VOLUME 13 ISSUE 140 n AUGUST 2017
contents
12 COVER FEATURE
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Legacy for the future The momentum of backto-back SAM Award wins propels Legacy to the future
STYLE
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All hail, Caesarstone The latest rock star in the countertop arena
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contents
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FOCUS ON
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10 Chair-ish the summer
Be your lawn’s armchair warrior this summer
SHOW HOME PROFILES
16 Imaginative practicality
Calbridge Homes’ latest marries inspired design to perfect location
COLUMNS
45 Around Town 46 Hope at Large
20 Hidden gems
Cardel Homes’ show homes bring the “wow!” in Shawnee Park
COMMUNITY PROFILE
25 Life in Harmony
Harmony welcomes first families, as vision continues to unfold
A DAY IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
34 Live action!
Here’s where you can go to catch the best live acts in Calgary
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ITEMS
8 Editor’s Message 40 Maps 44 Advertiser Index
editor’s message
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Bring the heat
PUBLISHER
Source Media Group
The haze from the BC wildfires is clouding over the city as I write this, but even that smudge over Calgary’s skies can’t seem to dampen the high spirits we’re enjoying right now. Surveys show business confidence has returned to the city bringing the prospects for the housing market up with it. Sales are up and rising housing starts augur an even brighter market ahead. In fact, June starts for single-family homes in Calgary increased 31 per cent to 445 units from 339 in June last year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. It’s been quite a ride. And our cover feature on the community of Legacy reflects this turn of events. Fresh from winning back-to-back SAM community of the year awards, Legacy has released new phases for their laned and move-up homes, and the future never looked better. There’s even more to look forward to in this WestCreek Development community. Speaking of SAM winners, our other community profile is on Harmony in Springbank, which also won best new community at this year’s SAMs. Some 20 families already call this lake community just west of Calgary home, and Harmony has also enjoyed healthy sales, as NuVista Homes opened their villa-style homes here. Our two show home profiles are located in a couple of Calgary’s newest communities. Cardel Homes’ stellar line of semi-estate homes just opened their newest show home parade in Shawnee Park in the southwest. Cardel is the exclusive single-family home builder in this former golf course, and also the last great address along Fish Creek Park. While Calbridge Homes has also just unveiled their new estate show homes in the new northwest community of The Ridge at Sage Meadows. Both builders know just how special their new locations are, and have designed these stunning new show homes to maximize the enjoyment of the rare natural beauty that surrounds them. Calgary’s live entertainment scene is also explored in this issue’s A Day In feature by Shelley Boettcher, while Aaliya Essa does double duty doing this issue’s Focus On photo feature on lawn chairs and shining a light on Caesarstone for the kitchen in STYLE. We’re really excited about the trajectory where new homes is heading — marketwise or design-wise. Let New Home Living be your guide in finding your way through the market and finding the home you need.
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 DESIGNER
Dave Macaulay
dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Vivian Zhang
vivian.zhang@sourcemediagroup.ca SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Ian Serpanchy
ian.serpanchy@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
Shelley Boettcher, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope ADVERTISING
advertising@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY
Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA
©2017 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, 6109 — 6th Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca
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NewHomeLivingCalgary
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Chair-ish the Be your lawn’s armchair warrior this summer n BY
Aaliya Essa THE LAWN LOUNGER, the patio parker, call it what you will, but the outdoor armchair is the undisputed throne of the backyard. Whether you’re in a single-family home with a spacious deck, a townhome with a smaller patio or on the balcony of an apartment condo, beer time is always better sitting in the comfort of your favourite al fresco armchair. NL
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[ 1 ] Morocco Charcoal Oval Lounge Chair with Cushion, $749.25 at Crate and Barrel. [ 2 ] Regatta Lounge Chair, $828.11 at Crate and Barrel. [ 3 ] TUNHOLMEN, $80 at Ikea. [ 4 ] Vivere Aluminum Wave Rocker, $219.98 at Walmart. [ 5 ] Flowerhouse Mesh Pattern Red Hanging Egg Chair, $299 at Walmart. [ 6 ] SIARÖ, $69.99 at Ikea. [ 7 ] AGEN, $39.99 at Ikea. [ 8 ] Dune Swivel Lounge Chair with Sunbrella, $1359.15 at Crate and Barrel. [ 9 ] CorLiving Aquios Bentwood Contemporary High Back Armchair, $87 at Walmart.
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LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
The momentum of back-to-back SAM Award wins propels Legacy to the future
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estCreek Developments puts the pedal to the metal in its continued pursuit for excellence in their popular community of Legacy, as it announces a barrage of new developments that will carry the tremendous momentum of winning back-to-back SAM Awards for Community of The Year into the future. Legacy has already started the campaign this year with the release of six new laned homes in May from Shane Homes, Stepper Homes, and Jayman BUILT with prices starting from the $400,000s. “Laned homes sold out quite quickly in our first phases, we’re glad to be able to offer more of
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these in this new phase,” says Kalida Goldade, marketing manager at WestCreek Developments, Legacy’s developer. Now, they are launching two more show home parades for their move-up homes. First up are traditional moveup two-car front drive homes from Calbridge Homes, Sterling Homes, and Stepper Homes. These will be from $450,000s. Then they will have move-up homes on some of the most exquisite amenity lots where homes back onto parks, woods or ponds. These will be from Jayman BUILT, Trico Homes and WestCreek Homes. They start from $500,000s. “WestCreek Homes is opening a
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Many of the new move-up show homes will be opening through the summer and a grand opening celebration will be held in September onto Legacy’s most wooded lands. “These homes will back onto ‘The Woods’ built around a thick stand of natural growth trees,” Goldade says. new show home on July 22nd. WestCreek Homes builds homes On the multi-family side, Legacy is also set to start new townhome designed for these lots in Legacy specifically. You won’t see this developments from Stepper Homes and Trico Homes. Apartment in other communities through the city as they have elements style condos from Carlisle Homes’ Legacy Gate and Brad Remington and inclusions designed specifically for these amenity lots in Development’s My Legacy Park are big hits as well. Legacy,” Goldade says. “Brad Remington Homes has just launched their final building Many of the new move-up show homes will be opening through for My Legacy Park. Which just won multiple design and decorating the summer and a grand opening celebration will be held in awards worldwide.” Goldade says. September. “This next few months will be some of our busiest Legend of Legacy townhomes by Aldebaran Homes also just yet,” Goldade says. opened their new show suites, and they are some of the biggest There’s also Legacy’s popular estate homes; boasting some of in the city, and the only townhomes in Calgary on a ridge. the finest ridge lots in the city, the homes offered here by Albi But the amazing range of homes in Legacy isn’t all that has Luxury by Brookfield, Calbridge Homes and Morrison Homes made this southeast community an award-winner. The flat-out are some of the swankiest around. The timeless quality of these gorgeous amenities that WestCreek Developments have painstakingly show homes on the ridge really brings home Legacy’s central installed were designed to bring the community closer together. idea of living a close-to-nature lifestyle. “Our 15 kilometres of pathways winds through the entire community, Goldade says they are giving a further incentive to estate home you can walk one end of Legacy to the other without having to buyers in Legacy. “We are also doing a big promotion as part of leave the path. Kids in this very young community are already our celebration of winning community of the year for a second enjoying the numerous modern tot lots we’ve already put in place time. The next 15 estate homes sold in Legacy will receive up to all have this new rubberized surfaces that are safer for kids.” $7,500 towards landscaping for their homes so they can be as There’s still more. The new 800,000-square-foot South Macleod proud of their new home as we are of our community!” Central commercial development will be hitting the ground and There’s even more on the horizon for Legacy’s range of single- a new Catholic high school is opening in the next school year. family homes, including more desirable move-up homes backing WestCreek has also unveiled their community garden for residents.
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Legacy is truly shaping up to be a community for the future.
And it has been a big hit with only two of the 65 plots left. “They were snapped up almost immediately.” These are raised garden beds (measuring either three-by-four-feet, or three-by-eight-feet) with an on-site water sources open to all Legacy residents. “It provides neighbours another communal environment where they can get to know one another, share gardening tips, and strengthen those small town values.” Legacy is truly shaping up to be a community for the future. “This is a community for everyone, where you can buy your first home and move on to a bigger family home and onto a downsizer home without leaving the community. It has all the amenities you will ever need close at hand and you can see even more coming in the horizon,” Goldade says. “The southern part of Calgary is booming and there are a lot more employment opportunities within a 15 minute drive from Legacy. The imminent completion of the Stoney Trail ring road will connect Legacy like never before, which means buying in Legacy now gets you in the ground floor of this new growth that’s happening around us.” And the work continues. WestCreek Developments is never one to sit on its laurels, and they already have plans in place for their next communities Wolf Willow just up the road from Legacy and Cornerbrook in the northeast of Calgary. n
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FAST FACTS: COMMUNITY: Legacy DEVELOPER: WestCreek Developments SIZE: Legacy encompasses 442 hectares including 122 hectares of builder-protected environmental reserve. On final build out Legacy will be home to 20,000 people living in 7,400 homes. BUILDERS & PRICES: Apartment condominiums: • My Legacy Park by Brad Remington Homes, starting from $119,000. • Legacy Gate by Carlisle Group starting from $200,000. Townhomes: • Trico Homes coming soon. • Aldebaran Homes starting from $320,000. • Stepper Homes coming soon. Duplex: • Shane Homes starting from $350,000. • Trico Homes starting from $350,000. Laned Homes: • Jayman BUILT starting at $400,000. • Stepper Homes starting from $400,000. Shane Homes starting from $410,000. Single-family Homes: • Jayman BUILT starting at $480,000. • WestCreek Homes starting from $500,000. • Trico Homes starting from $500,000. • Sterling Homes starting from $500,000. • Stepper Homes starting from $460,000. • Calbridge Homes – Move-up homes starting from $500,000; estate homes from $600,000. • Albi Luxury by Brookfield Residential starting from $600,000. • Morrison Homes starting from $600,000. DIRECTIONS: Drive south on Macleod Trail past Stoney Trail. Turn east on 210 Avenue S.E. and take second or third right to access the community. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m., closed on Friday. WEB: www.legacylife.ca
show home profile n Calbridge
IMAGINATIVE PRACTICALITY
Calbridge Homes’ latest marries inspired design to perfect location n WRITTEN BY
“FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION” has always been the architectural ideal that Calbridge Homes subscribes to in all of its home designs. In all cases, that form is dictated by the specific location of the home, and you can’t find a more perfect location for a family home right now than at The Ridge at Sage Meadows. Calbridge Homes, with its pedigree in coming up with the yearly grand prize homes for the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery, certainly has the aplomb to design some of the most compelling homes in the city. And their new models in The Ridge at Sage Meadows prove it. Calbridge’s estate homes here brilliantly adapts to the idyllic, nature-endowed setting of this enclave set on a rolling hillside of the Nose Hill Valley in the northwest. Here, many of the homes sit on a bluff backing onto an environmental reserve or are set into the hillside itself. The two staged show homes — The Brooklyn and Hennessey II — bring an uncanny specificity in blending the flow of their designs to maximize owners’ enjoyment of the spectacular natural views. Calbridge also has a spec home of their newest model — The Melrose II — an underdrive home that brings the “form follows function” mantra to another level. Area manager Chantel Gogowich tells New Home Living that sales have been great and that buyers have responded with real enthusiasm. Sales have gone so well, in fact, that they are already sold out of lots where they can fit the fourbedroom, 2,750-square-foot Hennessey II. “We still have walk-out lots for our seven other two-storey homes available at The Ridge, as well as lots for our new underdrive homes,” Gogowich says.
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Pepper Rodriguez
ABOVE A breathtaking open-to-above foyer (a standard) greets visitors to the Brooklyn and is a definite “wow” factor for the home, but the open concept design of the main floor that leaves so much room for entertainment is its most endearing element. “It’s smart usage of space is what families love about it,” Gogowich says.
LEFT The lowered bonus room upstairs seems even more spacious and extravagant with its tray ceiling. “It provides a great space for the family to bond, or for kids and their friends to hang out in,” she points out.
BELOW With sleek quartz countertops over the large central island and perimeter counters, the optional full-height cabinetry and built-in shelving, Brooklyn’s kitchen is the perfect blend of style and function. Honeycomb tile detail by the hood fan adds a dramatic design touch.
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RIGHT Nine-foot ceilings through the main floor are enhanced by the oversized windows that look out on the calm beauty of The Ridge at Sage Meadows. The tiled facing of the fireplace brings modern elegance to the great room.
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show home profile n Calbridge
P H O T O S O N T H I S PA G E A R E O F I S T H E H E N N E S S E Y I I
fast facts ABOVE Rochelle Cote Interior Design dressed up the master bedroom in relaxing tones of luxury, abetted by the drop-down ceiling. The feature wall with intricate wallpaper patterns gives just a touch of aesthetic ease.
BELOW The spacious children’s bedrooms allows plenty of room for growth and the large laundry room right outside their doors is a handy feature that makes wash day easier.
BUILDER: Calbridge Homes COMMUNITY: The Ridge at Sage Meadows STYLE: Two-storey estate homes with double or triple garage SIZE: Starts at 2,247 sq. ft. PRICE: A four-bed home can start at $750,000 ADDRESS: 33 Sage Meadows Green N.W. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Fridays, weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.calbridgehomes.com
ABOVE The inviting master retreat denotes stately elegance with its stand-alone tub, tile flooring and contemporary light fixtures, but the practical side is brought to fore by the walk-in closet, dual vanities, and glass shower stall. RIGHT The Brooklyn is a masterpiece in familyfriendly functionality and style prowess that is easy to love. The 2,458 square-foot home has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, with oversized double front drive garage. It starts at $830,000, including house, lot and GST. NL
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show home profile n Cardel Homes
BELOW The open concept design comes alive in the 2,623-square-foot Savin. Nine-foot ceilings and full-height cabinetry enhance the larger-than-life feel of the home. The Blizzard quartz countertops and Huntwood maple cabinetry adds sleek sophistication.
FAR RIGHT INSERT The Miro 2 uses Cloverdale Paint’s “smoky” walls with Cabbiavoli white oak hardwood to convey the home’s timeless appeal. Oversized windows bring the scenic outdoors in.
Savin
Savin
ABOVE The Savin features 10-foot vaulted ceilings in the great room, a stunning brick-faced fireplace and Grey Owl Benjamin Moore paint to create an executive estate home feel.
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Miro 2
Cardel Homes n show home profile
HIDDEN GEMS
Cardel Homes’ show homes bring the “wow!” in Shawnee Park
n WRITTEN BY
The 2,152 square-foot Miro 2 has timeless, family-friendly appeal. The kitchen is designed with optimal function in mind and comes loaded with high-end features, including a stainless steel appliance package, large central island featuring Ice Snow countertops, and ample room for entertainment.
Pepper Rodriguez
IF YOU GOT IT, flaunt it! Cardel Homes sure has it and, wow, did they ever get to flaunt it! By “it” we mean Shawnee Park, the last piece of developable residential land at the edge of Fish Creek Park. The way that the award-winning builder has used this enchanting setting to showcase their newest show homes is worthy of a double-take. Cardel Homes is the exclusive builder in Shawnee Park, located in the southwest, along the hilly slopes of what used to be the old Shawnee Golf Course. The views are exquisite, the amenities are world-class, and the homes are all designed to take in the natural beauty surrounding them. “Each of the show homes take advantage of the wonderful views of the park and the surrounding community with oversized windows and open concept Miro 2 designs that allows owners the best vantage points to enjoy the scenery,” Cardel Homes sales associate Amber Hewitt tells New Home Living. “Some of our models even have two private outdoor spaces to maximize the homeowners’ enjoyment of the surroundings,” she adds. Cardel Homes offers 21 two-storey and bungalow models in Shawnee Park from 2,009 to 2,788 square-feet with prices starting at $735,000 including house, lot and GST. “We’re a very affordable option, considering the advantageous location and the quality of our designs,” Hewitt says. There are four show homes in the new show home parade on Phase 2, including the Savin and Miro 2. “All our models are doing well, and the first phase of Shawnee Park is all but sold out. But the bigger homes are definitely attracting most of the buyers — most of whom are young families. Although we do still get empty-nesters and downsizers in the mix,” Hewitt says. “We are finding people that want actual transit. We are finding middle of life type buyers who are looking for a step up, and we are also finding people from the local surrounding communities — people that are looking to downsize, but are wanting something new that they don’t need to worry about maintaining,” she adds.
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show home profile n Cardel Homes BELOW The master bedroom of the three-bedroom Savin has all the comforts of a restful retreat including a five-piece ensuite. The home also comes with office/tech space on the main floor and a huge bonus room upstairs.
RIGHT The Savin kitchen features a centre island with an extended ledge, perfect for easy meals, quick studies and kitchen entertainment. This model home also includes two private outdoor living spaces, one situated on the west side and one that overlooks the backyard.
Savin
fast facts COMMUNITY: Shawnee Park
Savin
BUILDER: Cardel Homes STYLE: Two-storey and bungalow move-up homes
LEFT The upgraded master ensuite of the Miro 2 is the embodiment of luxury and comfort, boasting beautiful tile detail, modern fixtures, and large windows that let in tons of natural light.
SIZE: From 2,009 sq. ft. PRICE: From $735,000 including house, lot and GST ADDRESS: 330 Shawnee Boulevard S.W. DIRECTIONS: Take Macleod Tr. south and exit on James Mckevitt Rd. S.W. Take the next right after Shawnee Gate and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 – 8 p.m., Saturday noon – 5 p.m., closed Friday and Sunday WEBSITE: www.shawneepark.ca Miro 2
RIGHT Cardel Homes is the exclusive builder of single-family homes in Shawnee Park, offering all of the comforts and style of a new community, while simultaneously fostering the charm and convenience of surrounding, established amenities. NL
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BELOW The fabulous patio with pergola in Miro 2’s backyard captures the exemplary beauty of Shawnee Park’s location. “There are bike paths through the community that can bring you down to Fish Creek Park and beyond,” Hewitt says.
Harmony n community profile
LIFE IN HARMONY
Harmony welcomes first families, as vision continues to unfold
n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
LIFE CAN’T BE GRANDER than right now in Harmony, as the vision for this new lake and golf course community in Springbank is quickly coming together. There are now over 20 families enjoying life in Harmony, and many more are expected as over 100 additional new homes are currently under construction. Critical acclaim also continues to pour into this community set in the scenic, rolling grasslands just west of Calgary, as Harmony won both the New Community of the Year Award, as well as the Community of the Year, Calgary Region at this year’s BILD Calgary Region SAM Awards. The development team, consisting of Qualico Communities and Bordeaux Developments, collected five SAM awards from eight finalist nominations at the same 2016 gala awards night. Ryan Hall, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at Bordeaux Properties, says getting all that industry acclaim is a nice feather to add to Harmony’s cap, but it is the satisfaction that residents get of finding the quiet, active-lifestyle-oriented haven they want that is ultimately more important. “We see the concept of ‘community’ really coming together with the both existing residents and future neighbours. They host quarterly Resident’s Pot Lucks at our Discovery Centre, the last Fathers’ Day Picnic event was an astounding success with over 600 people coming out, and the very first Resident’s Stampede Breakfast in July truly hit the mark on what we are trying to create.” Hall says. “Our residents are our biggest ambassadors right now, they’re the ones spreading the word of the wonderful life they have found here,” he adds.
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community profile n Harmony
fast facts
DEVELOPERS: Bordeaux Developments and Qualico Communities COMMUNITY: Harmony in Rocky View County BUILDERS: Augusta Fine Homes, Baywest Homes, Broadview Homes, Homes by Avi, NuVista Homes and Sterling Homes PRICE: Single-family from $690,000. Estate homes from $1 million. Villa’s from $650,000. HOURS: Monday to Thursday from 2 – 8 p.m. | Fridays Closed | Weekends & Holidays 12 – 5p.m. DIRECTIONS: Follow Hwy 1 heading west, take Exit169, turn left at Range Rd 33, left at Range Rd 250 and follow the signs. WEBSITE: www.liveinharmony.ca
Discovery Centre
And that word has spread quickly, judging from the surge not just in traffic to the 17 current show homes in the community but in actual sales, as well. NuVista Homes’ recently-opened villas have done exceptionally well, with almost 10 snapped up since the spring launch. Once people see Harmony and all it has to offer, it’s easy for them to fall in love with this master-planned community. Harmony sits on 1,750 acres of prime real estate in Springbank, just west of Calgary. And what is being developed is something Calgary has never seen before. The promise of a relaxed, amenity-rich community that entire families can enjoy is what brings people to Harmony. This promise is rapidly approaching fruition, even as the first stage of Harmony Lake — one of the biggest man-made freshwater lakes in the province — is filled. Harmony’s Lakes will provide up to 140 acres of water activities and fun for non-motorized boating, fishing, skating, and taking in the dazzling daily lake views for residents to enjoy year round. Ultimately, Harmony will have some shops and retail opportunities adjacent to the lake, as well as some business campuses and places to work in the employment areas. Construction is well underway on the Mickelson National Golf Club of Canada, designed by PGA golf pro Phil Mickelson with the first 9
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holes scheduled to open late next fall. The golfing legend was recently in town to monitor the progress. The plan is to host a PGA tour in the future. “Harmony residents will have limited access to the course and its amenities through an exclusive Harmony Social Membership which includes, amongst other things, one complimentary round of golf for four every year,” Hall points out. That’s not all. Over 30 percent of Harmony’s land has been preserved as open space, including a robust 25 kilometres of bicycle and walking pathways that connect the entire community to Springbanks’ extensive bikeway system. There are a variety of homes offered in Harmony, built on larger lots, than conventional
city lots, with frontages ranging from 44feet to 55-feet for rear garage product, and 60-feet to 70-feet for front drive garage homes. Single-family homes start from $690,000 and from $1 million for estate homes. Semi-detached “Villa” homes start at $650,000. Harmony boasts an award winning builder group. Single-family builders include Augusta Fine Homes, Baywest Homes, Broadview Homes (who won Builder of the Year in the 2015 SAM Awards), Homes by Avi, and Sterling Homes. The Villas are offered by NuVista Homes. The Aspen Collection provides laned homes that embrace the once-traditional house design of a rear garage in a detached or attached configuration with the option to build an above-garage stand alone suit. Then, there is the Tamarack Collection, which has beautiful manor-style estate homes with attached triple garages for multiple vehicles, boats, and storage. The Willows collection provides a semi-detached double front drive villa product perfect for empty nesters. Next year, Harmony will introduce additional product
Crystal clear views of the Rockies available from most anywhere has made the area just west of Calgary the sort of place anyone would like to call home. lines including our highly anticipated lake lots. And coming later in the year is their first Birch Collection of townhomes that will overlook Paintbrush Park. Hall says that the developers are just thankful that they have the opportunity to build in this historic land of pristine beauty that has always attracted homesteaders. Crystal clear views of the Rockies available from most anywhere has made the area just west of Calgary the sort of place anyone would like to call home. Lastly, to serve the residents of Harmony, “state of the art” water and wastewater treatment facilities are now fully operational. Harmony boasts stringent water consumption and recycling measures to limit the impact of its residents on the environment. “We’ve seen a wide variety of people visit in different life stages, from those looking to raise a young family, to the empty nesters that may already live nearby and are interested in the amenities and lake lifestyle that Harmony will offer,” Hall says. Harmony is a location that will be prized for unbroken Rocky Mountain views and sunsets, easy access to the mountains, and a rapid, direct commute to Calgary. NL AUGUST 2017 NE W HOME LIVING
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All hail, Caesarstone
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hoosing a countertop can be a daunting task. There are so many options available these days, from arborite, to granite, marble, wood slab, concrete and even stainless steel — the amount of choices available makes it a challenge to narrow down the search. One product that’s proving to be a real rock star in the countertop arena is Caesarstone, a man-made product produced with quartz natural materials. It’s a product that has been around for ages, literally and figuratively, but now is finally in the spotlight for a variety of reasons. Caesarstone is 90 to 94 per cent quartz and six to 10 per cent high quality polymer resins with natural pigments and additives, such as recycled glass for a colour like 7,141 quartz reflections. By extracting this product from the ground, it can be as course as a rock salt and as fine as a grain of sand, and that’s mixed with different dyes and resins. It’s combined together, poured into a mold and baked to become a slab of quartz. Voila you have Caesarstone. “Quartz in general is less porous then most natural stones,” says Jean St-Onge President and CEO of ICON Stone and Tile. “It’s as resistant as granite, per sé, is less maintenance than
natural stone because you don’t have to seal it on a regular basis. Because it’s produced in a controlled environment, patterns and colours are more consistent than natural stone created by Mother Nature.” “Caesarstone has grown in popularity because humans are involved,” stresses St-Onge. “Producers are trying to follow trends, and by doing so, fashionable colours are being selected. To find this direction in nature, you may spend more time than the speed of change of the trend,” he says. “Where a quartz manufacturer like Caesarstone, is able to quickly produce colours that are current, and therefore they can manage to bring products to the market that buyers want now.” Another fantastic feature to this remarkable product is that, unlike natural stones, depending on the slab, the pattern can be slightly different, Caesarstone offers you a “what you see is what you get” feature. ICON Stone and Tile has been providing stone for over 11 years They have a fantastic show room here in Calgary where you will find what you are looking for and more. Whether you’re selecting countertops
…unlike natural stones, where depending on the slab the pattern can slightly change, what Caesarstone offers you is what you see is what you get. 30 | NE W HOME LIVING
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PHOTOS COURTESY JADE STONE
n style
Aaliya Essa
for a new home, or perhaps if you are looking to do some renovations and update your current home, ICON is the place to go. Caesarstone comes in variety of different looks, the level of creativity when designing this product continues to grow and provide a look that can even mimic a marble slab. Though the common thread with this product is no matter which style you choose, the quality of the product is the same for each slab. And with each style that is created and mastered, “in many cases Caesarstone looks better then the actual natural stone,” says Aliza Gheron of Prestige Granite. The price varies by the look and amount of character you want in your stone, such as colour and placement of veins. “Prices depend on the modification, on style and colour,” she says. With so many options to choose from, there is a growing number of people that enjoy adding a mix of stone design to their home, “you can use as many styles in your home as you’d like,” says Gheron. With more than 50 colours to choose from, while many enjoy consistency, having the freedom to make each room unique is certainly a possibility. Prestige Granite offers Calgarians a variety of services, starting with a great selection of stones. Now 14 years in business, they also offer their assistance and expertise in other aspects of the kitchen, making it possible to have all your needs met through one provider.
CENTRE: In many cases
Caesarstone looks better then the actual natural stone.
RIGHT: Depending on the style of Caesarstone you fancy, could cost around $3,000 and up, says Sinclair. BELOW: Caesarstone offers you a “what you see is what you get” feature.
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STONE AND TILE
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cut, they are finished off with a hand polisher, to be prepared for installation.
PHOTO COURTESY ICON
The latest rock star in the countertop arena
FAR LEFT: Once the stones are
style n
Currently, says Kerris Sinclair Account Manager for Jade Stone, in the market, buyers are gravitating towards the more grays and whites designs she says. “Our Ocean Foam style is one that we sell the most of,” she adds. “We can’t keep it on stock. It’s a nice, clean white colour that has a little fleck to it which gives it some character. It’s on the lower end of the price point, and because of those reasons it sells really well,” she says. While prices do vary from one shop to the next, “an average size kitchen around 50 square-feet, depending on the style of Caesarstone you fancy, could cost around $3,000 and up,” says Sinclair. Jade Stone is a local Calgary business, celebrating their 20 year anniversary this year, they offer a variety of options at their show room, which truly gives new meaning to hanging art on the walls. With large slabs of stone hung up like pictures, buyers have the ability to see a variety of stones up close and personal. Every store mentioned in this feature offers a variety of products at a wide range of prices, with the cost on a average sized kitchen starts from around $3000, and they all include installation, which in itself is a crucial part of the purchase. While the process is similar for each store, of course first you must select your style of stone, once this is completed, the next step is depending on if your cabinets have been installed, a measurement is taken of the kitchen or bathroom. When this information is acquired a template is made of the layout. There are a variety of checks along the way, to ensure the size and fit are correct, and there are no discrepancies. Once the stones are cut, they are finished off with a hand polisher, to be prepared for installation.
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PHOTO COURTESY PRESTIGE GRANITE
PHOTOS COURTESY ICON STONE AND TILE
Caesarstone comes in variety of different looks, the level of creativity when designing this product continues to grow.
ABOVE: Prestige Granite offers
Calgarians a variety of services, starting with a great selection of stones.
Once installed, Caesarstone certainly lives up to its name, a product that was designed with the end user in mind, easy to clean, low maintenance, and can stand the test of time and will endure all the messes you may throw at it. This is a product that is finally getting the attention and recognition it deserves, a rock star in the making. NL
The level of creativity when designing this product continues to grow and provide a look that can even mimic a marble slab.
a day in live entertainment
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Live action! Here’s where you can go to catch the best live acts in Calgary n WRITTEN BY
Shelley Boettcher
S
ure, it’s August. It’s beautiful outside, and you’re enjoying the summer sun. But if you want to have as much fun in the fall as you’re having now, you may want to start making a few plans. Mark a few dates on the calendar, calendar, and buy tickets to some of these upcoming amazing events. From live music to theatre, here is a short list of some of the amazing events you’ll find in Calgary this year.
ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS The Last Wife tells the story of Katherine Parr, who used her charms to stay alive while married to King Henry the Eighth. (He was rather famous for getting rid of his first five wives.) The play will be on stage September 12 to 30. Then, To the Light will be on stage October 17 to November 4. It tells the tale of a turn-of-the-century artist who struggles to figure out her identity after the First World War. Got kids? Charlotte’s Web — the play adaptation of the novel about the friendship between Charlotte, a spider and a pig named Wilbur — is on stage November 21 to December 31. Bring tissues and expect tears. Such a wonderful story. atplive.com
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n a day in live entertainment
from across Canada and around the world. Early-bird tickets are on sale until August 25. calgaryfilm.com
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Start with the screening of the Academy Award-winning film, La La Land on September 21; the score will be performed live by the CPO. Then there’s Disney in Concert: The Little Mermaid, October 6 and 7. But that’s not all: there’s Kronos Quartet (October 13-14), Fred Penner (October 22), Corb Lund (November 2) and much, much more. calgaryphil.com
GLENBOW MUSEUM BEAKERHEAD One of the city’s most original festivals, Beakerhead describes itself as “a smash up of art, science and engineering.” This year’s festival takes place around the city from September 13 to 17 and there is, literally, something for everyone. Best, many events are free. beakerhead.com
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The 18th annual festival will take place September 20 to October 1. As of press time, the fall lineup hasn’t been confirmed, but it’ll be a good one. This year’s event features more than 200 features, shorts and documentaries
Don’t miss the incredible photo exhibition, North of Ordinary: The Arctic Photos of Geraldine and Douglas Moodie, on now through August 27 at the Glenbow. From 1903 to 1909, the Moodies lived in what is now Nunavut and took photos of the landscape and the people they met while Douglas worked with the North-West Mounted Police. The show is both beautiful and haunting, a record of times long past. And there are new shows, too. Higher States: Lawren Harris and His American Contemporaries will be on view October 7, 2017 to January 7, 2018. A member of the renowned Group of Seven, the late landscape painter is still considered to be one of Canada’s finest artists. The show will also include works from Georgia O’Keefe and other American artists.
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a day in live entertainment n
Then there’s the Black Gold Tapestry by Sandra Sawatzky. The hand-embroidered tapestry took nine years to make and tells the 5,000-year-old history of oil and its impact on civilization around the world. It’ll be on view starting October 7. glenbow.org
JUBILATIONS DINNER THEATRE Catch Greased 2 from Septmber 1 to October 29 at Jubilations this fall, followed by Downton Abbey Road, November 3 to February 4. Dinner and a play — what’s not to love? jubilations.ca National Music Centre
Stage West Theatre Restaurant
P H OTO CO U RTE S Y B IT TER M A N P H OTOG R A P H Y
Studio Bell After Hours
NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE If you’ve never been to one of the Studio Bell After Hours parties at NMC, it’s time. These adult-only parties were a hit earlier this spring, so NMC staff have decided to continue them. Show up for edibles, drinks, DJs, dancing and live band karaoke. Upcoming dates include September 22, October 27 and November 24. Also this fall, special new exhibitions featuring Canadian singer-songwriters Sarah MacLachlan and k.d. lang will also be launched. And the popular ATB Storytellers series, which features stories and music of Alberta, will return this autumn. nmc.ca
SPRUCE MEADOWS This internationally renowned equestrian facility showcases the world’s best show jumpers, who come from as far away as the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, the U.S. and England. Many of the best will compete at the Spruce Meadows Masters, September 6
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to 10. Best, rush seats are only five bucks, and children (12 and under) and seniors get in free. Plan time at the wine bar for appetizers and a glass or two. sprucemeadows.com
STAGE WEST THEATRE RESTAURANT CALGARY Get ready to laugh with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, on stage at Stage West September 8 to November 12. “If this show were a blind date, you’d feel relieved, grateful and pleasantly surprised,” said a reviewer at Newsday. Plus: food, lots of it. stagewestcalgary.com
IRONWOOD STAGE & GRILL It’s one of Calgary’s best venues for live music. The 140-plus seat restaurant and lounge hosts live music every night of the year. It’s located at 1229-9th Avenue S.E., near downtown in the Inglewood district of Calgary, and there’s plenty of public parking nearby. NL
| ADVERTISING FEATURE |
RELIANCE HOME COMFORT
We’re not comfortable until you are
W
hat does home comfort mean to you? For most people, it’s a home that is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and where the behind-the-walls equipment is functioning properly and reliably with minimal maintenance or worry. That’s why Reliance Home Comfort is a homeowner’s dream come true. Reliance knows home comfort inside-out. Their motto is “We’re not comfortable until you are,” and that has kept them in business for more than 50 years, providing their services to over 1.7 million customers. Key to that success has been the fact they are continually finding innovative and cost-effective ways to improve their clients’ lives. How do they do it? For starters, they only work with top-of-the-line ENERGYSTAR rated equipment, which they guarantee. All their service technicians are professionals educated on current building codes and dedicated to customer service and, last but not least, they’ve introduced new affordable leasing options for homeowners. “We deliver home comfort solutions,” says Daniel Murphy, Director Builder Markets. “As one the country’s largest providers of heating, cooling, water heaters, water softeners, protection plans and plumbing, we offer innovative rental solutions that give new homeowners peace of mind through service and maintenance and even replacement over the life of their relationship with Reliance.” Reliance Home Comfort has over 26 locations in Canada, they have just added their first branch in the US, and continue to see their share of the market grow because they have learned to adapt to ever-changing customer needs. “We have the latest technology,” says Bruce Andrew, VP Sales and Marketing. “The efficiencies that have come along in our industry are unbelievable — 20 years ago your furnace was burning 70 per cent of the fuel, and 30 per cent of what you were burning was going up the chimney — you were 70 per cent efficient. “Today,” Andrew says, “you are 95 to 96 per cent efficient in using that fuel to heat or use electricity to cool your home, and that translates directly to lower fuel bills and money in your pocket.”
“We offer innovative rental solutions that give new homeowners peace of mind through service and maintenance and even replacement…”
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And their dual dedication to customers and the environment hasn’t gone unnoticed. “We received the Waterstone Human Capital Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures of 2016 – Enterprise award,” says Murphy. This award is given to companies that have a distinct culture in which they conduct their business, and is a great indication of the level of exemplary high standards they set for themselves. “We’re not comfortable until you are,” says Murphy, “this is our motto and that is how we feel in regards to our customers and internally towards our team members.” Visit www.reliancehomecomfort.com today and find out for yourself. n
calgary map
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Northwest
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Northeast n calgary map
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calgary map
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Southwest | Southeast | Calgary Area
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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map
AIRDRIE
OKOTOKS
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advertisers index n Anthem United Drake Landing page 4 Anthem United Nolan Hill page 2 Apex Developments Heartland page 23 Apex Developments HillCrest page 33 Apex Developments Mountain View page 37 Brookfield Residential Symons Gate page 7 DREAM Vista Crossing page 44 DS Homes page 41 Genstar Walden page 42 Harmony Park Boulder Creek page 3 Jayman BUILT page 29 Marketplace Events Calgary Fall Home Show page 15 Mattamy Homes Back cover McKee Homes Ravenswood page 19 Qualico Communities Crestmont page 47 Qualico Communities Dressage page 24 Reliance Home Comfort pages 38-39 Trico Homes page 28 Walton Cornerstone page 9 WestCreek Developments Legacy cover, pages 12-14
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around town n
By Pepper Rodriguez
Homes by Avi’s Alice Mateyko gets coveted business award ALICE MATEYKO, President of Homes by Avi Single Family Division, received recognition as a Business in Calgary Leader at Business in Calgary’s 10th Annual Awards Gala. Mateyko was among 20 peers chosen in the 2017 class of Leaders. The Business in Calgary Leaders program recognizes business individuals who contribute to making Calgary the vibrant city that it is. Selected individuals are recognized for their personal integrity, values, business initiatives, innovation, and community involvement. “Alice herself has become the authority to discuss business with by the major players of our industry. She has proven herself to be a true leader and approached the business by nurturing successful relationships and anticipating the needs and wants of customers,” says Avi Amir, Chairman of Homes by Avi. “She deserves this award and we are all proud of her.”
Alice Mateyko
Okotoks council approves Wind Walk AFTER EIGHT YEARS of planning, the Okotoks Town Council has approved the Outline Plan for the new community of Wind Walk on June 15, 2017. According to the developer’s website, the Outline Plan lays out the basic concept for the proposed development including open spaces, road networks and land uses. Wind Walk is a 144.66 acre, master-planned, walkable, complete, ‘smart and connected community’ dedicated to the utilization of sustainable, innovative, and low impact development practices with high-performance infrastructure. It will have a range of housing options including single family, semi-detached, live/ work and multi-unit sites. Wind Walk will have 1,147 residential units on build out.
Executive paired homes in Mahogany homes — one of the first projects developed under the Section23 and Baywest Homes partnership — offer a coveted lifestyle close to shopping, dining, a 22-kilometre pathway network, scenic wetlands, and more. The homes come with double detached garages, and enjoy thoughtful, functional floor plans, tailored finishes, and move-in ready convenience packages designed for relaxed lake living — all with no condo fees.
P HO TO C OUR T E S Y W W W.W INDTA L K .C A
SECTION23 DEVELOPMENTS IS pleased to announce the opening of 30 executive paired homes in Calgary’s premiere lake community of Mahogany in the southeast. A grand opening event will be held on August 12. The bungalow and two-storey paired homes will start from the $490,000s and are located across from Mahogany’s 13-acre Central Park with easy pedestrian access to the Mahogany Beach Club and Lakeshore Promenade. These
Located at the southern gateway to Okotoks, Wind Walk is envisioned as a master-planned complete community. Wind Walk will be a unique community with a distinct sense of place reinforced by sustainable and innovative design. Wind Walk encourages residents to live, work and play within their community with access to a range of housing options, retail commercial opportunities, a variety of high-quality open spaces, and a well-connected active modes network. NL For more information, visit www.section23.com/mahogany
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hope at large n
By Marty Hope
HIGH HOPES FOR HIGH RIVER A recent visit to flood-hit southern Alberta town opens eyes
RECENTLY, AND FOR too long a time away, I visited High River. I’d been there just prior to the 2013 flooding to visit a couple of new communities under development, mulled things over while sipping a coffee and noshing a sandwich downtown, then headed back to the big city. The next visit was to drop off clothing donations for those left without after the devastation; then as the cleanup and rebuilding was under way I met with Mayor Craig Snodgrass to talk about what the future held for the historic town. Not too long ago on a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon the craving for pie got the best of me — likely helped along after reading about Annie Froese’s invitation to visit her Art & Soul Studio for Pie Sunday and savour some homemade pie. I was sitting under an umbrella in the side yard of this circa 1916 home on Sixth Avenue when I decided it was such a nice day that a two-block walk to and through the downtown might just burn off a few calories. After all, the last time I was in town, the business area was wrapped in rental fencing due to the damage and ongoing recovery efforts. It’s different now than it was, but different in a good way. The murals are still visible on the sides of businesses, including the Paul Van Ginkel piece tracing the town’s history of producing chuckwagon champions. Nice to see it and others again. “The town utilized a ‘build it back better’
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mentality,” says Jodi Dawson, the town’s manager of economic development. After spending more than $100 million on flood mitigation and to protect new and existing residents and businesses, High River is now much less vulnerable to a repeat of the flooding. It also gave the town the impetus to redefine itself as it grows. Yes, it is growing. The 2016 federal census put the population at 13,584, an increase of 654 from the 2011 head count. Neighbourhoods have been repaired and new projects opened, and building permit figures are climbing. As for the downtown, it now has a woonerf — a Dutch word meaning “living street” where sidewalks are wide, roadways narrow, and there’s plenty of space for outdoor markets and for folks to gather. “We have completed an extraordinary amount of mitigation work, rebuilt our beautiful downtown, and are not just surviving, but thriving,” says Dawson. Residential development outside the town’s core area continues to build. Among the projects listed are the Villas of Monteith in the Montrose community and a six-plex in the southeast area. Slokker Homes was early into the redevelopment efforts when it completed a 50-townhouse project in the northwest quadrant in 2015.
High River 2009
Town officials have every intention of managing growth and development, making neighbourhoods more walkable and to encourage densification within existing areas with an aim to reduce sprawl, to use existing infrastructure more efficiently, and to “maintain and develop a strong sense of community. “High River has invested significantly in rebuilding and ensuring the town is a vibrant, thriving community,” says Snodgrass. “We encourage people to experience this growth first-hand and we hope they will make High River their home.” 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.