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• D O M U S • fa l l 2 01 4
contents i s s u e 0 9 • fa l l 2 0 1 4
departments 8 editor’s note
expressions 10
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art scene
artistic expression. Calgary’s vibrant arts scene is spotlighted in our photo feature of the city’s most intriguing art galleries
37
in the cellar
Wine country. Our fall selection brings a taste of other worlds
30
editor’s choice 14
Family matters
The family takes centre stage in custom home builder’s business, life
On the cover: Prominent Homes and Mark Milne Luxury Real Estate are making waves in the inner city with the launch of their first show home in Altadore. There couldn’t have been a better way to announce their partnership than with this thoroughly modern take on the family home. Find out all it has to offer inside.
innovations 34
eye on custom homes
Historic elegance. Mount Royal still astounds with multi-million-dollar homes of yesterday and today
community spotlight 20 riverstone of cranston Riverside reverie
home spotlight 26 the concord by concord pacific Flight of The Concord
30 Modern marvel
Luxury finish, avant-garde style marks new inner city show home
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10 fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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editor’s message
Historic times
PUBLISHER |
“Prosperous” doesn’t even begin to describe Calgary and the breathless pace of its high-end real
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER |
estate market. Calgary’s luxury home market continues to make history, as upscale home sales are on pace
Source Media Group
info@sourcemediagroup.ca
Jim Zang
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca Editor |
Pepper Rodriguez
to break last year’s all-time record of 727 MLS sales of homes over $1 million. As of June this
pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca
year, the Calgary Real Estate Board says 462 such transactions have already been recorded.
ART director |
DOMUS gives our readers a glimpse not just what these posh homes look like and where they can be found, but also who are building them. This issue we delve into the history of Calgary’s first million-dollar community: Mount Royal. Richard White guides us through the past of this enclave formerly known as “American Hill” and what lies ahead for it. We also get to introduce readers to the Garcha family who graciously opened their home to DOMUS and shared their wonderful story of building their custom-home business and their own custom-built home. The DOMUS spotlight falls on three remarkable developments. First is the new Altadore show home built by Prominent Homes in partnership with Mark Milne Luxury Real Estate (which graces our cover). It is a remarkable piece of modern artistry and contemporary taste that elevates the streetscape of the neighbourhood. Next is The Concord, a twin tower condo development going up in Eau Claire by the foot of the Peace Bridge, which if anything shows that Calgary has come of age in providing ultra-luxury multi-family options near the downtown. We also showcase Brookfield Residential’s remarkable Riverstone of Cranston community, a classy
Jean Faye Rodriguez
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca graphic designers
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
Shelley Boettcher, Karen Durrie, Aaliya Essa, Richard White ADVERTISING SALES
Heather Dougall heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca
Cindy Marks cindy.marks@sourcemediagroup.ca
Janice Skelton-White janice.skelton-white@sourcemediagroup.ca accounting |
Norma Robertson
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca
Issue 09 • ISSN 1929-4581 (Print) ISSN 1929-459X (online)
riverside enclave of upscale homes at the edge of Fish Creek Park. Building million-dollar homes in the inner city have become a major trend, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. pointed out that 204 single-detached homes were started in the city’s ‘centre’ zone from January to June, 2014, a 35 per cent increase from the same period last year. The record is 339 starts achieved in 2006 (it was at 287 last year). You really can’t build a new home in the inner city for less than a million dollars — land alone cost as much as a new home in the suburbs in some cases — and this is where we see our humble publication can provide a benefit to readers. By becoming a reference guide on the who, what and where to build (or buy) your million-dollar dream home. We at DOMUS just want you to know the possibilities.
© 2014 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. DOMUS™ is published four times per annum with copies available for distribution at select locations. DOMUS™ accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to: pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. 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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artistic n By aaliya essa
“Shape” Angela Leach has been developing and exhibiting a body of work investigating geometric abstract painting. Leach’s work is in the collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the University of Toronto as part of the Hart House and Donovan Collections. She was also included in Roald Nasgaard’s 2007 survey book, ‘Abstract Painting in Canada’. Herringer Kiss Gallery
“Lakeside 1954” Kazuo Nakamura (1926-2002) was among the Japanese Canadians interned during WWII. He described himself as seeking a “fundamental universal pattern in all art and nature.” His grid paintings based on number structures, came to involve the Pascal triangle. To Nakamura, these laboriously inscribed works were a quest for some ultimate order in the apparent chaos of the universe. Masters Gallery
“Kerven 22” Dori-ann Steinberg considers herself an object maker. Her figurative work is therapeutic — a self-check of sort, it is her connection to the roots of art and its history. Wallace Galleries 10
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art scene
expression “Neuton’s Law” Patrick Meagher was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, the second of six children. From an early age, he was attracted to both art and the natural world. He created his first oil painting at the tender age of eight. He has settled down a fulltime artist in Whistler area and holds exhibits of his paintings and bronz-sculptures in B.C. and Alberta. Wallace Galleries
“Grasp” Greg Robb is an abstract sculptor interested in both organic and constructed forms. His primary materials are wood and steel. He often salvages wood from local trees and he has used local birch, poplar, maple and fir for many of his carvings. Wallace Galleries
“Orange” Elizabeth Barnes currently lives and works in Vancouver. Her work is informed through the investigation of the nature of perception and human consciousness in the 21st century. As life forms have become both natural and technological, Barnes works to invoke states reflective of this evolutionary shift. Herringer Kiss Gallery fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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art scene
“Afterglow 2013” Joe Fafard, a twelfth generation Canadian, is a sculptor best known for creating objects which take as muse, and pay homage to, his community and farm life. He is equally well know for his intricate sculptures of individuals, be they artists, writers, theorists, politicians, strangers or friends. His career has boldly blazed a path for the reinvigoration of sculpture in the Canadian contemporary art scene. Masters Gallery
“Histoire de Coeur II” Danielle Lanteigne’s work reflects her strengths in terms of division of space, rendering masses of colour and seeking out textures. It invites the viewer to look at daily life with a slight smile, playing with the perspective of everyday objects, confronting them in an apparently irrational order but animating them by the same life force. Masters Gallery
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calgary’s canvas Stephen Lowe Art Gallery
“Closer to the Predator” David Alexander studied at the Vancouver Art School and Langara College and graduated with a BFA from Notre Dame University. painting research. In 2006, he attended the Morris Graves Foundation in California as an invited guest artist-in-residence and completed a large body of small paintings on wood panels. Wallace Galleries
“Koi No Yokan” Ben van Netten paints primarily with oil on canvas using brushes. Experimentation and play contribute greatly to his process. He is interested in exploring and expressing visually intangible concepts in a visible way. Herringer Kiss Gallery
Suite 251-255 5 Ave SW and Suite 509-1851 Sirocco Dr SW n Nature’s Monuments by Yuan Cheng Bi. September 15-27. Downtown, Bow Valley Square Yuan Cheng
n Mademoiselle, the Bear, and the Landscape. October 2-18. Artists: Constance Bachmann, Danny McBride, Richard Mravik, Joseph Pearce. Downtown, Bow Valley Square, Artist meet and greet: October 2, 4 to 8 p.m. n Abstract in motion by William Allister (1919 - 2008) October 20-31. Downtown, Bow Valley Square
Danny McBride
n A Winter’s Tale. November 15 December 24. Feature artists Richard Savoie and Josette Couillard. Downtown, Bow Valley Square. Opening Reception: Saturday, November 15 from 12 - 5 p.m. Josette Couillard
Richard Savoie
Herringer Kiss Gallery
709 11 Ave SW n Angela Leach, “Another Round,” September 13 - October 11. n Sara Robichaud, “Mother Tongue,” October 18 - November 15. n Curtis Cutshaw - New Work. November 22 - January 3, 2015.
Wallace Gallery
Suite A-500 5 Ave SW n Group Show 2014. August 28 September 10. With new works that have arrived by gallery artists, including: Simon Andrew, Leslie Poole, Nancy Boyd, Brent Laycock, and more…
n Fall Vibrations Group Show 2014, September 11 - 24, 2014. Rejoice in the vibrant colours of the fall with works by gallery artists, including: Diana Zasadny, William Duma, Robert Lemay, Shi Le, Peter Krausz, and more… n Andre Petterson - Impressions of Africa September 25 - October 1. Preview of Show: Thursday, September 25. Opening reception: Saturday, September 27 2 -5 p.m. Show continues through to October 1. This show is inspired by a recent safari by Petterson to Africa. The Zebra and Elephant left the strongest impression on him. They are dominant and symbolic animals Andre in which moved Petterson Petterson during his travels. These works are metaphor for life, humanity, and nature. n Fall Group Show II 2014. October 2 - 22. A selection of gallery artists work, by artists: Simon Andrew, Shi Le, Harold Town, David Alexander, Gregory Hardy, Nancy Boyd, and more… n A Passion Shi Le for the Peaks by William Webb October 23 - November 5. Preview of Show: Thursday, October 23. Opening reception: Saturday, October 25 2-5 p.m. Show continues through to November 5. Webb’s artwork is like a window in your wall of the familiar and grandiose landscape of Alberta. n Winter Group Show 2014. November 6 - 19. A selection of works by various gallery artists, including: Jennifer Hornyak, Camrose Ducote, Joice M Hall, Peter Krausz, Robert Marchessault, and more… n Lakes & Ponds by Gregory Hardy November 20 - December 3. Preview of Show: Thursday, November 6. Opening reception: Saturday, November 8, 2 -5 p.m. Show continues through to November 19. Motion and colour are two elements that are distinctive in Hardy’s work. This show leads you down the path of the artist’s impressions of Canadian Gregory Hardy Landscape and sky-scapes. D fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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editor’s choice
The family takes centre stage in custom home builder’s business, life
Family matters n By pepper rodriguez
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N
obody knows family values more than a company that’s run by a family. In fact, many of Calgary’s biggest names in the home building industry started out as a family-run business, and a lot of them still are. We may be witnessing the birth of Calgary’s next star home builder, as the Garcha family’s DS Homes continues to make a big impression among buyers with their line of estate and move-up custom homes in EvansRidge in the northwest. So, when you’re one of the best up-and-coming custom home builders around, just what kind of home would you build for yourself? That’s what Domus set to find out, when we interviewed the Garcha family in their home in Springbank. As it turns out, you just follow what the family wants.
The Garcha family (clockwise from top right) Daljeet, Avneet, Harsh, Harneet and Balbir.
Daljeet Garcha, founder and president of DS Homes, had one thing in mind when he migrated to Canada from India in 1993, and that was to build a better life for his family. So their sprawling 6,345-square-foot, $2.2 million residence in the Morningside estate enclave in Springbank is a dream come true. Literally. In that each aspect of the home follows the wishes of his wife and children. His youngest, Harsh, 9, wanted a state-of-the-art home theatre. “Done,” his father says, building an enormous, sound-proofed room with plush leather and panorama projector screen in the upper level of their split level bungalow. Daughters, Harneet, 20, and Avneet, 17, wanted separate bedrooms (and bathrooms) in the basement for privacy (“And because it’s cooler there in the summers,” says Harneet.). “Sure,” he says, creating one with an additional entertainment area and massive wet bar (although the girls — at least, Avneet — aren’t allowed near it yet.). While his wife, Balbir says she needed a spice kitchen where she can cook up her delicious Indian dishes freely and unimpeded for the many parties and family gatherings the Garcha family invariably gets to host here several times a year. “No problem,” he says, and added a working kitchen in the triple car garage where it would be easy enough to open the doors to let the strong aroma » of Balbir’s masala out and easy enough to heat during the winter. fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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editor’s choice
The Garcha’s 6,345-square-foot, $2.2 million residence in Springbank is literally a dream come true.
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The home even has a separate wing for a guest house adding to the sprawling majesty of the low-lying home. Its varied roof lines and designer stone façade give it a stunning profile that’s sure to catch your attention even in this enclave full of million-dollar plus homes. The home is the fruit of Daljeet’s growing business. DS Homes has been building homes throughout Calgary and area for the past 16 years. They marked a big milestone last year when they opened their first show home in EvansRidge in the northwest, where they are the sole custom home builder. The 2,443-square-foot Chateau was a big hit and opened new doors for the builder, and they followed up this success with the 2,843-square-foot La Casa this year, and it has been a bigger smash. In their home as in their show homes, the Garchas have a definite taste for contemporary designs. “Our designs have a very modern feel that attracts our strong multi-cultural market base,” says Harneet. That contemporary bent is seen throughout the Garcha’s household. Balbir took charge of decorating, and her tasteful touch leans towards ornate transitional designs that blend well Old World with modern sensibilities. The burnished wood coffered ceiling of the main floor brings an evocative sense of executive stylishness, set off by the high ceilings and tall windows. A designer stone feature wall in the great room frames the cantilevered gas fireplace. The main kitchen is as majestic as it is functional with plenty of storage space and working room. It is the room where everyone gravitates to during large gatherings.
The open riser staircase to the lower level is as dramatic as they come, setting the stage for an even bigger party room in the basement with the well-stocked bar. Granite countertops and maple wood cabinets finished on site (as most of the woodwork in the home are) give the home an air of serious fun. There’s also a home gym with cork floors in the lower level. The large master bedroom in the main floor is as elegant as you can imagine, made even more spectacular by the relaxing views of Springbank’s idyllic woods. There’s no shortage of wildlife in the area, which adds to the fairy tale character of the home. Like in their home building business, the Garcha household is a product of the builder listening to the needs of the customer. And Harneet says it is a empathy towards the needs of concerns of buyers when designing their own home that has been integral in DS Homes’ success. “We take the time to listen to our customers, they give us their budgets and we tell them what we can offer based on that budget, and we listen to their suggestions on designs that will work for their particular lifestyle,” says Harneet, their eldest, a paralegal student at
The burnished wood coffered ceiling of the main floor brings an evocative sense of executive stylishness, set off by the high ceilings and tall windows.
SAIT. She is being groomed to take over the company when the time comes, but Daljeet says that’s still a long way away. The family’s extraordinary journey — that saw them move to at least 10 different homes in those 16 years in Calgary — makes them more than sympathetic to families starting to put down their own roots. “We’ve been through a lot of homes ourselves and we can sympathize with families going through the same thing,” Harneet says. They treat clients and their trades as family — “building relationships is as important as building the house itself,” Daljeet says. The Garchas journey started in the Punjab region of northern India all those years ago, that included a stop in Toronto, and finally in and around Calgary. And their journey is not yet finished. “We’re looking at building another home, this time a two-storey,” Daljeet says. “Probably still in this area of Springbank, we really like the quiet here, and its close enough to the kid’s schools.” Regardless of when that next move will be and what that home will look like, one thing for sure is that it will be a family decision. D fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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(above) Riverstone of Cranston is bound on the east by a natural escarpment and on the west by the Bow River. The land gently slopes towards the south and features a manmade creek running through the lands as well as two future storm-water ponds that add to the aesthetic beauty. (left) The Mosaic Riverstone single-level, estate townhomes bring a sense of luxury to low-maintenance living, and the newly opened Ethan Allen-designed show homes give buyers an idea of all its elegant possibilities. (right) Mosaic Riverstone estate townhomes start from 1,413 square-feet and give homebuyers impressive finishings that include hardwood flooring, full height cabinets, granite or quartz kitchen countertops, tiled showers, high-end lighting packages and attached double-car garage. (opposite page far right) Its distinctive location provides estate owners with a natural sense of calm, inspired by the unique beauty of their surroundings. It is close to shopping, services and schools, as the Seton commercial complex and the South Campus hospital are just outside the community. 20
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community spotlight
riverstone of cranston Riverside reverie Driving down the west end of Cranston Avenue
extensive grading here, bringing in five million
in the southeast, with the sun sparkling off the
cubic metres of dirt that effectively raised the
majestic Bow River, you arrive at what could easily
community by 4.8 metres on average. “As a result
be Calgary’s most nature-rich estate community.
of these and other flood measures, Riverstone did
In the heart of this lush river valley is Riverstone
not experience any flooding during the historic
of Cranston, where luxurious homes lie nestled
flood of 2013.”
within the natural beauty of Fish Creek Park, North America’s largest urban park. This new estate neighbourhood in the established
Riverstone currently consists of three singlefamily product series: The Landing Series is priced from the mid $600,000s with homes by Cedarglen
community of Cranston, by Brookfield Residential, is
Homes, Albi Homes and Trico Homes (coming
replete in natural wonder, surrounded by 360 acres
soon). The Preserve Series is from the $700,000s,
of this environmental reserve, making it a one-of-a-
with Baywest Homes, Calbridge Homes, and
kind living environment in Calgary.
Albi Homes. And, finally, The Portage Series with
“Riverstone of Cranston provides the opportunity for families to live on the Bow River in Fish Creek Park, not beside or above Fish Creek Park,
homes in the $1.5-million-plus mark, where Albi Homes is the exclusive builder. New are Mosaic Riverstone estate townhomes
but surrounded by and a part of it,” says David
from Brookfield Residential that start from the
Allen, Brookfield Residential President - Calgary
$500,000s, and Calbridge’s line of luxury villas
Communities. “This provides the most unique and
from the upper $700,000s.
natural living environment in Calgary and makes
The grand opening of seven new single-family
Riverstone of Cranston stand out as a new and
show homes on September 13 will give interested
different opportunity for estate living.”
parties an excellent opportunity to see for
Remarkably, the natural beauty of the area was largely left untouched by the development. The
themselves the kind of nature-connected, upscale lifestyle available in Riverstone.
»
land was a reclaimed gravel pit, which means no trees, shrubs, and other vegetation was stripped during its construction. Even more remarkable is its flood mitigation design. Allen says Brookfield Residential undertook
fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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community spotlight
riverstone of cranston (opposite page bottom) Homes in The Portage Series back onto the world famous Bow River and Fish Creek Park and feature lots up to 75-feet wide, which is truly a one-ofa-kind opportunity in Calgary’s southeast, or anywhere else in the city. (below) The Savona show home by Albi Homes features an intriguing open to above living room that’s perfect for entertaining. The upper floor is smartly designed to maximize space for luxurious family living. Albi is the exclusive builder in Riverstone’s Portage Series.
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(right) Even the most modest homes in Riverstone feature meticulous designs and finishes to create beautiful estate homes. The serene natural beauty of the lush river valley makes for a dramatic backdrop to a comfy, convenient lifestyle. D
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home spotlight
the concord by concord pacific Flight of The Concord For the past few years, Calgary has
is done to an unmatched scale that has never
consistently ranked high among the Top
been seen before in Calgary,” he says.
10 most livable cities in the world, and this
And buyers have responded. “In the two
newfound stature can only get brighter
months since we’ve launched, we have already
after one of the most prestigious condo
accounted for $40 million in sales. That says a
developers in the world launched what will
lot about The Concord, and the value people
likely be the city’s most illustrious address.
see in it.”
Vancouver-based Concord Pacific recently
The thought of being located so close to the
announced plans for their first multi-family
river’s edge has not daunted the developer
development in Calgary; simply named The
either, even in the face of the devastating floods
Concord, the developers promise that it will
that hit Calgary in 2013. “We’ve built close to 110
be an upscale twin tower complex the likes
high rises across Canada, most of them close
of which have never been seen in this city.
to the water, so this challenge is nothing new to
It all starts with the location on the banks
us,” Murray says.
of the Bow River in Eau Claire — already one
“The site didn’t flood in 2013, but we will still
of Calgary’s priciest inner city enclaves. “We
have the best engineered flood and emergency
believe this is one of the three best sites for
prepared residential building ever designed
a condo development in the world,” says
in Canada. Our design far exceeds everything
Concord Pacific vice-president for sales
that the City of Calgary stipulates for flood
Grant Murray.
preparedness, and The Concord can withstand
Considering the other two are The Erickson on Vancouver’s False Creek and Principal Place in the financial district of London,
an episode twice as significant as the 2013 flood,” he adds. The Concord will have about 100 units in
England, The Concord is indeed in
each of its two towers. Basic private residences
esteemed company.
range in size from 1,484 to 1,970 square-feet
Then there’s the development itself. Murray
and start at a minimum of $1 million. The top
says The Concord, put simply, will be the
estate penthouse is close to $13 million, making
best condo development Calgary has ever
it by far Calgary’s most expensive apartment.
seen. “Everything from how the building was
A limited selection of two-bedroom premium
designed, the size and finishes of each suite,
suites will also be available starting around
the numerous in-house amenities, everything
$700,000.
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»
(opposite page) The Concord is being built at the foot of the iconic Peace Bridge in Eau Claire, on the edges of a park, so residents are assured that no future development will block their view of the river.
(left) The Concord’s design was inspired by Canada’s most celebrated architect, Arthur Erickson and completed by his life long business partner, Nick Milkovich.
(below) The Concord’s suites feature some of the biggest private outdoor entertaining spaces, some going up to 1,789 square-feet, to make the most of Calgary’s sunshine.
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home spotlight
the concord by concord pacific (left) The Concord’s west tower with 105 units will be built first, followed by the 113 units in the east tower. The project is to be completed in three years time. The on-site sales suite at 700 1st Avenue S.W. is open and can be viewed by appointment.
(opposite page top) The Concord will be the “first uncompromised answer to luxury single-family living in Calgary,” Murray says. Porsche kitchens designed by the world’s oldest kitchen brand, Poggenpohl, ramp up the unmatched appeal of the suites.
(opposite page bottom far left) The five-star in-house amenities include a well-appointed gym, a 25-metre indoor pool, and a private water feature that’s the centerpiece of a tranquil garden in the summer and a skating rink when the weather gets cold. “We have our own zamboni,” Murray says.
(opposite page bottom middle) Buyers at The Concord are accustomed to the finer things in life, and top-of-the-line, soft close Porsche kitchen cabinets are stylish beyond compare and provide classy functionality as well.
(left) From stonework to millwork, features and appliances, The Concord offers finishes of unparalleled quality. Baths are luxurious affairs with wallto-wall tiles and Kohler fixtures that create a lasting impression. For more information visit concordpacific.com. D
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home spotlight
Modern marvel Luxury finish, avant-garde style marks new inner city show home The spotlight is shining bright on
new modern style to the fray. The home’s
Calgary’s inner city with record-breaking
façade — made up of glass walls, cedar
numbers of new infill builds. And the
planks and stone accents with winged
spotlight is exactly where this new show
rooflines — is the very definition of a hip,
home in Altadore firmly belongs.
trendy inner city home. “It will match the
The home on 4319 17th Street S.W.
lifestyle needs of the professionals and
is a product of the team-up between
executives who like the better things in
Prominent Homes and Mark Milne Luxury
life,” Milne says.
Real Estate. The multi-awarded home
Sitting on a corner lot in this
builder and the veteran real estate agent
thriving southwest neighbourhood,
are working together to tap into the
the 3,116-square-foot home is the
growing inner city residential market,
embodiment of architectural flair. Its curb
which saw a 35 per cent increase in
appeal goes beyond blending with the
single-detached home starts in the first
tree-lined serenity of the community, but
six month of 2014.
rather updates the streetscape with style
“I know the inner city like the back of
and verve, aided by the landscaping of
my hand,” Milne says, and working with
Jordan Reti.
Prominent — one of the most prestigious
“This is the kind of home that today’s
builders of luxury estate homes around —
busy professionals want for their family,
to create one-of-a-kind inner city homes
a home that would reflect their modern
“just makes sense.” And the partnership is
attitude and character, that at the same
off to a rousing start.
time is practical and functional enough
This new home, which will serve as the team’s first show home, brings a whole
(left) The high ceilings and tall windows give the home a rare air of impeccable refinement, accentuated by the tiled fireplace and the engineered hardwood flooring.
»
to answer all their needs,” Milne tells Domus.
(above) This $2.590 million home commands attention with a two-storey entry wall that extends from the exterior and continues to the dining room. It is this seamless incorporation of the outside in that is its most distinctive feature. fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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home spotlight
modern marvel (left) The flat painted, contoured ceilings over the main floor are a great example of the detailed precision and craftsmanship that Prominent Homes can bring to the inner city market. Gleaming Thermafoil cabinetry, and polished quartz countertops for the twin islands expertly show the entertainment possibilities of the home. (right) Functionality is never far behind in the design of the home, exemplified by the spacious upper storey laundry room with tons of built-ins and storage that busy families will find handy.
(opposite page far left) The opento-above poetry of the formal dining room is made even more eloquent by the glass paneled, floating staircase. It is framed by two-storey glass walls on two sides that bring the room to a resounding, stylish crescendo.
(left) The fully developed lower level adds a further 1,390 squarefeet of living space — with an emphasis on living. It is the perfect entertainment area with wine bar and home theatre. There is also a fourth bedroom and gym to complete the set up.
(above) The master bedroom is a study in luxury — soaring ceilings, big windows, floating built-in shelves and drawers — it has all the markings of a relaxing, private retreat. There are two other bedrooms upstairs, each equally as grand and sophisticated, and sending kids to them will never be a problem, but getting them out might. D
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eye on custom homes
Historic elegance
Mount Royal still astounds with multi-milliondollar homes of yesterday and today n By richard white
One of the iconic mansions along Armhurst Street built by Eugene Coste in 1913. 34
• D O M U S • fa l l 2 01 4
The CPR executives in Montreal (CPR’s corporate headquarters) and Calgary lawyer R.B. Bennett (future Canadian Prime Minister) were none too happy with the nickname, so they lobbied to have Calgary’s newest suburb named after the exclusive community of Mount Royal in Montreal (the home of William E. Van Horne, president of CPR). CPR even went as far as to give the new community Canadian character street names like — Wolfe, Sydenham and Durham, as well as French-Canadian names like Champlain, Frontenac, Joliet and Vercheres. Local folklore has it that the Montreal executives joked “let them damn Yankees try to pronounce those names when they tell Photo is from Vicky Williams’ “Calgary Then and Now” (1978), published by Bodima Books
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o discussion about million-dollar homes will be complete without a mention of Calgary’s first enclave for the rich and famous. The century-old elegance and enigma of Mount Royal remains intact today, as it remains a premier destination for the city’s wealthy families. Calgarians have a long history of being in love with building mansions. Long before there were Aspen Woods or McKenzie Lake Island, there was Mount Royal. Back in the early 1900s, Mount Royal was just a treeless hill southwest of city limits, like many of the hills in today’s edge communities. The land belonged to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) part of the 25 million acres of land granted to them by the federal in government in 1885 as an incentive to build Canada’s transcontinental railway. It wasn’t until 1905 that the CPR decided to subdivide the “yet to be named” land into huge (some an entire city block) lots to attract the wealthy and make a healthy profit. By 1907, seven mansions had been built on Royal Avenue and Hope Street for wealthy American businessmen attracted to Calgary by its bustling ranching and agricultural opportunities. As a result, the new community got the nickname “American Hill.”
their friends where they live.” Mount Royal developed rapidly during the 1910 to 1912 Calgary boom, becoming the home of such notables as Colonel James Macleod and the A.E. Cross family. In an ironic twist of fate, by the end of the 20th century — 1996 to be exact — Calgary businessman David O’Brien orchestrated the relocation of CPR’s head office to Calgary, much to the shock of the Montreal business community. Today, many of the early 20th century mansions still exist in Mount Royal alongside many contemporary new ones. In local historian Harry Sanders’ book “Historic Walks of Calgary,” there is a great selfguided walking tour of the community with lots of interesting insights. Like master-planned communities today, Mount Royal is a product of the urban thinking of its time. The “City Beautiful” movement was very popular in Canada in the early 20th century, with its principles of creating urban communities that were less grid-like and more park-like. This meant curved streets, irregular lot shapes, boulevards, an abundance of parks and architectural controls; this is not dissimilar to what we saw in Calgary’s late 20th century communities. Sanders points out that while most of Mount Royal fits the “City Beautiful” mold, there is one exception. At the top of the hill between Prospect and Dorchester Avenues, from 10th Street to Carlton sits a gridlike development. This was the 10-acre site sold to Dr. Ernest Willis in 1904 for his hilltop sanatorium before the CPR’s design controls were in place. Today, walking the streets of Mount Royal is like walking through a history book of home styles — English, Georgian and Revival, Art & Crafts, American Foursquare and more. You will also see modern designs influenced by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright. One example is the Katchen residence at 800 Prospect Avenue S.W. Built in 1954 it was the home of Mire Katchen, a successful cattleman who, with his brother Samuel, founded Canadian Packers. The house, designed by Clayton, Bond & Morgridge, is an excellent example of the International style with its post and beam wood construction, flat roof, open floor plan and private outdoor spaces that integrate with the interior living spaces. One of the things I love about the mansions of the
early 20th century is that they took on the names of their owners. Sanders’ book is full of names like Davidson Residence and Coach House, R.B. Bennett House, Coste House etc. each with their own story to tell. A quick scan of current MLS listings shows that you can still buy a modernized piece of history, i.e. a 1910 Mount Royal home on a one-acre lot complete with a heated six-car garage and a Carriage House. The average Mount Royal home sells for about $2.5 million for a 3,000-plus-square-foot home. It is also interesting to note there are lots of families living in Mount Royal — not just empty nesters. In fact, 25.5 per cent of Mount Royal’s residents are under the age of 19, which is higher than the city average of 24 per cent. If you are a gardener, Mount Royal is a great place to wander and see what survives in Calgary, as many of these gardens are 100 years old. It truly is like walking in a park as the huge lots allow for many huge trees and shrubs, something that isn’t possible on the tiny lots in Calgary’s new subdivisions with all their underground services. Back story: Developers and urban planners in the late 20th century buried the ugly overhead wires to make new suburbs more beautiful. However, the unintended consequence was that large trees could not be planted near the underground services making tree-lined streets in new suburbs a thing of the past. As you wander Mount Royal, you get the feeling of a nice balance between man and nature, something missing in new suburbs where the house and road dominate. As you wander Mount Royal you will discover historical artifacts like old fieldstone fences and old coach houses that have since become separate homes. Many of the huge lots have been subdivided allowing for new infill homes built. Yes even Mount Royal is being densified! D
Today, walking the streets of Mount Royal is like walking through a history book of home styles — English, Georgian and Revival, Art & Crafts, American Foursquare and more. You will also see modern designs influenced by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright.
n Richard White is the Urban Strategist at Ground3 Landscape Architects and has written about urban design, living and development for over 25 years. You can follow him on twitter @everydaytourist or his blog at www.everydaytourist.ca. fa l l 2 01 4 • D O M U S •
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The Villa You Have Been Waiting For
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Wine country Our fall selection brings a taste of other worlds n By Shelley Boettcher
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very time I visit a wine region, I imagine myself living there. What would our house be like? Where would we work and live, and who would our friends be? I played with the oft-changing script in my mind yet again, on a recent trip to Argentina. I’m pretty sure if the people at Siete Cocinas in Mendoza would have let me move into a corner of their wonderful restaurant, I’d be there now, begging for a second helping of the Patagonian lamb tortellini. Then, of course, there are the wines. Malbec is synonymous with the country’s renowned international wine reputation. It’s amazing, of course, but so is the country’s Viognier, Pinot Noir and more. Cabernet Sauvignon, too, like the handsome one I have picked out for you here. I haven’t just picked out Argentine wine, however. I have been tasting some fine wine and spirits from France, Mexico, Scotland and Spain, too. No passport required — they are your ticket to travelling the world without leaving the city.
Nicolas Catena Zapata 2009 (Mendoza, Argentina) Made of a blend of 60 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 40 per cent Malbec, this full-bodied muscular red has been described as “spell-binding,” and you’ll know why when you try it. Incredibly complex, it has notes of blackberry, cherry, plums, wet stones, tobacco and more. Decant and drink this wine now, or put it in the cellar, where it’ll likely go at least another 10 years or longer. About $120. »
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Laherte Freres, Les Empreintes (Champagne, France) This beautiful Champagne is a blend of 40 per cent Chardonnay, 40 per cent Pinot Noir and 20 per cent Pinot Meunier, all hand-picked from vines that are, in some cases, more than 70 years old. The estate was founded in 1889, and is still owned and operated by descendents of the original family, which means Les Empreintes is a grower Champagne. This powerful but elegant wine has notes of citrus and wet rocks, plus a long finish. And those bubbles! An excellent choice for the holiday season, or any time you feel like celebrating. About $83. 38
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Oban 14-Year-Old (Western Highlands, Scotland) This classic scotch whisky offers great value for the price, and comes from the beautiful town of Oban, on Scotland’s west coast. The distillery was built in the region in 1794 and, interestingly, the town grew up around it. Look for smoky, peaty, fruity notes, with just a touch of herbs. About $110.
Clase Azul Reposado Tequila (Jalisco, Mexico) From a top Mexican producer, this sipping tequila is rich, earthy and intense, with a long finish. It has more in common with fine single malts than the shooters of our university days. The agave used to make Clase Azul’s tequilas has been handselected from fields of organic blue agave. The tequila itself rests in old American oak for eight months before bottling. The hand-painted, hand-made, numbered decanter takes two weeks to make; it’s also signed on the bottom by both the artist and master distiller. About $120.
Miguel Torres 2009 Mas La Plana (Penedes, Catalonia, Spain) Mas La Plana is the wine that cemented the Torres family name as one of the wine world’s finest. The 2009 is dark purple-red, intense and rich, with notes of blackberry, wild strawberry and vanilla. While the 2009 is still in many stores, watch for the 2010, too. It’s also gorgeous, and it marks the 40th anniversary of Mas La Plana. Both the 2009 and 2010 vintages, about $60.
n Shelley Boettcher is a national CBC wine columnist and an award-winning food and wine writer. The third edition of her book, Uncorked: The Definitive Guide to Alberta’s Best Wines $25 and Under, is in stores now.