DOMUS - Spring 2016

S P R I N G 2 01 6 • D O M U S •

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contents ISSUE 15 • SPRING 2016

department 6 EDITOR’S NOTE

expressions 8

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art scene

SPRING’S BRUSH. Calgary’s vibrant arts scene is spotlighted in our photo feature of some of the city’s most intriguing art galleries

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lifestyle

THE LAKE HOUSE. Life couldn’t be better in this one-of-a-kind lakeside home in Auburn Bay

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in the cellar

WEST COAST COOL. B.C. offers beautiful wines and world-class wineries

ON THE COVER: Bathrooms are one of the main focuses on any renovation work and this beauty on our cover page shows just what is possible. Sample of renovation work done by Jim Scott and Patina Woodcraft. Cover photo by John Dean.

editor’s choice 12 DREAM PRIZE Being stranded on an island never looked better than in this grand prize home

home spotlight 22 KILLARNEY LUXURY Urbane inner-city living is the promise at StreetSide’s Killarney Townes 26 REMARKABLE STYLE

Concord, Calgary’s newest ultra-luxury condo bucks trend with strong sales

innovations 32

custom design

THE THIRD OPTION Renovation the new home alternative that’s sweeping the nation

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eye on custom homes

THE EVOLUTION OF CALGARY’S N.W. What’s behind continued growth in the luxury market in the northwest

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editor’s message

PUBLISHER |

Source Media Group

info@sourcemediagroup.ca

Creating fables The “happily ever after” is what everyone is looking for, and finding the luxury home of your dreams has a lot to do with this. I’m pretty lucky that I get to tour all these fabulous homes in Calgary, and we thank everyone who has welcomed the DOMUS team to their home for a peek into their lifestyle and lives.

A special shout out first to “Ted” and his wife, “Dr. Allen,” whose fabulous home in Auburn Bay is the focus of Jennifer Seamone’s Lifestyle story in this issue — and, boy, what a fantastic home it is. We also toured Mark Milne’s latest offering, a grand family home in Altadore by Defined Luxury Built, it is such a beautiful home that blends pleasure and practicality so well, I just wish we had more room in this issue to show its absolute grandeur. Here’s a small peek of this listing at 4014 15A Street S.W. below.

This theme of fantasy home is brought to even more focus by Calbridge Homes’ new $2.4 million grand prize show home for this year’s Foothills Hospital Home Lottery. The nearly 6,000-square-foot home in Mahogany Island backs right onto the spectacular Mahogany Lake and is equipped with all the bells and whistles you can expect from a lottery home — and you get all of it plus $50,000 when you win.

Jim Zang talks about the “third option,” which is creating your dream home by renovating your current one.

Call it the ‘HGTV effect’ or whatever you want, Jim says, the numbers tell the story when it comes to the surge in renovation activity over the past few years.

We also have Richard White explaining to us the appeal of northwest Calgary and what keeps it a major hot spot for building luxury homes.

At DOMUS, there is no disguising our love for the multi-million dollar homes, and want to help all we can in finding your dream home — whether in the inner-city or in the suburbs — Calgary has plenty of opportunities in both, and talented architects and craftsmen that can bring your million-dollar dream home come true. In this season of rebirth, all we want is a fresh start.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER |

Jim Zang

jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR |

Pepper Rodriguez

pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR |

Jean Faye Rodriguez

jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER |

Dave Macaulay

dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER |

Vivian Zhang

vivian.zhang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL

Shelley Boettcher, Aaliya Essa, Jennifer Seamone, Richard White, Jim Zang PHOTOGRAPHY

John Dean, Michel Kelly, Jean Perron ADVERTISING SALES

Heather Dougall heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca

Andrea Glowatsky andrea.glowatsky@sourcemediagroup.ca

James Pearce james.pearce@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING |

Norma Robertson

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca

VOL 5 ISSUE 15 • ISSN 1929-4581 (PRINT) ISSN 1929-459X (ONLINE) © 2016 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.

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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art scene

SPRING’S BRUSH n BY AALIYA ESSA

“Roses are Red” Born in Saskatchewan, Arlene Hobbs moved to Calgary in 1960, where she continues to reside. Over the years she has expanded her knowledge and skills with over 30 art courses. Like tiles in a colorful mosaic, she has combined her education to create a style, which is distinctively, and uniquely her own A.J. Hobbs holds membership in the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor and the Alberta Society of Artists. The Collectors’ Gallery of Art

“Foglio” For two decades David Patchen’s creative energies primarily found an outlet in music, but a blowpipe and glass furnace have firmly replaced his guitar. David has studied at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Dale Chihuly and John and Anne Hauberg in Stanwood, Washington. In 2010, David was invited to Seto City, Japan as Artist in Residence. Michelangelo Fine Art

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art scene

“Baroque”

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With playful irony, Susan Collett’s vessels directly oppose functional sculpture and instead stand to be enjoyed purely as aesthetic forms.

Particularly evocative of nests, shells, corals and fossils in their colour, shape and texture, her sculptures embody the flux and process of nature and life. Christine Klassen Gallery

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“Fossil Fuse Lamp”

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Jeweliyana Reece is a kiln formed glass artist. She’s constantly challenging the constraints of the kiln’s capacity, pushing the boundaries of the perception of what can be created through glass fusion.

Michelangelo Fine Art

“Creatio ex Nihlio IV”

Mike Binzer grew up in Calgary studying ballet and contemporary dance before turning his attention to the visual arts.

His study of dance, gave him a unique insight into the human body, which guides his art practice. Christine Klassen Gallery

“Meaning” Uli Ostermann is a painter from Vancouver Island represented exclusively at the Michelangelo Gallery of Fine Art. Originally from Germany, she immigrated to Canada with her husband and three children in 1997. Uli now lives and works in Courtenay since 2007 and has many national and international juried group shows as well as solo exhibitions. Michelangelo Fine Art S P R I N G 2 01 6 • D O M U S •

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art scene

“Fragmented Landscape II” Calgary’s Greg Edmonson received his Masters of Fine Art from the University of Alberta in 1985. He traveled to Europe and lived in Italy where he studied the masters of the Renaissance. His work across Canada, the US and internationally. The Collectors’ Gallery of Art

“Peonies” Jean Pederson is the author of “Expressive Portraits: Creative Methods for Painting People”. She has been painting for over 20 years. Michelangelo Fine Art

“Sunflower II” A professional visual artist living in Calgary, Yohan Ricardo has been pursuing his artistic career since 1991. For more than a decade he has worked simultaneously in visual arts, photography, and as a Spanish Language Arts teacher creating significant art pieces, which demonstrate his originality and passion as a visual artist. Michelangelo Fine Art

“Angel Janan” Blake Ward was born in Yellowknife in the North West Territories in Canada, then raised and educated in Edmonton, Alberta where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta in 1979. In 1985 Blake moved to Paris to study under Cyril Heck. The Collectors’ Gallery of Art 10

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calgary’s canvas Christine Klassen Gallery n March 24 – May 7 Lisa Matthias and Teresa Posyniak.

Opening reception April 2. Both Artists will be giving artist talks at 2 p.m.

Newzones Gallery

n February 6 – March 19 Pistes et Points (stripes and dots).

Sarah Nind Sarah Nind

Teresa Posyniak

Gainsborough Gallery

n March 12 – 25 Spring Exhibition. Opening reception March 12, 12-5 p.m. Artists: Alekandra, Bramo, Brutsky, Irena Gendelman, Michael Rozenvain, Miri Rozenvain, and Sabina

William Perehudoff

n April 9 – May 7 Four decades.

Opening reception April 9, 2-4 p.m.

William Perehudoff

n April 9 – May 7 Work in Progress. Opening reception April 9, 2-4 p.m. Peter Hoffer

Peter Hoffer

Alexandra

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“n-one is one”

Michael Schreiner creates tightly structured and calculated pathways of line that challenge the viewer’s sight and sense of perception. Upon prolonged observation Schreiner’s compositions flicker with options and thus contain multiple realities and truth within the single image, all of equal relevance. Christine Klassen Gallery

Wallace Galleries

n April 30 – May 13 Rod Charlesworth Solo Exhibition.

Opening Reception April 30, 12-5 p.m.

Rod Charlesworth

Gibson Fine Art

n March 18 – April 5 Connie Geerts Connie Geerts

n April 16 – May 3 Sheila Kernan. Artist reception April 16, 1-3 p.m.

Sheila Kernan

n May 14 – 31 Susana Espinoza. Artist reception May 14, 1-3 p.m.

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“Elemental”

In a bold studio practice, Ronald Boaks re-brands the vernacular of traditional still life using contemporary visual vocabulary. Carefully choreographed vignettes arranged in front of Boaks’ own abstract paintings are a feat of colour and found object. Christine Klassen Gallery D

n March 3 – 16 Harold Town 1924 – 1990. SAPs, SNAPs… Preview of show: March 3. Opening reception March 5, 2-5 p.m.

Harold Town

n April 7 to 20 Camrose Ducote + Andrew Lui. New works. Preview of Show: April 7 Andrew Lui Opening reception April 9, 2-5 p.m. n May 5 – 18 Robert Lemay. GRID. Preview of Show: May 5. Opening reception May 7 2-5 p.m. – Artist in attendance

Robert Lemay

Webster Galleries Susana Espinoza

Michelangelo Gallery of Fine Art April 7 The Mind’s Eye. Opening reception April 7, 5-9 p.m.

Darlene Lobos and Christine Wignall

n Feb 20 – March 31 Muse, Loves and Jaz. Opening Reception Feb. 20, 10-6 p.m.

Artist: Denis Chiasson

Denis Chiasson

n March 1 – 31 New Figurative Bronze Sculpture by Don Toney.

Artist: Don Toney Don Toney

Darlene Lobos Réal Fournier

n April 9 – 30 The City’s Minstrels.

Opening reception April 9. Artist: Réal Fournier. D

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editor’s choice

DREAM PRIZE Being stranded on an island never looked better than in this grand prize home

I

f you’re dreaming of home ownership, may as well dream big. And nothing is bigger right now than Calbridge Homes’ latest grand prize show home for the 2016 Foothills Hospital Home Lottery.

The 5,890-square-foot masterpiece sits on the highly exclusive Mahogany Island in the heart of Calgary’s largest lake community. Valued at $2.4 million, this fantastic four-bedroom, four-anda-half bathroom estate home will undoubtedly spur ticket sales for this charitable institution.

But that has ever been the case with each of Calbridge’s grand prize show homes.

“They continually surpass themselves in the design and grandeur of each of the grand prize show homes they make for our lotteries,” says Calgary Health Trust CEO, Jill Olynyk.

Coming up with captivating, unique home designs is a tough challenge though, says Eelco Kleinleugenmors, Production Planning Director at Calbridge Homes. He should know, as he’s had a hand in designing Calbridge’s grand prize lottery homes over the past several years.

Kleinleugenmors was the lead designer for this year’s grand prize home and he can’t be prouder of the result. “I think we were able to accomplish a home that everybody can picture themselves

n STORY BY PEPPER RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN PERRON

(ABOVE) The stately appeal of the lottery home belies its functionality. It is a triple garage home, which is de rigueur in Mahogany Island, and is one of only 22 exclusive lots on this island, each with a private dock leading onto Mahogany Lake.

(TOP LEFT)The wide expanse of the open concept main floor could be a challenge to fill, but Calbridge’s design and interior finish expertise neatly filled this in a warm and elegant way. “The launch party we held here fit over 200 people quite comfortably,” Kleinleugenmors says.

(FAR LEFT) “One thing we did different in this home is we pulled the fireplace out of the great room and put it in the dining room,” says Kleinleugenmors. “This way we have the fireplace in a space where people typically spend time in.”

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(LEFT) The luxurious ensuite is every homeowner’s dream. It has facing vanities, a deep soaker tub and a sizeable walk-in shower with full-height glass. The almost ceiling height window adds to its sunny countenance.

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(LEFT) Down the elegant staircase is the entertaining heart of the home. The multi-purpose space of the lower level development promises tons of fun with friends and family, and the wet bar here is just one of the surprises it holds.

(OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM RIGHT) The kitchen sits right in the middle of the main floor. “We wanted to have the kitchen right in the centre of the home, after all, this is where the family congregates,” Kleinleugenmors says. The huge island with quartz countertops and raised bar anchors the proceedings.

“They continually surpass themselves in the design and grandeur of each of the grand prize show homes they make for our lotteries.” living in,” he says. “Sometimes, in trying to come up with a design that makes the home stand out, the home can feel impractical for everyday life.

But this one has the ‘wow factor’ and the functionality that makes it a home everyone can fall in love with.”

And fall in love they likely will, especially when they learn that the grand prize home comes fully furnished with everything you see in it, plus $ 50,000 in cash. It is one of the 7,575 prizes, including $1.3 million available in Canmore, vehicles and vacations.

Tickets for the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery are being sold out of the show home on 7 Mahogany Island S.E. D

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(LEFT) The bonus room upstairs is designed especially for kids. It is connected to the two spare bedrooms and gives children their own play space away from mom and dad.

(BELOW) Home entertainment will never be the same when you experience watching the game in full high-def in this dedicated home theatre. But the lower level holds more than just that, it has direct walk-out access to the lake and is designed to fulfill Mahogany’s four-season resort promise.

editor’s choice

(LEFT) Putting the fireplace in the dining room also clears the way for the expansive windows in the great room for uncompromised views of the lake.

(BELOW) The lake room in the lower level is designed for four-season fun. Today, it is staged with winter gear, including hockey equipment and adorned with signed Calgary Flames jerseys. But it’s easy enough to switch to canoes and paddle boards for the summer months.

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lifestyle

THE LAKE HOUSE Life couldn’t be better in this one-of-a-kind lakeside home in Auburn Bay

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rom the outside, the lakeside home in Auburn Bay is the image of charming and rustic cottage country perfection that personifies the allure of this lake community in southeast Calgary.

But the interior is something that quite defies expectations. And when the tour starts in the lower garage workshop, you know you are in for some surprises.

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n STORY BY JENNIFER SEAMONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHEL KELLY

“Let me show you this first,” says Ted, the homeowner, a 40-something business owner who requested anonymity for this article. He takes my coat and we head downstairs past their vintage collection of skateboards. “You’re going to love this.”

Down the single flight of rustic wood stairs, a sharp left, a brief glimpse of the immense entertainment area and the ice on Auburn Bay’s 43-acre lake, through an exercise room and another door, and we have arrived.

Before me is a car and bike enthusiast’s dream. Ted moves to the right, eagerly pressing a button bringing an astonishing 23-foot hydraulic lift to life. The huge lift deck moves his Camaro, or motorcycle, or whatever he is working on, up to the garage level or down to the shop for some fine-tuning. “Bikes are really my thing,” explains Ted. “I currently have two bikes and one under restoration, it’s a new hobby.”

Ted’s hobbies have some stiff competition in this home. Besides and exercise room on this lower level walkout bungalow, the 3,200-square-foot basement has an impressive entertaining area. A long white modern bar gives way to a large chilled walk-in wine and beverage area. If you’re not hanging at the bar, enjoy watching a game on the 60-inch high-def TV while lounging on the oversized sectional.

Still not finding your thing? How about some Ping-Pong in the adjoining games room, maybe just some quiet time on the private dock, or sit with your feet in the private sandy beach and enjoy a marshmallow over the fire pit. Cannon Balls anyone? Skating perhaps? »

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lifestyle

“We designed the house to entertain,” explains Ted’s better half, who for the purpose of this interview is being referred to as Dr. Allen. “People want to come to our house, it is the perfect entertaining home, and we love it!”

Designed to allow nature to seamlessly flow in and out of the home, the NanaWall doors at the back of the lower level and main floor accordion to completely open allowing unfettered access inside and out.

The expansive deck on the main floor overlooks serene Auburn Bay and is built to be as multi seasonal as possible. The upper deck’s mechanical Phantom Screens create a barrier to sun and wind, while heat lamps allow the seasons to meld harmoniously together in blissful lake life.

While the main rooms are oriented to focus on the lake and natural environs, the home is built to respect the natural world and uses some of the most cutting-edge green technology around.

An airtight building envelope keeps things warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The one-foot thick. exterior walls filled with blown cellulose insulation reduce overall energy consumption, while 10.4-kilowatt photovoltaic solar panels supply approximate one-half to three-quarters of the home’s energy requirements.

“We live a peaceful and harmonious life in this house,” says Dr. Allen.

“When we moved in just last fall, my favourite thing was to come out in the mornings to make coffee and open the NanaWall and listen to the birds; it’s always so perfect and beautiful here.”

Beauty does abound outside and inside alike. The gracious front entrance features a splendid 16-foot tall smooth barrel vaulted ceiling with a long wall of warm brick that carries the rustic stone façade into the home.

This combines with the hand scraped oak floors to create a welcoming look that the couple calls ‘rustic contemporary’.

Only the lake outside dwarfs the grandeur of the great room. The spacious open concept main living space provides another more sophisticated entertaining arena. A rustic dining table of reclaimed wood from South America, and floor to ceiling hand-applied plaster fireplace, add warmth and juxtapose the brilliant white and modern kitchen.

Two islands, two sinks, a large pantry and ample room to prepare give this modern kitchen the perfect layout for dinner parties and cooking large feasts. Kingswood cabinets with touch powered opening and Mielle appliances make modern essential, while endless windows continue the lake panorama.

Moving through a 600-pound custom-made steel pivot door, one finds an incomparable master suite. A large bedroom faces the lake while a freestanding brick wall separates the luxurious ensuite. The adjoining closet is a masterpiece of built-in cabinetry, and the piece de resistance, a stackable washer and dryer, just for him and her.

A home of thoughtful design and construction, filled with unique and custom touches provides a window into the young and dynamic couple that helped design and build their $2.8 million dollar lake dream.

With three bedrooms up, and two more in the lower level, a second laundry area and a nanny/in-law suite above the garage, this is a home the couple are excited to ‘grow’ into. As friends and family continue to flourish, life, love and laughter will fill this stunning and friendly lakeside home. D

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“People want to come to our house, it is the perfect entertaining home, and we love it!”

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(ABOVE) The Skye is the featured show suite. It measures 1,886 square-feet, with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, and is designed for those seeking luxury and space. A fireplace framed by beautifully crafted built-ins in the great room is a stunning piece of aesthetic brilliance that comes standard in the home.

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(RIGHT) The utter functionality of the kitchen design cannot be overstated, with plenty of storage space and room to move around. And of course, the hardwood flooring, quartz countertops, full-height cabinetry and glass tile backsplash combine to create an elegant entertaining space

home spotlight

KILLARNEY LUXURY Urbane inner-city living is the promise at StreetSide’s Killarney Townes A carefree lifestyle is what inner-city living promises, and

StreetSide’s Richard Daley, Vice President

Killareny Townes brings the full potential of this much

— Multi-Family Development.

sought after lifestyle to fruition. This latest luxury townhome

Located at 2432 – 30th Street S.W.,

development from StreetSide Developments opens the

Killarney Townes offers a collection of five

possibilities of a rich, fulfilling life in one of Calgary’s most

distinctive buildings that blend seamlessly

amenity-rich inner-city neighbourhoods.

into the quiet, tree-lined neighbourhood

The Killarney Townes development are luxury infill townhomes of the highest order, offering stylish finishes, spacious comfort and practical designs to buyers looking to experience an exciting urban and urbane lifestyle.

“StreetSide is thrilled with our newly released show

that’s quickly becoming known as a haven for contemporary infill developments.

Kimberley Orr, Senior Marketing Coordinator for StreetSide Developments says Killarney Townes is an exciting new

suites in Killarney, as it harkens back to our commitment

venture for the company and its first foray

to design projects that exemplify our tagline: Condo’s that

into the luxury infill market.

defy the ordinary. Killarney is a true testament to this,” says

“StreetSide Developments has long been building inner-city multi-family housing that offer style and convenience in equal measure — the sold out St. John’s Tenth Street in Kensington and Vivace at West 85th are some examples of our deep understanding of the market. But Killarney Townes will be the first time StreetSide is venturing into the luxury infill market,” she tells DOMUS. The first building at Killarney Townes has been released with four townhomes currently for sale. Three of the four townhomes are also up for immediate possessions. They start from the $600,000s plus GST, although the largest model with all the upgrades can easily top the $700,000 mark.

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(OPPOSITE PAGE TOP) The first building at Killarney Townes has been released with four townhomes currently for sale. Three of the four townhomes are also up for immediate possessions. They start from the $600,000s plus GST, although the largest model with all the upgrades can easily top the $1 million mark. “What makes Killarney Townes stand out is that each building will look like a large infill home that has been meticulously crafted to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding community,” Orr says.

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home spotlight

KILLARNEY LUXURY

(ABOVE) A main floor den is an example of the exacting attention to detail lavished on each home. “Each homeowner will be able to indulge in a luxurious master oasis that will provide them with a secluded escape from their busy lives.

Thoughtful, innovative, and standout features are the hallmark of Killarney Townes,” Orr says.

(RIGHT) Vaulted, and painted ceilings and gas fireplace in the master bedroom denote the lavish, luxurious lifestyle offered at Killarney Townes. “Duplexes already start at the $700,000 mark in Killarney and they don’t necessarily come with the high-end finishes that we already provide as a standard,” Orr says.

(ABOVE) The second floor features a laundry room, second bedroom and large bedroom with full ensuite and private retreat. The Skye also has an upper loft floor that features a luxurious master suite with an exquisite ensuite, a second gas fireplace and private balcony. D

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(ABOVE) The Concord, indeed, has it all for the buyer who wants it all. Its uncompromised luxury package upholds a highly refined, opulent lifestyle that promises the best in life, including Porsche kitchens designed by the world’s oldest kitchen brand, Poggenpohl.

(RIGHT) Murray says underground parking garages have high ceilings to allow owners to stack cars on a car lift. “We know that among the biggest concern among buyers in the downsizing market is where they can store their prized car collection when they move to a condo. With this high-ceiling underground garage, they can stack up to two cars per stall.”

(OPPOSITE PAGE FAR LEFT) The Concord’s stateof-the-art sales centre on 700 1st Avenue S.W. gives a semblance of the kind of pampered lifestyle that can be expected in The Concord, including this majestic master ensuite. Viewings are available on appointment.

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home spotlight

REMARKABLE STYLE Concord, Calgary’s newest ultra-luxury condo bucks trend with strong sales The dazzling new condo towers going up in one of

of the luxury, storage space and comfort they’ve been

the city’s prime real estate sites holds the promise of

accustomed to.

a luxurious, carefree downtown lifestyle, but there’s so much to the Concord than just that.

The twin tower development at the foot of the

But what really distinguishes Concord from the rest is its ingenious flood proofing and emergency back-up systems that ensure the owners’ safety despite what

Peace Bridge in the heart of downtown Calgary is the

Mother Nature can throw at it. Given that they are on

first multi-family development in the city by world-

the banks of the Bow River, these extra features —

renowned developer Concord Pacific. And it has been a

which go above and beyond what the city requires

remarkable debut.

— addresses any and all flooding-related concerns.

The opulent lifestyle it offers has certainly attracted

“Our flood proofing system that will make it the best

a lot of attention, and already half of the first tower has

emergency prepared residential building not only in

already sold. “We already have people signing up for

Calgary, but in the whole country,” Murray says.

the waiting list for the East tower,” says Concord Pacific vice-president for sales Grant Murray.

Construction began last June for the first of the two tower multi-family project. The 14-storey West tower will

For one thing, Concord offers the best alternative

have 105 suites, and another 113 suites in the 17-storey

for people downsizing from their estate homes and

East tower. With a few exceptions, homes start at the

acreages. These ultra luxury condo apartments of The

$800,000 with majority of suites left available in the

Concord offer all the spaciousness, style and sophis-

first tower from $1 million to $3 million.

tication that Calgary’s empty-nesters, right-sizers and snow birds want.

They even have room in the underground parkade

The first tower has already sold five of the seven premium penthouse suites here, and those range from $3.5 million all the way to $7 million.

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for up to four cars, so residents don’t really give up any

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home spotlight

REMARKABLE STYLE

(BELOW) The Concord was always meant to be special, Murray says, starting from its perfect location at the foot of the iconic Peace Bridge. “This location is one of the three best in the world for a condo development,” Murray says, and is ranked behind only The Erickson along Vancouver’s seawall and Principal Place in London.

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(ABOVE) Their in-house amenities package is simply out of this world, including a private, immaculately landscaped all-season garden with a pond that turns into a skating rink for the winter.

(LEFT) “The Concord covers everything they could ever want with our spacious homes that go up to just shy of 2,500 square-feet, many of them with grand, oversized balconies that lets you enjoy Calgary’s sunny days all the more,” he adds. D

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custom design

THE THIRD OPTION

PHOTOS BY JOHN DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PATINA WOODCRAFT

Renovation, the new home alternative that’s sweeping the nation

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custom design

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n STORY BY JIM ZANG

ou already live in your dream home. You absolutely love the location. But, after years of living, the wear is starting to show. As the saying goes, it’s not the years, it’s the mileage.

So what’s a body to do? Build a new home? Call your real estate agent and try to find a newer home in your same neighbourhood? With the upgrades you want and in your budget?

These days, many homeowners are choosing ‘the third option’ and renovating their current home. Call it the ‘HGTV effect’ or whatever you want, the numbers tell the story when it comes to the surge in renovation activity over the past few years.

On a national scale, Altus Group stated in their May 2015 Housing Report that “at a time when growth in the overall

economy has been lackluster, the renovation sector has been more than pulling its weight.” The report goes on to state that, despite sluggish growth in 2012, renovation spending across the country picked-up again in 2013 and 2014 “and has entered into what is expected to be a multi-year period of outperforming the overall economy.” »

Jim Scott’s favourite Patina Woodcraft renovation is one he completed in 2009 on a home in Mount Royal. The owner bought the home at auction around 1999 or 2000, he says, for a little over a million dollars. They put in a million more in renos right away and then in 2006 drew up bigger plans that encompassed the entire home. For another million dollars plus, Scott went through the home, room by room, bringing everything up to the customer’s expectations. Using the original dining room as a ‘jumping off’ point, Scott custom-built the office bookcases out of sapele wood; installed coffered ceilings, baseboard and ceiling mouldings, new fireplace mantle, and all railings; designed a special wood-surround for the 10-foot TV in the pool area; and put up all the quarter-cut white oak wainscoting. Every bedroom has a full ensuite, each now with all new vanity, and the master bedroom walk-in closet is quite possibly the best in the city. We don’t often run photos of closets, but in this case we’ll make an exception.

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custom design

“Renovation spending has been by far the fastest growing component of residential investment in Canada over the past decade.”

Further, they note that, with approximately $68 billion spent on residential renovations in 2014, that the reno industry actually outperformed even new home sales by about $20 billion. The survey also showed that about 25 per cent of reno expenditures were for necessary repairs, the remaining 75 per cent for alterations or improvements.

One of the county’s largest mortgage and home equity lenders, Scotiabank, echoes those numbers with their own statistics. Although they’re 2014 numbers, it’s the long term trend that is the important thing to take note of. According to Scotiabank Economics “renovation spending has been by far the fastest growing component of residential investment in Canada over the past decade.” They report growth rates in average renovation expenditures per household to have been at around nine per cent from 2000 through 2007, dropping off to 2.5 per cent 2008-2014. Of course, these days, just having a positive growth number at all is a big deal.

Scotiabank attributes this increasing propensity to renovate in part to favourable financing costs, but also to strong house appreciation which has bolstered household wealth, making home equity loans popular.

Jim Scott

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Bringing it all home, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) recently hired Will Dunning Inc. Economic Research to conduct an independent study of the economic impact of the housing industry, including renovations.

They combined Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Stats Canada data in a complex formula to calculate the economic impact of such things as home renovations.

CHBA-Alberta has the results for every province and dozens of cities and towns posted on their website at www.chba.ca/members-area/ hba-tools/economic-impacts.aspx, and they are very impressive indeed.

Provincially, the home renovation and repair industry accounted for approximately 56,200 jobs and $3.7 billion in wages. For homeowners,

Meanwhile, over in Killarney, where the infill market is booming, Scott recently completed a $200,000-plus renovation for a client who wanted their home ‘freshened up’. For Scott, that meant refinishing the hardwood floors on the main floor, putting in a new living room fireplace with modern stainless steel surround, updating the powder room, opening up and recarpeting the stairway to upstairs, and a total remodel of the master ensuite. The kitchen was originally the main focus of the reno, with all new sleek white cabinets, gorgeous cesarstone counters and island with waterfall sides and unique apron sink placement, an eating area with built-in bench seating, and more than $50,000 in new appliances.

PHOTO BY JOHN DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PATINA WOODCRAFT

this represents about $7.2 billion in investment value. In Calgary alone, there’s about 19,600 jobs in residential renovation, $1.3 billion in wages, and about $3.1 billion in investment value.

Local experts, like Shannon Lenstra, president of Kon-Strux and chair of the CHBA – Calgary Region’s Renovator Advisory Committee, “really want to bring more creditability to renovators.” The Renovator Committee, a healthy mix of renovators, suppliers and builder/renovators, meets every two months to discuss and bring to the fore any issues, regulatory or otherwise, affecting the industry. From here the CHBA – Calgary Region then addresses issues at the appropriate governmental level.

As for 2016, “that’s going to be a tough one for all of us,” she says. That’s why it’s important, she continues, “that we have industry leaders who want to make a difference.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Jim Scott has operated his renovation company, Patina Woodcraft, since 1981 when he first struck out on his own after working as a contractor for a local home builder. In his 30-some years in the in-

dustry, he’s seen it all, through good times and bad. According to him, 2014 was a good year, 2015 was better and 2016, well, not so much.

“Honestly,” he says, “this year (2015) has been better than last (2014).

But I think that’s going to catch up with us in 2016.”

And, while it might be true that the slow economy has hit the housing sales market first, that doesn’t necessarily mean the renovation segment is immune and won’t suffer some of the same effects, although hopefully to a lesser degree. “We’re not affected that much by smaller downturns,” says Scott, “but when it’s protracted it affects everyone.”

It probably helps Scott’s outlook that his company has a solid track record of tackling renovations of all sizes, from individual kitchens or bathrooms to entire homes. Most of his business comes from wordof-mouth referrals, he says, so keeping customers happy is a priority.

Currently, most of his time is spent renovating “about two-thirds of the main floor” in a job that has run up to about $150,000 to date and includes the kitchen, living room, eating area, and powder room. So far, he says, the home owner likes it so much they’ve since added the master ensuite to the list.

Of course, he says, any general contractor is only as good as their subtrades, and Scott is quick to give credit where credit is due, singling out Academy Ceramic, Axiom Plumbing, Big Hill Electrical, Swedish Sawyer Inc., Urban Tree Flooring and Lori McWilliam of McWilliam Spaces for special mention. D S P R I N G 2 01 6 • D O M U S •

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PERSONALLY YOURS

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hoosing the flooring of your home is one of the most crucial decisions in the home-building process, much of the style and personality of the home is derived from this single, most important factor. Contempa Carpet Company, one of Calgary’s biggest and oldest flooring companies, realizes the importance of this decision and their extensive business experience and even wider product selection ensures that their customers will have everything they need to make an informed decision.

Floors denote a lifestyle, it can be luxurious or practical — but its impact on the look of the interior is undeniable. Hardwood floors lend a certain elegance, tile floorings give a sense of sophistication, vinyl and carpet are as stylish as they are utilitarian. What

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matters most is that they can establish the aesthetic of your home as nothing else can.

Since its founding in 1971, floor products have been the expertise at Contempa Carpet Company, and despite its name, this familyowned firm offers more than just carpets.

This Calgary company supplies and installs the whole range of floor covering products — from hardwood, laminates, vinyl, porcelain tile and everything in between. They also offer wall tiles for kitchens and bathrooms.

Contempa has been a trusted name in flooring solutions and is the floor specialist of choice of many of the city’s leading home builders.

“Contempa Carpet Company is a second generation, family-owned business that has been providing award-winning service to retail clients, designers, and Calgary’s leading home builders and renovators for over 40 years,” says sales manager, Morley Woloschuk. He attributes their success and longevity on the sheer width and breadth of their product line and the skill and experience they have built in the more than four decades they’ve been in the business.

The company has certainly seen the best and worst of Alberta’s roller coaster economy and has thrived through all of it. In fact, they have accomplished this with a very low turnover rate for employees.

“Throughout those years, we’ve been able to retain most of our employees, and the average tenure among their sales staff is over 21 years,” he says. “Some employees have been with us for more than 30 years, and that’s the kind of industry knowledge and background you don’t easily get,” adds Woloschuk, who himself has been with the company since 1991. Maintaining good relations with their suppliers and clients has also been crucial to their success, and they have supplied their products to everything from multi-million dollar lottery grand prize homes, to starter homes and apartment-style condos. »

PHOTOS COURTESY WOLF CUSTOM HOMES

Flooring choices inform the personality of the home

A DV E RT I SI NG F E AT U R E

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“Not only can we offer competitive pricing to the big box stores on flooring products, our customers can also count on us for advice on how to make the best use of our products for their specific needs with quality installation.”

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assistance and a full-time site assessment specialist who can offer sound in home advise on particular flooring needs,” he adds.

This is especially critical for their growing renovation business. “Not only can we offer competitive pricing to the big box stores on flooring products, our customers can also count on us for advice on how to make the best use of our products for their specific needs with quality installation.”

Contempa also has a more than 8,000-square-foot show home on 1315 11th Avenue S.W. — along Calgary’s Design District — that expertly shows their

PHOTO COURTESY HOMES BY AVI

Staying on the cutting edge of design and technology, the company is a trusted name in offering the latest trends in flooring products.

“We try to remain on the current design trends by attending industry shows, and we have great enough relations with suppliers that they inform us of the latest flooring materials. But what makes us different is that we ensure that these products can work in Alberta’s unique climate conditions.”

Their tile products are leading the growth for the company — everything from marble, porcelain tiles to the new Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) — have caught the fancy of Calgary’s home builders. “Our LVT and LVP lines have been enormously popular, they are not only costeffective, available in a wide range of design and are relatively easy to install,” Woloschuk says. “Another trend we are seeing more as of late is hardwood, cork or good quality laminate flooring installed on a feature wall in baths, bar areas, family rooms or even on ceilings.”

Smooth porcelain and natural classic-look tile in cream, white and grey, as well as classic mosaics in hexagon or lantern shapes are also proving pretty popular, as it gains a reputation as a cost-effective way of bringing style and sophistication in a home.

When it comes to practicality, nothing beats their new LifeGuard carpets, one of Contempa’s most exciting new products.

LifeGuard’s patented waterproof backing system not only reduces pet odours and stains that everyday life brings, they also allow for easy and more effective cleanup. “The waterproofing system stops moisture from soaking into the underlay, thus preventing moulds from developing. Their anti-bacterial properties male them very pet-friendly, too,” Woloschuk says. “We have available for our clients complimentary in-house design

line of flooring products. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help clients determine their floor covering needs and offer you a solution that’s best suited to your project and budget.

“We pride ourselves in building long-term relationships with our customers and our suppliers. We are committed to offering you variety, quality and value for your dollar,” Woloschuk says. “Choosing your flooring product can be a really overwhelming process, but we here at Contempa can help guide our clients to find the best way to make that decision easier.” n

A DV E RT I SI NG F E AT U R E

For more information, visit www.contempacarpet.com, or call 403-245-4353 to set up an appointment with one

PHOTO COURTESY WOLF CUSTOM HOMES

of their flooring experts.

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eye on custom homes

THE EVOLUTION OF CALGARY’S N.W. What’s behind continued growth in the luxury market in the northwest n STORY BY RICHARD WHITE

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ecently surfing the realtor.ca website (which I am prone to do every once in awhile), I wondered how the economic downturn is impacting the sale of luxury homes in Calgary and area. Plugging in a lower limit of $1 million while keeping the screen the same size, I scrolled over the inner city communities immediately north and south of the Bow River and to quickly find how many homes met those criteria.

No surprise that Mount Royal, Roxboro, and Elbow Park resulted in the most hits (61). But what was surprising was West Hillhurst, Parkdale, St. Andrew’s Heights and Briar Hill (WPAB) got the second most hits — 53.

Why is WPAB is booming?

Calgary is segregated into four quadrants, each with its own economic engine. The S.W. communities’ vibrancy is linked to downtown and the oil and gas engine; the S.E. neighbourhoods serve Calgary’s robust warehouse/distribution sector; while the N.E. communities thrive on the ever-expanding airport dynamic; and the N.W. neighbourhoods support the city’s mega education and medical campuses. »

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Who would have thought 25 years ago that you could sell a duplex in West Hillhurst or Parkdale for over a million dollars?

Residents of WPAB enjoy easy access to the Bow River Pathways, making for a short and easy bike ride to downtown for work or pleasure, or a nice, walk or run year-round.

SAIT has added four major new buildings including the opening of the 740,000-squarefoot Trades and Technology Complex that can accommodate 8,100 full and part time students.

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While downtown gets most of the attention as Calgary’s major employment centre, (as does the airport with its multi-billion dollar expansion), Calgary’s N.W. quadrant — aka, The Learning City — has also experienced significant growth. In the past decade, the Southern Alberta Insitute of Technology (SAIT) and the University of Calgary have undertaken huge expansion programs, as has the mammoth Foothills Medical Centre campus. There is also the Alberta Children’s Hospital, which moved to the N.W. in 2006 into a new mega complex.

Since 2001, SAIT has added four major new buildings including the opening of the 740,000-square-foot Trades and Technology Complex that can accommodate 8,100 full and part time students. Today SAIT has 2,600 faculty and 15,311 students (a 9 per cent increase since 2012).

Similarly, student enrollment at the University of Calgary has grown from 24,000 in 2006 to 31,000 today, with a faculty of 1,800.

These expansions bring with an increase in high-income earners. Sure, the doctors and professors don’t have the stock option plans of the oil patch, but their salaries and reasonably secure jobs are sufficient to support a strong luxury home market. A quick check of the city’s website shows the median annual household income for a couple with children in WPAB ranges from Briar Hill’s $181,167 to Parkdale’s, $132,276, compared to the city average of $115,908. Today, custom homebuilders’ signs are commonplace in WPAB.

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Location Location Location WPAB is perfectly situated for a short commute (walk, bike, transit or vehicle) to all N.W. post-secondary and medical campuses; as well Mount Royal University is just a few minutes south on Crowchild Trail (except at rush hour). In addition, downtown is also minutes away for those oil patch employees, bankers and lawyers who want more bang for their housing buck.

WPAB is not only great for families with kids attending post-secondary schools, but also for those with young children. There are literally playgrounds every few blocks; including Helicopter Park (named after the STARS helicopter that often flies overhead on its way to the Foothills Medical Centre and yes, it does include a helicopter climbing apparatus) one of the most popular playgrounds in the city. When it comes to skating rinks, WPAB is charmingly old-school — several outdoor skating rinks exist and it is not uncommon to see dad out flooding the rink next to one of the playgrounds just like it was the 1950s all over again.

Residents of WPAB enjoy easy access to the Bow River Pathways, making for a short and easy bike ride to downtown for work or pleasure, or a nice, walk or run year-round. From a recreation standpoint, the old-school West Hillhurst Recreation centre offers an arena, gym, squash courts and an outdoor pool and tennis courts. As well, many amenities exist at SAIT and the University of Calgary, especially if you work there.

Culturally, a 10-minute drive in the evening gets you to downtown theatres or live music venues, the Jubilee Theatre as well as the University of Calgary and Mount Royal theatres and concert halls. You can walk to McMahon Stadium for Stampeder games. And if you want to get to the Rockies for skiing, boarding, hiking or biking, fewer than 6 stoplights stand in your way.

Luxury Home Evolution Full disclosure: yes, I live in West Hillhurst and have lived there since the early ‘90s. When I first moved here, almost all of the infills were “skinnys,” i.e. houses on 25-foot lots. However, about 15 years ago things started to change and more often than not these new infills were either large luxury homes on 50-foot lots, or attached duplexes that looked like mansions.

Who would have thought 25 years ago that you could sell a duplex in West Hillhurst or Parkdale for over a million dollars?

For over 20 years, I have observed new infills of all shapes, sizes and styles being built on almost every block in WPAB. Yet there are still many cottage homes from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s on almost every block in West Hillhurst and Parkdale. The same phenomenon exists along the St. Andrew’s Heights and Briar Hill ridge, where multi-million dollar, multi-level, Architectural Digest — worthy homes are interspersed with what were luxury ranch homes in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

WPAB is testament to how healthy communities evolve slowly over time. I expect in another 20 years, my early ‘90s home will be ready for the next generation to move in and renovate or build something new that better meets the needs of mid-21st century families.

View from St. Andrews Heights

Last Word While some may think the infilling of Calgary’s inner city communities is happening too quickly, in fact, it is happening gradually over decades — there are still lots of older homes on most streets. Healthy communities evolve over time in a manner that will attract new families who will keep them viable and vibrant. WPAB is evolving very nicely! D n Richard White has been a freelance writer for over 20 years focusing on urban living and travel. Read his blogs at everydaytourist.ca or follow him on twitter @everydaytourist. He can be reached by email at richardlw@shaw.ca.

About 15 years ago things started to change and more often than not these new infills were either large luxury homes on 50-foot lots, or attached duplexes that looked like mansions.

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in the cellar

WEST COAST COOL B.C. offers beautiful wines and world-class wineries n BY SHELLEY BOETTCHER

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ne of my favourite places in the world is British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Not only is it a gorgeous place to visit, it’s renowned for its wines. Whether you’re looking for a world-class white or an age-worth red, you’ll find them all in this valley, which sees roughly 1.5 million winery visitors each year, and is a second home to many of us Calgarians.

And with more than 120 wineries just in the Okanagan — and close to 300 scattered throughout the province — there is plenty to see and, of course, taste.

Of course, every year, there are changes. New wineries open. Winemakers switch wineries. And new wines are being made.

Culmina is just one of those newer wineries, the creation of Donald Triggs (yes, formerly of Jackson-Triggs), his wife Elaine and daughter Sara, who now works as the winery’s sales and marketing manager.

Here, one of my favourite wines from Culmina, plus more excellent wine and spirits to check out.

Gilpin’s Westmorland Extra Dry Gin (United Kingdom) Gilpin’s has been getting plenty of recognition lately for this London Dry Gin, including best gin of the year at The World Gin Awards, as well as a gold medal and Best Traditional Style Gin at the World Drinks Awards.

Naturally, I was curious to see what the fuss is all about.

I wasn’t disappointed. Made with eight botanicals (juniper, lime peel, lime peel, sage, coriander seed, bitter orange, borage and angelica root), Gilpin’s Westmorland Extra Dry has been distilled five times in traditional pot stills, with water from the Holy Well Spring, a famous well in England’s Lake District.

The result is a complex, very dry gin, with appealing herbal, juniper and citrus notes.

Perfect for your next martini. Mine, too. I have had more expensive gins that haven’t been this good.

Fun stuff: each limited-edition bottle is numbered and includes the batch number, too.

And the label features a drawing of a wild boar, in honour of Sir Richard de Gilpin who, in 1207, apparently fought the legendary Wild Boar of Westmorland. He lived to tell the tale.

(The boar was not so lucky.) In recognition of his long-ago bravery, » he and his descendents have a wild boar as their special symbol. About $60 per bottle.

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Bollinger Special Cuvee, non-vintage (Champagne, France) If you’re a 007 fan, you’ve seen Champagne Bollinger in many, many of James Bond’s movies.

To name just a few where the famous label has been featured: Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Octopussy, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and yes, Spectre, too. In Goldeneye, you’ll see the bottles in the built-in cooler in Bond’s Aston Martin DB5.

But good Champagne isn’t about fancy British sports cars or Hollywood. It’s about well-crafted, well-balanced wine.

Bollinger is all of that. This non-vintage Special Cuvée has delicate bubbles, with aromas of lemon peel and toasted almonds. Citrus, fresh blackberry and pear notes round out the flavours. About $80.

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Culmina 2012 Hypothesis (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia) Bordeaux-trained winemaker Pascal Madevon — formerly of Osoyoos Larose — works with consulting winemaker Alain Sutre and the Triggs family, to make a small but impressive range of wines at this Oliver-based estate.

This outstanding Merlot-based blend is rich and complex with loads going on: notes of vanilla, ripe raspberries, dark plums, baking spices. It’s well-balanced and very drinkable now, or just buy a few bottles for the cellar.

For a limited time, depending on where you live, you can order a lovely wooden crate of 12 bottles for $486 plus taxes through the winery; shipping is free. Go to culmina.ca for more information.

Or buy just a bottle or two at some of Calgary’s finer wine shops. About $59 per bottle.

The Macallan Rare Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Speyside, Scotland) Oh, The Macallan. I’ve written before about this distillery — it’s obviously a favourite. And The Macallan team regularly releases excellent, collectible, limited-release scotches.

The latest? The Macallan Rare Cask, created from 16 different Spanish and American sherry-seasoned casks. As for the flavour profile of the Rare Cask, it’s complex and very smooth, with notes of wood, ginger, citrus, raisin and even a whiff of chocolate. About $435 per bottle. D

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.