Condo Living -September 2019 by Source Media Group

EDITOR’S MESSAGE |

SOUTHERN STARS

The south side of Calgary gets a lot of our attention this issue, as many of the new condos, townhomes and communities we talk about inside are primarily located south of the Bow River and Memorial Drive. The City designates those as the markers which separates Calgary’s northern and southern communities (Macleod Trail and Centre St. are primarily used to mark east from west). Many of our stories this month though venture to the southern edge of Calgary — what some call the “deep south,” and, boy, is it ever getting deeper! Last year, we were talking about the new communities of Yorkville (Mattamy Homes) and Belmont (Anthem United), but as fall rolls around, there are even more communities now sprouting up with new show homes slated to open in what is now the busiest sector in real estate development in the city. In the coming months, we will surely be talking more about these new communities of Sirocco, Sirocco at Pine Creek (both by Anthem United), Hudson (by Highfield Land Management), and Wolf Willow (by West Creek Developments) to name a few. Majority of them are west of Macleod Trail too, and if you haven’t been there lately, we suggest that you check out what new homes and new lifestyles are offered here. At the tip of the spear, is our cover feature for the month: StreetSide Developments’ Belwood Park townhomes — the first three-storey tomwhomes in Belmont with driveunder garages. Opening on September 14, Belwood Park offers larger living spaces that combines the most popular features of StreetSide’s townhomes. We also have Goodwin by Anthem Properties (the multi-family development arm of Anthem United) which is launching on the same day also in Belmont. It is the first time that Anthem United and Anthem Properties are working together in Calgary, so mark your calendars NEXT MONTH: for what is going to be a big community event. We’ll Designing with feng shui be there to cover it too. Then there is Mark 101 by Shane Homes MultiFamily, bringing in the north to the conversation. It is said that trust is the byproduct of integrity and Mark 101, the first development under the multi-family development arm of Shane Homes, certainly has earned their buyers trust with their award-winning features. We also have Christina Loc’s tips on arranging the pantry — the easiest place to get cluttered — and it is encouraging to get a professional designer’s views on how to arrange it with style. Portia Yip also brings to light some of the trendiest kitchen tools around from some of the best local stores in Calgary in Focus On. Let's not forget the Calgary Fall Home Show that happens this month too. Check out our revealing interview with their head liner, Bryan Baeumler inside. Calgary continues to grow and be sure to check out our latest issues to see where to find these new show homes and communities. We’ll see you around…

Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca

PUBLISHER |

EDITOR | Pepper Rodriguez pepper@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR | Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Vivian Zhang vivian.zhang@sourcemediagroup.ca

Colleen Leier colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR |

EDITORIAL

Maria Bartolotti Christina Loc Marty Hope Richard White Portia Yip PHOTOGRAPHY

Christina Loc Jean Faye Rodriguez ADVERTISING SALES

Brandi Holmes brandi.holmes@sourcemediagroup.ca Richard MacQuarrie richard.macquarrie@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSUE 237 • ISSN 1918-4409 ©2019 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 1,400 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., 6109 — 6th Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9; Tel 403.532.3101 Toll free 1.888.932.3101; www.sourcemediagroup.ca

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2019 | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 237

8 18

COVER FEATURE 10 | Where dreams grow

Belwood Park brings stylish and spacious comfort as the latest townhome community in Belmont launches FOCUS ON 8 | Chef’s delight Raise your cooking game with these stylishly functional kitchen tools

CONDO PROFILES 14 | An anticipated townhome community Anthem’s Goodwin builds a community within a community in Belmont

DESIGNER SERIES 21 | Everyday style Affinity for approachable design is key to ARRIVE’s show home success

18 | Loving the Mark 101 Shane Multi-Family’s first condo development is a massive success

STYLE 25 | Storage stories Maximizing usage of the kitchen pantry

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

FOCUS ON |

4 1

CHEF’S Raise your cooking game with these stylishly functional kitchen tools

12 11

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

10 9

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| FOCUS ON

DELIGHT BY PORTIA YIP

SPACIOUS OR COMPACT, the kitchen is the heart of every home. Feel like your kitchen could use a quick makeover? Freshen up the epicentre of your home and take it to a whole new level with these simple, fun and practical accessories. From kitchenware that shows off your personality to sustainable and reusable items, these local stores carry something for everyone. CL

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

[ 1 ] True North Apron, $28 at Steeling Home. [ 2 ] Unpaper Towel 100% Cotton Flannel, $17 at Canary. [ 3 ] The Outdoors Is Calling Mug, $19 at Steeling Home. [ 4 ] Large Glass Covered Butter Dish, $26.95 at Britannia Kitchen & Home. [ 5 ] Pacific Tapa Bowls Set, $41.25 at Britannia Kitchen & Home. [ 6 ] Large Round Black Tray, $54.95 at Britannia Kitchen & Home. [ 7 ] Waffle Dish Cloths, $9 at Steeling Home. [ 8 ] Wild Jungle Oven Mitt, $11 at Steeling Home. [ 9 ] U-Konserve Nesting Trio, $34 at Canary7 Waffle Dish Cloths, $9 at Steeling Home. [ 10 ] Savon de Marseille Soap 600g, $17 at Canary. [ 11 ] Stasher Reusable Storage Bag 10oz, $12 at Canary. [ 12 ] Swig Stemless Wine 12oz, $32.95 at Britannia Kitchen & Home. [ 13 ] Herb Scissors, $14 at Steeling Home.

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

Where dreams grow Belwood Park brings stylish and spacious comfort as the latest townhome community in Belmont launches

iving affordably and comfortably have always been the goal for homebuyers, and StreetSide Developments always delivers with their well-priced designs that combine lifestyle needs and wants. The renowned multi-family builder brings its distinctive design approach to the south community of Belmont as they introduce Belwood Park — the first three-storey townhome offering in this young and vibrant community that’s growing more popular by the minute. By offering larger living spaces with drive-under garages at affordable prices, Belwood Park’s two and three bedroom townhomes allow homebuyers to enjoy all the comforts of living in a single-family home with the unbeatable affordability & maintenance-free living that only a multi-family home can offer. “Belwood Park takes our bestselling townhome plans and elevates them with feedback from our happy homeowners,” says StreetSide Developments’ Kimberley Orr.

10 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

Belwood Park is centred around a professionally-designed central park located in the family-friendly community of Belmont. “The exteriors were specifically designed to blend aesthetically with the architectural themes of Belmont. Belwood Park’s exteriors are based along traditional styles with high-pitched rooflines and large windows,” Orr says. The use of a monochromatic background (shades of grey and earth tones) coupled with pops of colour at mirror points of each building adds a strong thematic style to the project. “The interior central courtyard is the focal point of the community and is a space C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

“Our homes are designed to match a variety of lifestyles from the first-time homeowner to couples just starting out, and even downsizers. These homes are perfect for anyone looking to get out of renting or those looking for maintenance-free living.” where homeowners can relax and enjoy nature all year round. The community isn’t too densely packed and feels nice and spacious throughout. Overall Belwood Park adds a sense of uniqueness and bold colours to the Belmont landscape,” she says. Belmont is a 289-acre community located south of Silverado on Sheriff King Street and west of Macleod Trail between 194 Avenue and 210 Avenue. It was the first new community to launch west of Macleod Trail — an area of untapped growth potential that has since boomed with the introduction of even more new communities. But Belmont started it all and has now grown to fulfil plenty of its potential. There are parks and pathways available for residents to use, including an out-of-thisworld playground that families from the area have fallen in love with. There are commercial establishments just down the road, and with the completion of the 194 Avenue C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 11

| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

S.E. extension west of Macleod Trail, it is more accessible than ever. Belwood Park mirrors the jubilant, invigorating energy of this community, as these townhomes cater to just about any lifestyle that would find Belmont attractive. “Our homes are designed to match a variety of lifestyles from the first time homeowner to couples just starting out, and even downsizers. These homes are perfect for anyone looking to get out of renting or those looking for maintenance-free living,” Orr says. Belwood Park offers two floor plans based on an open concept design on the main level to maximize space, including an eating bar, a halfbath, along with a sizable great room and dining area. The two-bedroom, Avenue plan has 1,153-square feet, while the three-bedroom, Boulevard has 1,398 square-feet. “The Avenue with its two-master bedroom design was a definite hit in our Evanston Park community, while the Boulevard has a corner walk-in pantry and a third bedroom. This plan also features a master bedroom with full ensuite and a main bath. Both designs have convenient upper floor laundry, lots of storage and spacious bedrooms.” Orr says. Starting from the $290,000s, Belwood Park is the most affordable price point in Belmont, and comes loaded with features on all homebuyers’ wish lists. Belwood Park townhomes feature Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring, three choices of cabinet colours, tile flooring and designer lighting packages. Two colour collections are available and some designer upgrades including denim blue cabinets, upgraded large hexagon tile and quartz countertops. “Special attention was paid to ensure the main living area was functional and maximized for living space,” Orr says. Everyone gets a chance to see what Belwood Park has to offer when StreetSide opens three new show homes at Belmont’s Community event on Saturday, September 14. “We’re very excited about the opening of these show homes that showcase our latest designs,” Orr says.

12 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

“Belwood Park is a place for your family to get the most out of life. Stroll around the nearby green spaces, visit the farmers market, and have a backyard barbecue with the neighbours — all on the same day,” she adds. n

FAST FACTS COMMUNITY: Belmont PROJECT: Belwood Park BUILDER: StreetSide Developments DEVELOPER: StreetSide Developments, Anthem United

STYLE: Three-storey townhomes with drive-under garage

SIZE: Two-bedroom plans at 1,153 sq. ft., and three-bedroom plans at 1,398 sq. ft.

PRICE: From the $290,000s PRESENTATION CENTRE: 896, 850 Belmont Dr. S.E.

DIRECTIONS: Take Macleod Trail and head west on 194 Ave. S.E. and follow the signs

HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays 12 to 5 p.m., Closed Fridays

WEBSITE: www.belwoodpark.com

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CONDO PROFILE |

AN ANTICIPATED TOWNHOME COMMUNITY

14 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| CONDO PROFILE

Anthem’s Goodwin builds a community within a community in Belmont BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

t’s been a long time since Calgary has seen a new townhome development that offers an in-house amenity, but Anthem is elevating multi-family standards with its newest development - Goodwin at Belmont. Calgary residents will get their first glimpse of Anthem’s 178 three-level townhomes at their Grand Opening on September 14. Offering an in-house amenity building exclusive to the development’s residents, the Goodwin Clubhouse will be the first townhome community of its kind in the master planned community of Belmont located West of Macleod Trail. “The Goodwin Clubhouse is a rare bonus for Goodwin,” says Krista Whitelock, Director of Marketing for Anthem. “It will reinforce sense of community within Goodwin and an amenity space that is useful and exclusive to its residents.” The approximately 2,000 square-foot facility will offer residents indoor and outdoor entertaining areas that include a fitness centre, a social lounge/bar, a full kitchen, and a gas fireplace. The amenity space isn’t the only thing that sets Goodwin apart. It is also one of the first townhome developments in Belmont, spearheading the continued growth of the young south Calgary community.

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 15

CONDO PROFILE |

“It’s bright, modern and approachable. Pathways will connect the homes to the one of a kind Goodwin Clubhouse, a central green space, as well as to the rest of the community.” Belmont is being developed by Anthem United — Anthem’s land development division — and Goodwin will be the first joint venture between their multi-family and land development teams. “Anthem saw a great opportunity in being a part of Belmont, an up and coming neighbourhood that is going to change the landscape of south Calgary. It’s great that Anthem can contribute to the community on both the master plan and builder level,” Whitelock observes. The townhomes themselves are inspired by a West Coast aesthetic translated to contemporary prairie architecture, featuring horizontal lines, flat roofs with large overhangs and oversized windows. “It’s bright, modern and approachable. Pathways will connect the homes to the one of a kind Goodwin Clubhouse, a central green space, as well as to the rest of the community,” she adds. The broad mix of two-, three + den bedroom homes have double attached garages and range in size from 1,254 to 1,496 square-feet. Prices will be revealed at the Grand Opening event on September 14. The townhomes will offer a choice of two colour schemes (warm and cool) and will feature wide plank laminate flooring throughout the main living space and plush carpet in bedrooms and dens. Quartz countertops will be used throughout as well as soft-close cabinets and drawers. Exteriors will have sturdy and stylish Hardie-board fiber cement shakes and panels. The amazing range of features cater to the wishlist of most first-time homebuyers looking to get out of the rental cycle, and “right-sizers” looking to simplify their lifestyle. A big part of Goodwin’s appeal though is its location in the family-friendly community of Belmont. Whitelock says Goodwin is built to meet Anthem’s high standards. “Anthem’s attention to detail will be evident in the homes, how they are

built and the smart details that go into creating liveable spaces. Anthem is committed to Calgary and has decades of experience building homes that work for people.” Anthem is, of course, no stranger to Calgary, having developed Waterfront, the multi-tower condo development in downtown Calgary. It is looking to invest more in the city with a host of new multi-family developments launching, including 1724 Westmount Boulevard, Memorial Drive, Crosstown, Currie Barracks, and Currie Commons. Goodwin starts the ball rolling in a big way. “Belmont is an up and coming community that will change the landscape of south Calgary, Anthem and Goodwin will be a pioneer in the community,” she says. CL

FA S T FAC TS COMMUNITY: Belmont PROJECTS: Goodwin at Belmont DEVELOPER: Anthem STYLE: Three-level townhomes with in-house clubhouse SIZE: From 1,254 to 1,496 sq. ft. BEDROOMS: 2-3+den bedroom homes PRICES: To be announced on launch on September 14, 2019 ADDRESS: 871 Belmont Drive S.E. PRESENTATION CENTRE: Coming Soon WEBSITE: www.goodwinbyanthem.com

The amazing range of features cater to the wishlist of most first-time homebuyers looking to get out of the rental cycle, and “right-sizers” looking to simplify their lifestyle. A big part of Goodwin’s appeal though is its location in the family-friendly community of Belmont. 16 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CONDO PROFILE |

LOVING THE MARK 101 Shane Multi-Family’s first condo development is a massive success BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

hane Homes Multi-Family spared no effort or expense in making the Mark 101 a standout; it is after all the first development from the condobuilding arm of renowned homebuilder, Shane Homes. Today, Mark 101 stands as testament to the developer’s unwavering commitment to quality, affordability and, most of all, to its residents’ lifestyles. Trust is the byproduct of integrity and the Mark 101 has earned every bit of trust from its buyers. The Mark 101 continues to buck the slow economy and sales are expected to surge further with the ready availability of a wide range of homes for quick possession. “Buyers, if they act now, can get settled in before Christmas,” Dianne Bidinost, Area Manager at Shane Multi-Family tells Condo Living. The Mark 101 has two out of three buildings fully built, with the third and final building scheduled to start construction in 2020. It will have a total of 206 condo apartments on build out, but right now Building One has only one two-bedroom condo remaining , and Building Two is 60 per cent sold. That success can be attributed to the nearly four decades Shane Homes has been a leader in Calgary’s single-family home industry. That expertise has transferred seamlessly to Shane Homes Multi-Family Division. Headed by Kevin Taylor, the young division immediately got things going with the Mark 101 in Sage Hill in the northwest. The decision has already paid off handsomely — not only through strong sales but through industry acclaim as well. The Mark 101 has won three awards for best new design as well as earning Shane Multi-Family the 2017 BILD Multi-Family Builder of the Year award. The first residents who have moved in to the Mark 101 all think that this was the best decision they could have made, Bidinost says. Most have taken it upon themselves to make their condo a stellar community. “Homeowners who have already lived here for a year or longer have expressed happiness with their condo. One group of owners host social functions and invite the neighbours to make condo living a tight community,” Bidinost says. “Everyone says it’s a friendly, safe environment which gives peace of mind to travel. Homeowners are very impressed with the Shane Homes quality and continuously recommend others to check us out. Owners always comment how our condos feel like a home. Neighbours walk their pets together, while making new friends.”

18 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| CONDO PROFILE

An amenity-rich, lifestyle-oriented location in the community of Sage Hill in the northwest plays a critical role in the Mark 101’s success. But so do the appointments and features that the developer has brought into each home as standard. “Buyers find our location to be incredibly convenient due to our close proximity to the already open Sage Hill Crossing across the street,” she says. It is already the hub of commercial, social and cultural life in the community, with a variety of services, shops, restaurants and coffee shops already providing an invaluable ease of life convenience to the Mark 101 residents. Three additional shopping centres are within a 5- to 10-minute walk, while Calgary Rapid Transit is already in operation with bus routes direct to the C-Train. The airport is but 15 minutes away, and other employment centres are just as close adding more appeal to this location. Shane Multi-Family has put a lot of work in to what goes into each condo. “Some of our interior condo finishes include granite or quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, nine-foot ceilings with knockdown ceiling finish, oversized six-foot windows, large balconies, large kitchens with lots of cabinets and pot/pan drawers, six stainless steel Whirlpool appliC A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 19

CONDO PROFILE |

ances, water lines to refrigerator, roughed-in garburator, barbecue gas line, plus, plus,” she points out. The exterior has also been lovingly put together with stylish and sturdy James Hardie cement fibre board accented with an abundance of stone detailing. Well manicured gardens accentuate its curb appeal. “Shane Homes holds the bar high while building your brand new condo apartment, which is truly evident both on the exterior and interior,” she says. It goes even further, our enhanced security system includes high definition cameras within the parkade and common areas, locked stairwell doors accessible by residents only and exit only common exterior doors with upgraded secure hardware. Main entrance doors are activated by fobs which also limit the access to the parkade within the elevator to residents only. These security enhancements appeal to all homebuyers, especially where security may be a concern. There are three fully furnished show suites to show interested parties all the awesome possibilities of life here, including two, two-bedroom models and a single-bedroom one. Available are a variety of unique floor plans including one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, and two-bedrooms plus two-baths ranging from 610 to 947 squarefeet in size. A two-bedroom suite starts at $246,900 plus GST; while a one-bedroom is at $187,720 plus GST. “Building 1 has one two-bedroom condo remaining ,” she adds. The security, price, style and location the Mark 101 all fit the lifestyle of a first-time homebuyer

20 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

FA S T FAC TS PROJECT: Mark 101 in Sage Hill BUILDER: Shane Homes COMMUNITY: Sage Hill DEVELOPER: Wenzel Developments Inc. STYLE: Apartment-style condominiums SIZE: From 610 to 947 sq. ft. PRICE: Starting from the low $200,000s SALES CENTRE: 3727 Sage Hill Drive N.W. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.shanehones.com/mark101 looking to get out of the rental cycle, as well as professionals, down sizers and retirees. “A majority of our buyers are professionals who want to work hard and play hard,” Bidinost says. “This is why a condo lifestyle works, with low maintenance making it easier to pack it up and be off. No matter the lifestyle, Mark 101 fits the bill.” Shane Multi-Family and the Mark 101 are known for “superior specifications, security enhancements and exceptional customer service,” she adds. CL

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| DESIGNER SERIES

STYLE

P H O T O B Y J E A N F AY E R O D R I G U E Z

EVERYDAY A N N A R E Z N I C H E N KO

Affinity for approachable design is key to ARRIVE’s show home success WRITTEN BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

deft touch for design that instantly creates a livable show home atmosphere is something that came naturally to Anna Reznichenko, the self-taught interior designer of many of Partners Group’s ARRIVE townhomes. Her approach to everyday style closely mirrors the developers’ own ideas for attainable, approachable lifestyles that its ARRIVE line of townhomes is all about. Her latest work in the show homes at ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd once again brings to life her vision for simple, stylish and attainable living spaces. “I want to make show home visitors see all the possibilities of living in an ARRIVE townhome, I want to create moments that emphasize social gathering

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

spaces, lots of comfortable seating where homeowners can entertain company,” she says. Anna began her design career by designing the lifestyle vignettes for a furniture store that was owned by her fiancé’s family in Okotoks, now she runs her own design firm called Wolf Design Group. She began working with Partners in its ARRIVE in Evanston show homes, and now has styled almost every ARRIVE show home since including the latest ones in ARRIVE Sage Meadows and ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd (with the birth of her son in between). ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd has two show homes that tells a compelling story through design — the Mesa and the Sierra. The former tells its story using mostly standard features, while the latter features upgrades. These are traditional two-storey street towns (no condo fees) from 1,419 to 1,430 square-feet and all come with an additional 500 square-feet of developable space in the basement. There are four variations of end and interior floorplans with two- and three-bedroom options available. They start from $299,900s, including net GST. ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd will also be offering the popular bungalow villa models from $359,900 including net GST.

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 21

DESIGNER SERIES | The included 2-centimetre Quartz countertops found in both the kitchen and bathrooms of the 1,430-square-foot Sierra end unit brings out the sophisticated side of ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd. The full height kitchen cabinetry that is essential to a the contemporary lifestyle is a standard.

The 1,420-square-foot Mesa interior townhome speaks to the needs of young professionals, Anna says. “It is a two-master bedroom plan, and the show home was styled to accentuate the entertaining possibilities that it has. There is seating everywhere and the open concept design keeps all sightlines exposed through the main floor,” she adds.

The wonderful mixture of materials like wood and metal bring a contemporary masculine flavour to the design of the Mesa, but soft touches like the fabric sofa and armchairs, pillow accents and area rug serve to soften the edge. “It’s styled like a big city house in a small town,” Anna says.

The peel-and-stick vinyl wallpaper Anna uses to enliven the feature walls through the home and create visual drama are an example of how to create interest with interior design on a budget. “They’re inexpensive and way easy to install and just as easy to take down when you want to replace them.”

22 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| DESIGNER SERIES

The Sierra end unit was designed to appeal to the “right-sizer” crowd, Anna says. The electric fireplace with designer stone detail serves as a focal point in the living room and the stylish engineered hardwood flooring option brings a higher level of sophistication. “These two-storey townhomes are appealing to retirees and seniors as there are fewer stairs to negotiate, and we want them to see all the possibilities of living here with this show home.”

The three-bedroom Sierra has two-and-a-half baths, including the master ensuite that is suited perfectly to the needs of a young family. The developed basement adds crucial extra living space for their needs. “We wanted to present to buyers that this townhomes represent the ultimate turnkey lifestyle — a complete home that buyers can immediately settle into without spending more to add extras.” ARRIVE at D’Arcy Blvd is located at 69 D’Arcy Blvd., Okotoks. For more info, visit www.arrivehome.ca. CL

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 23

24 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| STYLE

STORAGE STORIES Maximizing usage of the kitchen pantry BY CHRISTINA LOC

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D

BELOW These stackable shelves by Madesmart gives you the flexibility of adding extra shelving where you need it.

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

inter is coming. Even for the Games of Throne die-hard fans, that figurative meaning is no longer as the series wrapped up its final episode this past spring. The literal reality of it, however, is that winter really is coming and now is the time to start preparing for it. As brisk early mornings and hectic schedules take over, stocking up and getting organized in the kitchen and pantry is essential to lowering stress and anxiety levels for all family members. While there are different types of pantries ranging from ones that are actual rooms — like a corner, walk-in or walk-through filled with shelving — there are also cabinet style pantries that are integrated right in to a kitchen design with designated tall cabinets or roll-out shelves to store your needs. Regardless of style (or even if you are without a true pantry and have just kitchen cabinets to work with), the key to optimizing space is based on how you organize it. Make the most out of your storage capacity by incorporating a few of these ideas to pack in a lot without the clutter nor the chaos. These must-haves are the foundation to getting your kitchen and pantry organized: STORAGE CONTAINERS. Often, dry foods stored in the pantry come packaged in paper or plastic. Once these items are opened, the product can quickly become stale; chances of spillage increases; and packaging becomes worn, making things difficult to read or locate. By investing in canisters and containers, especially air-tight ones, you can minimize these issues. Rice, flours, lentils CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 25

STYLE |

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D

The .ORG Metal Mesh Kitchen Cabinet Organizer has the option of mounting it over a cabinet door or if your door is thick enough, you can screw this organizer right to the door.

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F W W W . B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D . C A

The Copco Non-Skid Shelf Organizer allows you to arrange canned goods and jars together while making them easily visible.

and legumes, pastas and cereals look great and enable easy access once stored in these containers.

BASKETS AND BINS. Group together similar items. Place

P H OTO CO U RTE S Y O F W W W. M I CH A EL S .C A

Baskets are a great way to categorize similar items together. Use multiple baskets to make it easier to pull product out of your pantry or cabinet.

26 |

savoury snacks in one, and sweet treats in another. This makes finding after school snacks and late-night munchies easy to locate. Make sure to maximize storage by incorporating baskets and bins in high hard to reach spaces and the floor area below your pantry shelves. Invest in larger baskets to store all the paper towels and tissue paper you’ve stocked up, en masse, to avoid trekking out in the snow during the cold winter months.

LABELS. Use a label maker or get creative by making or writing out your own labels. While it is not necessary to label everything (unless of course you want to), it is nice to label

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

certain things like snack baskets for the family to easily find, or flours and spices that may look similar. Placing a best before date can provide you with a good guideline as far as when a product has been sitting for too long on your shelf. You can place this date right on the front of the label itself or more discretely behind the label or on the underside of the storage container.

EXTRA SHELVING. Take advantage of vertical

space above by adding extra shelving here and there to your existing shelves. By using a movable shelf, smaller packaged items like canned goods and spice jars can be stacked on top of one another while still making them easily accessible. Now that you have a list of the essentials, don’t go out buying all of the above items without figuring out what you actually need first. Here is a guideline on how you should organize your shelving: 1] If you didn’t get around to doing a spring clean up, now is the time to do it. Pull out all of your items and separate them in to three categories: 1) expired items, 2) items to donate (perhaps you were having a weak moment and bought some treats you no longer want to feel guilty about eating or your diet has changed

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F W W W . B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D . C A

and you are now gluten or dairy free) and finally, 3) a pile of items you want to keep. Ensure to give your shelves and product a good wipe down. 2] Arrange your items in to general categories. Categorize things based on what works for you. Canned goods do not have to stay together with other canned goods. You can categorize things based on how you use certain items. I like to keep meal prep items together like dry noodles, rice and pastas, sauce and spices together while having a separate shelf for baking goods, snacks and breakfast items.

3] Keep items you use most often at eye level. This makes it easier for you to quickly grab and whip a meal together rather searching high and low for items used frequently. 4] Make it appealing. If it looks good, you are more likely to use and appreciate the items inside that space. Design is about creating appealing and functional spaces and the insides of your cabinets and pantry is no different. By following these guidelines, an organized pantry will reap manifold benefits. You will naturally feel less stressed and more calm by knowing everything is where it belongs and is easy to find. The household will run smoother — a stress reducer in and of itself. You will save money by seeing at a glance all your items, which means you will be more likely to use it, more importantly, you will be less likely to buy the same item over and over again only to be stuck with many partially used bags of the same item. You will also be inspired to eat and cook more at home. With that extra free time and reduced stress, you can sit back and relax. The prospect of winter in a well-functioning and peaceful household all of a sudden feels quite less daunting. CL

ABOVE Bed Bath and Beyond carries a variety of cabinet and pantry organizers including this Adjustable Kitchen Cabinet Rack by YouCopia StoreMore, useful for storing frying pans, baking trays, lids and cutting boards.

LEFT Bed Bath and Beyond carries a variety of cabinet and pantry organizers including this Adjustable Kitchen Cabinet Rack by YouCopia StoreMore, useful for storing frying pans, baking trays, lids and cutting boards.

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F W W W . B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D . C A

YOU WILL NATURALLY FEEL LESS STRESSED AND MORE CALM BY KNOWING EVERYTHING IS WHERE IT BELONGS AND IS EASY TO FIND.

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F W W W . B E D B AT H A N D B E YO N D . C A

| STYLE

RIGHT This brilliantly designed Adjustable WrapStand Foil and Bag Organizer by YouCopia StoreMore is fantastic for keeping these items together and accessible.

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 27

FEATURE |

THE HANDYMAN’S TALE

Get real with HGTV Canada’s Bryan Baeumler at the Calgary Fall Home Show

BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

hen you are on the road as much as home renovations show celebrity Bryan Baeumler, there is never any shortage of amazing and amusing stories that he can tell. But the information and expertise he can provide audiences on just about anything regarding their homes is where things get real. Bryan has become a household name with his string of HGTV Canada hit shows including “Leave It To Bryan,” “House of Bryan,” “Bryan Inc.” and “Disaster DIY.” But he has been talking to audiences at trade shows for far longer. Although he still gets the odd question now and again, he understands that this is part of the interaction he enjoys with the audience and it is something he will always love. “’When are you coming to my house?’ is one of the questions I get asked most often,” Bryan tells Condo Living, in an interview to promote his appearance at the Calgary Fall Home Show from September 19-22 at the BMO Centre. His answer, invariably: “What’s for dinner?” Condo Living had a broad range of questions that revealed the extent of his gregarious and fun-loving personality. We asked him what his favourite Netflix show is, and he says docuBryan BaeumlerBelmont mentaries and “The Ozarks,” the crime drama starring Jason Bateman as a money launderer.

28 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

| FEATURE

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CALGARY FALL HOME SHOW Is your do-it-yourself a don’t? Get real home advice from trusted experts at the Calgary Fall Home Show, September 19-22 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park. See Canada’s favourite handyman, HGTV Canada’s Bryan Baeumler on Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st for practical advice and inspiration for all your home projects — however large or small. With hundreds of experts all under one roof, find great deals, new ideas and inspiration at every turn. Satisfaction guaranteed, or the cost of admission is on us. Micheline Picot of Marketplace Events — the organizers of the Calgary Fall Home Show, Calgary Home + Garden Show (spring) and Renovation Show (winter) — says there will be over 200 local experts from construction and renovation, kitchen and bath, windows and doors, home décor, art and design and furnishings at this show. “After the summer season with lots of time spent outside the home, fall is a time to get back to your indoor spaces. While the Calgary Home + Garden Show is more focused on outdoor, landscaping, gardening, this show is more focused on landscaping and gardening tips, whereas the Fall show focuses predominantly on indoor, new design ideas, furnishing, renovations, repairs — preparing your home for winter,” she says. “Showgoers will likely see more deals on heating and furnace systems, more design ideas for cozying-up your home for fall along with experts who can speak to home energy eﬃciency.” The Calgary Fall Home Show runs from September 19 – 22, 2019 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park. Buy tickets online and save $2 at www.calgaryfallhomeshow.com.

Bryan Baeumler

“I like documentaries — that’s 90 per cent of what I watch. I like learning random facts about random things, and getting different perspectives on a variety of topics. That being said…Ozark was a favourite because it’s just such a crazy plot line with a seemingly normal family from the outside. Kind of like us! Ha-ha!” We also asked him how his expertise could be of use in the event of the zombie apocalypse. His answer reveals again his witty sense of humor. “All of our family and friends say they’ll be coming to our place when the zombies come… when the (bleep) hits the fan, everyone needs someone handy around!” His engaging style is something that has endeared him to his audience, and going on 15 years of doing the trade show circuit still hasn’t changed the excitement he gets from this personal appearances. And there’s always something new to talk about. “I probably do 20 – 30 similar appearances a year…we always have so much going on that it’s easy to talk about current projects and new technologies in the market. Of course people also have a ton of questions about C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

» CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 29

FEATURE |

Bryan Baeumler

renovating their home, so there’s lots of questions! It’s great to connect with everyone that’s watching the shows, share some behind the scenes info, and just get to visit different cities across Canada.” When in Calgary, he always gets asked this question: “I always get asked if I’ll be filming or working in Calgary. I love Calgary — but logistics are hard with everything we have on the plate right now. But if I had time, I’d love to! Maybe one day…”

30 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

What he does plan to do in town is talk about what’s important to his audience and provide some insight with his home renovation expertise. And, of course, to entertain. “I like to talk to people about what’s important — where the real value is in your home, how to avoid common pitfalls of renovating, and of course, I like to take a lot of questions. There’s no sense spending an hour talking about how to install a window if everyone wants to know how to finish their basements, or renovate their kitchens. My talks are all about connecting with the crowd, sharing some funny insights and stories, answering questions relevant to the people in attendance, and putting some smiles on their faces, hopefully!” There’s never any shortage of topics to discuss either. “In the home improvement industry, there are always new trends and controversial topics. In my many years of doing live shows, I’ve realized how important it is to listen to the audience and gauge what it is they are interested in. “There’s no better way to keep it fresh than by including the audience and building out content from there. It’s great to be able to connect one-on-one with homeowners who want to know more about their own scenarios and typically, the answer applies to multiple projects and resonates with more than just the individual asking the question.” Like the song says, “ain’t nothing like the real thing,” and Bryan’s the real thing for sure. CL

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

AROUND TOWN

By Pepper Rodriguez

WALDEN PLACE WELCOMES 250TH BUYER

ardel Lifestyle’s Walden Place development reached a new milestone last month, as the hit multi-family development in the southeast notched its 250th buyer. “It’s a great compliment to have helped 250 condo and townhome owners with their purchase,” says area manager Brad Logel. “People looking for a new condo or townhome would find this helpful because it provides confidence and a sense of security. Despite the local economy and the real estate market Walden Place has proven

very popular. It’s easy for Calgarians to see the amazing quality and value in our homes and location.” Walden Place just released a new condo building and block of townhomes that back onto its completed park. “We designed it with some very exciting brand new plans and some really popular current favourites. Some of the new plans include the smallest and largest plans we’ve ever had in our company’s history,” Logel says.

SAGE HILL PARK LAUNCHES THIRD BUILDING

t doesn’t seem too long ago that Brad Remington Homes was launching the initial building of Sage Hill Park, and it may seem hard to believe but the best-selling condo development in the northwest is about to launch its third and final building. The developer saved the best for last, as the new four-storey building with 72 homes will sit on the best location of the compound, backing onto an environmental park space. “Building 3 is the best location in the development - and quite possibly all of Calgary,” says Bryan Logel, vice-president of sales and marketing at Brad Remington Homes. “With half the building facing the hundreds of acres of views of the nature reserve in all directions and the other half of the building with a west exposure, overlooking a landscaped courtyard, it certainly offers a lot to residents. I am anticipating a great deal of interest from the number of registrations we have already received on sagehillpark.com.” The last building will have 72 homes for sale, including one- two- and three-bedroom suites. They range from 574 to 972 square-feet and prices are anticipated to start from the $150,000s to the high $200,000s (plus GST). Logel says show suites are opening just before the launch of Building 3. “I expect them to open first week of September. All registrants can expect an update very soon.” Sage Hill Park’s first two buildings are well under construction with tentative completions of late this year and early next spring, respectively. “We have a limited number of homes remaining in those phases for quicker possession,” Logel says. He adds that Sage Hill Park has been the best-selling development in northwest Calgary since its launch because of the incredible value and location. Go to www.sagehillpark.com to register.

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

Walden Place condos start from $149,900 plus GST, and there is still a wide range of townhome models available starting from $329,900 plus GST. Logel explains Walden Place’s success as a combination of choice, value and top notch customer service. “We have unbelievable choices with 18 different condo and townhomes plans to choose from. We have the highest standard features with the most choice to customize. Our company has the highest customer satisfaction (based on independent surveys) and an award winning team helping our homeowners,” he tells Around Town.

CALGARY BUILDERS IN BILD ALBERTA FINALISTS LIST

ILD Alberta has released the finalists for the 2019 BILD Alberta Awards presented by The Alberta New Home Warranty Program, and Calgary region builders are well-represented. This year’s awards garnered over 300 submissions for 28 individual categories and our Calgary Region members have earned 24 nominations, an increase over the 20 nominations it had last year. The BILD Alberta Awards winners will be announced September 13 at the BILD Horizons Conference in Jasper. The prestigious Pinnacle Awards will also be presented to the highest scoring builders and renovators who demonstrate leadership in design, safety, volunteerism and customer satisfaction. CL Full list of finalists can be found here: bildalberta.ca

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 31

DEALING WITH NEEDLES

ASK MARIA

By Maria Bartolotti

How inner-city condo owners can cope with the social ills of drug addiction

Desr Maria; Help! Our condo is situated in the inner-city neighbourhood of Mission, and we’re constantly finding needles, clothing or someone camping in the back carport. What options do we have and can we call someone?

Our New Concept Management team has experience in dealing with these situations, which can become quite dangerous. Drug addiction is a social ill that has no easy answers, and sometimes, especially those of us living in urban areas, have to deal with its consequences. Many of our clients have reported problems that include drug use in their back alley, campers in the back carport, and often finding needles, clothing and shopping carts laying in the back corner of the lot. Normal precautionary measures like beefing up security around the condominium building and adding extra bright lights to try and persuade these activities can work — but not all the time. Here’s what else you can do. A great resource for dealing with such eventualities is the Calgary Alpha House Society. It was established in 1981 as a committed response to a marginalized population of men and women who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs and living vulnerable on the streets of Calgary. Alpha House currently runs four programs: Shelter, Outreach (DOAP/Encampment), Detox, and Housing. They also have a

needle response team. If you find a needle and you’re comfortable picking it up, you can do so by following these steps. • You will require gloves, tongs or pliers, and a puncture proof container (pharmacy supplied “sharps” container, bleach or laundry detergent bottle). • Put on the latex, rubber or leather gloves. Use tongs or pliers to carefully pick up the needle with the tip pointed away from you. The tongs or other tools can be disinfected after use and remain part of a clean-up kit. • Make sure the puncture proof container (pharmacy supplied “sharps” container, bleach or laundry detergent bottle) is on a stable surface (do not hold it while putting the needle inside) and put the needle, tip down, into the container and tape the lid tightly closed (with duct tape, if you have it). Use a marker to label the container “Needles”. Puncture proof containers can be disposed of in one of the following ways: • Drop off at local pharmacy (confirm your pharmacy accepts needles); • Sheldon M. Chumir Centre — Supervised Consumption Services (1213 4th St S.W.); • Put in your garbage bin. As a condominium owner, if you spot a needle on the property you can call or text Needle Response Team at (403) 796-5334. They operate Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The NRT is trained to properly

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.

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

dispose of needles. When calling or texting, be sure to give them as much information as you can to assist them including; the exact address, location, number of needles. Another thing you might notice as the weather continues to warm up is an assortment of “rough sleepers” — this is a term used to describe individuals who are camping or sleeping outdoors in public areas. Alpha House’s Encampment Team are a mobile response unit that connects with individuals who are “camping” or “sleeping rough” outside, with the goal of helping individuals secure housing, visit the doctor, get to a shelter, or anything else they might need. If you notice a camp, we encourage you to call the Encampment Team at (403) 234-7388. 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 SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 33

34 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

ROUND SQUARE IN A GREAT SPOT

CONDOSCAPES By Richard White

RNDSQR prides itself with no cookie-cutter condos!

ome of the most interesting condo development happening in Calgary are by developers working on boutique infill projects outside the City Centre. For example, RNDSQR (stands for round square) currently has two very interesting projects — “Grow” in Bankview and “Courtyard 33” in Marda Loop. These are definitely not cookie-cutter condos. Alkarim Devani, spokesperson and co-founder of RNDSQR along with his brother Afshin is a born and raised Calgarians who love inner-city living and development. Alkarim has 20+ years of retail experience — first selling homes, then building funky infill townhomes before evolving into a condo builder. RNDSQR was recently chosen by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation to be their partner in developing the former David D. Oughton School site in southeast Calgary CREATING A COMMUNITY With each project, RNDSQR works with community leaders and architects to create a unique building. The goal is to enhance what the community already has by providing not only new housing but where possible new live/work spaces, retail and an improve public realm. For example, Grow (2502 16A St SW) is built on a site with a steep grade which RNDSQR and the MODA the architects capitalized on by creating a switch back design that allows each of the 20 homes (14 condos, 3 lofts and 3 townhomes) to have green roofs, as well as a communal roof top garden — hence the name Grow! Devani has struck a deal with YYC Growers, a local urban farming co-operative, who will plant and harvest the communal plot while

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

Grow

teaching residents what to do develop their own plot once they’ve moved in. Too often people living in condos complain they don’t know their neighbours — it is expected Grow homeowners will bond over their love of gardening. COURTYARD Y33 (CY33) With CY33 (2232 33rd Avenue SW) RNDSQR has partnered with Winnipeg’s 546 Architecture to create a unique building inside and out. Not only does it have 29 different floor plans, but they are organized in a strange manner — condos on floors 3 and 5 have hallways, while floors 4 and 6 do not. This means if you live on floors 4 and 6 you enter your home on the floor below and take stairs to your unit's private entrance. This unique designed provides increased security, privacy and reduce noise. As you might expect there is a huge courtyard with a mega mural in the middle of the building that will give it a European feel. However, the courtyard will be open to the public to mix and mingle with their neighbours living at CY33. CY33 will have several retailers including a new concept by Diner Deluxe which

will activate the laneway by being a restaurant by day and a speak easy by night. BMO will be an anchor tenant, as well as Brewster’s Apprentice and a permanent “pop-up” space. In addition, there will be an 8,000 square foot co-working space that is expected to be used by homeowners and the community at large. By having a mix of uses, CY33 will animated this block of Marda Loop day and night. LAST WORD And the prices are right! Grow has 14 units left starting at $287,900 and CY33 has 39 units left starting at $284,800, which is amazing for these unique inner city homes. Sorry, I know this sounds a bit like a sales pitch, but after living in Vancouver for a month this spring and seeing tiny new condos selling for $750,000 and higher, I have a much better appreciation of how great a deal these inner-city condos are. CL

Richard White has been writing about Calgary urban living for over 20 years. Follow him on twitter @everydaytourist, read his blogs at everydaytourist.ca or contact him at richardlw@shaw.ca CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 35

| A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E |

RADIUS OFFERS MORE THAN A HOME; IT’S A LIFESTYLE

ucci Developments’ latest building — Radius in Bridgeland is ready for residents! With an abundance of in-house amenity spaces, nothing has been left to be desired. A total of 16,000 square-feet of shared space with separate studios for yoga/ barre, spin, weight and cardio training makes up almost half of the amenity space in the building. All equipment is state of the art — which means residents no longer have to pay for an off-site gym membership. Radius also takes care of the less obvious, everyday needs, such as online grocery deliveries. A common pantry called the ‘SPUD’ room allows residents to order groceries online at SPUD.ca and have them delivered straight to Radius any day of the week. Also equipped with a concierge service, any type of package delivery will never be missed. The community of Bridgeland itself plays a key role in Radius’ complete lifestyle package. The location is extremely unique as it is park side in a quiet neighbourhood while still being close to major arteries in the city. Radius is also only a five-minute walk to the Bridgeland CTrain stations and the RiverWalk pathway system at the Bow River. There is absolutely no need to compromise on anything living at Radius. Bucci Developments thought of everything when

Spin room

36 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

designing Radius. Every home has heated underground parking, additional storage lockers, air- conditioning and private balconies with a gas line. We also can’t forget about the sprawling 8,000 square-feet roof top patio that is sure to be the most popular spot in the building. Radius offers a mix of plans ranging from 618 square-feet to over 1,500 square-feet, with the majority of homes being Junior two-bedroom twobathroom plans; start at $360,000. With only 30 per cent of Radius homes remaining, visit the Radius building for a tour to see the stylish functional sophistication theses homes and amenities have to offer for yourself. Visit bucci.com/radius for more informations, or connect with Bucci’s sales team to learn more 403.225.0023. n

SPUD room

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

BRINGING A VISION TO LIFE

HOPE AT LARGE By Marty Hope

Scarboro 17 started as a dream, now it’s a dream home

t was a site other developers wanted to get their hands on, but for one reason or another, it just never worked out. So it sat empty for nine years collecting weeds and urban trash — that is until Jason M. Smith, founder and owner of Bow Developments, found a way to bring his vision for the land in the historic and elegant community of Scarboro to fruition. And rising from this property is Scarboro17, located between 17th Avenue SW and Scarboro Avenue, will be a blend of condominium apartments and townhomes spread over four storeys that, Smith adds, will be the first and only condominium building in the upscale inner-city neighbourhood. He wanted the property, and paid more than $4 million for it. And he wanted the challenge to create something of his own, and for the community, when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. “I think there needs to be one of us at least with what I call reckless optimism in order to push ourselves to achieve extraordinary things, especially when most people are telling you it’s not possible, Smith said following the early summer official opening and ground-breaking ceremony. Building development has been Smith’s passion since he was nine years old. It was about that time his notebooks started being filled with sketches and drawings of floor plans and buildings. “It certainly wasn’t what all kids my age were interested in, but to me it was natural and became a serious passion. I was always interested in making living spaces for people,” he says. Before it was left to go to seed, so to speak, the property was the original site of a

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M

church that had been built in 1911 and remained until 1960. The following year, it became a Jewish memorial chapel until 2011. From then until earlier this year it was vacant. With construction now started, Smith says he expects to be Scarboro 17 three-quarters sold with framing under way by the fall. And what is being built are one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment condos, as well as 4-3 level townhome condos, measuring from 579 square-feet up to three-bedroom residences that will be as large as 1,390 square-feet Prices run from $289,750 for one-bedroom models, from $399,000 for two-bedroom units, and from $695,000 for three-bedroom units. Townhomes sizes will range from 1,392 to 1,443 square-feet and will be priced from $695,000. “Because of the variety of sizes, bedroom availability, and pricing, we’re seeing a large spectrum of buyers. Our sales started with downsizers and has shifted to include first-time buyers, young professionals, and investors,” says Smith. So, what is the appeal? Why have sales been moving along? Smith says much of it is about location — an “historic and tranquil” neighborhood. But is also involves the traditional exterior design mixed with quality modern interior that strikes the “perfect balance” between contemporary trends and classic sophistication of the Scarboro community. At first, though, for Smith the attraction

was was the great city views available from many of the units, and the proximity to the Beltline, downtown, the Arts District, Fourth Street, and the lifestyle immersion they offered. “Then, as I got to know more about the community of Scarboro it cemented my love for the site and commitment to creating and completing something special for the community residents and, of course, our buyers who are so looking forward to living there,” he adds. For those interested in more information, there is a one-bedroom unit on site at 1702 17th Avenue SW available for viewing from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and on weekends from noon to 5 p.m. Information is also available at www.scarboro17.com or follow @Scarboro17yyc on social media. 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 SEPT EM B ER 2019

| 37

ADVERTISERS INDEXâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A; ARRIVE Homes Partners Development Group page 4

Sage Hill Park Brad Remington Homes page 38, back cover

Belwood Park StreetSide Developments front cover, page 10-11

Scarborro 17 Bow Developments page 34

Calgary Fall Home Show Market Place Events page 13

The Calais Remington Developments page 17

Gatestone Remington Developments page 17

The Mark 101 Shane Homes page 32

Gatestone II Remington Developments page 39

Unity in Seton Trico Homes page 24

Goodwin at Belmont Anthem Properties page 2

Verona Townhomes Trico Homes page 24

Norma Robertson Calgary Home Seller page 34

Walden Place Cardel Lifestyles page 3

Radius Bucci Developments page 5

Zen Riverstone Avalon Master Builder page 38

38 |

CO N D O L I V I N G SEPT EM B ER 2019

C A LG A R Y H O M E L I V I N G . C O M