Condo Living - November 2015 by Source Media Group

CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 11

ISSUE 191

12 14 FOCUS ON 12 | Tranquility falls Indoor fountains bring a sense of Zen to your home CONDO PROFILES 20 | A community for life Avi Urban’s Jackson at Walden provides welcome setting for settling down 26 | Spectacular entry Knightsbridge’s N3 parkade-less condo is a huge hit 31 | Easy Axis Rockford Developments launches new Walden townhomes 36 | Hillside destination Bridgeland Hill sits in the hub of energetic inner-city action 42 | The upside of downsizing Hunter House has the luxury and sophistication buyers are looking for 48 | Choices galore Merge Developments offers tons of townhome options COMMUNITY PROFILE 52 | East Village dawn A new chapter in the history of East Village opens as new residents move in

COVER FEATURE 14 | Living on the ridge Cranston Ridge’s new townhomes offer ease, lifestyle at amazing prices CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

CONTENTS 82 LIFESTYLE 59 | Father knows best New homeowner thanks dad and Attainable Homes for best decision of his life

A DAY IN...VICTORIA PARK 65 | Historic fun Storied neighbourhood provides new tales for a young generation

STYLE 71 | Hot couture Dress your kitchen the fashionista way SHOPPING 77 | Counter culture Granite is still king of countertops, but quartz looks to steal the throne NEWS 82 | And the winner is … CHBA – Alberta announces Awards of Excellence in Housing and Safety Leadership Awards COLUMNS 89 | Ask Maria by Maria Bartolotti 91 | Condoscapes by Richard White 93 | Hope at Large by Marty Hope 95 | Around Town by Pepper Rodriguez ITEMS 10 | Editor’s Message 102 | Maps 106 | Ad Index

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE |

THRIVING VITAL SIGNS Calgarians are a resilient bunch, and for the most part they seem to be happy. Even with the tumult in the oil patch — our economy’s major driver — Calgarians still seem optimistic about life in Cowtown. The Calgary Foundation’s Vital Signs citizen survey rated our overall quality of life as a B. I would have been ecstatic with a grade of B in high school, but that’s just me. Still, considering the soft economy, the seemingly unending stream of job cuts, the stalled housing growth, it would have been easy — maybe even understandable — to get a lower rating. But, like I said, Calgarians are a resilient bunch and proud of it. The Calgary Foundation’s Vital Signs survey is an annual check-up that measures the vitality of Calgary, identifies significant trends, and assigns grades in areas critical to quality of life in Calgary. And the survey — done annually since 2007 — says that we remain satisfied with our life here, with only the slightest variation from how we felt last year. Which is considerable, as the oil slump really took a bite out of our economy in that period. A shining example of that resiliency and confidence in the future is the rapid redevelopment of East Village. As Nadia Moharib writes in her community feature, this historic enclave — once the very image of urban blight — is now rapidly becoming a standard by which inner-city redevelopment can be done. East village welcomed its first residents over the summer, new residential developments are going up (including N3 which we talk about in this issue, too), and everyone is eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Central Public Library and National Music Centre, and construction of both are proceeding at full speed and both promise to turn this former unsightly brown field into the city’s cultural hub. But this excitement isn’t all found in the inner-city. Take for example our cover feature on Cardel Lifestyles’ Cranston Ridge, they just released their line of townhomes and response has been terrific. Cardel Lifestyles has always had a knack for finding terrific locations and this one is no exception, as they are in the heart of the NEXT MONTH: quickly developing southeast quadrant with the new hospital, and the The Christmas Seton commercial complex fuelling demand. issue Jackson by Avi Urban and Axis by Rockford Developments are both in Walden and are similarly attractive to buyers because of their proximity to Seton and the lifestyle available in this established southeast community. Hunter House by StreeSide Developments in nearby Silverado is also drawing a large number of townhome buyers for the luxurious affordability it offers. And the inner-city developments of N3 and Bridgeland Hill find their market with Calgary’s young set. Shelley Boetcher explores the charms of Victoria Park in her monthly A Day In feature. While David Crosson shares his expertise in styling your kitchen and Kathy McCormick dwells on what choices of kitchen countertops are setting the trend this year. From all indications, the coming year will likely test Calgarians’ resilience even more, and the housing sector will likely be challenged again. But industry leaders remain confident that smarter growth initiatives are the way to survive and thrive in these trying times. We’ll be there to let you know how it goes.

@CondoLivingYYC

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CondoLivingCalgary

Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca

PUBLISHER |

Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER |

EDITOR | Pepper Rodriguez pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR | Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca Colleen Leier colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR |

EDITORIAL

Maria Bartolotti, Darlene Casten, David Crosson, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick, Nadia Moharib, Richard White PHOTOGRAPHY

Don Molyneaux ADVERTISING SALES | Heather Dougall heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING | Norma Robertson accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSUE 191 • ISSN 1918-4409 © 2015 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission from 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. 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

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Indoor fountains bring a sense BY AALIYA ESSA of Zen to your home WATER IS THE GIVER of life, and the soothing sounds of trickling water in the house can bring a sense of calm. Small indoor fountains are like small vignettes of tranquility that can be a pleasant conversation starter or a decorative lynchpin of harmony for the home. Choose from a variety of selections, whether you prefer a simple or perhaps slightly larger style, and enjoy the serenity they create in your personal space. CL

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5 6 [ 1 ] Koolscapes Cascading Fountain, $108 at Walmart. [ 2 ] Zen Ball Fountain, $39.97 at Home Depot. [ 3 ] Balanced Pots Fountain with pump, $138 at Walmart. [ 4 ] Caldron Fall Fountain with pump and lights, $424 at Walmart. [ 5 ] Angelo Décor Buddha Fountain, $239 at Home Depot. [ 6 ]Armstrong Falls Fountain, $698 at Walmart. [ 7 ] Sphere Fountain – Bronze, $99.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 8 ] Illuminated Relaxation Fountain, $99.99 at Home Depot. [ 9 ] Ceramic Sculpture 3-Tier Fountain, $89.95 at Pier1 Imports. CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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LIVING ON THE RIDGE Cranston Ridge’s new townhomes offer ease, luxury at competitive prices

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he townhome has provided many first-time homebuyers and downsizers the best option for living in a spacious, single-familylike home at an affordable price, which is why this product form has sold out almost everywhere in town. And in Cranston, Cardel Lifestyles is releasing what could be the final chance to own a new townhome in this popular southeast community. With only 15 units, Cardel Lifestyles’ townhomes in Cranston Ridge are extremely limited. And with all the standard features and obvious advantages of its enviable location in the community, it’s likely that they will be very popular, says sales and marketing manager Brad Logel. After all, Cranston Ridge’s apartment-style condos have been very well received, with their first two buildings all but sold out and the third (of five) more than 50 per cent sold. “We now have something for every buyer… quick possession condos, condos where you can make your own design choices, and now large townhomes,” Logel tells Condo Living. Cranston Ridge will have a total of 271 units (256 condo apartments and 15 townhouses) on build out. All of the condos and townhomes are designed to maximize the buyers’ enjoyment of their extraordinary location along the southern ridge of Cranston. But the Cranston Ridge townhomes are of special note. They were designed

to provide all the comfort, convenience and style that buyers may not have seen before in Calgary. These are multi-level townhomes with double driveunder garages that come through in the amount of storage space they provide, and the well-thought-out floor plan that gives a new twist to the open concept layout. The townhomes are 1,550 square-feet with three- or two-bedroom options with small variations on size and design depending on the unit’s location within the townhome block. “Our townhomes are accessible from the street, which provides a ton of convenience. Each unit comes with a welcoming front porch, and a developed lower level opposite the double garage that can be turned into a convenient flex room to fit the buyer’s needs,” Logel says. “That lower level can be turned into a game room for the kids, it can fit a full-sized foosball table, be a great place to watch the game, or work as a den/guest room,” he adds. “It’s essentially the size of another bedroom

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with a large window. It comes with a lot of built-in storage places that can store sports equipment, toys and other essentials. It’s a flexible lifestyles room that can be whatever you need it to be.” The living area upstairs is quite large and has a very functional flow with an L-shaped kitchen counter with a window over the sink looking out to the deck. “This adds to the sunny outlook of the interior, and not very many townhome designs have this feature,” Logel says. It is an open-concept design that’s conducive to entertaining with a good-sized island and a roomy pantry, plus nine-foot ceilings in the main floor and developed lower level. Cardel Lifestyles, however, was able to tweak the open-concept plan to give a sense of separation between the kitchen, dining and living rooms. “People want a large open concept but most prefer a dining area that is next to the kitchen but separated and private from the living room. We have hidden the half bath away from the kitchen. There is a large island, a pantry and a window over the sink that looks out to the covered deck. It’s the perfect main floor plan.” The townhomes come in either two-master-bedroom or threebedroom plans with an upstairs laundry. “Having this option makes these townhomes attractive to singles looking to bring in roommates to help with the mortgage, or young, growing families along with downsizing couples that want the benefit of a spacious home at an affordable price.” The Cranston Ridge townhomes start from $349,900 and Logel says that for a limited time, buyers can get $5,000 worth of free upgrades. “They’re the perfect low-maintenance suburban townhome with a spacious double attached garage.” Currently available apartment-style condos are two bedroom, two baths that range from 897 square-feet all the way up to 1,038 square-feet (plus patio decks). “These are large condos most with kitchens and bathrooms that you would only find in a

It is an openconcept design that’s conducive to entertaining with a goodsized island and a roomy pantry…

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FA ST FACTS Community: Cranston Developer:

Brookfield Residential

Project:

Cranston Ridge

Builder:

Cardel Lifestyles

Style:

Apartments and townhomes

Size:

624 to 1,038 sq. ft. condos, and 1,550 sq. ft. townhomes

Price:

Large Condos start at $249,900 plus GST, townhomes are from $349,900 plus GST

Sales Centre:

522 Cranford Dr.

Hours:

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

Website: www.cardellifestyles.com

larger single family house. Many come with mountain views. Once you see our condos at Cranston Ridge, you’ll be sold.” Their location in Cranston is a big plus. “Cranston is a fully established community, everything you need is already there, including shopping, coffee shops, schools and a huge multi-purpose community hall. Cranston is just minutes from the exciting Seton commercial centre that includes the South Health Campus. The whole area adds a lot of value to your home and quality of life,” Logel says. Cranston Ridge has five different show suites to view. They are also presently building condos at Auburn Walk and Sage Place along with townhomes at Nolan Park. You can also watch for their next development, Walden Place condos and townhomes that will be coming this February. n

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COMMUNITY FOR LIFE Avi Urban’s Jackson at Walden provides welcome setting for settling down

BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

uilding the perfect home is one thing, but building a community everyone would like to live in is quite another. Luckily, Avi Urban has both attributes down pat, as this award winning multi-family division of Homes by Avi demonstrates again with their latest: Jackson at Walden. Avi Urban has proven time and again their extraordinary ability to set the bar higher with each venture by offering homes that suit a wide variety of lifestyles, complemented by an environment that nurtures the bonds of community. Jackson is the sequel to Avi Urban’s enor-

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mously successful Edison, Jackson’s all-but sold-out predecessor in Walden. Like Edison, Jackson puts a premium on creating shared spaces within the compound where neighbours can get to know each other and start the bonds of a community. “Jackson is the continuing evolution of everything we’ve done, coming together in this new and vibrant community,” says Avi Urban President Charron Ungar. “And it’s not just from an architectural perspective, but also from a siting perspective, a landscaping perspective, and an orientation perspective. Essentially, a philosophy to renew what we do and to come up with something unique, I think that’s really going to come through.” Jackson’s unique green space will incorporate rain gardens, a variety of grasses, native plants and trees. “This kind of detailed landscaping has been thought out in a way that will entice people to the outdoors in these interactive gathering spaces to fully appreciate their homes,

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JACKSON PUTS A PREMIUM ON CREATING SHARED SPACES WITHIN THE COMPOUND WHERE NEIGHBOURS CAN GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND START THE BONDS OF A COMMUNITY.

from the inside out,” he adds. “This way, we can build these elaborate exteriors and gathering spaces knowing the finished product will also ultimately build community among neighbours after the actual construction is done.” “We’re introducing the outdoor living room concept to include custom designed furniture, lighting, and walkway treatments that will blend well and create these outdoor spaces for people to share and come together in.” Jackson at Walden will feature 150 three-storey townhomes offered in two- and three-bedroom models ranging from 1,150 to 1,423 square-feet. All will have double-attached garages, and some even have enough space for a third car on the driveway. And although it is distinctly a suburban townhome, it will definitely have an urban feel to it. Prices start from the $300,000s. Jackson takes a page from Avi Urban’s past developments in scope and overall look, but Jackson is also an evolution of original ideas. “At Avi Urban, innovation is always at the top of our must-do list in every development,” says Ungar. “We draw from our nearly 20 enormously successful developments to come up with a fresh new take on multi-family living that impacts not just the looks of the condo, but the lifestyle of its residents.” Jackson will undoubtedly add Avi Urban’s unique urban touch to the exciting streetscape of Walden. Signature stained natural wood siding, painted panel board and batten and sleek metals blend together in the very best way, giving every home its own unique sense of individuality. Deep reds, arctic whites, and grays with crisp dark highlights layer these proud three storey townhomes, while custom details including

metal eyebrows, private patios and a personally selected front door colour add distinction that results in astounding finishes. The inspiration for Jackson’s design comes from a farmhouse style popular in the Napa area of northern California, and combines it with the West Coast look seen in Vancouver and Seattle. “It will have plenty of painted panels and trim, metal details, and wood highlights, to give it this juxtaposition of a modern contemporary forms combined with traditional elements. The wood siding will play very well against the James Hardie siding,” he says.

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CONDO PROFILE |

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: Walden PROJECT: Jackson at Walden DEVELOPER: Avi Urban STYLE: Three-storey townhomes SIZE: 1,150 to 1,423 sq. ft. PRICE: Starting from the $300,000s ADDRESS: 283 Walden Drive S.E. DIRECTIONS: South on Macleod Tr., east on 194 Ave. S.E., right on Walden Gate and follow the signs. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: Register at www.aviurban.com to get updates Interiors are likewise brilliant with floor plans that feature pocket offices, banquette seating, tech nooks and walk-in closets mean clever and cool use of space with lots of functional storage space located where you need it. Two car tandem garages with 50 square feet more than the average side-by-side garage offer a generous parking layout (including a driveway — for three car parking!).

“The overall flow and functionality of the floor plans have also been refined and we’ve added as much space as we can in the six models available,” he tells Condo Living. Avi Urban has opened four Jackson at Walden show suites in the finished development of Edison at Walden location. “Re-purposing the Edison show homes gives us an opportunity to show buyers the full effect of experiencing a complete Avi Urban community, which is an interactive development vibrantly inhabited with proud homeowners.” Ungar adds. It’s this thoughtful, inclusive way of engaging the community they create that has made Avi Urban stand out. What’s even more laudable is that all their developments — whether they’re in the inner-city or in the suburbs — have this spirit of togetherness. “I grew up in Calgary’s suburbs, but as an adult I’ve loved living in the inner-city and I believe that understanding the needs and wants of both worlds allows us to be one of the few condo developers who have been able to find success in both markets,” Ungar says. CL

“IT WILL HAVE PLENTY OF PAINTED PANELS AND TRIM, METAL DETAILS, AND WOOD HIGHLIGHTS, TO GIVE IT THIS JUXTAPOSITION OF A MODERN CONTEMPORARY FORMS COMBINED WITH TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS.”

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CONDO PROFILE |

SPECTACULAR ENTRY Knightsbridge’s N3 parkade-less condo is a huge hit BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

new wave of vibrant, youthful energy has been injected into Calgary’s East Village, as the first phase of the new N3 parkade-less condo was 90 per cent sold five days after it launched. It’s a huge milestone for the developers — Knightsbridge Homes and Metropia — and the city itself, as N3 is the first condo development in Calgary that does not offer any designated car parking. An idea that has tapped into a new generation of homeowners who don’t necessarily depend on cars to get around. Aptly named N3 to reflect the project’s vision — “New Attitude, New Living, New Vision” — the development will only have parking for bikes and ‘micro cars’. “Our research has revealed that owning a car is not necessarily a priority among the new generation of homebuyers, especially in the downtown,” Knightsbridge Homes President Joe Starkman tells Condo Living. “A huge portion of the construction cost of buildings go into building the parkade, and since we didn’t have to build this we were able to offer condo units near the downtown at a substantially lower price than would have been possible,” he adds. “Calgarians have enthusiastically responded to the affordable breakthrough of N3, looking at our project as a long term and secure investment. We’ve sold 90 per cent of the 167 units

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“CALGARIANS HAVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY RESPONDED TO THE AFFORDABLE BREAKTHROUGH OF N3, LOOKING AT OUR PROJECT AS A LONG TERM AND SECURE INVESTMENT.”

in less than one week and expect a final sell out soon, all happening despite the challenging oil patch economy,” says Metropia President Howard Sokolowski. N3 offers condos from under $200,000 for a 460-square-foot one-bedroom unit. It is “enormously affordable” downtown living, Starkman says. N3 is the second development from the partnership of Calgary-based Knightsbridge and Toronto’s Metropia. Their first development, University City in Calgary’s northwest had already proven that there is a strong market for these so-called micro-suites, and it is all but sold out. N3 was the logical next step. For N3, Starkman says they submitted the completed permit package to the City on June 6, “with an understanding that it would be the first project of its kind in Calgary and would require 100 per cent relaxation of the land-use bylaw as it relates to residential parking allowances.” The minute Knightsbridge started accepting registration for interested buyers online they were overwhelmed by the response. “We had 2,100 people register online just prior to our launch,” Starkman says. N3 will have two 14-storey towers along 8th Avenue S.E., sandwiching the historic St. Louis Hotel building. They will have a total of 300 units (167 in the East Tower that is going up first). One- and two-bedroom units are offered ranging from 460 to 620 square-feet, and priced from $199,000 to $299,000.

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“THE EAST VILLAGE MASTER PLAN VISION PLACES ENORMOUS EMPHASIS ON THE PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.”

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: East Village PROJECT: N3 DEVELOPER: Knightsbridge Homes and Metropia STYLE: Apartment style condos SIZE: From 460 sq. ft. PRICE: From $199,000s SALES CENTRE: 508 8th Ave. S.E. HOURS: Monday to Thursday noon to 6 p.m., weekends noon to 5 p.m., closed Fridays WEBSITE: www.thenewcalgary.com

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N3’s location along the LRT line makes it easily accessible to young, urban explorers working in the downtown core and students attending classes at Bow Valley College or the University of Calgary’s downtown campus. Only 270 steps separate the N3 site in East Village from the City Hall LRT Station. N3’s affordability belies the value buyers get with living here. There’s a rooftop lounge with an outdoor kitchen for the residents’ enjoyment, as well as a two-storey fitness centre on the top floor. N3 is also designed with lots of social open spaces for entertaining and hosting, Wi-Fi connectivity throughout and each unit comes fully furnished. Buyers can choose their own IKEA furniture or go with custom-designed plan for their particular suite. Additionally, to support the marketing

platform of — No car, No parking, No problem — each buyer will receive a free Bria Easy-Boarding bicycle, a free lifetime membership to Car2Go plus an extra $500 credit for the times when they do need a car. “We are extremely excited about N3,” says Michael Brown, President & CEO, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the organization tasked with the revitalization of East Village. “The East Village master plan vision places enormous emphasis on the pedestrian experience. You can see this focus demonstrated across the neighbourhood with pedestrian-only streets, pedestrian bridges, wide sidewalks and public parks designed for resting and visiting. East Village is a neighbourhood for all ages, designed to bring residents together at the street level day and night.” CL

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EASY AXIS A

Rockford Developments launches new Walden townhomes BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

xis is about accessibility — not just the accessibility it’s terrific location in the booming community of Walden gives to its residents, but also the accessibility that its prices and floor plans offer to buyers. The 72-unit towhome project from Rockford Developments is opening in October, adding its stylish allure to the southeast community’s charming streetscape. “The contemporary design of our townhomes complements the urban characteristic of Walden,” says Rockford vice-president operations, Marlo Schaaf. Axis homes are made to last in both style and construct, she adds. “Durable materials — including Hardie board panel and vinyl siding — were chosen for the structure of these townhomes, ensuring longevity and low-maintenance care.” But the functionality and flexibility of their designs, she says, is why these three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages are proving popular to first-time homebuyers. “Axis features everything a first-time homebuyer needs, at a price they can afford,” she tells Condo Living.

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CONDO PROFILE |

“WHAT WE OFFER IS THE COMFORT, STYLE AND CONVENIENCE THAT YOUNG FAMILIES, AND SINGLES WANTING TO MOVE UP FROM THEIR APARTMENT CONDOS ARE LOOKING FOR. AXIS IS LIKE A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AT MULTIFAMILY AFFORDABILITY.” Axis townhomes start from the $360,000s and go up to the $395,000s. “With the historically low interest rates, it would be wise to get into the home owning market, and Axis ensures that your investment will gain value down the road,” Schaaf adds. “The fact that Axis standard features include attached garages makes it all the more popular, you won’t be scraping frost from your car windshield in the winter.” These three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhomes come with three professionally selected colour package options and a plethora of personal upgrade options to give you endless possibilities to turn your Axis townhome into your own personal haven, she adds.

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“The spacious, open concept design offers the ultimate comfort, and the standard attached garage gives you convenience and security.” Garages can be single, tandem or double side-by-side depending on the model. Each home also gets a deck or patio to maximize the enjoyment of their private outdoor space. “What we offer is the comfort, style and convenience that young families, and singles wanting to move up from their apartment condos are looking for,” says Schaaf. “Axis is like a single-family home at multi-family affordability.” Features also include double-glazed Low E argon filled windows, double stainless steel kitchen sink, contemporary profile baseboards and casing, fridge, stove, dishwasher and over the range microwave. Each Rockford project offers the peace of mind of having the Alberta New Home Warranty Program. The convenience of low-maintenance living is also important to their buyers, Schaaf says. “Here, residents won’t have to worry about the responsibility of exterior maintenance. Complete landscaping maintenance and snow removal and road and parking

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These three-bedroom, twoand-a-half bath townhomes come with three professionally selected colour package options and a plethora of personal upgrade options to give you endless possibilities to turn your Axis townhome into your own personal haven.

maintenance are taken cared of. No more mowing the lawn on weekends or shoveling snow from the walk.” Its location in the 5,000-acre smart growth community of Walden is one of the biggest draws for Axis. This Genstar community in the southeast has terrific accessibility to downtown through Macleod Trail, and is an excellent gateway for a quick trip to Kananaskis via Highway 22. Walden is spread over 620 acres off Macleod Trail and 192nd Avenue, and will see approximately 3,000 homes at build out. When Walden started, it was the first community in Calgary to hit the 11 sustainability principles set as targets by the City. That involved saving a lot of the natural trees that were on the land, installing a lot of environmental features, such as bioswales, which are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water, and storm water features. Young families especially like the fact that Walden is surrounded by well-established communities with tons of amenities already available, including the Somerset LRT station, the Shawnessy shopping centre, the newly opened South Health Campus hospital, and several schools nearby. The Gates of Walden shopping centre right in the community provides plenty of convenience, and includes a Shoppers Drug Mart, Windsor Rose Pub, Pet Planet, Starbucks, RBC and a variety of other shops and services to come shortly. “Walden is now making a turn, to a more mature type of neighbourhood,” says Schaaf. “It’s as family-friendly as can be, which is just perfect for residents of Axis.” CL

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: Walden PROJECT: Axis DEVELOPER: Rockford Developments STYLE: Three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages SIZE: 1,190 to 1,480 sq. ft. PRICE: From the $360,000s ADDRESS: 25 Walden Grove S.E. DIRECTIONS: South on Macleod Tr., east on 194 Ave. S.E., right on Walden Gate and follow the signs. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 3 to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Fridays and holidays WEBSITE: Register at www.axiseverything.com to get updates

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Bridgeland Hill sits in the hub of energetic inner-city action

HILLSIDE DESTINATION BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

he hangout of choice of Calgary’s millennial generation seems to be the community of Bridgeland. And who can blame them? There are plenty of exciting things to do in and around this inner-city-community just outside the downtown core. In fact, it’s getting a reputation as a foodie haven with dozens of new, trendy bistros and diners offering everything from Italian to Asian fusion dishes. In the middle of all this excitement is the new condo development of Bridgeland Hill, with its tantalizing urban design and budget-friendly price point, it is becoming the condo of choice for today’s urban dweller. And its terrific hilltop location overlooking the city gives it a lot more bang for the buck. Bridgeland Hill, by GableCraft Homes, offers 101 affordably priced apartment-style homes in the four-storey low-rise building along Edmonton Trail and 4th Avenue N.E. “It’s a terrific hilltop location with beautiful views of the city that you normally have to pay an arm-and-a-leg for,” says David Magnan, who’s in charge of sales at Bridgeland Hill. “We’re surrounded by all kinds of diners and restaurants that have become hangouts for the city’s young, hip crowd. There’s the Carino Japanese fusion bistro just across the street from Bridgeland Hill; Black Pig on 1st Avenue; La Brezza Ristorante, one of the many Italian restaurants here; and then there’s OEB Breakfast Company, which has seen line ups since it opened,” he says. Living in Bridgeland Hill brings residents close to all this action. “It’s an already established community, you don’t have to wait for years to enjoy everything that the community has to offer. Everything’s already there,” Magnan tells Condo Living.

And with prices starting in the $250,000s, Bridgeland Hill does seem very appealing to young adults just getting their lives and careers started. “When you see what we have to offer in terms of interior features, and our prime location in Bridgeland, it’s easy to understand why buyers are so excited about this development,” Magnan says. One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites are available starting from 544 to 1,088 square-feet. Each suite displays an exquisite and simple design that provides the backdrop for refined living. Popular is an 800-square-foot, two-bedroom-onebath model for under $400,000. “The value you get for for a two-bedroom home in this development is unmatched practically anywhere else in the inner-city,” he adds. At Bridgeland Hill, buyers find the perfect relaxing and entertaining space with everything essential in its rightful place.

Bridgeland Hill, with its tantalizing urban design and budgetfriendly price point is becoming the condo of choice for today’s urban dweller. CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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At Bridgeland Hill, buyers find the perfect relaxing and entertaining space with everything essential in its rightful place.

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: Bridgeland PROJECT: Bridgeland Hill DEVELOPERS: GableCraft Homes STYLE: Apartment-style condos SIZE: From 577 to 1,088 sq. ft PRICE: From the $250,000s ADDRESS: Corner of Edmonton Tr. and 4th Ave. N.E. SALES CENTRE: 736 1st Avenue N.E. HOURS: Daily noon to 6 p.m., closed Fridays WEBSITE: www.gablecrafthomes.ca

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Oversized windows increase the flow of natural light and give residents that much more opportunity to enjoy views from their hilltop vantage. “Each unit also gets a spacious deck and the homes at Bridgland Hill all have generous closets that further enhance your enjoyment of the development,” Magnan says. High quality, durable German-made HARO laminate floors throughout living, dining, and kitchen areas are standard and bring stylish elegance to each suite. Convenient USB outlets are placed in strategic locations in the master bedroom and kitchen for easy recharging of the ubiquitous electronic devices that are a staple of these modern times. Kitchens are as inspired in design as well with modern square-line cabinetry in high gloss or teak, luxurious polished square-edge quartz slab countertops and large format gloss backsplash tiles. “We went really upscale with our standard specification, including full-sized stainless steel appliances, you can cook a full-sized turkey in our ovens for the times you’re hosting Thanksgiving. Our washer and dryer units are also full-sized, too,” he adds. Most suites also come with a parking stall in the heated and secure underground parkade and all suites come with individual, secure storage units. There is also a courtyard for residents to enjoy and where they can get to know their neighbours. “Sales have been terrific and we’re just about 50 per cent sold now,” says Magnan. “People are excited about what we have to offer, as not only is it a terrific price point but you get the benefit of living in a thriving, eclectic and inner-city community, in a building that offers great value. It’s a million-dollar location at a fraction of the price.” GableCraft Homes — a subsidiary of Pacific Capital Real Estate — is quite keen on Bridgeland and all it has to offer and Bridgeland Hill is their second development here after their successful Bridgeland Crossing development. “The first phase of Bridgeland Crossing is all but sold out and the second phase is going really well too,” Magnan says. Construction is well underway at Bridgeland Hill and first possessions will be in summer of 2016. Visit their sales centre on 736 1st Avenue N.E. CL

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THE UPSIDE OF DOWNSIZING BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

Hunter House has the luxury and sophistication buyers are looking for

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| CONDO PROFILE

The stacked bungalows, with their spaciousness and upscale finish, have become a favourite among the downsizer crowd. While the three-level townhomes have attracted families with older children.

ownsizing has never been more attractive, as StreetSide Development’s Hunter House proves with its spacious living and lavish luxury. It’s like you never even downsized at all. “The only thing you’re giving up is the headache of maintaining a large single-family home, as at Hunter House you still get the same freedom of space, entertainment value, and luxurious lifestyle you’ve grown accustomed to,” says area manager Sabrina Richardson. But it isn’t just the downwsizer crowd that Hunter House attracts, as this multi-family development in the popular southwest community of Silverado also has townhomes fit for young families. Hunter House offers a collection of stacked bungalows and three-level townhomes that hit the sweet spot for today’s multi-family dwellers. Not only are they individually well-designed and finished, but taken as a whole, they create a fully realized community that all residents can enjoy. The stacked bungalows, with their spaciousness and upscale finish, have become a favourite among the downsizer crowd. While the three-level townhomes have attracted families with older children. “Their impressive functionality and attainable price have been our biggest selling features,” says Richardson. “It’s also quite a low-density project, with only a total of 92 homes, so residents really do get to enjoy that small town feel,” she adds. “In fact, the whole of Silverado mirrors this same quite, peaceful nature with only 1,800 homes through the whole community.” Hunter House is already 60 per cent sold, and Richardson says their aggressive pricing strategy is bringing a lot of interest. Hunter House’s 1,498-square-foot townhomes start at $384,771, while a 1,406-square-foot stacked bungalow goes from $498,900. “There’s no better value in the market right now,” Richardson says. Perhaps adding to the impetus of buying here is that Hunter House

is the final opportunity to buy a multi-family development in Silverado. This family-friendly community by Qualico is growing at a rapid pace, but its quaint close-to-nature charm remains intact. “People can already see how terrific Silverado is turning out to be. It is on the priority list to get a new K-9 school. There is a new commercial area complete with coffee shops and pubs just down the street from Hunter House, and a new interchange to connect 194 Avenue to Macleod Trail is also in the works that would improve an already effortless accessibility,” Richardson says. Streetside’s impeccable design sensibilities have been the biggest factor in Hunter House’s success, by perfectly combining space and convenience. Each home has a double-car garage, spacious outdoor living terraces and flexible designs with a double

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master bedroom option and a storage area that can easily be used as an office. “The double, side-by-side garage alone is something not very many other townhomes offer, and the standard finishes we offer are already an upgrade in most other developments and includes granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile flooring and luxury laminate flooring” Richardson says. Hunter House introduced stacked bungalows to Calgary, which offer villa-like single-level living, that have been a big hit among downsizers and active seniors. “People really love the lock-andleave aspect of our stacked bungalows, as many of them do have vacation homes for the winter, but also like the convenience of owning their own home here without the maintenance headaches that go with it,” Richardson says. “But we’re also seeing a lot of single professionals who like the two master-bedroom option available in the townhomes, as this gives them the opportunity to take in a roommate who can help with the mortgage if need be.” “Each building is also constructed to look like a big mansion, or one executive house, to make Hunter House blend in with the estate character of the community of Silverado,” says Kimberley Orr, senior marketing coordinator, StreetSide Developments.

“The double, sideby-side garage alone is something not very many other townhomes offer, and the standard finishes we offer are already an upgrade in most other developments…”

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“Hunter House is a true testament to StreetSide’s quest to our tagline Condos that Defy the Ordinary.” Two stacked bungalow and one townhome show home are available for viewing and are the best way to experience the complete Hunter House lifestyle. CL

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: Silverado PROJECT: Hunter House DEVELOPER: StreetSide Development Corporation STYLE: Three-storey townhomes and single-level stacked bungalows SIZE: Townhomes start from 1,498 sq. ft., stacked bungalows start from 1,406 sq. ft. PRICE: Townhomes are from $384,771 plus GST, and stacked bungalows are from $498,900 plus GST ADDRESS: 220 Silverado Plains Park S.W. DIRECTIONS: West on Hwy 22X (Stoney Tr.) and exit on to Sheriff King Rd. and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Wednesday – 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.hunterhouseliving.com

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CHOICES GALORE

he benefits to a buyer of having plenty of options when looking for a new home simply cannot be overstated. In fact, they are downright essential. Merge Developments recognizes this and gives their buyers exactly that. No matter if you are looking for a large two-storey townhome that answers the needs of those just starting out in life, or perhaps a single-level suite to enjoy a relaxing retired life in. In Airdrie, Merge Developments has two current projects that provide a wide array of designs that will fit a variety of lifestyles and budgets. Brookside at Baysprings in the southwest corner of the city, and StoneKeep at King’s Heights in the southeast have townhomes that will surely satisfy buyers’ needs. Brookside at Baysprings has an interesting compilation of multi-level townhomes that come with a variety of top-shelf standard features, offered at an affordable price. “The sizes and floor plans of these homes at this price point are what makes them unique,” says Rick Spooner, President and Operating Partner at Merge Developments. “They are 1,670 square-feet in size, and starting in the mid $300,000s. Having the basement development op-

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Merge Developments offers tons of townhome options BY AALIYA ESSA

tion will give buyers a total livable space of over 2,400 square-feet. Our townhomes also include a fenced yard and double garage, and there are two main floor plans, and three upper floor plan options to choose from.” Brookside at Baysprings has a total of 57 townhomes. “There are a number of homes already occupied,” Spooner says, “and there are also a few quick possession homes currently available.” The two main floor plans, the Slate and Tyndall, both include the option of two-master bedrooms, three-bedrooms, or three-bedrooms with bonus room layouts. Each design also features two-anda-half bathrooms, and a double garage in the rear of the home, and a private fenced yard. “Brookside is perfect for downsizers, who are able to keep their current furniture, and enjoy the lock-and-leave convenience of a condominium,” he says. “It is also appealing to young families

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with their larger size and fenced backyards.” He adds that Brookside buyers may have a modest budget, “but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy all the comforts of a well designed, well appointed home,” he adds. “Downsizers likewise appreciate that these townhomes have a distinct feel of a single-family home.” Meanwhile, StoneKeep at King’s Heights offers buyers the opportunity to choose from

“Brookside is perfect for downsizers, who are able to keep their current furniture, and enjoy the lock-and-leave covenience of a condominium.” CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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FA S T FAC TS PROJECTS: Brookside at Baysprings and StoneKeep at King’s Heights STYLE: Two-storey and single-level townhomes SIZE: 779 - 1,670 sq. ft. PRICE: Starting from the $230,000s at StoneKeep and mid $300,000s at Brookside ADDRESS: Brookside at Baysprings is at 151 Baysprings Terrace, Airdrie StoneKeep at King’s Heights is at 1225 King’s Heights Way, Airdrie HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.brooksideatbaysprings.com and www.stonekeep.ca

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three different styles of townhomes, all with attached garages. “This project offers buyers a choice of three different layout types — the two-storey Streetside Series and Backyard Blocks, and the single-level Courtyard Collection,” Spooner says. “These are affordable homes that are designed to give the buyer all they will really need in a first home,” says Spooner. “You can get two- or three-bedroom units, with attached single or tandem garages, which are perfect for young families and those just starting their life as adults. Downsizing couples looking to stay in the neighbourhood also find a comfortable home here.” The Courtyard Collection ranges from 779 to 909 square-feet, the Backyard Blocks are 1,026 to 1,085 square-feet, while the Streetside Series measures in at a spacious 1,041 to 1,124 square-feet, making it possible to satisfy a variety of lifestyle needs. “Homes in this project start in the $230,000s, including an attached garage,” says Spooner, which makes it an incredible value for anyone from first time buyers, to downsizers, and everyone in between. There are 72 homes in StoneKeep, set around

a beautiful central landscaped park, and many homeowners have already moved in. “New possessions are available from quick to longer time frames depending on the customer’s needs,” he adds. Both benefit from the family-friendly environs of the growing city of Airdrie. Both developments have easy access to the QE II highway and Stoney Trail. “Getting to the Calgary International Airport is easy, and CrossIron Mills is just down the road,” Spooner says. “We’re getting a lot of buyers from Calgary who are not only attracted by our design, affordability and location, but like the idea that they can entertain guests and have pride in their homes,” he adds. CL

“These are affordable homes that are designed to give the buyer all they will really need in a first home.”

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East Village

DAWN A new chapter in the history of East Village opens as new residents move in

BY NADIA MOHARIB

uild it and they will come, or so the saying goes. In East Village’s case, this historic community — one of Calgary’s first — had already been built, it was just a matter of bringing it to the 21st Century. Through the dedicated work of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation — the organization tasked with redeveloping this prime riverfront land east of downtown — that vision is being realized. Already some 300 new residents have moved into this rejuvenated riverside community just east of the downtown core this past summer. And even in Calgary’s current economic turmoil brought about by sinking oil prices, East Village’s promise continues to shine bright. “I’m not naive, I think the entire market now is soft but we sold a tower out in 48 hours last weekend,” says CMLC vice-president Susan Veres. “There is a lot of buyer apprehension but if you have product property designed and priced right it will sell. And so it has.” East Village’s new N3 parking-less condo tower, a joint development between Kinghtsbridge and Metropia, stood at 90 per cent sold just five days after its launch in September. Both FIRST by Fram + Slokker and Evolution by Embassy BOSA — the first condo developments to

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go up in East Village — have welcomed their first residents over the summer. This up-and-coming community is now a coveted inner-city destination. And with the new Central Public Library and National Music Centre going up in the neighbourhood, with their construction already going at a fast clip, East Village is vying to become the cultural centre of Calgary. DAWN OF A NEW ERA This is the picture of a community meeting its potential, if not exceeding it — a lovely evolution, which impresses even those on the front-line making it happen. It seems a far cry from the days of East Village’s unsavoury past when it was held more as an example of urban decay. Even Veres seems surprised by how it has turned out today. “Do I ever pinch myself? Absolutely.” Launching a vision for the Village in September 2009, the CMLC was armed with plans to breathe new life into the forsaken inner-city area. It was a daunting task, but six years later, that vision is fast coming to life.

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National Music Centre

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Images courtesy Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

Central Library rendering by Mir

COMMUNITY PROFILE | St. Patrick’s Island

Simmons Building

The plan is to see 11,500 residents take up digs in the community in the next few years enjoying a mix of retail, hotels and other businesses creating a diverse and lively community. “People have voted with their wallets,” Veres says of buyer interest. “People are picking up that the community has a personality.” EAST VILLAGE PIONEERS That is exactly what attracted Irene Chung and her partner to buy a home here. Purchasing a $322,000 two-bedroom unit with a terrace in N3, the couple joined dozens who bought places in the 16-storey tower which sold like hotcakes. While the price is right, Chung says the plan is to simply savour being part of the community which will have everything in amenities from groceries to coffee shops, restaurants, retail and easy access to transit which she will take to her job in Quarry Park. “It’s a good investment, but I would like to be part of that community,” Chung says. “I’m very excited. I like the location — it’s beautiful. I think it’s the best area in the city.”

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EAST VILLAGE CHARM As such, it was designed to draw people to public spaces. The community features pedestrian and bike-friendly streets and European-style walking paths, like The Riff, which cut diagonally in the middle of the community to offer short cuts to destinations. Sidewalks are wider (3.1 metres compared with the standard 1.9 metre elsewhere in the city,) and there are several small “parkettes” which will host impromptu meeting places and venues for pop-up concerts. The Elbow and Bow rivers rush along the edges of the neighbourhood while the new George C. King Bridge takes people to the newly revitalized St. Patrick’s Island which offers a 31-acre refuge from fast-paced city life. There is Fort Calgary on the eastern edge of the Village leading into the eclectic community of Inglewood and its shops and restaurants and links to city bike paths. Creating the vibe for East Village was all part of the plan. It is not happenstance food trucks made their Calgary debut in East Village (where they will be a mainstay,) but instead a purposeful ploy to give people a taste of things to come in the community. “It was all part of the larger strategy to bring people into the community to see how it was transforming.” And when the historic Simmons building reopened this summer

Courtesy Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

with popular dining chains Charbar, Phil & Sebastians Coffee Roasters and Sidewalk Citizen, “it was like a light switched on,” Veres says. It opened a lot of people’s eyes to East Village’s tremendous possibilities. While the vision for the Village has focused on taking the urban community into the future — with CMLC its stewards until 2027 — careful attention is paid to its past. While there is new construction on every corner, in its midst are historical gems including three turn-of-the-century buildings including the Hillier Block which houses the CMLC offices, the storied St. Louis Hotel, which will go from a long-vacant shell to housing a restaurant and bar and offices in its 22,500 squarefoot confines. Much ado has been made about the fate of the former King Edward Hotel — built in 1914 and affectionately dubbed ‘The Eddy,’ by live music aficionados who frequented the spot — with new construction using its original bricks to build the facade of what will become a portion of the National Music Centre which is set to open next summer. The first phase of the $245-million New Central Library Project recently wrapped up, a portion of it built over and around the LRT, with doors to the 236,000-squarefoot book-lovers’ Mecca to open in 2018. Go to calgarymlc.ca for more information. CL CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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| LIFESTYLE

FATHER knows best

New homeowner thanks dad and Attainable Homes for best decision of his life STORY BY DARLENE CASTEN PHOTOS BY DON MOLYNEAUX

S Shane Normore

ometimes father really does know best. Single dad Shane Normore can thank his dear old dad for helping him take the leap into home ownership in Calgary’s newest lake community of Mahogany. Buying a home of his own was on Shane’s mind for about five years and all it took was a little push from his dad and the assistance of Attainable Homes to purchase his own home in a short five months. Normore was renting an extremely affordable duplex in Queensland, the well-established southeast neighbourhood where he grew up and went to school. He says leaving his childhood stomping grounds took some convincing. “My dad insisted that I look into it,” he says of Attainable Homes, a City of Calgary initiative that allows qualified first-time buyers to purchase condominiums at below-market prices with a $2,000 down payment. Next thing he knew Shane was receiving emails from Attainable Homes because his dad signed him up. When Shane saw all the options for great condos, he says his interest was piqued and he took it from there. “You do a test so they can look at your situation and what is important to you,” he recalls. Living in the southeast in a lake community was first and foremost for Shane, largely due to his nineyear-old son, Josh.

When Shane saw all the options for great condos, he says his interest was piqued and he took it from there.

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…now that they are all settled in the pair are more than pleased to be in their own digs in a lake community and are looking forward to what the fall holds. “The lake community is great for kids,” he says. Truman Home’s 51 Oak building in Mahogany is a partner of Attainable Homes and the condo caught his eye immediately. Once he settled on a two bedroom, 998-square-foot unit at $303,000 with a modern kitchen and two full-bathrooms, the process was seamless. Attainable Homes provides help with the down payment and have partnerships with Calgary builders that allow them to sell condominiums at below the market price. They also provide first homeowners with a checklist and referrals to lawyers and banks needed to make the purchase happen. With all that assistance, Shane and Josh were able to move into their condominium by the first of July. “It happened very fast,” he says. “It was quite painless. Everyone had the answers and it worked out very well.” Getting to know Mahogany in the summer was ideal, Shane says. The walk to the lake from 51 Oak is only three minutes to the west beach where there is a playground, exercise equipment, a basketball court and hockey rinks in the winter. “We’ve been there quite a bit,” Shane says.

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The west beach is one of two beach accesses that are currently available to Mahogany residents, including the main beach where the community centre is located. A third beach is under construction and includes a beautiful park with stone sculptures. In the summer there are swimming lessons in the lake and Shane says he plans to enroll his son next year and he already has him enrolled this fall in art classes through the community association. So far the pair are finding they fit right in the laid back community. “The community seems friendly,” Shane says. “I laugh whenever I am in the grocery store because its like everyone is at a resort — they’ve got their Hawaiian shirts on.” Currently the closest shops and restaurants are located in nearby Mackenzie Towne and 130th Avenue, where Shane says there is everything they need . No matter the destination, traffic is rarely an issue, he adds, with Stoney Trail in their backyard. He is looking forward to a shopping centre development called Mahogany Plaza that is under construction right across the road from 51 Oak, saying it would be nice to have a small restaurant or pub within walking distance. As far as his own space, Shane says, he has some

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plans for the future like having his walk through closets upgraded with wood and open them up. His favourite space is the open concept living room and modern kitchen, which is a mix of light and dark thanks to the warm cork floors and abundant lighting. The flat white cabinets offset the black granite countertops and Frigidaire stainless steel appliances. The granite countertops are continued in the three-piece ensuite and main bathroom and are topped with modern over the counter sinks and oversized tiles on the floor contrast with the mini subway backsplash. An office nook tucked into the entryway is a big plus for Shane, who is a computer programmer. His first big purchase was a custom sectional couch for the living space, which overlooks the Rockies and downtown. The spot is ideal, he says, because his view will remain unobstructed due to the single story Mahogany Plaza being built across the street. Shane says now that they are all settled in the pair are more than pleased to be in their own digs in a lake community and are looking forward to what the fall holds. “We are going to sit around the fire at the lake with friends,” Shane says, smiling. CL CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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| ADVERTISING FEATURE |

THE ACR CONFERENCE An environment for sharing industry knowledge

stablishing an information network is crucial in today’s real estate and condominium industries, and the sharing of knowledge and expertise gives practitioners the added edge to remain competitive — especially in today’s challenging economic climate. This kind of environment for the free flow of industry information and networking among professionals is what the Alberta Condominium and Real Estate Conference engenders. This conference is unique in all of the province, as it brings together the combined expertise of The Association of Condominium Managers of Alberta, the Real Estate Institute of Canada and the Canadian Condominium Institute. The third annual Alberta Condominium and Real Estate Conference is being held on November 6 and 7, 2015 at the Winsport

Cheryl Bernard

complex at the Canada Olympic Park. It will bring together industry leaders and experts for a two-day event that blends the excitement of a trade show and the learning potential of workshops with keynote addresses by Canadian Olympic Curler Cheryl Bernard and work-life balance advocate Liesbet Trappenburg. “The ACR Conference is about education,” says ACR spokesperson Pamela Wilson. “All

three of the associations that put on this show deal with some aspect of condominiums. But this conference is a place where owners, managers and real estate professionals to network, discuss and learn. Everyone will come away having learned, met and talked about something that will be critical for life in a condominium.” This year, the ACR Conference will have some 40 plus exhibitors at the trade show, and a total of 12 topics in the speaker series. The latter will have discussions on several hot-button topics, including the coming multi-family recycling program that goes into effect next year, and fallout from the Bill 9 Alberta Condominium Act. To register and get more information on the ACR Conference, go to their website at www.acrconference.ca. n

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| A DAY IN VICTORIA PARK

Storied neighbourhood provides new tales for a young generation

HISTORIC FUN BY SHELLEY BOETTCHER

f you truly want to know Calgary, you need to explore Victoria Park. Named in honour of Queen Victoria, this under-the-radar neighbourhood is one of the city’s oldest and most interesting communities. Located on the eastern part of Calgary’s Beltline district, it is bordered by the Stampede Grounds and roughly includes 10th Avenue S.E. to 17th Avenue S.E. Although it often gets forgotten in the rush to get to flashier neighbourhoods, it is a hidden gem, one that offers a charming and eclectic mix of independent and thriving businesses — fitness facilities, architects and designers, small oil companies, wine shops and food purveyors. Add in the neighbourhood’s vintage warehouses and upscale condos, and you’ll find plenty of good reasons to explore Victoria Park. Just ask Calgary architects Kevin and Mairi Nyhoff, partners at Nyhoff Architecture. Last year, the award-winning duo — whose projects include the King Edward Arts Hub, the St. Louis Hotel conservation and private homes — moved their offices to Victoria Park. The inner-city community offered affordable, funky space for them to expand, and yet still be close to downtown. And there’s still easy access to the rest of the city, too.

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“We are really pleased with our decision to move our office to Victoria Park,” says Mairi Nyhoff. “We feel connected to the most significant architectural projects in the city. It is an exciting place to be, and we are enjoying its evolution.” So are the rest of us. These days, Victoria Park is the cool older brother you’d like to hang out with more often. The one with stories to tell. The one that knows where to go for a good deal, where to find the next best thing, where to eat and where to live. Take a good look around. Stay for a while. We think you’ll like what you find.

WALK AROUND THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Victoria Park includes Calgary’s Warehouse District, a collection of architecturally and historically interesting buildings that are slowly being restored and revitalized. These buildings housed the city’s industrial heart and many date back more than 100 years. Go to beltline.ca for a more in-depth look but long-time favourites amongst Calgarians include the Pilkington (402 11th Avenue S.E.), the Imperial Tobacco warehouse (220 11th Avenue S.E.) and the Ribtor warehouse (318 11th Avenue S.E.).

location (200 12th Avenue S.E.) is your best bet. You’ll find produce, dry goods, a restaurant and prepared meals to take home, too. Haru Sushi (227 11th Avenue S.E.) is a great place to find sushi, whether you’re looking to eat out or get takeout. Manuel Latruwe (1333 First Street S.E.) is a small Belgian bakery that offers a small seating area so you can enjoy waffles or a sandwich for brunch or lunch. Or pick up a baguette and pastries to take home to enjoy. Located in a vintage house that dates back

FIND DINING

For the past decade, Hotel Arts (119 12th Avenue S.W.) has been one of the city’s top hotels. It’s also home to two of the city’s finest restaurants: Yellow Door Bistro and Raw Bar. Stop by for breakfast in Yellow Door, check out the hotel’s acclaimed art collection, enjoy a poolside cocktail or book a private event in one of the banquet halls. Sunterra has stores around the city, but for awesome groceries in Victoria Park, this large

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Ed’s Restaurant

| A DAY IN VICTORIA PARK

to 1909, Ed’s restaurant (202 17th Avenue S.E.) has been a favourite amongst chicken wing fans since 1986. And the lovely La Vita é Bella (401 12th Avenue S.E.), located by the Stampede Grounds, offers excellent Italian-inspired cuisine. Last but not least, stop at Village Ice Cream (431 10th Avenue S.E.) Everything is made here in Calgary, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. (Dairy-free options are available, too.) Get a cone and eat it outside on the little patio, or buy a couple pints for your next dinner party. Be sure to try the Toasted Coconut. And the Salted Caramel. Best. Ever.

SHOP

Truvé Wines (422 11th Avenue S.E.) just may be Calgary’s prettiest wine shop. Check out the gorgeous tasting room, with its crystal chandeliers and long harvest-style table. Then head to Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut/Cococo (1313 First Street S.E.); this is the main location, where the factory is located and where the head offices for all of Canada are. Pick up a chocolate initial or a box of handcrafted treats. And make

sure you include a Leopold — rum and milk chocolate ganache — in the mix. A couple of doors down, L’Epicerie (1325 First Street S.E.) is a charming little French deli, offering French-inspired takeaway and a small selection of groceries: quiche, beautiful olives and olive oils, cheeses. Getting married? Check out the beautiful selection at Novia Mia (229 17th Avenue S.E.), on the edge of Victoria Park.

FIX YOUR CAR

Had a fender bender? You can’t miss the ubercool vintage sign outside Superior Paint and Body Services (112 17th Avenue S.E.). Started in the 1950s, it’s still going strong seven decades later — and it’s still family-owned. CL

Truvé Wines

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| STYLE

Hot couture

Photo by Trevor Neufeld for Westridge Cabinets

Dress your kitchen the fashionista way

BY DAVID CROSSON

hen the weather gets cooler, more often than not our thoughts turn to hearth and home. And aside from an actual fireplace hearth, there is no place that says warmth more than the kitchen. As the hub of adult entertaining, site of childhood baking memories and source of delicious smells, how can we not help but find comfort within? Kitchen design can be a tricky thing because, despite having relatively few elements with which to make a statement, the choices you make speak loudly—for better and for worse. It may sound strange but I actually think of kitchens like they’re a gentleman’s outfit: we have our main component, the cabinets (suit), flooring (shoes), appliances (shirt), counter and backsplash (tie) and lighting (cufflinks). Each one carries weight in its own way and one bad choice can sometimes lead to enduring—or expensive—errors. Again, it may seem strange but there’s a method to the madness. Oftentimes cabinets are one of the most costly elements, so you generally want to invest in an option that’s versatile yet classic, something that can go a number of ways based on what you put with it. Whether traditional or contemporary, the principle remains the same and the opportunity for exploration is endless. Lately I’ve been seeing lots of clients opt for painted finishes—and not just classic white but soft taupes, sage greens and varying shades of on-trend greys for their cabinets. One of the bonuses here is that you are incorporating a very ‘diplomatic’ element, which in turn creates even more possibilities for stunning results.

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Of course, painted cabinets help tremendously if you are keen on doing hardwood floors in a kitchen. I personally find wood for both cabinets and floors can be too much of a good thing (many men are gaga for it) but the overall effect can be that of a bad ‘70s rumpus room avec beaucoup de bois. Other fantastic floor options include: crisp ceramic tiles (murder on a dropped dish but easy on the eyes); cork (for visual warmth and actual softness underfoot); or a natural sheet product like Marmoleum (soft, antistatic, hypoallergenic and available in a wide range of colours and patterns — need I say more?). In many cases your cabinets will help determine the finish of your appliances, as they do serve as another major component in your space. Although stainless is still the standard (I do happen to like it for “cooling down” a lot of warm wood tones) other options may make more sense based on your cabinetry. I like the look of sharp white against softer colours but find it can be too stark for darker ones so sometimes opt for graphite or black. Integrated cover panels are a great way to pull fridges and dishwashers seamlessly into the mix and wall ovens and cooktops are often more discreet than large-scale ranges. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in a kitchen is the countertop/backsplash combo, which puts both in such close proximity that a misstep can spell war. A good rule of thumb is that if your countertop material is ‘busy’ (e.g. highly patterned granite) then your backsplash should take a more passive role. This is a great place for classic subway tiles with non-contrasting grout (contrast plays up their graphic quality) or a single — where possible — sheet of cleanlined, back-painted glass. If, however, you have a relatively calm counter (simple quartz, concrete, Corian or even laminate) then you can go to town with your backsplash. To go back

Other fantastic floor options include: crisp ceramic tiles, cork or a natural sheet product like Marmoleum.

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to my original analogy, think of this as the bold tie that brings personality to a relatively simple outfit. Mosaics tend to rule the roost in this area, with either a single material or stunning mixtures (stone, glass, metal, shells, etc. among them), often in one product. Again, this creates a strong statement but often represents substantial investment, so make sure you opt for under-cabinet lighting to make them truly shine. Finally we come to the jewellery of the room: your lighting. Like a dynamite set of cufflinks, kitchen fixtures can elevate and define a look like no other. Traditional or

| STYLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR: David Crosson is the owner of Barbarian Interior Decoration Ltd., which works with both residential and commercial clients in Calgary and beyond. He is also the author of the blog Hausfrau: Better Living Through Better Living and is frequently called upon to provide commentary in matters of life and style in the local media. For more information visit www.barbariandesign.ca

LEFT TO RIGHT: A good rule of thumb is that a ‘calm’ countertop gives you latitude for a more exuberant backsplash. Wood floors and cabinets work beautifully together provided there is contrast in either colour or grain. All photos on these pages by Trevor Neufeld for Westridge Cabinets.

modern, I like the earthy sparkle that seeded glass imparts, especially when paired with aged bronze fittings. Kichler’s Everly series is particularly good, offering a variety of sizes and shapes across the line. Similarly, the Urban Renewal collection from Feiss boasts serious yet subtle industrial chops that can suit a wide variety of decors, especially when outfitted with Edison-style bulbs. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many choices consumers have at their disposal. By following at least a few of the principles I’ve outlined you have a greater chance of creating a kitchen environment that is functional, fanciful and, above all, full of warmth. CL

LEFT: A mosaic backsplash works well with solid colour counters to make them pop.

BELOW: Simplicity is the key to keeping a space modern, both in material and shapes.

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Counter culture

Granite is still king of countertops, but quartz looks to steal the throne

Photo courtesy Home Depot

| SHOPPING

BY KATHY MCCORMICK

f the spanking-new kitchen cupboards are the little black dress, the countertops are the jewelry that makes that dress shine and stand out — and like those baubles, today’s counters range from cool costume to 18-karat gold, and everything in between. So what is that opulent king of the counters? Granite has been on that throne for many years, its luxury qualities, unique pattern and bold colours certainly becoming the focal point of the kitchen. “Granite is seen as more exotic and shows a great deal of ‘movement’ in terms of its vein direction and fluidity,” says Rose DiFonzo, merchant for countertops and installation service, The Home Depot Canada. “Those who look for unique patterning still lean towards granite; however, the evolution of quartz has proven that customers who are looking for movement and maintenance-free surfaces now also consider quartz for their kitchens.”

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Photo courtesy RONA Home and Garden

SHOPPING |

But it’s all about personal preferences and the cyclical nature of design, says McCallum. And there are regional differences, DiFonzo adds. “We still find geographic pockets where neutrals (i.e. beiges) or dark colours (i.e. emerald greens, dark browns or blacks) are still popular.” For McCallum, two personal favourites are Caesarstone 5131 ‘Calacatta Nuvo’ and Cambria ‘Torquay’ quartz. “These have the look of marble and natural stone, but the consistency and durability of quartz.” And more and more people are showing off their own style sense with mix-and-match colours schemes that draw palette colours from countertop surfaces, DiFonzo says. “We see customers highlighting the lights and darks from granite and quartz, or adding recycled glass and wood as highlights within And quartz is quickly rising to the top, says Logan McCallum, design consultant at Interiors with Elegance. their space. “We also see the mixing of colours in the “Our younger clientele like its durability and the fact that it is less maincabinet layouts as well. A contrasting island, tenance than granite,” says Logan McCallum. “Granite is a natural product or light-coloured wall cabinets and dark lower and therefore porous, so it requires a sealant constantly over time. Quartz cabinets lend itself to different countertop countertops are 90 per cent quartz and 10 per cent binder, so it’s not colour and pattern selections.” porous like a natural stone, but still is mostly natural materials.” Although the king and queen of countertops The most common quartz we’ve seen is the is the granite and quartz, the most popular and coveted easy-on-the-budget costume more European-look of solid coloured stone but jewelry selection is good old laminate, says its look has evolved. Sophie Lagace, merchandiser, kitchen and “Recent innovations both in colour, pattern and finish plumbing for RONA Home and Garden. maintenance-free options have been getting more “Researchers say that laminate is still 57 attention,” says DiFonzo. per cent of consumer demands” — and the And people love it: “The samples that you see of reason is even more than the budget savings. quartz will be what your finished product looks like,” McCallum says. “With granite, it’s a variant.” “Laminate offers over 1,000 different colour But that little black dress has changed, too, palettes, going from solid white and black to granite, quartz, marble and wood designs that say the experts. The black granite kitchen with the dark wood cabinets and hardwood floors is making way for white, light and bright looks. “Darker colours for kitchens are warm and cosy, but they were so popular that now, the light, airy feel of the light colours is a nice change,” says McCallum — and that’s where quartz shines again. It comes in light colours and softer patterns. “What I do believe is on its way out is the granites with specks and extreme movement, solely due to overuse, in my opinion,” says McCallum. People normally choose the cupboards first, then match the countertops with a complimentary colour and material, says DiFonzo. “Whites, greys and neutrals are on trend for cabinetry, and the complementary countertop selections reflect that trend.” Photo courtesy Interiors with Elegance

“Darker colours for kitchens are warm and cosy, but they were so popular that now, the light, airy feel of the light colours is a nice change.”

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Photo courtesy Interiors with Elegance

| SHOPPING

* Prices vary wildly and it would be best to check with suppliers on deals.

Photo courtesy Home Depot

look and feel like the more expensive choice, but at a fraction of the cost.” Laminate offers a seamless countertop as well; it’s stain resistant, low-maintenance, durable, and doesn’t require special chemicals for cleaning. “It can be easily changed for less cost than the other materials and it can be installed by do-it-yourselfers.” Other benefits of laminate: “the edge profiles have evolved and modernized to reflect the straight lines many customers enjoy,” says DiFonzo. “And a few of our laminate manufacturers have paired with top designers, such as Jonathan Adler, to create product lines that have a broader and fresher design appeal.” Investments in kitchens and bathrooms always help raise the value of a home, says DiFonzo. “Yet not all homeowners have the same priorities or reasons for change when it comes to installing a new countertop. Some homeowners simply look for a quick, inexpensive upgrade that will refresh the space versus the homeowners who plan to live in their home for years to come and want to upgrade their real estate investment with their dream kitchen.” It’s all about your needs and wants, your lifestyle and budget*. “For customers looking to install a new kitchen or bath on a budget, there are many things to consider,” DiFonzo says. “If they are content with their space layout and there is a sold cabinet structure in place, I recommend re-facing the cabinet doors (The Home Depot has a program) and investing in a premium surface countertop. “If the layout needs reconfiguring, invest in the cabinetry and select a laminate countertop (that can be changed out when budget allows for upgrade). “Both strategies can assist in reducing the overall project cost while offering an entirely new look.” And isn’t that the beauty of that little black dress. It can be dressed up or down — and still looks fabulous. CL

“Whites, greys and neutrals are on trend for cabinetry, and the complementary countertop selections reflect that trend.”

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NEWS |

And the winner CHBA – Alberta announces Awards of Excellence in Housing and Safety Leadership Awards winners

he Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta (CHBA – Alberta) proudly announced the winners of the 2015 Awards of Excellence in Housing on September 18th at BUILD 2015, CHBA – Alberta’s annual conference, held at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Lethbridge’s Ashcroft Master Builder was a big winner, taking home the Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award in the large volume category, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank. White Eagle Homes of Edmonton was named Builder of the Year in the small-volume category sponsored by Travelers Canada. The multi-family Builder of the Year Award winner was Qualico Group of Companies for their various Alberta projects. The award was sponsored by the Alberta New Home Warranty Program.    Builder of the Year Awards are presented for the best overall score in the competition. Points are awarded for reaching the finals in each category and how each home ranked among the top three. The builder then earned points for safety, customer satisfaction survey results and volunteerism. Factors considered in the judging include curb appeal, layout, functionality, finishes, special features and value.   Awards were also presented in 25 categories to Alberta’s top home builders, renovators and community developers. A total of 19 companies won awards. Projects by CHBA – Calgary Region members won 10 awards, followed by seven from Edmonton Region, six in Lethbridge, two in Central Alberta and one in Medicine Hat. “The competition to be named one of Alberta’s best was fierce,” said Jim Rivait, CEO, CHBA – Alberta, “with more than 400 entrants and 75 finalists. CHBA – Alberta is pleased to see such a broad range of companies and communities reach the winner’s circle. The awards also illustrate the many choices available to Albertans, from affordable single and multi-family homes to spectacular estate homes and renovation projects.”    CHBA – Alberta also announced the winners of the Safety Leadership Awards, sponsored by ATCO Gas, and a Central Alberta company took first place honours, with Bruin’s Plumbing & Heating capturing the title for Large Employer. Entrants were judged based on responses to a detailed survey about fostering a safety culture among workers, management and contractors, as well as ways they share their success stories with the industry. CL

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Albi Homes – Calgary

Watermark at Bearspaw

ReidBuilt Homes – Calgary

| NEWS

BUILDER OF THE YEAR

COMPANY

SAFETY LEADERSHIP

is...

The following are the winners in the Multi-Family and Community Development categories. For the complete list go to chbaalberta.ca

MODEL CITY/REGION

RALPH SCURFIELD BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Ashcroft Master Builder

Lethbridge

SMALL VOLUME BUILDER OF THE YEAR

White Eagle Homes

Edmonton

MULTI-FAMILY BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Qualico Group of Companies

Edmonton

LARGE EMPLOYER GENERAL MEMBER

Bruin’s Plumbing & Heating

Central Alberta

SMALL EMPLOYER BUILDER MEMBER

Broadview Homes

Calgary

LARGE EMPLOYER BUILDER MEMBER

Avonlea Homes

Lethbridge

MULTI-FAMILY APARTMENT UNDER $350,000

StreetSide Developments

Fairbanks

Edmonton

MULTI-FAMILY DUPLEX UNDER $350,000

Sterling Homes

Sahara

Edmonton

MULTI-FAMILY DUPLEX $350,000 - $500,000

ReidBuilt Homes

Ultimate Renovations – Mayfair Ensuite

Montgomery

Calgary

MULTI-FAMILY TOWNHOME UNDER $350,000

Rohit Group of Companies

Carlton

Edmonton

MULTI-FAMILY TOWNHOME $350,000 - $500,000

StreetSide Developments

Alpine

Edmonton

CATEGORY

MULTI-FAMILY LUXURY OVER $500,000

Albi Homes

Villa 6

Calgary

Larch Park

Edmonton

Watermark at Bearspaw

Calgary

Private Residents

Edmonton

Evergreen Kitchen/Great Room

Calgary

MULTI-FAMILY PROJECT

Tapestry Developments COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Macdonald Development Corporation GREEN HOME

Effect Home Builders RENOVATION UNDER $200,000

Ultimate Renovations

RENOVATION $200,000 - $500,000

Ultimate Renovations Mayfair Ensuite Addition

Calgary

MERIT

RENOVATION OVER $500,000

Alair Homes

Chrenek Acres

Edmonton

Stepper Custom Homes

Conrad

Calgary Region

Laebon Homes

JJ Custom

Central Alberta Region

UrbanAge Homes

R18-Modern

Edmonton Region

Unique Home Concepts

Jade

Grande Prairie Region

Amron Homes

Burlington

Lethbridge Region

Brost Developments

Delano

Medicine Hat Region CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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TASTE OF

ASIA

Restaurant group expands to eight Calgary locations

aste of Asia Group restaurants are well known in Calgary for their Hong Kong style cuisine, offering flavorful food, a wide range of choice, convenience and good value. Many of the dishes served at Taste of Asia restaurants come from Hong Kong, mainly via company co-founder, Mr. Or. “It’s a direct influence from Hong Kong,” says Mr. and Mrs. Or’s son, 柯偉俊 Regent Or, who is Taste of Asia Group’s general manager. “Taste of Asia is ahead of the game in Calgary. “Taste of Asia sets the standard. It sets the bar.” Thanks to Taste of Asia’s strong relationships and connections with people and companies in Hong Kong, this Calgary-based restaurant group is able to roll out promotions and introduce new dishes quickly to restaurant goers in Calgary seeking specialty Asian cuisine, quick and efficient service, and value for money. “The style is like fast food. We have a lot of choice,” says Taste of Asia executive chef, 容宏立 Paul Yung. “We have a lot of special combinations.” The history of Hong Kong, a former British colony, brings with it a British influence on Hong Kong cuisine, which features elements of the cuisine from other nations as well, including Vietnam and India. “Hong Kong history and food is very complicated,” Or says. “We have curry, we have Singapore fried rice...It’s kind of a mix of everything in Hong Kong, which has historically taken all of those flavors, made them our own and created something with it. It’s very flavorful with lots of ingredients.” Taste of Asia’s eight Calgary restaurants are all different. There is 桃園茶餐廳(唐人街店) Calgary Court Restaurant (Chinatown), Taste of Asia’s first restaurant to open in Calgary, nearly two-and-a-half decades ago, which is located in Chinatown; Forbidden City Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant, located in Pacific Place Mall; 石板街 Pebble Street, a Hong Kong style café located beside 世紀龍廷 Forbidden City Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant; 大户大家 T.Pot China Bistro, which is “famous for our dim sum;” 桃園茶餐廳 (豐山店) Café HK (Harvest Hills), located next to T.Pot; Misai Japanese Restaurant 味菜坊; and 新釗記 Sun’s BBQ

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| ADVERTISING FEATURE |

GOOD COOKING IS 容宏立 PAUL YUNG’S PASSION it,” says Yung, executive chef with the “ITasteenjoy of Asia Group in Calgary, which

Restaurant, which specializes in barbecued favorites such as barbecued pork ribs, barbecued duck, roast pork, and soya sauce chicken. “We do a very good job with it. We even have lots of people from Vancouver and Edmonton who come here to get our barbecue,” Or says. The newest restaurant to open in the Taste of Asia Group is 百份百餐廳 Café 100%, a modern Hong Kong style café which is located in Country Hills in northwest Calgary, just a few blocks from T.Pot and Café H.K. Café 100%, which seats 120, occupies an open space with a modern vibe and elegant Asian-inspired décor, with large windows and spare sleek lines. You can glimpse the cooks at work in the kitchen, as they prepare lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and late night tapas. Café 100% offers a variety of menu items that are changed up regularly, with dishes that include grilled steak, satay curry, Japanese new style pizza, among many others. “A lot of the things you get here, you can’t get at any of the other restaurants,” Or says. “This place is more modern.” As just one example, Café 100% uses orzo, a riceshaped pasta, as the basis for its stir fried orzo dish. Taste of Asia Group has its origins in Asia, with Regent Or’s parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Or, who started out their business selling food and soy milk, pushing food carts on the streets of Hong Kong. They worked very hard and saved up their money to open a restaurant in Hong Kong, and then opened a restaurant in Canada, where Mr. Or’s mother was living. Calgary Court Restaurant in Calgary’s Chinatown was their first Canada-based restaurant. “That’s where it all began in Canada. Calgary Court was a huge success, and the other restaurants followed,” Regent Or says. Today, Mrs. Or remains in Calgary, while Mr. Or returned to Hong Kong six years ago to open more restaurants and expand the business in Hong Kong. Since that time, he has opened up 50 new restaurants in Hong Kong. “He is very accomplished. Our name is very big with the Chinese community in Canada; they know us and they know our restaurants, and he would like to expand that back to Hong Kong,” Or says, noting that Taste of Asia Group is always expanding, and one of the company’s main goals is to go public. In Calgary, the Taste of Asia Group employs a total of approximately 380 staff members, including 100 cooks. n

includes Café 100%, T.Pot China Bistro, Calgary Court Restaurant, Forbidden City, Pebble Street, Misai Japanese Restaurant and Sen’s Restaurant. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Yung, 45, has been cooking for 27 years. He started his career at Hong Kong’s fivestar Furama Hotel, where he learned Hong Kong-style cooking along with the cuisine of other cultures, with the hotel ﬂying in chefs from overseas to teach him and the other cooks about the tastes and ﬂavors of other nations. “The menu changed every three months, with the focus on a different country,” Yung explains. “This way, I can learn about a lot of different kinds of cuisine — Japanese style, Malaysian style, and more — every month I need to learn about another country’s food.” Yung, who has been with Taste of Asia Group for 23 years, joined the company to help Mr. Or with Calgary Court restaurant, which had just opened its doors in Calgary’s Chinatown before Yung came onboard. Or “needed some chefs with Hong Kong style and taste,” Yung explains. Today, as Taste of Asia executive chef, Yung specializes in overseeing the menus and creating the sauces for all of the restaurants in the Taste of Asia Group — everything from white cream sauce and corn cream sauce, to curry sauce, satay sauce, traditional spicy sauce and tomato-based sauce. “He has a keen eye for it and the taste for it,” says Taste of Asia general manager, Regent Or. To keep on top of the latest culinary trends, Yung travels to Hong Kong for a month, once a year, and also visits restaurants in Japan, Korea and the U.S. n

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Editor’s note: Maria Bartolotti is a board member of the Canadian Condominium Institute – Southern Alberta chapter (CCI-SA). CCI represents all participants in the condominium community.

ASK MARIA By Maria Bartolotti

THE COMING REGULATION

Regulation for condominium management is coming. Make sure your voice is heard

Maria, what can you tell me about the recent legislation to license condominium managers?

In December 2014, the Government of Alberta passed legislation that will require licensing for condominium managers. When the legislation takes effect at a future date, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) will be responsible for setting standards, licensing and regulating individuals who provide condominium management services. RECA has formed a condominium managers advisory Committee to help facilitate and make recommendations to RECA. The areas of focus will be: • Rules under the Real Estate Act • Categories of licences • Education and examination requirements • Licensing fees • Practice standards, including but not limited to competency, trust accounting, record keeping and information reporting to RECA • RECA resourcing requirements for start-up and ongoing regulatory responsibilities. RECA has released an initial consultation paper and will be hosting a series of town-hall meetings across Alberta to gather feedback from the condominium industry stakeholders, including condominium owners. In Calgary, that meeting will be held on December 1 at the Carriage House Inn on Macleod Trail S.W. RECA’s consultation paper, which details the proposed phased 1 of the

regulatory model for condominium managers, is available at www.reca.ca. In my personal opinion and the reason that I’m writing to inform you of the press release from RECA, is that I am a strong believer that the condominium industry requires change. Bringing regulation to the industry would give managers the tools that they require to become better managers. It would bring further educational requirements, knowledge, skills and competency with the regulator legislation. It would ensure that condominium corporations receive accurate and relevant information, and it would hold condominium managers to a regulatory standard. Bringing regulation to the industry would also give the stakeholders and condominium owners a place to voice their concerns and grievances.

Since this is the initial stage of the consultation it is fair to say that the work has just begun. Stakeholders are invited to respond to the consultation paper in writing via email to condomanagers@reca.ca by December 9, 2015, and attend a town hall meeting. I would like to encourage all stakeholders to attend the town-hall meeting to voice your opinion and learn more about the regulation of mangers. Until Next Time … CL

Maria Bartolotti

ACCI, FCCI is the ownermanager 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 CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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CONDOSCAPES By Richard White

“DESIGN AND DEFEND” IS DEAD

Community engagement is more crucial than ever in building new projects

t was three years or so ago that James Robertson, President, West Campus Development Trust (WCDT) said to me “design and defend is dead.” What he meant was that developers, especially those wanting to do major infill projects in established communities, can no longer just design what they want to build, then host a single public open house where they defend the design of their project as the best thing since sliced bread. Robertson’s comments came after one of the several WCDT open houses to share with neighbours, their planned development of the University of Calgary’s land on the west side of campus near the Alberta Children’s Hospital — now called University District. Robertson and his team were very careful not to design anything before talking to the community first to get some idea of what there concerns were. They first — and wisely — got some idea of neighbours concerns. Only then did they begin to develop a master plan for the 184-acre development, always keeping the public informed with more open houses and meetings with Community Associations to fine tune the plan as much as possible to meet the University’s needs and those of the community. At the same time the thoughtful plan had to be based on sound economic and urban planning principles. University District when fully built out will become home to 15,000 residents and 10,000 workers. In the spring of 2014, Truman Developments created the Engagement Hub, a purpose-built 2,000 square foot building on site of their proposed new community

West District next to West Springs and Cougar Ridge. The café-like build was designed as a place where people could comfortably visit and learn about some of the ideas Truman was considering for their new urban infill community. The Engagement Hub was Rendering of the University District open weekdays, weekends and evenings to allow neighbours to drop residential development — has been met by at their convenience to find out what with significant resistance from the ideas others had given, share their ideas neighbours since Day one. Cedarglen, with and peruse a library of books with the help of Quantum Developments, have examples of good urban planning. It was been actively discussing with the commuonly after 200 plus hours of consultation in nity their Land Use Rezoning application, groups and in one-on-one basis that as well as options for redevelopment. Truman finalized their master plan for this However, this process hasn’t prevented condo-only community next to sea of some heated exchanges. single-family homes. More recently, Brookfield Residential LAST WORD took community engagement one step In each of these cases, while there has been further. They engaged the community significant upfront community engagebefore they even purchased the Market on ment, there are still some unhappy MacLeod (a former car dealership site on Calgarians. Unfortunately, there is no Macleod Trail near Heritage Drive). In this master plan for new urban infill developcase, they sent a survey to neighbours ments that will meet the diversity of needs soliciting input on their concerns and and demands of everyone in a community. opportunities to redevelop this gateway site The biggest issue is always the City (not the to the community. Once the survey results developer) wanting to create denser (i.e. were in, they hosted a public open house to condo) communities, which are cheaper to share the results and, further discuss the manage, while most Calgarians have a love redevelopment of the site to determine the affair with the single-family home. CL community’s appetite for transforming their community into more of an urban village. Richard White has been writing about Calgary Cedarglen’s purchase of the Harvest urban living for over 20 years. Follow him on twitter Hills Golf Course — with the intent of @everydaytourist, read his blogs at everydaytourist.ca converting it into a condo/townhome or contact him at richardlw@shaw.ca CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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HOPE AT LARGE By Marty Hope

A NEW MANDATE

Hopewell aims to expand multi-family projects

ontrolled growth and change just don’t happen overnight. Done wrong could mean disaster. When considering corporate expansion or bringing a new product to market there has to be a strategy. It must be planned, executed, and nursed to be successful. And it requires forward thinking. So it has been at Hopewell Residential now under the deft control of president and chief operating officer Paul Taylor, and previously under the guidance of Lesley Conway, now the managing director of the company’s board of directors. The company, known for its lineage of award-winning communities in Calgary and area since launching the award-winning Elbow Valley development in 1997, and right on through to Mahogany crowned with a national development award by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, has set out a five-year growth plan for its housing divisions in Calgary and Edmonton. And a big part of the plan moving forward will involve putting more focus on its multi-family segment, says Taylor from the boardroom of the company’s corporate headquarters in the Mission neighbourhood of southwest Calgary. To that end, this past summer Hopewell retired the award-winning Sabal Homes name and replaced it with Hopewell Residential formally unifying Hopewell’s land development and home-building divisions. Just one step in the future vision that sees Hopewell getting busier in both Calgary and Edmonton — along with the possibility of moving into the Saskatchewan market. But for right now, growth plans are centred in

Alberta and more focussed on multi-family. “We’re going to be stepping up our multi-family business dramatically to 50 per cent of total sales,” says Taylor. “Within five years we want to move from 200 sales to 750, split more or less evenly between Calgary and Edmonton.” Taylor, who returned to Calgary about 18 months ago after three years in Europe where he served as a consultant in master-planned community development in Prague, Moscow and Kiev, says the goal moving forward in Calgary is to double its market share in the housing sector. “Right now, we’re sitting at three per cent of market share but we want to get to six per cent within five years in Calgary,” he says, adding that the total housing sales (singles and multis) goal in that time is to reach 1,500. By the time New Year’s Eve 2015 rolls around, home sales should hit 200, then vaulting to 480 in 2016. But like pretty much every other economic sector in the province, so much is dependent on what happens with oil prices. “If the price continues to decline, then it will have a huge impact on forecasts. Once we have stability and modest growth, though, then we will have a normalized market,” says Taylor. Another element of Hopewell’s growth strategy is to focus on affordable housing that will include apartment condominiums in Mahogany and the popular and successful Chalet townhouse product that has show homes in Copperfield. “The Chalet homes have been strong for us in Calgary for a while now and we just opened the Chalet in Edmonton late this summer where it’s doing well,” says Taylor.

Paul Taylor

A big selling feature of the Chalet is its adaptability. Floor plans have been designed so buyers can choose the kitchen they want as well as what they want the second floor to look like. The 306-unit apartment Sandgate at Mahogany has become an instant success with Hopewell bringing the same quality, design and amenities that have made the company’s Chalet series top sellers. Hopewell is wasting little time in getting deeper into the multi-family market. “It’s about affordability, meeting city density targets, and most importantly it’s the fact that the Calgary market demands it,” he says. CL

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. CO N D O L I V I N G N OV EM B ER 2015

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AROUND TOWN By Pepper Rodriguez

CARDEL LIFESTYLES AWARD

ardel Lifestyles cemented its reputation beyond.” “We also won the New Homebuyer’s as one of Calgary’s top multi-family Choice Award earlier this year. Both of the builders, as it was awarded the 2015 HOME awards are based on surveys done by (Home Owner Mark of Excellence) Awards Customer Insight and done for all Alberta run by research company CustomerInNew Home Warranty Builders and their sightTM . new homeowners,” says The award is earned Cardel Lifestyles’ sales and through the responses of marketing manager Brad customer surveys on Logel. questions about quality In collaboration with the of workmanship and Professional Home Builders delivery, process and Institute (PHBI), Customercustomer service, InsightTM surveys all new tabulated over a 13-month span. homeowners registered “Every year, we under the Alberta New receive thousands of Home Warranty Program, completed surveys and one at the time of possesCardel Lifestyles’ Tim Logel and builder reviews,” says sion, and then again Customer Insight’s Christian Caswell Christian Caswell, thirteen months after president and founder of CustomerInpossession. With over 600 homes builders sightTM. “With the HOME Awards, we hope and 16,000 new possessions annually, the to empower new home buyers to confidently New Home & Builder Reviews measure customer satisfaction in order to monitor select a building partner from a list of industry performance and provide The homebuilders that have a measurable track New Homebuyers Choice AwardsTM to the record of customer satisfaction, from purchase agreement to possession, and best new home builders in Alberta.

MULTI-FAMILY RECYCLING COMING SOON TO CALGARY

partment and condo recycling is almost a reality in Calgary. On February 1, 2016, a City Council bylaw amendment comes into effect that will require all multi-family complexes to offer on-site recycling. Multi-family complexes come in many forms such as condos, apartments, townhouses or any other building or development with five or more units on a single parcel of land. That’s why flexibility

and choice are foundations of this plan, the City says in release. Every complex will have to provide on-site recycling of the materials accepted in single family Blue Cart recycling. Each complex can decide how to provide on-site recycling, how and where to store materials, and whether to hire a company or recycle it themselves.

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT LAUNCHES

algary, meet University District, the latest residential community development in the city, which will be bringing 200 acres of thoughtful urban design to northwest. “After years of planning, the neighbourhood that will soon be known as a connected, complete and ‘mindfully made’ place to live and work, shop, dine and visit is officially coming to life,” says James Robertson, president and CEO of West Campus Development Trust, a University of Calgary for-profit organization that’s leading the development of the area. The 80 hectares of University District is located on the western edge of the University of Calgary main campus and sandwiched between the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Foothills Hospital. It will one day have 6,000 residential multi-family units. Over the coming 15 to 20-year build-out, University District will come to life as a world class urban village that everyone from residents and students to working professionals, travellers and day trippers will come to call their own. It is anticipated that University District will eventually be home to 8.7 million buildable square feet, including nine blocks of retail and 40 acres of open space, all within a beautiful, walkable community for people of all ages and life stages. The highly innovative and integrated development will provide a complete slate of amenities for people living, studying and working on campus and in surrounding communities, with all net revenue earned by the development directed back to the University.

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NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY MARKS NEXT PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION

onstruction of Calgary’s New Central Library reached a major milestone on September 30 when the final roofing panel of the LRT encapsulation structure was placed. Signalling the start of construction for the building, which promises to be one of the world’s most dynamic and inspired public libraries, scheduled to open 2018. “The LRT encapsulation program, which got underway in spring 2014, involved building an enclosure around the CTrain line that bisects the library site — a necessary precursor to construction of the library building,” says Lyle Edwards, Board Chair of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) — the organization responsible for the remarkable improvements underway in East Village and the lead developer of Calgary’s New Central Library. “Representing the first project in Calgary’s history that builds around and over an active LRT line, this engineering feat by the project team now enables the start of vertical construction on the library proper.” Shaped by extensive public engagement, its architecture and design serve and accommodate how people connect, interact, seek knowledge, share ideas and get inspired. “Inspiring our patrons by providing

relevant, engaging resources and programs has always been a major focus for Calgary Public Library, and nowhere is this more evident than in the plans for the New Central Library,” says Janet Hutchinson, Chair, Calgary Public Library Board . “Providing approximately 240,000 square feet of usable library space, the New Central Library will be a multi-faceted gathering place with a physical collection of more than 400,000 books, special programs and spaces for children and teens, a technology commons and laboratory for innovation, a centre that supports community integration and advancement through skills development, and much more.” Of the $245 million total project cost, Calgary City Council committed $175 million while CMLC contributed the remaining $70 million. The project is 100 per cent funded.

NEWPORT GENESIS LAUNCHES

new name in affordable townhomes emerges in Airdrie as Genesis Builders Group launch Newport in Canals Landing. “There’s been a great response to our launch, people love the affordability and value Newport offers,” says Jesse Coderre, Genesis’ corporate marketing manager. Newport is a 79-unit townhome development. It includes one-storey garden towns starting from the $183,000s; courtyard towns from $365,000; and park towns and urban towns from $380,000s. The garden towns are one-bedroom units that can get buyers out of the rental

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rut and into homeownership at an affordable price. Courtyard towns are two-storey units with an attached garage; while park and urban towns are three-storey homes with three bedrooms. Canals Landing is a master-planned community by Genesis accessed off 1 Avenue N.W., Airdrie. “Because this is the last site that’s being developed, you’re not living in a construction zone,” says Coderre. “It’s an established community. There are two amazing schools right there, both within walking distance. The canals are all constructed, the playground is already there. It’s exceptional.”

GREENWAY PATHWAY NETWORK NEARS COMPLETION

he third phase of the $60 million Rotary/Mattamy Greenway was recently launched in Cityscape, one of Calgary’s newest, emerging neighbourhoods in the northeast. “The nearly-completed Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway is an amazing amenity because it allows all Calgarians to enjoy our city’s natural beauty any time of the year, no matter what quadrant of the city we live in,” Mayor Nenshi said, adding that he hopes many Calgarians enjoy and share their stories of the Greenway. He says building an amenity the size of the Greenway (with 138 kilometres of pathways, and up to 20 urban parks including 10 wetlands preservation areas when completed) is not easy but “in Calgary, we have the heart, the grit, the passion to make it happen.” The start of the final phase of the project was celebrated in Cityscape, the new northeast neighbourhood being built by Mattamy Homes, the company that is also a title sponsor of the entire Greenway, along with Calgary and area Rotary Clubs. In Cityscape, three kilometres of pathways have been built along massive preserved wetlands, with rest nodes and a neighbourhood playground, as part of the Greenway. Brad Carr, President of Mattamy Homes Canada, the largest homebuilder in the country, says the decision to contribute $5 million as a title sponsor — its first major philanthropic contribution in Western Canada — into the Greenway, as well as to include the Greenway within Cityscape, was a natural one. “At Mattamy Homes, we have a focus with our community involvement on health and Mayor Naheed Nenshi wellness, and doing our part in building vibrant communities that enrich peoples’ lives.” CL

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CALGARY MAP | North West, North East and Inner City 4

MAP LEGEND

High Volume Roads Main Roads

Parks

Bodies of Water

27 10

See Advertiser Index for Project Page Reference

NOSE CREEK PARKWAY

NOSE HILL PARK

CANADA OLYMPIC PARK

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

28 26

19 18 20

25 PRINCE'S ISLAND

31 22

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STAMPEDE PARK

North West, North East and Inner City | CALGARY

MAP

1 2 3

26 9 4

8 10 27

11 12 13 14

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

16 17

19 24 21

INNER CITY

INNER CITY PROJECTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Kensington VEN LIDO Avenue West End Vogue The Concord Waterfront FIRST Evolution

10 Verve 11 6th and Tenth

20 THERIVER

14 The Park

22 Park Point 23 The Royal

12 The Guardian South 13 The Orchard

19 Tela

21 The XII

24 Scollen House 25 Duke

15 The Block 16 Drake 17 Smith

18 The District

26 Riverfront Pointe 27 N3

NORTH WEST | NORTH EAST PROJECTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ZOO

8 9 10 11

Villas at Watermark Sonoma at Nolan Hill Nolan Park The Post Sonoma at Sage Hill Willow at Sherwood Sage Place Viridian Avira Kincora Summit Emerald Sky

12 Panorama West 13 ARRIVE at Redstone 14 ARRIVE at Skyview

Ranch

22 Bridgeland Crossings 23 Killarney Townes

24 ARRIVE at Evanston 25 Bridgeland Hill

15 Groves of Varsity

26 Ezra on Riley Park

16 University City 17 Landings at Cougar Ridge

27 Urbana Street Towns 28 Vivace at West 85th

18 STEPS Bridgeland

29 Ashbury at Saddlestone

19 LiFTT

30 The Link at Evanston 31 RADIUS

20 43 Park

21 Victory and Venture

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CALGARY MAP | South West, South East and Calgary Area

11 7 41 8

6 8

4 6

AIRDRIE

2 10 5

MAP LEGEND High Volume Roads Main Roads

Parks Bodies of Water

10 4 11

9 7

See Advertiser Index for Project Page Reference

3 2

1 13

COCHRANE 2

19 1

CHESTERMERE

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OKOTOKS/DE WINTON

South West, South East and Calgary Area | CALGARY

MAP

SOUTH WEST | SOUTH EAST PROJECTS 1 Valmont at Aspen 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

26 34

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Stone Morena West Overture Axess Armory Juno The Alex GLAS Brooklyn Condominiums Altadore 36 Avli on Atlantic Mission34 SoBow Boulevard Townes of Quarry Park Champagne The Gates

17 Bristol Townhomes 18 MidCity 19 Hunter House 20 Sawyer Silverado 21 Legacy Gate

22 Harvest Mosaic 23 Villas of Riverstone

24 Cranston Ridge 25 Mosaic Riverstone 26 Side by Side

Auburn Bay 27 Muskoka 28 Auburn Walk 29 Canoe 30 Stonecroft Auburn Bay 31 ZEN Auburn Bay 32 Ebony 33 Chalet No 5 & No 6

34 Albert Park Station 35 Stonecroft at

Copperfield

36 Copperfield Park II & III 37 Mahogany Street Towns

38 Legacy Street Towns 39 Livingstone Townes

40 Elements 41 MAX

42 Legacy Town Homes 43 Jackson

44 Sandgate

45 The Morello

46 Sanderson Ridge

47 Side by Side Front Drive

Auburn Bay

48 Axis

CALGARY AREA PROJECTS AIRDRIE

1 Riviera Riversong

2 Windsong 3 Creekside Village 4 Waterscape at

2 Jumping Pound

5 6

14 15 16

COCHRANE

1 The Edge

8 9 10

Cooper’s Crossing Stone Keep at King’s Heights Ravenswood Townhomes Brookside at Baysprings ZEN Ravenswood Newport at Canals Landing Hillcrest Townhomes

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Townhomes Stonecreek Landing Trading Post The Village Townhomes in Sunset Ridge Heartland RiverReach The Range Sunset Ridge Street Towns Duplexes in Sunset Ridge Clearbrook Villas Fireside Vantage Fireside

CHESTERMERE 1 The Courtyards in

Chestermere

2 Townhomes of

Chestermere Station

OKOTOKS/ DE WINTON 1 ZEN Okotoks

2 Villas of Artesia

40 36 35

32 26

31 29 30

48 21 38 39 42

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ADVERTISERS INDEXâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A; ACR Conference page 63 Altadore 36 Brookfield Residential page 11 Arris Embassy Bosa page 3 ARRIVE Partners Development pages 41 & 69

Canoe at Auburn Bay Avi Urban pages 4-5

Sunset Ridge Townhomes Jayman BUILT page 92

Origins at Cranston Streetside page 46

The Armory Cove Properties page 6

Valmont Riverbend Developments page 88 Verve Fram/Slokker Developments page 81

Hunter House Streetside Developments page 45

Champagne Remington Development Corp. page 75

INK Battistella page 103

Park Point Qualex-Landmark page 64

The Chateaux Cove Properties page 6

Juno at Currie Barracks Avi Urban pages 4-5

Radius Bucci page 2

The Gates Remington Development Corp. page 39

CHBA page 51 Copperfield Park III Brad Remington Homes page 101

Auburn Walk Cardel Lifestyles page 9

Cranston Ridge Cardel Lifestyles pages 14-16

Avenue Grosvenor page 68

Duke at Mission Avi Urban pages 4-5

Brookside Baysprings Merge page 51

Ezra Birchwood page 55

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Orchard Lamb Development Corp. page 47

Chalet NO 6 Hopewell page 19

Ashbury of Saddlestone Genesis page 40

Carlisle Group pages 34-35

Guardian Hon Developments page 84

Glas Avalon page 76

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Legacy Park Brad Remington Homes page 104 LIDO Battistella page 70 Morello Kore page 57 Morena West Rockford page 85 Newport at Canals Landing Genesis page 18

Sandgate Hopewell page 58 Smith Grosvenor page 29 SoBow M2i page 62 Stonecroft pages 24-25 Stone Keep Merge Developments page 51

The Link Brookfield page 80 The Pinnacle Cove Properties page 6 The Royal Embassy Bosa page 17 The Timbers Gablecraft page 56 Urbana Creations by Shane Homes page 74

Viridian Trico Communities page 102

Victory and Venture Providence page 94 Vivace Streetside page 97 Vogue LaCaille page 90 Willow at Sherwood Avi Urban pages 4-5 Zen Cranston Avalon Master Builder page 30 Zen in Ravenswood Avalon Master Builder page 23