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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 112 n APRIL 2015
contents
12 COVER FEATURE
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Comfort and quality Lifestyle Homes makes a grand statement with new Cooper’s Crossing show homes
NEWS
35
2014 SAM Awards Finalists announced
Crème-de-la-crème of Calgary’s home industry ready for big night
Special Feature PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9
Check out what’s happening in Cochrane Included in this issue of New Home Living
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contents 39
18 30
FOCUS ON
10 Bringing the outside in
Planters bring character to indoor and outdoor spaces
SHOW HOME PROFILES
18
Winning style
Calbridge Homes creates milestone grand prize home for 2015 FHHL
24 Howling success
Wolf Custom Homes’ Watermark show home embodies executive style
COMMUNITY PROFILE
30 The winner’s circle
Estate living at its very finest offered at Watermark at Bearspaw
SHOPPING
39 Spring buzz
COLUMNS
It’s almost time to fire up the lawn mowers
47 Around Town 54 Hope at Large
STYLE
42 Handy gardens
New terrariums bring garden charm to small spaces
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ITEMS
8 Editor’s Message 48 Maps 52 Advertiser Index
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editor’s message n
Spring is in the air
Aahh… spring, finally. Not that it’s been a bad winter. Actually, the weather’s been pretty kind to Calgary this past season, and if it wasn’t the constant threat that the sky was going to fall on the city because of plunging oil prices, I’d say this past winter was really good. But with regards to those news articles looking at the dark side of things, how about we put some perspective in the current economic situation. Numbers put out by the Canadian Home Builders Association point out economic fundamentals in Calgary today are almost the same in 2005 when everything was coming up roses. In February 2005, oil prices were $47.96 US per barrel; the Canadian dollar was $.805/ US; the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate was 2.5 per cent; the prime rate was 4.25 per cent; a five year fixed rate mortgage was 5.59 per cent; it cost $1,846.92 per month for a $300,000 mortgage at 5.59 per cent rate and a 25 year amortization; the population of workers in Fort McMurray camps was about 10,000. We were in an economic BOOM!!! Now fast forward to February 2015. Oil prices are $52 US per barrel; the Canadian dollar is $.8033/US; the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate is 0.75 per cent; the prime rate is 2.85 per cent; a five year fixed mortgage rate is 2.79 per cent; it costs $1,387.31 per month for a $300,000 mortgage at 2.79 per cent rate and a 25 year amortization; the population of workers in Fort McMurray camps is about 44,000. All the doom-and-gloom talk needs to be balanced out, and this puts some perspective on things. Thanks, Allan Klassen, President of Albi Homes, for pointing that out to us. Interestingly enough, our community feature on Watermark at Bearspaw in this issue reflects these numbers, as this master planned estate community along Calgary’s northwest border has been doing spectacularly in sales in spite of the slowing economy. Our cover feature of Lifestyle Homes’ show home in Airdrie’s Cooper’s Crossing is also seemingly immune to the malaise and is attracting good traffic. Calbridge Homes’ new Foothills Hospital Lottery grand prize show home is bringing in a lot of interest to the charity and to the community of Artesia, as well. And Wolf Custom Homes does the same with their impressive executive style show home in Watermark. We have even more special features inside that talk about Calgary’s uniqueness and underlying beauty and the strength of the community, which ultimately is the biggest asset against all the gloomy talk.
PUBLISHER |
Source Media Group
info@sourcemediagroup.ca A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R |
Jim Zang
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR |
Pepper Rodriguez
pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR |
Jean Faye Rodriguez
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Rylyn Kvarnberg
rylyn.kvarnberg@sourcemediagroup.ca
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca P R O D U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R AT O R |
Colleen Leier
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
David Crosson, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick ADVERTISING SALES |
Cindy Marks
cindy.marks@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING
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Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA
©2015 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. 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. New Home Living® is published 12 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and area. New Home Living® accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to nleditor@sourcemediagroup.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. New Home Living® is a registered Trademark the property of SOURCE MEDIA GROUP CORP. Reg. CIPO TMA 693289. Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca
NEXT MONTH:
Loving Airdrie Living
@CalgaryNewHomes
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NewHomeLivingCalgary
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Bringing the outside in
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Planters bring character to indoor and outdoor spaces n BY
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Aaliya Essa
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PLANTERS PRESENT THE most stylish and convenient way to bring the outside in, but they are also terrific statement pieces for your outdoor space. Some are designed to hold and nurture live plants, some have a more decorative purpose and provide a place for cut flowers. Regardless of their purpose, indoor and outdoor planters and vases help to bring character to any room, deck or patio. NL 1] Henryka LTD. Wicker PVC Planter, $77.97 at The Home Depot. 2] Unbranded Pebble Planter, $69.99 at The Home Depot. 3] New England Pottery 20 In. Heavy Rimmerd Pot – Terra Cotta, $49.99 at The Home Depot. 4] White & Silver Mosaic Vase – Tall, $129.95 at Pier1 Imports. 5] Mikasa® Palazzo Crystal Glass 12-Inch Vase, $45.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. 6] Blue & Green Ombre Mosaic Vase, $79.95 at Pier1 Imports. 7] Lenox® Adorn Vase, $99.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. 8] Foaming Soap Pump Dispenser, $19.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. 9] Neisey Vase, $19.95 at Crate and Barrel. 10] Woven Riva Loops Floor Vase, $199.95 at Pier1 Imports. 11] Anchorage vase, $34.95 at Crate and Barrel. 12] Somerset Vase, $79.95 at Crate and Barrel.
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
COMFORT AND QUALITY Lifestyle Homes makes a grand statement with new Cooper’s Crossing show homes
F
Photos on these pages are of The Verona show home.
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or 18 years, Lifestyle Homes has perfected the approach to creating the most stylishly pleasing and comfortably practical family homes that take into account all the wants and needs of families in their design, but with a style and character that gives the owners pride. It’s grandeur on a scale that a family can appreciate. Their latest creations in the popular Airdrie estate community of Cooper’s Crossing bring these qualities to the fore with an even more confident sense of purpose than before. The Mossberg and the Verona show homes each are stylishly unique, with their own distinct personalities, but they remain at their core true to both form and function as family homes designed for ease and comfort. The Mossberg, a 2,410-square-foot, three-bedroom home beckons from the street with its welcoming French Country Tudor styling and sleigh roof detail. Inside, large windows let in generous amounts of natural light, lending a serene feeling to the open concept main floor. A unique touch that garners a lot of attention are the custom, nearly floorto-ceiling windows that surround the contemporary white tile fireplace, says area sales manager Breann Kostrosky. Upstairs, oversized bedrooms provide plenty of space for a family, with room for children to grow into. Keeping the lifestyle of the average Airdrie family in mind, the Mossberg features a garage entrance that flows from the ‘family foyer’ to a walk-through pantry and into the open-concept kitchen. A perfect family home to grow up and grow old in, the Mossberg starts at $562,000 and the show home can be purchased for around $600,000. The Verona, a 2,800-square-foot four-bedroom home, is a brand new design that made its debut in Cooper’s Crossing. Kostrosky says the Verona is very popular with customers because of features like the dual-sided fireplace, the open-to-above living space and extremely private and spacious master bedroom, found in its own wing of the upper floor. The master bath is a peaceful
| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
oasis that features a glass and tile shower and a soaker tub with an amazing granite surround, perfect for setting the mood with some candles or a place to rest your book and a towel. The rustic modern décor is punctuated with amazing design details like a 10-foot long kitchen island with a marble waterfall affect in cream and chocolate colours. “It is very warm and cozy,” Kostrosky says. “People like to come in and just sit on the couch and relax.” The Verona starts at $700,000 and the stunning show home can be yours for $800,000.
Due to the immense popularity of The Verona, Lifestyle Homes’ design team has redrawn a 2,400-square-foot, three-bedroom model, called the Sonora, that keeps all of the standout features like the dual-sided fireplace, the open-to-above living room and winged master bedroom, and is perfect for smaller families. When it comes to providing their customers’ peace of mind, Lifestyle Homes has gone above and beyond. They are part of the Holmes Approved Homes program by celebrity home renovator and builder, Mike Holmes. Holmes inspectors look at each Lifestyle Homes project three times during critical stages of construction, taking pictures and providing reports to the homeowners. “It gives them the peace of mind that the quality is there and it’s behind the walls,” Kostrosky says, adding that Lifestyle is the only builder in Airdrie who is providing the Holmes stamp of approval. The reassurance of a well-built home can continue to pay dividends well into the future, says Kostrosky. “We know the home will retain its value for a long time.” Lifestyle Homes is quality custom builder, they build great homes, but that’s
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Lifestyle Homes has created the definition of comfortable in its two new Cooper’s Crossing show homes in Airdrie…
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
Photos on this page are of The Mossberg show home.
not the only reason they’ve been successful for the past 18 years. It’s also about the people. And, when it comes to making buyers feel comfortable, Lifestyle sales staff are experienced professionals at building great relationships with their customers. Although they got their start in nearby Chestermere, says Kostrosky, they also build in other outlying communities and in Calgary. They are excited to offer their custom homes in Airdrie, a satellite community only minutes north of Calgary and the international airport and a short drive from CrossIron Mills shopping mall and a future Asian shopping mall. Airdrie offers all the amenities, including schools, restaurants, shopping, recreation — with indoor and outdoor skating rinks, swimming pool, and parks, as well as entertainment with a live theatre venue, festivals and movie theatre.
Although they are new in Airdrie… word is spreading about the new kid on the block.
Although they are new to Airdrie, Kostrosky says word is spreading about the new kid on the block. “The last month or two we’ve been seeing plenty of people coming in because their neighbours or friends have told them about us,” she says. “There has been really good word of mouth about our show homes.” Finally with homes in Phase 23 beginning from $549,900, and two quick-possession homes in Phase 19 starting at just $519,000, Lifestyle Homes customers can feel more than comfortable that they will be purchasing a home that will exceed their expectations. n
FAST FACTS: DEVELOPMENT: Cooper’s Crossing DEVELOPER: Westmark Holdings Ltd. BUILDER: Lifestyle Homes STYLE: Two-story single family homes (bungalows are also available) SIZE: From 1,813 sq. ft. PRICE: From the $519,000s ADDRESS: 1237 and 1241 Coopers Drive DIRECTIONS: North on Highway 2, Exit onto Yankee Valley Blvd and head west, Turn left on 8th Street and turn left on Cooper’s Drive. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.lifestylehomes.ca
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Calbridge Homes n show home profile
Winning style Calbridge Homes creates milestone grand prize home for 2015 FHHL n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP HAS been the hallmark of Calbridge Homes in the 37 years they’ve been building in Calgary. But for the last five years, this two-time Builder of the Year has broadened their appeal even more by creating exceptional, one-of-akind and always expertly crafted Grand Prize homes for the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery. Calbridge has grown in strength with each new FHHL Grand Prize Estate Home, with each bigger in scope and even more ambitious in design than the previous one. Their 2015 edition may even surpass them all in beauty and style, as Calbridge pulled out all the stops to make a remarkable milestone home to go with the FHHL’s “The Big Win” campaign. This 5,700-square-foot regal estate home is located in the heart of Artesia at Heritage Pointe, and the sweeping elegance of this Tudor-style home is evident from the outside. Priced at $2.4 million, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, designer furnished, professionally landscaped Grand Prize Estate Show Home also comes with $50,000 in cash for the lottery winner. The serenely sprawling main level, adorned in gleaming tile and plank hardwood flooring, presents an inviting countenance embellished by the brilliant natural lighting the towering windows throughout let in. And wait till you see the circular bonus room upstairs and the totally customized lower level development. In a word: spectacular. “To do this (Grand Prize homes) year after year is a big challenge,” says Calbridge President Larry Thomson. “But it’s a challenge we gladly accept for the opportunity to help the community by doing what we love to do.” Over the past 22 years, the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery has purchased life-saving equipment and supported innovative programs focused on patient-centred health care and the building blocks of a healthier future. In conjunction with the Hospital Home Lottery, the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery has raised over $70 million, making a profound difference in the quality of health care services available to Albertans. TOP Calbridge’s unmistakable expertise is very much palpable as soon as you enter; from the floor to ceiling windows that connect the central custom kitchen to the adjoining great room and den — the design celebrates sun-splashed living and panoramic views of the ponds that personify this award-winning community.
FAR LEFT This traditional Tudor-style Grand Prize Estate Show Home features a solid knotty alder door, textured stucco, stone detailing and Smart Board trim in a rich, warm earth-tone palette. It’s location in the upscale, family-friendly community of Artesia at Heritage Pointe makes the owner a winner two times over.
LEFT The curved design of this home encourages a connection between living spaces, and nowhere else is this characteristic more pronounced than in the unique central circular bonus room upstairs. It’s shape and location in the middle of the second storey serves to bring families together and also stylishly give each family member their privacy.
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fast facts BUILDER: Calbridge Homes COMMUNITY: Artesia at Heritage Pointe STYLE: Grand prize lottery home SIZE: Over 5,700 sq. ft. of livable space PRICE: $2.4 million (or a winning Foothills Hospital Home Lottery ticket) ADDRESS: 18 Whispering Springs Way, DeWinton DIRECTIONS: South on Deerfoot Tr., exit west on Dunbow Rd. and follow the signs HOURS: Weekdays 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEB: www.calbridgehomes.com
ABOVE The open concept design connects various aspects of the main floor and the the great room, with its towering windows, rustic plank hardwood and a contemporary gas fireplace provide the backdrop for relaxed living at any time of day.
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Calbridge Homes
n show
home profile
FAR LEFT Living large is given new meaning in the lower level development of this Grand Prize home. It sits on a walkout lot and is aptly equipped for any kind of entertainment purpose. The circular wet bar with a matching curved bulkhead continues the home’s overall theme and again illustrates Calbridge’s consummate workmanship and skill.
LEFT With light, striated marble tile, a spa-inspired rain head shower and tall, free-standing tub overlooking the ponds below, the ensuite bathroom is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate at the beginning or end of each day.
BELOW Any golfing enthusiast will find the builtin putting green in the lower level development irresistible. The only drawback might be that your guests may never want to leave. Tickets to the 2015 FHHL Grand Prize home can be bought at the show home at 18 Whispering Springs Way, Artesia at Heritage Pointe. NL
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show home profile n Wolf Custom Homes
Howling success Wolf Custom Homes’ Watermark show home embodies executive style n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
ESTATE HOMES BUILT with finesse and eye-catching style are the norm in the master planned community of Watermark at Bearpaw, but Wolf Custom Homes sets that bar even higher with unique homes that display an individual flair. Building a custom show home takes skill and an imaginative vision, and Wolf Custom Homes comes up with a winner every time. Their 8,000-plus-square-foot Mediterranean inspired home — their first show home in Watermark — set a new bar in home grandeur. This follow-up on 39 Watermark Road is even more remarkable for bringing as much grace and élan in a slightly scaled-back size. The five-bedroom, triple-garage show home has 5,306 square-feet of total living space, but it is so much more than the sum of all its parts. It’s executive elegance makes it a fit for inviting the top brass of your company for dinner, but a fun and functional style keeps it a warm domicile for the family. “It has a pretty cool design, unique. For a modern home, it’s very warm and inviting,” says Wolf Custom Homes’ Jaret Fry. The home is one of the finalists in this year’s Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region SAM Awards for Best New Home. The home is selling for $2,350,000, including house, lot and GST with possession set for November. It can be bought furnished for an additional $100,000. Fry says they have already started construction for a new, even more remarkable show home in Watermark that they hope to open later this year.
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LEFT Taj Mahal Quartzite natural stone countertops on the Black Walnut coloured floating cabinets bring an inimitable sense of style to the master ensuite and the 72-inch-by-36-inch Hytec Seamount freestanding soaker tub completes the picture of sheer luxury.
ABOVE The contemporary design of this triple garage home gives it a spectacular profile against the prairie skies of Watermark at Bearspaw. The two garage wings with cedar overhead garage doors frame the full length glass panel wall that lends a naturally well-lit quality to the interiors.
FAR LEFT The full-height tile surround fireplace in the master bedroom lends a sense of warmth — literally and figuratively. Sliding barn-style doors lead to the ensuite and massive walk-in closet. Handsome oak hardwood flooring and nine-foot ceilings add to its sense of comfort.
LEFT A combination of white, and bright earthy tones blended with industrial nuance gives the home a unique personality of cool executive elegance with warm, family-friendly features. The oak engineered hardwood flooring throughout the main floor, 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows brings to life its warm, inviting interior.
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show home profile n Wolf Custom Homes
fast facts COMMUNITY: Watermark at Bearspaw DEVELOPER: Macdonald Development Corporation BUILDER: Wolf Custom Homes
ABOVE The glass enclosed wine room on the main floor features 10-millimetre glass full-height walls and doors, as well as custom maple wine cabinets. It’s right by the gorgeous kitchen, which makes entertaining all the more easier.
STYLE: Custom estate home PRICE: Show home starts at $2.35 million ADDRESS: 39 Watermark Road HOURS: Monday to Thursday noon to 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday noon to 5 p.m. DIRECTIONS: West on Crowchild Trail and south on 12 Mile Coulee Road. WEB: www.wolfcustomhomes.ca
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RIGHT The ultimate mancave is in this show home’s 1,675-square-foot lower level, which features a wet bar, games room, poker area and a dedicated home theatre that is simply out of this world. There are two bedrooms in this level as well, plus a gym and full bath.
LEFT The kitchen is an oasis of functionality and style with a large central island with concrete quartz tops that can be the centerpiece for entertaining or as a stylish and spacious workstation. Top of the line stainless steel appliances, full-height designer tile backsplash and contemporary hood fan combine well with the maple “Bistro” colored island and kitchen cabinets.
BELOW The show home has two private outdoor entertaining spaces. A rear covered deck is accessed from the kitchen, while the side courtyard shown here is from the dining room. Both have fireplaces, the one in the side courtyard features contemporary rock set facing and cedar pergola beams overhead and brushed concrete flooring to achieve a modern cottage look. NL
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community profile n Watermark
The winner’s circle Estate living at its very finest offered at Watermark at Bearspaw
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n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
n community
R E S I D E N T S I N T H E quickly developing estate community of Watermark at Bearspaw must feel like they’ve won the jackpot, after all they live in one of the most desirable estate communities in Calgary. The community at the northwestern border of the city has won local and national awards several times over — and it is again nominated for more awards at this year’s Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region SAM Awards. Watermark’s spacious lots, park-like setting and accessibility are all part of its appeal as the perfect estate community to set roots, raise a family, and live your life in luxurious style. These are qualities that seem to have insulated this Macdonald Development Corp. (MDC) community from the perceived economic slowdown in Calgary. “In the last 60 days, we’ve seen three homes sell for custom construction, and two more for quick possession,” says Ian Macdonald, Watermark’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “They’re all over $1.2 million homes, and one of the quick possession homes is at $1.9 million. So, we haven’t really felt the slowdown in this market.” There are now 80 families that now call Watermark at Bearspaw home since construction began about four years ago, and 60 more homes are being built. The 287-acre community is planned to be home to some 469 families in single-family homes and 101 residents in the multi-family Villas at Watermark on build-out. Ideally situated close to Calgary and nestled among the Bow River,
profile
Watermark’s spacious lots, park-like setting and accessibility are all part of its appeal as the perfect estate community to set roots. »
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community profile n Watermark
“We’re proud that all four of our preferred builders have been nominated in this year’s SAM Awards.”
fast facts COMMUNITY: Watermark at Bearspaw DEVELOPER: Macdonald Development Corporation BUILDERS: Albi Homes, Astoria Custom Homes, Trickle Creek Custom Homes, Wolf Custom Homes STYLE: Custom estate homes on quarteracre to one-acre homesites. Bungalows start from 2,045 sq, ft, and two-storey homes are from 2,400 sq. ft. PRICE: Home and lot packages start at $1.2 million SALES CENTRE: 2 Stoneypoint Place N.W. DIRECTIONS: West on Crowchild Trail and south on 12 Mile Coulee Road N.W. SHOW HOME HOURS: Tuesday to Thursday 12 pm to 6 pm, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 12 to 5 pm, closed Mondays WEB: www.watermarkatbearspaw.com
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Bearspaw Reservoir and Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, the community of Watermark at Bearspaw is a highly sought after place to live. The community was developed with nature in mind with more than 46 acres of parkland and water features. There are also five kilometres of paved walking and cycling pathways. Featuring 17 interconnected and cascading ponds and three playgrounds, there is also a Central Plaza that features an outdoor pavilion with fireplace, picnic tables, barbecues, kitchen, NBA-sized sports court and gas fire pit with amphitheatre style seating. And all of this is also conveniently located next to the 3,500-acre Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. “Amenity areas and the clubhouse are constructed using all natural wood and stone materials and the heavily landscaped common areas and surrounding yards help absorb water runoff,” says Macdonald. These features have helped Watermark at Bearspaw amass quite the collection of local and national awards. It had won for Best Community and Best Website at the 2013 National SAM Awards. These came shortly after Watermark also took home the Best Community – Calgary Region prize at the 2013 Calgary SAMs . It is the second year in a row that it has won this category on both regional and national levels. It has been nominated for a number of awards again in this year’s SAM Awards. As Watermark continues to develop at an incredible pace, show homes from their preferred builder group of Albi Homes, Astoria
Custom Homes, Trickle Creek Homes and Wolf Custom Homes are open and distinctly personify the kind of lifestyle Watermark offers. “We’re proud that all four of our preferred builders have been nominated in this year’s SAM Awards,” Macdonald says. “It just shows everyone the quality and dedication of our builders and highlights the value of our growing community.” Professionals and their families are the main buyers at Watermark at Bearspaw. “We get quite a few medical professionals because they like the fact that we are just 15 minutes away from the Foothills Medical Centre. Also, being 20 minutes from downtown, our purchasers that work in the core are looking forward to an easy commute. In fact, we are also just 20 minutes away from the airport and have numerous northwest shopping centres nearby, so the location is pretty tough to beat” Macdonald notes. Their preferred builder group is already starting construction for new show homes for Phase 3, which Macdonald says will set new standards in stylishly sophisticated estate living. NL APRIL 2015 NE W HOME LIVING
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n news
2014 SAM Awards Finalists announced
C
anadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary Region is proud to announce the full list of finalists for the 2014 SAM Awards. The SAM Awards, now in its 28th year, celebrate innovation and excellence in the residential construction industry in Calgary and its surrounding region. The winners will receive their awards at the SAM Awards Gala on April 18th, 2015, at the Telus Convention Centre. The top five entries in each category will be featured during the evening. “The record number of new construction starts in the Calgary region last year didn’t stop our members from bringing home their best,” says Shane Wenzel, chairman of the SAM committee for CHBA – Calgary Region. “Even though the industry was flying, we had an incredible number of excellent entries to this coveted award competition.” Entries totaled 834 in all categories of new home construction, including not only the homes and condos in all areas of the city and beyond, but renovations, new communities, advertising & marketing, and more. The sales professionals in the field are also recognized. “This truly is the crème-de-la-crème in an industry that built 17,131 total housing units last year,” says Wenzel.
Show Home Parade – Macdonald Development
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment to be named a finalist — and everyone is excited to put their best forward in a very competitive industry.” A total of 116 companies are vying for 58 awards in different categories, including the top Grand SAMs — three builder categories (Builder of the Year, Builder of Merit for a small-volume builder and Multi-Family Builder of the Year), Renovator of the Year, and Partner of the Year. The awards cover 10 different categories and finalists are chosen through a detailed, scrupulous process with industry judges awarding points, which are then authenticated by an accounting firm. GRAND SAM Awards are presented to the Builders, Renovator and Partner who have demonstrated a superior achievement in design, sales, advertising and/or service. “This competition is the highlight of the year for our members,” says Wayne Copeland, president of CHBA – Calgary Region. “And it’s taken very seriously. It is an incredible achievement to be elite in a very competitive industry where quality and innovation shine in every way. Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck at the SAM Gala.”
Crème-dela-crème of Calgary’s home industry ready for big night
DEVELOPER AWARDS
Show Home Parade of the Year Sponsored by Baywest Homes Ltd.
Brookfield Residential – Riverstone – The Preserve Series, Cranston, Calgary Genstar Development Company – Walden’s Move-up Parade, Walden, Calgary Hopewell Residential Management LP – Rear-Attached Show Home, Mahogany, Calgary Macdonald Development Corporation – Street of Distinction – Watermark at Bearspaw, Rocky View County Qualico Communities – Dressage in Silverado, Calgary New Community of the Year Sponsored by Shane Homes Ltd.
La Vita Land Inc. – Willows of River Heights, Calgary Community of the Year – City of Calgary Sponsored by Homes by Avi Group of Companies – Calgary
Brookfield Residential – Riverstone of Cranston, Calgary Brookfield Residential – Auburn Bay, Calgary Canada Lands Company – Currie Barracks, Calgary Genstar Development Company – Walden, Calgary Hopewell Residential Management LP – Mahogany, Calgary Community of the Year – Calgary Region Sponsored by Shane Homes Ltd.
Genesis Land Development Corp. – Canals Landing, Airdrie Heritage Pointe Properties Inc. – Artesia, DeWinton La Vita Land Inc. – Fireside of Cochrane, Cochrane Macdonald Development Corporation – Watermark at Bearspaw, Rocky View County Qualico Communities – Ravenswood, Airdrie
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news n Watermark NEW HOME AWARDS
Best New Home – up to $254,999
Best New Home – $425,000-$484,999 Mattamy Homes – The Garnet
Sponsored by Ply Gem
Baywest Homes Ltd. – Mercato, Private Excel Homes – Edison – Mountain View, Okotoks Morrison Homes – Otto Residence, Private Best New Home – $255,000-$294,999 Sponsored by The Sterling Group
Broadview Homes – The Ashton – Evanston, Calgary Excel Homes – Kennedy – Walden, Calgary Jayman BUILT – The Verde in Redstone, Calgary Morrison Homes – The Gagnone Residence, Private Sabal by Hopewell, a division of Hopewell Residential Management LP – Sonik in Mahogany, Calgary Best New Home – $295,000-$334,999 Sponsored by Classic Kitchens & Cabinets Ltd.
Broadview Homes – The Elliston in Evanston, Calgary Excel Homes – Leighton – Hillcrest, Airdrie Jayman BUILT – The Exud2 in Legacy, Calgary Reid Built Homes – The Aydon 2 in Bayside Estates, Airdrie Shane Homes Ltd. – Show home, Fiesta II, Hillcrest, Airdrie Best New Home – $335,000-$374,999
Best New Home – up to $254,000 Excel Homes – Edison
Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
Excel Homes – Kimberley in MountainView, Okotoks Jayman BUILT – The Nitro in King’s Heights, Airdrie Mattamy Homes – Kingsley Corner Showhome in Windsong/ Southwinds, Airdrie Morrison Homes – Melanson Residence, Private Vesta Properties (Alberta) Ltd. – Vesta Collection – Brighton Single – Family Home, Cooper’s Crossing, Airdrie Best New Home – $375,000-$424,999 Sponsored by Ply Gem
Douglas Homes Ltd. – Kenya 2 in McIvor, Chestermere Homes by Avi Group of Companies-Calgary – The Rosedale – Walden, Calgary Homes by Avi Group of Companies-Calgary – The Mason – King’s Heights, Airdrie Jayman BUILT – The Verge in King’s Heights, Airdrie Reid Built Homes – The Rockyview 2 In Bayside Estates, Airdrie Best New Home – $425,000-$484,999 Sponsored by Artistic Stairs Inc.
Broadview Homes – The Cavalier in Boulder Creek, Langdon Crystal Creek Homes Inc. – The Cameron – Canals Landing, Airdrie Jayman BUILT – The Converge in Sunset Ridge, Cochrane Mattamy Homes – The Garnet Showhome, Windsong/ Southwinds, Airdrie Morrison Homes – Private Residence, Private Best New Home – $485,000-$549,999 Sponsored by Ply Gem
Baywest Homes Ltd. – Private Residence, Private Broadview Homes – The Berkshire in Kinniburg, Chestermere Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – Lo Residence, Private Douglas Homes Ltd. – Playa Del Carmen 6 in Rainbow Falls, Chestermere Stepper Custom Homes Inc. – The Hampton, Chestermere
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Best New Home – $850,000-$999,999 Morrison Homes – Truong Residence
n news
Best New Home – $295,000-$334,999 Jayman BUILT – The Exud2
Best New Home – $550,000-$619,999 Sponsored by The Sterling Group
Albi Homes Ltd. – Manhattan 5, Riverstone of Cranston, Calgary Albi Homes Ltd. – Artesia Private Residence, Private Baywest Homes Ltd. – Bellen Show home, Auburn Bay, Calgary Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – The Redwood, Mahogany, Calgary WestView Builders Inc. – The Augusta in Montreux Cove, Calgary Best New Home – $620,000-$719,999 Sponsored by Albi Homes Ltd.
Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – The Cascade, Mahogany, Calgary Crystal Creek Homes Inc. – The Rochester II – Custom, Timberline Estates, Calgary Homes by Avi Group of Companies-Calgary – 2014 Stampede Rotary Dream House, Private Morrison Homes – Georgetown In Mahogany, Calgary Riverview Custom Homes Ltd. – Waterfall, Private Best New Home – $720,000-$849,999 Sponsored by Legacy Kitchens Design Group Inc.
Best New Home – $720,000-$849,999 Baywest Homes Ltd. – Davinci II
Baywest Homes Ltd. – Davinci II Showhome in Cranston, Calgary Baywest Homes Ltd. – Private Residence, Private Cornerstone Homes – Westmount Point Estates, Okotoks Crystal Creek Homes Inc. – The Newport, Currie Barracks, Calgary Riverview Custom Homes Ltd. – Winslow Grey, Private Best New Home – $850,000-$999,999 Sponsored by The Sterling Group
Baywest Homes Ltd. – Private Residence, Private Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – The Stanford, Artesia, Dewinton Douglas Homes Ltd. – Jones in Bearspaw, Private Morrison Homes – Truong Residence, Private New West Custom Homes and Renovations – Lexington in The Point in Patterson Heights, Calgary Best New Home – $1,000,000-$1,499,999 Sponsored by United Drywall Ltd.
Best New Home – $375,000-$424,999 Homes by Avi – The Rosedale
Brad-Mar Homes – Private Residence – Hawks Landing, Private Capstone Custom Homes – Elboya Contemporary, Private Manor House Crafted Homes Inc. – The Morris, Private Prominent Homes Ltd. – The Derelict, Altadore, Calgary Trickle Creek Custom Homes Inc. – The Capilano Showhome, Watermark at Bearspaw, Rocky View County Best New Home – $1,500,000-$2,299,999 Sponsored by Bedrock Natural Stone
Augusta Fine Homes, a division of NuVista Homes Ltd. – Augusta Fine Homes – Shoemaker Residence, Private Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – Pawaroo Residence, Private Calbridge 2010 Ltd. – Hamilton Residence, Private McKinley Masters – The Westwood, Private Wolf Custom Homes Ltd. – Eagle Ridge, Private Best New Home – $2,300,000 and over Sponsored by Albi Homes Ltd.
Empire Custom Homes Limited – Riverwalk Fusion, Private McKinley Masters – Amour, Private McKinley Masters – The Wotton Residence, Private Riverview Custom Homes Ltd. – The Castle on 38th, Elbow Park, Private Windsor Brunello – Lyalta Estate, Private NL
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n
Spring buzz n WRITTEN BY
I
t’s a conundrum. People spend a fortune priming their new yards with just the right amount of topsoil to ensure it is a healthy underpinning for anything to grow. They spend hours de-weeding it, leveling it, planting seeds in it, and faithfully watering it. Then, when the yard has a beautiful crop of healthy, green grass growing on it, they buy a tool to cut it down. That’s the joy of being a homeowner. No matter the size of greenery is, whether it’s in an acreage or on a small plot in front of a townhome, a well-kept lawn does tons for the curb appeal of the home. There’s nothing quite as stunning as a freshly-mowed lawn framing a home. But keeping it fresh, green and healthy takes work, starting with the right lawn mower to do the job. Surprisingly, the first lawn mowers your grandparents used — simple push mowers with blades that gave the grass the look of a blanket of green — are still around and still a top choice, but for different reasons. In Grandpa’s day, they were the only choice. “Push reels are still very popular and are great for anyone who is environmentally-conscious or who owns a smaller lawn,” says Ed Longstaff, divisional product merchant, outdoor power, for Home Depot Canada. “There are even new technologies that eliminate the swishing noise heard on most push reel mowers. This style of mower ranges in price from $129 to $249.” At RONA, the push mower is their best seller, says Charles Gregoire-Beliveau, category manager. “Push mowers outpace self-propelled mowers by a long shot — mainly due to price point.”
shopping
It’s almost time to fire up the lawn mowers
Kathy McCormick
There have been a lot of new manual lawnmowers in the last five years, but the market has saturated, he says, so there has not been any new growth in that segment of the market. The eco-friendly nature of the push mowers has been the reason for its growth at Alberta Forest and Garden, says Bonnie Bock, the customer service rep. “But most homeowners do not have the time, so still prefer to ‘gas up and go,’” she says. “Gas is still the most wanted type of mower; electric is still popular, too; but battery-operated mowers are continuing to grow in popularity.” One brand, STIHL, has a battery-operated mower coming into the market — and it will be “in people’s backyards quickly,” says Bock. “It cuts an average 40-by-90-square-foot area in one charge — and it cuts beautifully.” The cordless mowers “have come a long way from the heavy lead acid batteries of only a few years ago,” says Longstaff. “Today’s mowers are lightweight with powerful lithium ion batteries capable of producing consistent power when under load. As well, their batteries can last up to an hour of run time, depending on the condition of the lawn being cut.” Additionally, “the new lithium-ion technology with no-memory batteries will allow you to recharge the unit as needed,” says RONA’s Gregoire-Beliveau.
»
“Gas is still the most wanted type of mower; electric is still popular, too, but battery-operated mower are continuing to grow in popularity.”
» Black & Decker cordless mower.
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shopping n
Yard Machines gas mower, $219 at RONA.
Toro Mow ‘n’ Stow takes up 75 per cent less space than a traditional lawnmower through its ability to stand on its end without gas leaking out.
“Cordless have been evolving quickly in the last five years. The battery technology evolved. We are expecting 64V batteries in 2016 which should provide plenty of power for bigger lots. “Most people wanting to switch from gas to cordless were hesitant when they were checking because often they were plastic products which didn’t look too sturdy. This is not the case with the WORX brand now which has steel decks.” The powerful lithium ion batteries are also “capable of producing consistent power when under load,” says Longstaff. Gas mowers are still big sellers — in fact, the most popular category at Home Depot, Longstaff says. “Our best seller in the gas lawn mower category is the Mow ‘n’ Stow from Toro. It takes up 75 per cent less space than a traditional lawnmower through its ability to stand on its end without gas leaking out. The great thing is it still has all the great features of a traditional Toro self-propelled mower.” Additionally “gas mowers today are more efficient and do not produce the same carbon footprint as the mowers from 15 to 25 years ago.” At RONA, the best seller is a Yard Machines $219 gas mower. “This product is well positioned with a great price tag, great features, including a bag, and it has been around for almost 20 years,” Gregoire-Beliveau says. “This is a strong product designed to last for long.” The gas projects haven’t changed a lot in the last few years, he says. “Manufacturers worked hard on improving quality while keeping the same retail prices. We haven’t seen major retail price increases in the last 10 years with gas lawnmowers.” And there are electric lawnmowers as well. “Electric products are easy to maintain,” says Gregoire-Beliveau. “We recommend making sure to use the correct extension cord (the right gauge).”
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No matter whether you choose push, gas, or electric, there are many different models available from many manufacturers. At Home Depot, “we are seeing a rise in popularity in our Toro, Lawn-Boy, Ego, Ryobi, and Yard Machines product line-ups. While Toro and Ryobi are generally our most popular brands, Ego made a big splash last year with such products as the 56V Ego cordless units.” And as mentioned the Toro Mow ‘n’ Stow is the top seller. At RONA, the gas mowers include Yard Machines and MTD Gold products; for cordless and electric, Black & Decker and WORX are the brands. At Alberta Forest and Garden, top sellers are Husqvarna, Toro, Cub Cadet, and Snapper. Best seller is Husqvarna, says Bock. “More features are offered than big-box brands such as Craftsman, with comparative pricing.” Prices range from the affordable push mowers
“Gas mowers today are more efficient and do not produce the same carbon footprint as mowers from 15 to 25 years ago.”
“Manufacturers worked hard on improving quality while keeping the same retail prices. We haven’t seen major retail price increases in the last 10 years with gas lawnmowers.”
at $149 to the top brands $578, depending on the manufacturer, the type of mower and the features. “The most expensive products are the high-end gas products and the 56V cordless lawnmowers,” says Gregoire-Beliveau. And, says Longstaff, “generally gas mowers average $449 and for this price, home owners can purchase a fully-featured unit. In cordless lawnmowers, the average price ranges from $399 to $499 for our best sellers.” As for maintenance, it is easy whatever you choose, say the experts. “Maintenance is just a matter of looking after your engine and the parts, not unlike a car,” says Bock. “Replace your spark plugs and filters every season or two (i.e. every 25 hours of use), keep you blades sharp, change your engine oil and drain gas for winter storage, and keep your parts well lubed, where applicable.” “For gas mowers, keeping the deck clean, which includes a regime of washing it after heavy use, is a must,” says Longstaff. “Another tip is to always ensure you are using a fuel with no ethanol, or a treatment to prevent separation in your gas can.” Gas products are easier to maintain than what most people think, says Gregoire-Beliveau. “If you treat your gas correctly and change your oil each year, this will give you at least 15 years of good service.” NL APRIL 2015 NE W HOME LIVING
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style n
Handy gardens New terrariums bring garden charm to small spaces n WRITTEN BY
David Crosson
ABOVE: Don’t be afraid of bold colour when it comes to containers; it can be the perfect accompaniment to your plantings. Photo Courtesy of Barracuda.
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F
rom a gardening perspective this can be particularly vexing, given our city’s ability to deliver killing frosts then devastating bouts of hail once we warm up. Still, whether your tastes run to peas or peonies there’s something about cultivating a garden that gratifies the soul and makes all the fuss seem worthwhile. Container gardening is a great way to mitigate some of our climatic challenges, especially if those containers are portable enough to move out of harm’s way or small enough to slip under protective cover when circumstances demand. Better still, this compact manner of cultivation works equally well for both multi-unit complexes and single family homes, the only difference being the amount of outdoor square footage you can devote to this pursuit. Sandy Maxwell knows a lot about container gardening: as the general manager of Blue Grass Nursery she helps Calgarians with gardening projects by supplying great product to work with. “The weather patterns in this area can be a real issue because they’re so unpredictable,” says Maxwell, “Even though people love getting a break from winter, if we have even — say — two weeks of 10+ weather it can fool trees and shrubs into thinking it’s spring. If they start ‘waking up’ outside and then the cold returns they just can’t handle it.”
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style
RIGHT: The simple elegance of Crate and Barrel’s Saabira Fiberstone Planters puts all the emphasis on your green-thumbed efforts, and fit right in with décor styles from modern to traditional. Photo courtesy Crate and Barrel. BELOW: Barracuda’s “Origami” containers offer the perfect geometric foil to more organic shapes and materials. Photo Courtesy of Barracuda.
Maxwell agrees that container gardening can help extend the growing season and allow some protection for your plants. “With containers you can work the soil a little earlier because it thaws out much sooner in pots or even raised beds than it does in the ground,” she says. “It’s also much easier to cover and protect something when it’s compact or portable.” As far as trends go, Maxwell sees a lot of people getting onto the “edible bandwagon” now that there are more container-friendly options out there, including a grafted variety called Ketchup and Fries that has cherry tomatoes growing above ground and potatoes growing below on a single plant. Pre-planted options, be they herbs or flowers, are also popular with busy urbanites. Flowers, shrubs and edibles are one thing, but even the snazziest of groupings can fall flat without a good base. Fortunately, container options abound to suit every taste and outdoor décor. One thing that’s crucial no matter what you choose is outdoor suitability. When selecting pots for an exterior location, make sure they can take a winter wallop if you’re going to leave them out year ‘round or at least be lightweight enough (when full of soil) they can be dragged out of
“With containers you can work the soil a little earlier because it thaws out much sooner in pots or even raised beds.”
LEFT: Blue Grass Nursery’s Sandy Maxwell isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in the pursuit of beauty; here she leads a workshop on dish gardens at the recent Calgary Home & Garden Show. Photo by David Crosson.
harm’s way when the time comes. Crate and Barrel has some beautiful items on offer, elegantly spare and very adaptable to a variety of aesthetic settings. I particularly like their series of Saabira Fiberstone Planters, which strips away any extraneous detail and puts focus squarely on the plantings within.
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»
style n
Fabricated from a blend of polyester resin, fiberglass and stone, these containers are sturdy, lightweight and available in two sizes for maximum versatility. Toronto-based Barracuda offers composite pots well-suited to our harsh Canadian climate: weather-proof, insulated and UV-resistant, these containers are perfect for when Mother Nature is having a bad day. Standout models include “Origami”, the planes and angles of which offer a perfect foil for an organic tumble of flowers and vines, and “Eye”, a study in slouchy chic that packs a major punch of personality into the smallest of footprints. Colour is a huge factor, too, and don’t be afraid to go bold. Something in fire-engine red lends itself equally well to a cluster of all-white flowers as it does to a riotous mix of colourful blooms. However, if you feel that flowers should always be the solo focus then classic neutrals abound in everything from imitation bronze and basic black to faux sandstone and terra cotta. Joanne Dafoe, of Dafoe Design, feels the possibilities for container gardening are endless if you approach things correctly. “Drainage is the biggest factor but you can make almost anything work if you use your imagination,” she said, standing in a booth at the recent Home & Garden Show that featured plantings in everything from old tires and discarded watering cans to jars and tea canisters. Given how relatively temperate this past winter has been it’s tough to tell what lies ahead for YYC summer 2015. Fingers crossed that we’ll be graced with good weather but — hey — if the going gets rough you can always drag your garden to a safe haven inside the garage or a secluded spot under the eaves and wait for the storm to pass over a glass (or two) of wine. After all, when you live in Calgary you know you’ll never have to wait long for things to change… NL
LEFT: Even old tires get a new lease on life when container gardener Joanne Dafoe looks for Earthfriendly options. Photo by David Crosson. RIGHT: Sometime simplicity is the key to creating a stunning container display, like this cluster of papyrus in a simple black pot. Photo Courtesy of Barracuda
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around town n
Albi Homes, Hopewell win at National SAMs
Left to right: Albi Homes’ Senior Vice President, Jason Mauro, President Allan Klassen and CHBA President Bard Golightly
CALGARY’S OWN ALBI Homes and Hopewell Residential were among the big winners at the 2015 Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s (CHBA) National SAM Awards – Recognizing Canadian Housing Excellence. The National SAM Awards were a highlight of the CHBA National Conference held this year in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Albi Homes took home the Grand SAM Builder of the Year Award, their second in three years; while Hopewell Residential won the Community Development award
(again) for Mahogany. “Each of these CHBA National SAM Award winners is outstanding,” CHBA President Bard Golightly said. “I congratulate all the winners and commend their tremendous accomplishments.” The CHBA National SAM Awards honour outstanding achievement by home builders, renovators and developers, and by their marketing teams. The National Grand SAM win is the latest in Albi’s string of successes that includes getting the Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award at the Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing and the Avid Award for Best Custom Experience in Alberta last year. Mahogany’s national title follows back-to-back wins for Community of the Year at the Calgary region SAM Awards.
By Pepper Rodriguez
Calgary housing starts slip AS EXPECTED, CALGARY home construction starts fell sharply in February. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., total housing starts in the Calgary census metropolitan area (CMA) fell by 37.7 per cent year-over-year to 791 units in February. The single-detached market saw a 17.5 per cent decline to 461 units while the multi-family sector experienced a drop of 53.6 per cent to 330 units. It adds that housing starts in the CMA were trending at 13,098 units in February compared to 14,697 in January. The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 of total housing starts. “The trend in total housing starts in Calgary moved lower in February for the third consecutive month,” says Felicia Mutheardy, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for Calgary. “The overall decline was mostly attributed to fewer apartment starts, however, the number of units under construction remains elevated.” CMHC uses the trend measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing starts to account for considerable swings in monthly estimates and obtain a more complete picture of the state of the housing market. In some situations, analyzing only SAAR data can be misleading in some markets, as they are largely driven by the multiples segment of the markets which can be quite variable from one month to the next. The standalone monthly SAAR was 9,545 units in February, down from 10,117 in January. Actual total housing starts declined year-over-year in February 2015 due to lower single-detached and multi-family production. In addition, supply levels in the existing home market have been on the rise in recent months, offering buyers more selection outside of the new home market.
Homes by Avi opens Street Town show homes in Sunset Ridge HOMES BY AVI has been selling its popular Street Towns in Sunset Ridge, Cochrane, for the past year, but now the builder is giving customers the full Street Town experience with the launch of two new showhomes. “With our Street Towns, we have redefined townhome living,” says Karl Bursnell, sales manager at Homes by Avi. “We offer the benefit of having the entire package available to our buyers — the home, yard, and garage — without the hassle of a condo board and condo fees.” The Street Town design allows for a private backyard, which Bursnell says is key. “Achieving a sense of privacy in a townhome is not an easy feat,” says Bursnell. “Our customers really like that they have their own, clearly defined space to use as they wish.”
And the list of inclusions isn’t bad either. All Homes by Avi Street Towns include laminate flooring, granite or quartz in the kitchen, stainless steel appliances, a rear garage, and a private, landscaped backyard. “Our Street Towns are turnkey,” adds Bursnell. “We take care of all the details, so you can just move in and enjoy.” NL
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calgary map n Northwest/Northeast
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calgary map n Southwest
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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map
AIRDRIE
OKOTOKS
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advertisers index n Apex Heartland page 34
Jayman MasterBUILT page 3 Lifestyle Homes Cooper’s Crossing FC, pages 12-14
Apex Hillcrest page 15
Macdonald Development Watermark at Bearspaw page 33
Apex Mountainview page 53
Mattamy Homes Cityscape page 56
Brookfield Residential Auburn Bay page 46
McKee Homes page 17
Cedarglen Homes Walden page 29
Melcor Developments Sherwood page 45
CHBA page 16
Resolve page 38
Genesis Land Canals Landing page 9
Shane Homes page 22
Genesis Land Saddlestone page 7
United Communities Drake Landing page 28
Genstar Walden page 41
United Communities Nolan Hill page 2
Homes By Us page 52
Vesta Properties page 4
Innovations by Jayman Riversong page 55
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WestCreek Developments Legacy page 23
A PRIL 2015
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hope at large n
By Marty Hope
CALMING THE WATERS Oil slump has Calgary on edge, but not all is lost OKAY, WE’VE HIT a pothole that has taken some of the air out of the economy. Seems we’ve hit that same pothole before, and we just pulled out the nail, repaired the tire, and got on our way again. I’m not making light of the serious situation facing consumers, business and government. There will be casualties, no doubt. But the sun will come out tomorrow, and life — although possibly changed somewhat — will go on. But what can’t go on is the Henny Penny-Chicken Little scenario being fostered by some members of the media. The sky is not falling. Tom Burk, who for 35 years has been involved in new and resale housing sectors, has seen his fair share of boom-bust cycles that make up the Alberta economy. After getting his real estate license in 1981 — not the best of economic times to make a career change — Burk sold new homes from 1983 to 1999, left town for new business adventures including a stint as CEO of Coldwell Banker in Montana before rejoining the resale sector in Calgary in 2011 as associate broker with another housing veteran Norb Park at Sotheby’s International Realty. So he knows that like other sectors, housing will take a hit just as it has in the past. “This is Alberta, after all, and believe me the world is not coming to an end in spite of what you hear,” he says in a newsletter to customers and acquaintances. Hard numbers provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show
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that both the new and resale sectors in Calgary will slow, but nothing all that dramatic. Single-detached starts will decline by less that 400 this year while multi-family, always an erratic industry, will see work start on about 2,100 fewer apartments, townhouses, and semi-detached homes. On the resale side of the equation, CMHC is calling for about 115 fewer homes to change hands this year over last while the average price will gain something north of $8,000 from the 2014 average of $460,584. Burk admits these are “uncertain” times, but adds that markets rise and fall and people continue to buy no matter what the market Tom Burk is like. “It is a time for careful analysis. We need to make sure we are dealing with reliable information so we can make good decisions — Just as in any market, hot, cool, or in between. This is a time for contemplation — not for knee-jerk panic. We’ve been through this before and we will come out better for it,” he writes. Over at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary Region, president Wayne Copeland has pretty much the same message — while the association membership keeps an eye on the fluctuating oil prices there’s more to the economic story that the negative headlines and radio and TV clips. While the number of housing starts will be down this year, there is lots of positive
news that, he adds, “has helped instill confidence” in the public. For instance, the provincial government has reported that after earlier announcing a deficit this year, the numbers will stay in the black; RBC is downplaying the likelihood of a recession in the province; CMHC is not calling for any dramatic drop in construction; and mortgage rates and Bank of Canada rates are still low. “So while we remain cautious, were are not pessimistic and remain hopeful at this point that the housing market will not be affected substantially. We still have a large number of people who came here in the last three years who are in need of housing; we still have a shortage of rental accommodation; and we still have strong economic fundamentals in this city and province,” says Copeland. He, too, has seen his share of ups and downs, having spent some 23 years at Double R Building Products. Copeland will be wrapping up his one-year term as CHBA – Calgary Region president in June. “Builders have been through this before and are very mindful of what it takes to remain competitive and sustainable,” he adds. NL
Marty Hope. For more than two decades Marty Hope has been reporting on the housing and development industry in Calgary, throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf Award from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association which is given annually to a non-builder member in Canada for contributions to the industry.