presented with the maple Leaf award from the Canadian home Builders’ association which is given annually to a non-builder member in Canada for contributions to the industry.

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AROUnD TOWn By Pepper Rodriguez

TELA SHOWS FABRIC OF LIFE In MISSIOn

DISTRICT TO OPEn In MISSIOn

ission seems to have tela condo in Mission picked up exactly where it left off as one of the hottest inner-city communities in Calgary with more multi-family developments launching in what had been one of the hardest hit areas during June’s historic floodWith one- and two-bedroom units ing. The opening of the 51-unit tela condo available in a wide variety of floor plans, project by CDH Development in SeptemJefferies says the four-storey tela offers ber illustrates the undiminished allure easy convenience and style hard to find in this prime inner-city location still holds. other multi-family developments. “We “The response has been great so far,” tela have two elevators, including one marketing and sales manager Loiuse dedicated to a loading dock that makes Jefferies tells Around Town during the moving in a breeze, and everyone gets a opening of the on-site sales centre on 22nd parking stall in our heated underground Avenue S.W. “The floodwaters didn’t touch garage and the opportunity to add this site at all and we’re confident that another.” buyers will see that what tela offers is a Suites range from 584 to over 1,100 stylish lifestyle that matches the easy village vibe and walkable nature of Mission, square-feet and start from the $270,000s. “Our homes on the fourth floor have you’re close to the action of 4th Street, 14-foot ceilings throughout with skylights you can walk to 17th Avenue or downtown, that give a feeling of spacious freedom. and you’re surrounded by conveniences All our units also have tall, ceiling-height yet tucked away in a quiet part of the windows that add to this allure.” neighbourhood.”

oulevard Investments Corp. (BLVD) has unveiled plans for a new 59-unit condominium apartment project in the Mission district, which the developer says remains as one of the citys most desirable communities. The four-storey project, designed by NORR Architects Planners, will be located at the southwest corner of 2nd Street and 18th Avenue S.W. and be known as DISTRICT. “DISTRICT is high and dry and not affected by the recent flood.” BLVD principal Richard Berman says.“Mission has a rich history since it was first settled more than a century ago. We have been involved in the Mission area for almost 15 years and are pleased to be part of the rebuilding of this venerable neighbourhood. Mission is one of Calgary’s most authentic urban communities.” Interested parties can register immediately at www.mydistrict.ca.

ATTAInABLE HOMES CALGARY MOvES 250 FAMILIES InTO HOME OWnERSHIP

ttainable Homes Calgary Corporation (AHCC) moved its 250th household into an attainable home. The non-profit has been helping moderate-income Calgarians achieve the milestone of home ownership since it was created by City Council in late 2009. The new home owners, Jun Sung Kim and his wife Julia, moved into a two-bedroom apartment condo at SkyView Ranch in northeast Calgary. “My wife and I now have a beautiful new condo to call home for less than what we expected to pay for rent,” Kim says. The newlyweds had spent the months leading up to their wedding looking for a new home. Kim says he was devastated by the cost of housing in Calgary and felt like renting was the only option until he discovered AHCC.

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“It took less than two months to go through the Attainable Home Ownership Program and move into our own home. It was a truly wonderful experience.” AHCC started selling units in February 2011 and has moved people into developments in Beacon Heights, Deer Run, Jun Sung kim and wife Julia Cranston and SkyView Ranch. It recently acquired ten townhomes in Auburn Bay and is planning future developments that will expand its portfolio across every quadrant of the city.

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Around town |

Alberta Condo Owners’ Association launches

new voice for condo owners in Calgary was launched in August, aiming to give better representation for the city’s thousands of multi-family residents. The Alberta Condo Owners’ Association (ACOA) is the brainchild of Bernice M. Winter and Dr. June Donaldson. “ACOA aims to create a united voice and visible presence for condo owners with all service providers, and that includes the Government of Alberta,” Donaldson tells Around Town. “We want to gather owner issues and ideas, and where trends evolve, act upon those trends to create a business case for improvement or legislative change.”

ACOA is having a membership drive and is encouraging Calgary condo Bernice M. Winter Dr. June Donaldson owners to register in their website www.albertacoa.com. “As you know numbers matter! The more condo owner members we have sharing their views with us, the faster we can identify issues and trends that concern them, the stronger our voice can become, and the greater success we’ll have in transforming issues with the various service providers,” Donaldson says.

Stonecroft sequel, a smash

tonecroft Copperfield sold out so quickly that it’s no surprise to see its sequel up and running already, with sales continuing their dizzying speed. “We’re 35 per cent sold already, a little over four months since we launched,” says Stonecroft Copperfield’s Cheryl Donnelly.

Harmony townhomes

“Construction has already started and we’re looking to get people into their homes by spring of next year.” On offer are Harmony townhomes and Symmetry apartment condos. There are 89 units of the former and 84 or the latter. “We’ve sold 34 of the condos

Symmetry apartment condos

Muskoka awaits

rookfield Homes opens its new Muskoka presentation centre in the award winning lake community of Auburn Bay, as these townhomes offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy the community’s laid-back cottage country lifestyle. The 106 townhome development has nine floor plans including the popular stacked bungalow models, the Olive and Slate. The new development will also include the Mikado, an inner-city floorplan that has been redesigned for suburban living. The homes, ranging from 720 to upwards of 1,400 plus square-feet in one-, two- and three-bedroom models. 86 |

“We have had great success in the Auburn Bay community,” says Kelly Halliday, Sales and Marketing Manager with Brookfield Homes. “Muskoka is not only a reflection of the active lifestyle and community feel of Auburn Bay, it also offers the cottage country charm that one would find in the beautiful lake district of Muskoka in Ontario.” Starting from the mid $200,000s before GST, Muskoka by Brookfield Homes will begin construction in November 2013 with show homes opening in early 2014. The Muskoka presentation centre is located at 4 Cranbrook Drive S.E.

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already,” she adds. Its central location in the popular southeast community of Copperfield is a key factor in its success. “It’s a very nice community, with lots of amenities, we have a small shopping centre right behind us with a Tim Horton’s. There’s also a new K-4 public school that’s being built in the neighbourhood,” Donnelly points out. Pricing is also important to buyers, and with a starting point of $119,900 plus GST for a studio, and $143,900 plus GST for a one-bedroom, Donnelly says they are one of the most affordable developments around. “We’ll be opening our show suite soon and buyers can get a better idea of the kind of lifestyle we offer.”

Starts remain steady

ousing starts in the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 12,164 units in August compared to 12,135 in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of total housing starts. “The trend in total housing starts rose slightly in August with an increase in both single-detached and multi-family construction,” says Richard Cho, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for Calgary. The standalone monthly SAAR was 11,352 units in August, down from 15,506 in July. The decrease is mainly the result of a decline in multi-family starts from the elevated pace recorded in July. CL

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Calgary Map | North West, North East and Inner City 10 33

24 6

39 36

4 9

14 31

8 17

15 23 7

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North West, North East and Inner City | Calgary Map 4

MAP LEGEND High Volume Roads Main Roads

Inner City

Parks

28 27

Bodies of Water

12 See Advertiser Index for Project Page Reference

11 7

5 6

North West | North East Projects 1 Evanston Square

2 Red Haus 3 SoBow

4 Highland Park 5 Panorama West 6 Kincora Summit 7 TheRiver 8 The Block 9 43 Park

10 The Post 11 Steps

12 Ovation 13 Estates of Valley Ridge

14 Brownstones 15 District

16 Swan Landing 17 UNO Mt. Royal 18 Wildstone

Inner City Projects 1

20 Villas at Watermark

21 Groves of Varsity 22 Albert Park Station

23 Tela

24 Sonoma at Sage Hill

25 eighty5nine

26 Landings at Cougar Ridge

27 Arrive @ SkyView Ranch

28 Kintalla at Redstone

29 TEN Mt. Royal

30 IndigoSky 31 Mosaic Bridgeland

32 Aspen Highlands

33 Sage.Stone 34 Trinity

35 University City 36 Prospect Rise

11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

19 Bridgeland Crossings

Vogue MARK Avenue West End VEN The Montana Drake The Park First Riverfront Pointe Alura Keynote 3 Eau Claire The Guardian Verve District PIXEL by Battistella Evolution 6th and Tenth Waterfront

11 19 22

increase your advertising visibility take advantage of premium positions contact:

al donegan 403.542.1347 al.donegan@sourcemediagroup.ca

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CONDO LIVING |

Calgary Map | South West, South East and Calgary Area

12 26

AIRDRIE

OKOTOKS

COCHRANE 90 |

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South West, South East and Calgary Area | Calgary Map 1 ZEN Auburn Bay 2 Ebony

20 Belmont Townhomes 21

3 The Gates

4 Einstein

5 Harvest Mosaic 6 The Gala

7 Stonecroft Auburn Bay

8 York29 9 ZEN McKenzie Towne

10 Sonik 11 Champagne

12 Victoria Cross 13 Aura in Copperfield

MAP LEGEND

14 Mint 15 Hunter House

High Volume Roads

16 Highbury 2

Main Roads

17 Chalet No 4

Parks

18 Stonecroft at

Bodies of Water

Copperfield

29 30 31 32 33

Sawyer Silverado Mosaic Cranston Side-by-Side McKenzie Towne Prestwick Place Mosaic Mirage in McKenzie Towne Origins at Cranston Copperfield Park II Side by Side Auburn Bay Riverside Townhouse Chaparral Valley Edison at Walden Boulevard Townes of Quarry Park Mosaic Lakeside Auburn Bay

19 Cranston Place

See Advertiser Index for Project Page Reference

Airdrie

The Courtyards of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heights The Edge

Ravenswood Townhomes Synergy in Kings Heights Windsong by Mattamy

CHESTERMERE

Townhomes of Chestermere Station

cochrane

Alora in Sunset Ridge The Homesteads of Sunset Ridge Laredo Riverstone at Cochrane Sunset Pointe The Village Townhomes at Jumpingpound Ridge RiverReach Villas & Manors The Concept

32 11

okotoks Calvanna Village Drakes Cove Mesa Crystal Shores Penncross 24 13

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advertisers index 1912 Cross M2i page 51 6th & Tenth Bel Calgary page 9 Arrive at Redstone Partners Development Inc. page 93 Aura Aldebaran Enterprises page 18 Avenue West End Grosvenor/Cressey page 72 Blanket Home Warrant pages 12-13 Carlisle Group pages 28-29 Chalet Sabal Homes page 82 Champagne Remington Development Corp. page 78

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Copperfield Park II Brad Remington Homes FC, pages 14-16, 91 & 96

Estates of Varsity Ridge Cove Properties page 60

The Courtyards of Chestermere Beckmann Homes page 33

The Guardian Hon Towers page 61

The Edge Streetside Developments pages 93 & 95 Edison at Walden Avi Urban pages 24 & 87 Eighty5Nine Vertical Properties page 55

The Gates Remington Development Corp. page 48 The Groves of Varsity Statesman page 80 Kincora Summit Cove Properties page 60

Einstein The Providence Group page 17

Kintalla Streetside Developments page 2

Evanston Square Streetside Developments page 56

The Landings at Cougar Ridge Statesman page 66

Evolution Embassy/Bosa page 5

The Landing at Rocky Ridge Swan Group page 62

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Mahogany Sabal Homes page 4

Sonoma-Sage Hill Vertical Properties page 44

The Post Avi Urban pages 24 & 87

MARK Qualex-Landmark Centre Spread Insert

Steps Bridgeland Giustini Bridges Inc. page 39

Vantage Calbridge page 54

Mosaic Bridgeland Brookfield Homes page 23

Stonecroft Copperfield page 35

VEN Bucci page 19

Mosaic Riverstone Brookfield Homes page 23

Stonecroft Auburn Bay page 34

Outlook at Waterfront Anthem Properties page 3

Stonecroft Highland Park page 34

Verve Fram/Slokker Developments page 6

PIXEL Battistella Development page 92 Sage.Stone Greenview Developments page 50 Sawyer Silverado Avi Urban pages 24 & 87

Sunset Ridge Innovations by Jayman page 68 tela Condominiums page 40 TEN Maple Developments page 54

Victoria Cross Avi Urban pages 24 & 87 Vogue Lacaille Group page 84 Zen, Auburn Bay Avalon Master Builder pages 45 & 73

The Park Lake Placid Development Corp. page 67

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feature | Story by Jim Zang | Illustration by Lama Azhari

Tales From The Condo Zone Passing inspection

good thing about living in a condo, as compared to a single family home, is you have some say about who your neighbours are. If you’re on the condo board, that is. For prospective owners, this can be a process that feels about as intrusive as getting a prostate exam from a porcupine. Being put on the spot is anxiety causing for many people, especially if there are bright lights and dental instruments involved, like with Dustin Hoffman’s character in the classic movie Marathon Man. Luckily it’s not quite that bad. More like passing inspection than an interrogation. For the condo board, approving potential owners can either be a boring afternoon of rubber-stamping paperwork, or provide several hours of free entertainment. You’ve got to follow the rules, both the provincial guidelines and the condominium corporation’s own bylaws, but there are some buyers who just make it too darn easy. Like the clearly expectant couple, eight-months if they were a day, putting a down payment on an age restricted condo. Uh, no. Thank you. Next. A man with a monkey on his shoulder. Next. A man who looks suspiciously like Mike Tyson, and talks with a lisp. No pet tiger in

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tow, but he’s still wearing his prison jumpsuit and an ankle monitor bracelet … no thanks anyways. Convicted criminals and registered sex offenders are not who most people want for neighbours. Next. Seriously, it’s like being on the panel of American Idol during the opening few shows. You know, the ones where the really bad performers are still around. Still, you can’t blame them for trying, condo living being so appealing and all. A friend once had a couple of, um, motorcycle enthusiasts come before the board; nearly 500 pounds of beef, leather, hair and tattoos. And an odour that smelled a little like, well, not soap. Two words guys, anti-perspirant. Of course the condo bylaws didn’t say anything about not wearing WWII army helmets, having swastika tattoos, or using deodorant, but they did include a noise clause that prohibited residents from making ‘any noise louder than 90 decibels’. Which meant, unfortunately boys, sorry, we’d love to have you around, keep the place safe and everything, but you’d have to turn your Harley’s off down the street and push them in as they exceed our condo bylaw noise pollution standards. Next … CL

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