New Home living - October 2017 by Source Media Group

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 142 n OCTOBER 2017

contents

12 COVER FEATURE

Talking communities Dream lays out vision for “Millennial” homes and communities

NEWS

Alberta’s winners BILD Alberta announces the CHBA – Alberta Housing & Safety Award Winners

Special Feature PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 6109 — 6th Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9

Check out what’s happening in Cochrane

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contents 28

34 10 FOCUS ON

Kitchen aides

Gadgets that help you work smarter not harder in the kitchen

SHOW HOME PROFILES

Lakeside delight

Homes by Avi’s Mahogany show homes project cool, luxurious lake lifestyle

22 Quality comes standard WestCreek Homes topnotch standard speciﬁcations shines through in Stoneﬁeld II COMMUNITY PROFILE

A DAY IN SPOOKY CALGARY

34 Thriller night

Calgary takes Halloween partying to the limit

STYLE

Fashionable function

Practical solutions mix with stylish design for the perfect kitchen cabinets

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Editor’s Message Maps Advertiser Index

FEATURE

40 Re-discovering hope

AARC shepherds addicted youth on the path to recovery

28 The Cornerstone of life The New North comes to life in Cornerstone

ITEMS

8 48 52

COLUMNS

45 53 54

Real Estate Insider Around Town Hope at Large

editor’s message

Scary fun

Fall is coming around again, and the one thing the kid in me always looks forward to this season (besides the return of NHL hockey) is Halloween. The south Calgary community I live in gets overrun by little goblins and ghouls, and no matter how much candy I stock, I always seem to run out by the end of the night. I imagine that to be the case in many of Calgary’s young, established communities and it’s easy to see the city’s youthful vigour on All Hallows’ Eve. Our A Day In writer, Shelley Boettcher, gets to explore this costumed underbelly of the city in this issue, as she runs down the best bets for Halloween fun for all ages. Just remember to drive slowly around those residential neighbourhoods on October 31, it’s starting to get dark out early and might be harder to spot our costumed revelers in the dim light. One thing that hasn’t been as scary is our economy. It’s looking like Calgary is slowly stepping out of the steep downturn, and at least the housing market is getting more good news than bad these days. On that note, I’d like to officially welcome our new Market Insider, Mario Toneguzzi, as one of our regular contributors in New Home Living. Mario’s made a name for himself as an authoritative voice in the tumultuous market scene and we know he can provide readers with insightful and in-depth look at how the market is performing. Speaking of performances, big congratulations are in order to the winners at the CHBA– Alberta Housing and Safety Winners announced on September 15 in Jasper, especially to two of Calgary’s own: Stepper Homes and Cardel Lifestyles. Stepper Homes won the prestigious Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award, and Cardel Lifestyles took home Multi-Family Builder of the Year Award. Calgary builders and developers figured prominently in this year’s ceremony with nine more awards. Our cover story this issue has been a past winner at the CHBA national level and Dream Development has its sights trained on even more. Dream’s Michael Tandara says they aren’t in it for the accolades but in creating more meaningful communities where people can set roots in. Our conversation with Dream Vice-President Ryan Armstrong lays out their vision for how Dream will be developing their homes and communities of the future. The key, it seems, is Millennials. See inside to find out more. We also tour the newest show homes from Homes by Avi in Mahogany, and WestCreek Homes in Legacy. We also got to chat with Walton Development to find out the latest in the booming community of Cornerstone. We also have Christina Loc, our new STYLE writer. She is taking over for our esteemed colleague David Crosson, whose health has taken a turn for the worse forcing him to bow out of the magazine (godspeed, David!). Those are big shoes to fill, but Christina has already proven she is up to the task. She played a key role in the design of the SAM Award-winning Broadview Homes show homes in Harmony. In her second appearance here, she takes on designing kitchen cabinets. This summer has been a busy one indeed for us. Looks like fall will even be busier (it’s already been). Join us for the ride!

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 DESIGNER

Dave Macaulay

dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca

Vivian Zhang

vivian.zhang@sourcemediagroup.ca S O C I A L M E D I A & C O N T E N T C O - O R D I N AT O R

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, Christina Loc, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Mario Toneguzzi PHOTOGRAPHY

Amadeo Giron ADVERTISING

advertising@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING

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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

focus on

KITCHEN AIDES

Gadgets that help you work smarter not harder in the kitchen

n BY

Aaliya Essa

TOOLS DEFINE THE person, kitchen tools determine the chef; after all how good is the stew going to be without a ladle. This month, we delve into the myriad array of kitchen gadgets that will take your home cooked meals to a whole new level. No matter your culinary talent, your ability to cook will no doubt be elevated by these. NL

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n focus

5 6

9 8 [ 1 ] Bagel Biter, $26.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 2 ] World’s Greatest Potato Masher, $24.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 3 ] Stainless Steel Pot Drainer with Handle, $11.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 4 ] Oxo 3-in-1 Avocado Tool, $14.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 5 ] Fox Run Tortilla Press, $23.97 at Walmart. [ 6 ] Compact 3-in-1 Egg Slicer, $15.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 7 ] Molcajete, $54.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 8 ] Counseltron 10” Bamboo Steamer, $40 at Walmart. [ 9 ] Dumpling Maker, $19.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 10 ] Paderno Folding 3-Blade Spiralizer, $47.96 at Crate and Barrel. [ 11 ] Trudeau Maison Coffee Press, $23.97 at Walmart.

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

TALKING COMMUNITIES Dream lays out vision for “Millennial” homes and communities

Vista Crossing in Crossfield

home can only be as good as the community it is in. That has always been the guiding principle at Dream. Now, the multi-national land developer and real estate asset management group is thinking of new ways to improve the communities we live in for the future. The key to fulfilling the vision, according to Dream’s Vice-President of Housing, Ryan Armstrong, is the Millennial generation. He says the Millennials are the future, and it is vital that home builders and land developers like themselves adjust to this generation’s wants and needs sooner than later. “Today’s youth are more worldly, they are more informed and more knowledgeable of the world they live in. They don’t necessarily want the same things that previous generations wanted,” Armstrong says. Dream is gearing for this future when Millennials control the markets — home buying most of all — by crafting its homes and communities to suit their needs. “It’s not just about big square-footages now. Millennials want homes that don’t make them feel cooped up, they want communities that are more interconnected, where they can live, work, play with less dependence on their vehicles. They want communities they can stay and put down roots in and not the disposable mentality that has driven the market for years,” Armstrong says.

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Formerly Dundee Developments — Dream (a clever acronym for Dundee Real Estate Asset Management) and their home building arm, Homes by Dream, are uniquely capable of bringing that vision alive. “To do all these things, you have to be able to adapt to the change, and the great thing with Dream is that we are a young company that isn’t burdened by tradition. We’re nimble and agile and we can easily create our own path.” That path seems to be clear — building communities with “small town ideals” that encourages neighbours to know each other, sustainable, self-supporting villages or “communities within communities.” It is a multi-faceted approach to “placemaking” rather than community-building. “We want to get away from the old school way of thinking where houses are forced on the landscape rather than working with it. Endlessly winding streets with no sidewalks, instead of easy to navigate grid patterns,” he says.

| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

Arrival Collection in Evansridge

“We want more rear-loaded homes that have more front porches and more windows that allow a friendlier streetscape. We want homes in communities that make you feel you’re part of the nature outside rather than tucked away from it.” Armstrong’s ideal community would have ”the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker” living within a multigenerational community that is self-contained and sustainable

and everyone — regardless of income levels — is welcome. “The question we always ask ourselves at Dream is would we be willing to live in that community? Because it wouldn’t be worth the effort if we don’t think it’s worthwhile to live there.” Armstrong says that Dream — because of its commercial and industrial concerns — will always have a presence in the communities they build. “We don’t just go away when the communities are done.” Previous developments of Castle Keep, Wentworth and Springside can attest to the fact. They continue to build the vision across western Canada. In the Calgary area specifically, they are currently in Vista Crossing in Crossfield, Montrose in High River, and EvansRidge in Calgary’s northwest. Vista Crossing is an escape from urbanized living, Armstrong says it is a place where residents can unplug and reconnect with what really matters. It is just a short commute north of Calgary, but without the bustle and congestion of big city living. Homes by Dream offers laned homes from the $309,900s, while McKee Homes and ReidBuilt Homes have move-up front-attached garage homes and estate homes starting from $385,000s and $499,000s,

“We want to get away from the old school way of thinking where houses are forced on the landscape rather than working with it. Endlessly winding streets with no sidewalks, instead of easy to navigate grid patterns.”

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

The award-winning 30i show home in Homes by Dream’s Arrival Collection.

respectively. Homes by Dream will soon introduce classically designed, low-maintenance townhomes here, too. Montrose in High River has seen a lot of activity in the recent months, and Dream has broken ground for its latest phase. Armstrong says he is quite amazed with the progress Dream has made in Montrose. The 200-acre community on the south side of High River escaped major damage during the floods in 2013, and life here is back to its usual, laid back norm that’s as placid as the 16-acre pond that wraps around the Montrose. Townhomes, move-up homes and estate homes are available from Homes by Dream, Lifestyle Home and DS Homes. EvansRidge was Dream’s first community in North Calgary. It is one of the newest established communities in the city with tons of amenities already existing in and around it. There are a wide variety of home choices, from starter homes and condos to executive ridge lots, but it is almost built-out with only limited opportunities for new home ownership left. Homes by Dream’s award-winning Arrival Collection is one of these last opportunities to own a new home in this community, and there are only nine of the 19 homes remaining of these special move-in ready homes. The Arrival Collection has succeeded in bringing a totally new perspective on the EvansRidge streetscape that Dream is ultimately aiming for in all its communities. Prices start from $659,000. Waiting in the wings are the new communities of Providence in southwest Calgary, and Glacier Ridge, which can be seen as the sequel to EvansRidge in the northwest. The Providence area may be Dream’s most ambitious development in

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Calgary and is the only remaining large tract of undeveloped land in the southwest. Dream Development owns close to 1,700 acres of land in Providence, much of which is adjacent to the $5.0 billion Ring Road currently being developed by the Province of Alberta. Upon approval, Providence (which Armstrong says will likely be renamed later) will accommodate various uses including retail, commercial, office and mixed-use neighbourhoods that will offer a range of single and multi-family dwellings. Glacier Ridge is the first 100-acre neighbourhood located within the boundaries of an Area Structure Plan that is being prepared by the City of Calgary. This neighbourhood is part of Dream’s 480-acre land holdings north of 144th Avenue and west of 24th Street N.W. “What we are trying to achieve are multigenerational, multiracial, multidenominational communities. We believe in building better communities by staying true to our values: integrity, respect, collaboration, social responsibility, and transparency,” Armstrong says. “All of our communities are built to be environmentally sustainable, family-friendly, and walkable with easy access to schools, services, recreation, and transit. Dream offers a diverse array of family communities across Calgary.” n

FAST FACTS: DEVELOPER: Dream CURRENT COMMUNITIES: Vista Crossing in Crossfield (www.vistacrossing.ca) Montrose in High River (www.escapethecity.ca) Evansridge in northwest Calgary (www.lifeontheridge.ca) FUTURE COMMUNITIES: Providence, southwest Calgary Glacier Ridge, northwest Calgary WEB: For more information, visit www.dream.ca

show home profile n Homes by Avi

The MacIntosh show home blends a rustic look with contemporary flair with satin nickel, weathered iron and chrome fixtures. Nine-foot ceilings with a drop-down feature bring seamless elegance with the two-tone wrap-around stacked cabinets.

BELOW The designer pendant lighting over the top of the island adds a touch of glamour that blends well with the elaborate design of the kitchen wall. The engineered hardwood flooring brings it all together for a cool, executive look.

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RIGHT The tremendously high vaulted ceilings of the great room combine with the majestic cathedral-like windows for the best view of the lake, and the stately quality of the stonewall fireplace gives a stunning visual effect.

OCTOBER 2017

Homes by Avi n show home profile

LAKESIDE DELIGHT Homes by Avi’s Mahogany show homes project cool, luxurious lake lifestyle

n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

THE ELEMENT OF cool is the hardest component to capture in establishing the look of a show home, but having a lakeside location certainly helps. A lot! The MacIntosh and The Gleniffer are Homes by Avi’s latest show homes in the brilliant Hopewell Residential lake community of Mahogany in the southeast. Both are as compellingly stylish as any by the award-winning builder, but the underlying functionality of a family home cannot be denied. And with Mahogany’s majestic 63-acre lake as the backdrop, they are beyond cool. The 3,145-square-foot The MacIntosh and the 2,904-squarefoot The Gleniffer are part of Mahogany’s Reserve Lakeside Estates, and both have definite wow factors in every corner. But the location, on 126 and 130 Mahogany Cove S.E., that backs onto Mahogany Lake is the scene-stealer. Both have beautiful picture windows and taller ceilings that help bring the outside in, and oversized full-length decks that are the best seats in the house for watching the four-season fun the lakeside scenery offers. “What people love about these homes is that they are very much planned for the wants and needs of a growing family. All the bedrooms are bigger than most, and not just the master bedroom, to allow for the kids’ growth,” says area manager Staci Stryker. “The layouts of both floor plans are attuned to the needs of every family, and the open concept living spaces allow for lots of entertainment — believe me your friends will always want to hang out in these homes.” The triple-car garage MacIntosh show home has four bedrooms upstairs, a developed basement with another, and a flex room on the main floor that can be quickly converted into yet another. “We’re seeing a lot of multi-generational buyers in Mahogany and the MacIntosh certainly is designed for their particular needs.” The Gleniffer show home has three bedrooms and two-anda-half baths and a double front attached garage, although it has an option for a triple garage with a tandem, as well. The MacIntosh — using estate specifications — starts at $930,000, including GST, while the Gleniffer is from the $750,000s. Homes by Avi have eight plans here, including a bungalow model. Prices for two-storey homes are from $715,000 and the bungalow is from $640,000s.

ABOVE The A-Frame elevation of the MacIntosh brings an innercity elegance to the streetscape. Features like the masterful design of the master ensuite, and the fully developed basement on this walk-out lot brings to life the full potential of this home.

P H O T O S O N T H E S E PA G E S A R E O F THE MACINTOSH SHOW HOME.

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show home profile n Homes by Avi P H O T O S O N T H I S PA G E A R E O F THE MACINTOSH SHOW HOME.

OPPOSITE PAGE FAR RIGHT “You can entertain friends to your heart’s content in the fully developed basement,” Styrker says. The tall ceilings are standard to give homeowners a comfortable extra living space downstairs, the glass enclosed wine room besides the wet bar has to be seen to be believed.

RIGHT The open-to-below great room of the Gleniffer is its most outstanding feature. The visual drama it creates just floors people that see it for the first time, Stryker says. “It has become an absolute favourite. The tremendous amount of natural light it brings in and the white finish of the show home really work well especially in a lakeside home.”

LEFT The MacIntosh’s walk-through master closet is the clotheshorse’s dream. The shelving options illustrate a clean, ideal space and the island at the centre gives it even more functionality. It is accessed through the master ensuite and shoots through to the second floor laundry for extra convenience.

BELOW The vaulted ceiling of the MacIntosh’s bonus room add a sophisticated touch to the proceedings, the optional coffee bar makes entertaining upstairs more convenient. “The ability to include such a spacious room like this upstairs along with a spacious laundry room in a four-bedroom home shows the forethought we give in designing family homes,” Stryker says.

ABOVE The MacIntosh’s flex room on the main floor has so many uses — an office, library, den or even a spare bedroom for visitors. “We are seeing a lot more extended families in one household and the flexibility of our homes suits their needs,” Stryker says. Sliding French doors provide a great way to save space.

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Homes by Avi

show home profile

P H O T O S O N T H I S PA G E A R E O F THE GLENNIFER SHOW HOME.

fast facts BUILDER: Homes by Avi COMMUNITY: Mahogany DEVELOPER: Hopewell Residential STYLE: Two-storey estate homes SIZE: The MacIntosh – 3,145 sq. ft.

The Gleniffer – 2,904 sq. ft.

PRICE: Homes by Avi’s Reserve Lakeside Estates homes start from $640,000 DIRECTIONS: From eastbound Stoney Tr. Turn left on 52 St. S.E., left on Mahogany Gate SE and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.homesbyavi.com

LEFT The Gleniffer show home is shown as a double attached garage but there is a tandem option to make it fit three. The show home is finished in a contemporary colour palette with chrome fixtures, two-inch faux wood blinds package and nine-foot ceilings on all levels. Building one similar to the show home will be in the $990,000s. NL

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show home profile n WestCreek Homes

QUALITY COMES STANDARD WestCreek Homes’ topnotch standard specifications shines through in Stonefield II Pepper Rodriguez Amadeo Giron

n WRITTEN BY PHOTOS BY

TO MANY, THE true beauty of a show home is never having to ask “is this an upgrade?” And at WestCreek Homes’ latest show home in Legacy, that question hardly needs to be asked, as most of the stunning finish that can be seen comes standard. “Having to compete with the bigger outfits in the industry means we have to be innovative in the way we offer our homes, and offering a higher standard specification for our finishes and flexibility in personalizing plans to fit their needs are our biggest advantages,” says WestCreek marketing manager, Kalida Goldade. Their newly opened Stonefield II show home in the latest move-up home

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WestCreek Homes n show home profile LEFT The 2,353-squarefoot Stonefield II uses the open concept layout to the best advantage. Labelle says having eight-foot doors through the home is crucial in achieving the desired look. “We have nine-foot ceilings throughout and if the doors were shorter we wouldn’t achieve the desired look that lends to the feeling of airy spaciousness.”

phase of Legacy sparkles with creativity and practicality that today’s families are looking for. And feedback has been positively glowing. “The Stonefield II has been our biggest seller. The bright, sunlit, engaging layout of the open concept main floor and the obvious advantages it offers for the modern family is what people like most about it,” Goldade says. For the new show home, WestCreek Homes even took pains to create a bright and welcoming information centre in front. And rather than the usual access through the mud room, they also made the extra effort to bring visitors through the front door. “We pride ourselves in the extended, covered entry ways that we put in all our homes,” Goldade says. “They are as wide and welcoming as possible and provide an exciting architectural touch with the amount of stone detail we put in them. ” The front door — as well as most of the doors on the main floor — is eight-feet tall, which adds to the grandeur of the home. “The nine-foot-high ceilings are standard, as are the 42-inch kitchen cabinetry that adds to the stylish functionality of the home,” says area sales manager Larry Labelle. Check out the open riser staircase, too. “We put a lot of care in ensuring that they are wide enough and that they are integrated in the central part of the home,” Labelle says. “And we always finish our staircases to the lower level.” WestCreek Homes — the home building arm of Legacy’s developer, WestCreek Developments — has six other two-storey move-up home models and one bungalow available in this two-time SAM Community of the Year winner. They range from 1,900 to 2,500 square-feet and start from $522,000. WestCreek has the last lots backing onto water and have new wooded lots with 10 aditional trees per lot.

OPPOSITE PAGE The five-inch hand-scraped hardwood flooring through the main floor and the stylish cantilevered gas fireplace with designer tile facing brings a look of warmth to the great room. The open riser staircase is another integral aspect to the design.

BELOW The sleek and sumptuous design of the Stonefield II’s kitchen makes it feel like an HGTV cooking show dream. The seamless design of the cabinetry and the trendy black stainless steel appliances and how they interact with the stylish quartz countertops make it the ideal environment for entertaining guests.

ABOVE The enormous amount of stone detail that adorns the exteriors add to the astounding curb appeal of each their homes, and the Hardie Board sidings is a knockout both in style and the added safety and sturdiness it provides, she says. “We want our homes to be as maintenance-free as possible and using these advanced exterior materials goes a long way in providing that,” Goldade says.

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show home profile n WestCreek Homes

ABOVE The airy, sunlit interior of Stonefield II is one of its most remarkable features, and visitors love the practical and stylish layout of this three-bedroom two-anda-half bath home.

RIGHT The tray ceiling of the central bonus room brings a feeling of ultimate luxury at half the cost of a fully vaulted ceiling. The transom window gives the room much needed natural light. “Having it in the middle of the home separating the master and the other bedrooms gives privacy to each member of the family yet an environment they all can share,” Goldade says.

LEFT The tile accents you see around the big freestanding tub and the glass-enclosed shower are standard. “Buyers normally get a fraction of that, but we see the benefit of giving this treatment to all our customers,” Labelle says.

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fast facts BUILDER: Westcreek Homes COMMUNITY: Legacy DEVELOPER: WestCreek Developments STYLE: Stonefield II, two-storey, double front attached garage home PRICE: Stonefield II starts from $569,000. ADDRESS: 124 Legacy Manor S.E. DIRECTIONS: South on McLeod Trail , turn left onto 210 Ave. S.E., right at 3rd traffic circle onto Legacy Gate and follow the Move-Up Show Homes signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.westcreekhomes.ca

ABOVE The master ensuite has all the prerequisites of a well-appointed retreat – wide and spacious dual vanities, full-length mirror, stand-alone soaker tub and a wide glass shower stall. But Labelle says their ability to adjust plans to suit their buyers’ needs is one of their biggest advantages.

ABOVE Having a full laundry room upstairs completed with overhead cabinetry and drawers is another way the practicality of the Stoneridge II’s design shines through. “We provide the buyer all that they need to make life as easy as possible in their new home,” Goldade says. NL

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THE CORNERSTONE OF LIFE

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Cornerstone n community profile

Cornerstone northeast view.

The New North comes to life in Cornerstone

n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

THE VISION FOR Cornerstone is quickly becoming a reality, as one of the city’s hottest selling communities launches its second phase. Kendra Milne, vice-president, marketing, at Walton Development and Management, says Cornerstone was a close second in the number of building permits issued by the city up to August 2017 with 221. “It has been an absolutely busy summer in Cornerstone. More than 100 families are already living here, and we’re working hard to put in more new amenities — including a new playground — that our new residents will soon get to enjoy.” Walton is moving to the second phase of the 1,100-acre community in the northeast in October where it will release 280 more lots in a new parcel of land on the south side of Country Hills Boulevard. It’s a spectacular feat, considering that Cornerstone only launched its first phase last year on the north side of Country Hills Boulevard. “We released 590 lots last year and many have already been snapped up,” Milne says. “We’ve also been able to keep lot prices steady.” Cornerstone is living up to its billing as part of the New North that highlights the improving quality of life available

in this vibrant sector of the city. New commercial, recreational and industrial developments throughout the northeast have vastly enhanced lifestyle in the area, and Cornerstone is helping by bringing a wide array of stylish, practical and affordable homes. “The vision for Cornerstone has always been one of connections, where neighbours can congregate and get to know each other, and we’re building an environment that encourages this kind of strong community bond,” Milne says. Asides from the park, which children should already be able to enjoy this fall, Cornerstone’s uniquely walkable characteristic makes it a fit for active, recreation-minded families. “We have 95 acres of dedicated parks and school spaces, and 14 kilometres of regional pathways connecting the community and offering attractive gathering places and inviting opportunities for walking, jogging or cycling,” she adds.

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community profile n Cornerstone

fast facts COMMUNITY: Cornerstone DEVELOPER: Walton Development and Management BUILDERS: Jayman BUILT — street-oriented townhomes, and courtyard homes Morrison Homes — duplexes, and front-drive homes Pacesetter Homes — zero-lot-line homes, and front-drive homes Shane Homes — duplexes, zero-lot-line homes, street-oriented townhomes, and front-drive homes Truman — front-drive homes and a multi-family development in the future PRICES: From the $298,000s DIRECTIONS: North on Deerfoot Tr., east on Country Hills Blvd., north on Metis Tr. to 128th Avenue, and follow the signs HOURS: 2 – 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and holidays WEBSITE: www.liveatcornerstone.ca

It’s conducive to a healthy lifestyle with its natural areas and open spaces that accommodate leisure activities and organized sporting events. “Plus, Cornerstone is the future home of Calgary’s next regional park in the northeast,” Milne says Perhaps the most heavily anticipated development is the upcoming Major Activity Centre (MAC), which will offer plenty of shopping, commercial and employment opportunities, making it a true live-work-play community. “The MAC will straddle Country Hills Boulevard and be a commercial, residential and social hub for the community and beyond,” Milne says.

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There will also be Neighbourhood Activity Centres (NAC) scattered through Cornerstone that will provide extra convenience to residents. These will include gas stations, convenience stores and the like. There are also five future school sites within Cornerstone, including a potential public high school, which Milne says is important for a lot of their buyers. But Milne feels that Cornerstone’s focus on preserving the environment is also key in its timeless appeal and sustainability. “The most significant environmental consideration is the preservation of 180 acres of environmentally significant natural wetlands that promotes preservation of natural attributes of the area,” she says. These natural wetlands will become a part of the new regional park and will encompass 20 acres and connect to the Parks Foundation’s Greenway — a 140-kilometre network of parks and pathways. With this pristine, connected setting as a background, Walton has also assembled a powerhouse cast of home builders that will help them bring the entire vision of Cornerstone into a reality. Jayman BUILT, Morrison Homes, Pacesetter Homes, Shane Homes and Truman are the builders in the community. They have 31 show homes in Cornerstone’s first phase that displays the sheer breadth of styles and lifestyles available. Cornerstone offers everything from starter homes — townhomes (both streetoriented and condominium style), semi-detached and laned homes — to semiestate front-drive homes — including courtyard homes from Jayman BUILT and five-bedroom homes from Truman. Condo townhomes are from the $298,000s and no-condo-fee street-oriented townhomes start from $310,000. Semi-detached homes are from the $330,000s, zero-lot-line homes are from the $380,000s, while courtyard homes are from the $470,000s and front-drive homes are from the $490,000s. “All of Cornerstone is also zoned for secondary suites and single-family homes with side-entrances are a common sight in the community. It just helps us attract more of our demographic of young families and extended families,” Milne says. Its excellent location close to major transportation thoroughfares and employ-

Cornerstone southeast view.

ment hubs is a huge plus. There is already an established bus route in nearby Skyview Ranch (also a Walton community) and there are plans to have a future LRT Station right in the neihbourhood. “Metis Trail, Country Hills Boulevard and Stoney Trail all border the community making it as accessible as possible. The ongoing widening of Country Hills Boulevard will also improve traffic flow here soon,” she says. “People also have to realize that Cornerstone is also the last major development inside the Ring Road in the northeast,” Milne points out. “They can be part of the change in the northeast.” “We are only beginning to see the potential for a new lifestyle in the northeast with Cornerstone, there is still much growth ahead,” Milne says. NL

“The most significant environmental consideration is the preservation of 180 acres of environmentally significant natural wetlands that promotes preservation of natural attributes of the area.”

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a day in spooky calgary

THRILLER NIGHT

Calgary takes Halloween partying to the limit Shelley Boettcher

n case you didn’t know it already, this city goes wild for Halloween. Starting mid-month, you’ll find parties, film screenings, even wine tastings all themed around the year’s spookiest special occasion. Here, just a few of our favourite scary things:

ROCK On October 28, you can watch one of Calgary’s coolest, scariest rock bands, Forbidden Dimension, as they rawk out at Oak Tree Tavern. A hit at this year’s Calgary Folk Music Festival (although they are anything but folk), the group describes itself as “Canada’s longest-running horror rock band” and has recorded several albums. oaktreetavern.ca Love to party hard? Then don’t miss the Halloween Howler, presented by CJAY 92, on October 28 at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino. This year’s bands include the Headstones, One Bad Son and Big Wreck. All ages are welcome and there are prizes for best costumes, including a trip to Coachella. Tickets are $59 apiece. ticketmaster.ca Thrill The World

Haunted Calgary

WALK Sign up for a rather spirited walking tour with Calgary Ghost Walks in Inglewood October 21, 27 or 28. Or go on a tour of Inglewood or Kensington on Halloween night, October 31. Then, Calgary Ghost Walks presents the Calgary Paranormal Convention, November 3 to 5 at the Globe Cinema. Calgaryghostwalks.com Heritage Park’s Ghost Tours take place on select Wednesdays through October 18 at 7 pm and 7:30 pm. Take a spooky walking tour after dark with your guide, who will tell scary stories about the buildings and people who once inhabited them. Tickets are $19.95 per person. Not for children under the age of 16. heritagepark.ca

EAT

BACKGROUND DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

Murder at a speakeasy, or a Vegas Vendetta, perhaps? Throughout the year — not just in October — Fort Calgary features all kinds of murder mystery nights with dinner and fun for adults. Some scary October dates include Mafia Murders on October 20 and Town Hall Howler on October 31. Tickets are $85 apiece plus fees. fortcalgary.com Adults are invited to attend Ghosts and Gourmet, October 31 to Nov. 2 at Heritage Park. Start with a fall harvest-style dinner at the Wainwright Hotel, followed by a guided ghost tour of the grounds. Tickets are $67.95 apiece. heritagepark.ca Halloween is the theme of Dinner and a Movie, weekly film/food events at Heritage Park. Have a themed dinner at the Selkirk Grille, followed by a

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PHOTO COURTESY JOANNA JENSON

n WRITTEN BY

Forbidden Dimension

classic film screening at the Gasoline Alley Museum. The Alfred Hitchcock classic The Birds will be featured October 17, Beetlejuice on October 24 and a double feature: Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) on October 31. Tickets are $44.95 plus GST per person for dinner and the movie, or get a ticket for a film only for $8 plus GST per person. heritagepark.ca

DRINK On October 26, Sensing the Superhero wine tasting at Bin 905 will feature the opportunity to find your true Superhero self. Pick your favourite and learn your true Superhero self — “with one exception as one wine will represent a villain,” says host Tim Hendrickson. Costumes are optional, Hendrickson says, but, he adds, clothing is not. bin905.com Learn what pairs best with those little chocolate bars, Rockets and other Halloween sweet-tooth staples at Halloween Candy Pairings, a booze and candy pairing at Willow Park Wines & Spirits’s main location on October 27, from 7 to 9 pm. Tickets are $35 apiece. willowpark.net

WORK. OR WATCH The fifth annual Terror Challenge, “Calgary’s first and only 48-hour horror film challenge” takes place at the end of October at the Globe Cinema. In only 48 hours, you and your team will have to write, shoot and edit your own horror movie. All contestants must be 18 years old or older. Maybe you’re too lazy or too busy to make a film but you want to see what the others

a day in spooky calgary

Heritage Park

Fort Calgary

create? Then buy a ticket for $10 to watch all the entries (and then vote for your favourite) on October 27. terrorchallenge.ca

TAKE THE KIDS Looking for something to do with the little ones? Heritage Park offers Ghouls Night Out, on October 26 to 29. This family-friendly event features a Halloween dance, story time, crafts, a flash mob with dancing witches, a ghost train and a haunted house (one that’s not too scary.) Aimed at children ages three to 11 years old. heritagepark.ca Thrill the World is an annual simultaneous zombie dance, done along to Michael Jackson’s Thriller; more than 33 countries have participated since the event started in 2009. Bring a non-perishable item for the Calgary Food Bank and participate, as Calgary attempts to break the world record for the biggest crowd. All ages are invited. thrillcalgary.com As of press time, not all of Telus Spark’s Halloween fun had been confirmed. But mark Shocktober on the calendar; it will take place October 14 to 31 and it promises fun for all ages. sparkscience.ca One of the biggest parties in the city, Haunted Calgary will take place October 27, 28 and 31 from 6 to 10 p.m., with a low-scare option for little kids and us fraidy-cats from 2 to 4 pm. More than 5,000 people attend each year, and proceeds go toward local food banks and animal shelters. Costumes are welcome but leave weapons (even fake ones) behind. hauntedcalgary.com NL

Thrill The World

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P HOTO C OUR T E S Y OF R AT ION A L K I TCHEN S

n style

European inspired, “Murphy” kitchen — now you see it, now you don’t

Fashionable function W

Practical solutions mix with stylish design for the perfect kitchen cabinets

n WRITTEN BY

Christina Loc

hether you’re building a new home or renovating, the kitchen is the heart of the home. How many times have you heard from real estate professionals and TV hosts on HGTV that the kitchen is what sells a home. When designing a kitchen, there are three things to consider in selecting the right cabinets for you — function, style and incorporating innovative accessories to keep you organized and clutter-free. The idea of an open concept floor plan has been trending heavily in recent times. Instead of having a formal living and dining room closed off to the kitchen, the integration of one big living area has become the much-preferred floor plan. The

kitchen is no longer a place to just prepare meals. It is now a social and multipurpose space where you work on projects, kids do their homework, and friends gather around to mingle. For this reason, the idea of a large surface area, like an island, is a great way to get that extra space all the while offering storage underneath. The island serves as a table, a prep area, a bar, or place for entertaining. Instead of having your back turned, you can face out towards the room and have a conversation while multitasking. Kitchens are now a part of your whole living space. A good cabinet designer will help meet your needs whether

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Caviar stained flat panel maple cabinets accented with brushed gold handles and pendants create an edgy and moody space.

you love to bake or cook, seat yourself around the island to read or do arts and crafts, or relax over a drink and sharing conversation. When it comes to function, focus on your lifestyle first before deciding how to optimize the layout of your kitchen. Then comes style. The kitchen is a major investment in a home so whether your style is contemporary, traditional, or transitional, the key to any design is to ensure you will enjoy it for years to come. What is your style? With so many options available on the market, there are colors, door profiles and materials to consider. Neutral and natural colors such as stained woods, black, 50 shades of grey and 51 shades of white still hold strong. In selecting a door profile, I lean towards a flat panel and/or a shaker style as I find them to be clean and timeless. Doors made of solid maple is still most popular; maple has a fine consistent grain that takes to stain easily and is cost-effective for solid wood. Other popular cabinet materials include high gloss or matte lacquer, wood veneers, laminate, painted doors, glass with wood or aluminum frames and melamine. The third thing to consider is accessories, both cosmetically and on a functional basis. The best way to inject personality and individuality to a space is by accessorizing. If you’re big on cooking and baking, design your kitchen with the inspiration of TV series, Top Chef Canada. Show off those stainless steel appliances, accessorize your counter with cutting boards, leave out the mixer, incorporate floating shelves with dishware stacked to look like a serving station. If you like to use your kitchen as a lounge area, use panels of the same cabinet material to camouflage your fridge, dishwasher and hood fan. Incorporate open shelves to place books and decorative items. Treat your kitchen cabinets like a furniture piece and add statement door handles and knobs to compliment your decor and tie it in with beautiful pendants. A big trend in European living areas where space is smaller, is tucking the kitchen away once you are done with it. Big cabinet doors open up when you want to prepare a meal and when done, close those doors and the kitchen is now out of sight. In today’s busy world, tranquility and calmness are much coveted, and minimalistic kitchens deliver. Another part of accessorizing is inside drawers and cupboards. Organizational and storage solutions are a vast category from which options abound. These accessories include drawers within drawers, built-in garbage cans and recycle bins, utensil drawers, dividers for cutting boards and bake sheets, and spice racks, just to name a few. Having the proper kitchen accessories is key to keeping you organized and your counters clutter-free. My top three favorite kitchens right now include a fresh west coast or Miami style kitchen consisting of high gloss or matte lacquer mixed with a wood veneer. With a smooth surface, lacquer doors truly give the kitchen a polished look. They lend to some scratching but the new generation lacquer products are significantly more durable. The textural value on veneer doors is unique with product

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like rift oak or rift walnut where mills cut these pieces perpendicular to the growth rings of the tree, resulting in a tighter and more linear grain. Both lacquer and rift-wood are on the higher end. You can still achieve this look on a smaller budget with other products on the market like painted MDF doors in place of the lacquer and using a laminate or melamine made to look like wood. I am also a fan of a full maple kitchen stained dark to create a rich, masculine, edgy and moody space using a simple flat panel door profile. With this look, you can either select a straight line handle or use small tab handles to give the kitchen a sleek look. Rounding off the top three is the popular farmhouse style kitchen. This look can be made to feel modern or traditional. Paint color, door profile, and handles will determine the final look. A modern farmhouse kitchen will have features like shaker style doors painted a fresh white or grey accented with brushed gold or brushed nickel handles. A more traditional farmhouse kitchen may have a raised panel door profile with curved details, painted an off-white colour and then washed to give it more of an antique look finishing it off with oil rubbed bronze handles and knobs. The great thing about this style is you could give your existing kitchen cabinets a fresh make over by painting them and changing the handles to achieve this look. These three styles have stood the test of time and are here to stay. Budget is a big factor when it comes to selecting the right kitchen cabinets and the right look. Options are endless and new products are always being introduced. Do your research and figure out all the choices available. Set a budget. Then pick something that meets your needs and style while deliberately selecting a product that will be timeless. NL

P H OTO CO U RTE S Y WILDWOOD CABINETS

PHOTO COURTESY BROADVIEW HOMES

style

Shaker style maple doors are available in many stains and colors.

feature n

Re-discovering hope AARC shepherds addicted youth on the path to recovery n WRITTEN BY

Aaliya Essa

veryone has their challenges in life — their ‘mountain to climb’, if you will — which is where the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) comes in. AARC helps at risk youth, those battling addictions, and their families, climb that personal mountain, the road to recovery, to reach the summit and rediscover hope for the future. Since launching in 1992, AARC has successfully graduated nearly 600 adolescents along with over 2,000 of their family members. On Monday, August 21st, AARC supporters, including Source Media Group’s own Norma Robertson and Colleen Leir, climbed a mountain of another kind, teeing off at Silvertip in Canmore at the annual AARC Tournament of Miracles golf fundraiser and silent auction. AARC is a treatment program unlike any other in Canada in that it is long-term, built on a solid foundation of research and clinical expertise, involves family members as a key part of the treatment program, as well as a mentoring role played by past grads. For example, Sydney, also known as AARC grad #532, bravely shares her testimonial. “As a child,” she says, “I was very confident, creative, spirited and willing to try anything. I was devoted to my dance career and constantly trying to improve myself. I attended multiple workshops, danced with the Moscow Ballet and even competed on the TV show “In Real Life”.” But, she says, “I was obsessed with feeling good and once I took that first drink, I found what I was looking for. As my drinking progressed, I became withdrawn, agitated, depressed and suicidal.” Her life was spiraling out of control, she admits, and she didn’t like who she had become. “I begged my family for help,” she says, “but then quickly changed my mind.” Her parents took her to AARC, which she’d never heard of, and she agreed to meet for an assessment. “I’ve learned a lot since then,” says Sydney, “and have grown into a happy, healthy person again. AARC gave me something I never imagined possible.” It gave her her old self back, and that’s priceless. AARC does all of this with no government funding. Yet, importantly, the program is available to all, regardless of their financial means. This is made possible through a unique funding model, which combines user fees, private

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and corporate donations, service group donations and third party fundraisers. One local individual has even donated a 1962 Austin Healy replica (valued at $29,000) as a raffle prize. The draw will be held September 29, with all monies raised going to AARC. For more information visit www.aarc.ab.ca.

n feature

“We never turn a family away for financial reasons. Through our fundraising efforts, with our gala and golf tournament every year, we are able to subsidize fees for families to ensure that every family gets the help and treatment they need.”

What it all means, bottom line, is that no one who needs AARC is ever turned away. Ever. AARC hosts two of its own annual fundraising events each year, the Tournament of Miracles golf day and their annual Gala Dinner. They’re also an offical charity partner of the PGA Champions Tour’s Shaw Charity Classic held in Calgary.

“When families come to AARC, this is usually the last stop,” says Anna Scott, Event Co-ordinator at AARC. “We never turn a family away for financial reasons. Through our fundraising efforts, with our gala and golf tournament every year, we are able to subsidize fees for families to ensure that every family gets the help and treatment they need.” With it being their 25th anniversary celebration this year, the gala was a huge success, she says, raising “close to $1.1 million dollars.”    This year’s golf tournament was again a huge success, with 92 participating golfers and more than $100,000 raised! Clear, non-smoky skies and even a total Solar Eclipse made for a perfect day on the course. “We get really strong support from the community,” says Darryl Power, manager of business development for AARC. “Events like this help us cover the cost for treatment, which is extremely beneficial to families that receive subsidies. In addition to treatment, we offer seminars and educational programs to various groups such as schools, parent and student groups, and even corporate luncheons.” The key message to take away from it all, he says, “is that there is help available for individuals and families who are looking for it.” It’s a mountain no one should climb alone and, thanks to AARC, they don’t have to. NL OCTOBER 2017 NE W HOME LIVING

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news n

ALBERTA'S WINNERS

BILD Alberta announces the CHBA – Alberta Housing & Safety Award Winners

uilding Industry and Land Development Alberta Association (BILD Alberta) is pleased to announce the winners for the 2017 CHBA – Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing presented by The Alberta New Home Warranty Program Group of Companies. The awards were presented on September 15 at BILD Alberta’s Fall Conference, held at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. BILD Alberta is also pleased to announce the winners for the 2017 CHBA – Alberta Safety Leadership Awards presented by ATCO. Entrants were judged on responses to a detailed survey about fostering a safety culture among workers, management and contractors, as well as ways they share their success stories with the industry. Builder of the Year Awards were presented to the highest scoring builders in the small-volume, large-volume and multi-family categories. These builders have demonstrated leadership in design, safety, volunteerism and customer satisfaction. Housing awards were presented in 25 categories to Alberta’s top home builders,

renovators and community developers. CHBA – Edmonton Region members won in 14 categories, BILD Calgary Region members claimed 10 awards and CHBA – Lethbridge members won in one category. Factors in judging include curb appeal, layout, functionality, finishes, special features and value. “The winners truly excelled at design and innovation in each category. From single family and multi- family to green home, community development, renovation and safety, the winners showcased the best Alberta has to offer. Thank you to our sponsors and the more than 140 judges for supporting the awards,” says Donna Moore, CEO, BILD Alberta. NL

CHBA – ALBERTA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING WINNERS SAFETY LEADERSHIP AWARDS sponsored by ATCO

sponsored by Durabuilt Windows & Doors

Cardel Lifestyles

Calgary

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real estate insider n

By Mario Toneguzzi

GETTING BETTER Calgary real estate shakes off recessions blues

THE REAL ESTATE market is like the world of sports. Statistics truly tell the story. In this new monthly column, we’ll take a close look at recent data to give people a snapshot of what’s happening in the housing market as well as giving a glimpse of what to expect in the near future. From housing stats to economic indicators, potential homebuyers or sellers — and the industry itself — need to stay informed to make informed decisions. In recent months, numbers suggest that the real estate market has a fairly steady foundation to build on after struggling through two years of a tough economy in Calgary. JOB CREATION All economists will tell you that one of the most relevant stats fo the performance of the real estate market is the employment picture. And there has been some very good and positive news for the housing industry coming from Statistics Canada employment data for the Calgary region. In July, Calgary’s unemployment rate dipped to 8.9 per cent from 8.5 per cent the previous month as 4,100 jobs were added. On an annual basis, employment in the region is up by 41,700. Also, the region’s population continues to grow with a 1,700 gain in July. It has also increased by 17,400 on a year-over-year basis. According to Statistics Canada, employment in the Calgary region was 837,000 in July, marking the 13th consecutive month

of employment gains since June 2016 when employment had dipped to 794,700. In May 2015, it had peaked at 827,200. HOUSING STARTS After a slow start, the trend in new home construction this year has increased, moving closer in line with historical averages, according to a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. “Multiple starts in particular have been strong in recent months, including July, despite inventories sitting at near record highs. If the current pace of production does not ease, there is the possibility that inventories will stay elevated for an extended period of time,” says the agency. In July, single-detached construction of 430 units was up 31 per cent from a year ago while other dwellings fell by six per cent to 716 units. Total new home construction rose by five per cent to 1,146. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the annual rate of housing starts was 4,771 for the single-detached market or down three per cent from a year ago while for other dwellings it was off 24 per cent to 8,592 units. Total construction on an annual basis was down 18 per cent to 13,363. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS Residential building permit value in the Calgary is also on the upswing. This is a

good indicator of future intentions. According to Statistics Canada, in June permits in the Calgary region were 984 dwelling units at a value of $273.05 million. That’s up from 590 units and $182.25 million in June 2016. NEW HOUSING PRICE INDEX The NHPI, by Statistics Canada, measures on a monthly basis the changes over time in the contractors’ selling prices of new residential houses. ATB Financial’s Economics & Research Team says the index suggests that “even though Alberta has been through two years of recession, the province’s housing market is on solid ground as the price of new homes have not fallen significantly.” “This is a bit surprising given the elevated rate of unemployment over the past year as well as shaky consumer confidence,” said the financial institution. Despite the economic challenges, it said, the price of building and selling a new

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real estate insider

After a slow start, the trend in new home construction this year has increased, moving closer in line with historical averages. house in Calgary has not changed dramatically since the boom years (2010 — 2014). In June, there was no monthly change in prices but they were down 0.3 per cent on a year-over-year basis. MORTGAGE RATES Diana Petramala, economist with TD Economics, said rising mortgage rates and more stringent mortgage regulation are holding demand back broadly across Canada. “Mortgage rates are expected to continue climbing with the Bank of Canada likely to hike its policy rate three times in the next year and a half. As such, housing affordability is likely to deteriorate broadly across Canada,” said Petramala. This is definitely something to keep an

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eye on because rising mortgage rates are a key indicator of how consumers will react in a marketplace. PROVINCIAL ECONOMY A report by TD Economics said Alberta’s larger-than-expected 3.8 per cent contraction in 2016 slightly outpaced the recession of 2015 when the economy shrank 3.6 per cent, providing scope for a bigger bounce back this year. Alberta’s economy is projected to expand by 3.7 per cent this year, before moderating to 2.6 per cent in 2018 — both years leading all provinces in the country in growth. And this too will provide more good news for the overall real estate industry. “Already, momentum in the province seems to have picked up, with manufactur-

ing, retail sales, housing and employment all showing strength — a trend that is expected to continue throughout the year,” said the report. But the growth is coming off a very low base and the level of economic activity in 2018 will remain below 2014 levels. NL

Mario Toneguzzi Based in Calgary, Mario Toneguzzi has 37 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, city and breaking news, and business. For 12 years as a business writer, his main beats were commercial and residential real estate, retail, small business and general economic news. He nows works on his own as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Email mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com

calgary map

Northwest

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Northeast n calgary map

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calgary map

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 33 Anthem United Nolan Hill page 2 Apex Developments HillCrest page 39 Apex Developments Mountain View page 15 Bri-mor Developments The Rise page 7 Brookfield Residential Symons Gate page 9 DS Homes page 49 Genstar Savanna, page 50 Heritage Hills of Cochrane page 32 Homes by Avi page 20 Jayman BUILT Cornerstone/Redstone page 21 Jayman BUILT The Journey Club page 44 Mattamy Homes Back cover McKee Homes page 47 Qualico Communities Crestmont page 3 Qualico Communities Evanston page 26 Qualico Communities Redstone page 55 Reliance Home Comfort page 36 Shane Homes Midtown page 27 TricoHomes page 52 Walton Cornerstone page 4

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around town n

By Pepper Rodriguez

Legacy Market launches new show homes THE BACK-TO-BACK SAM Community of the Year winner proves again that it is worthy of the award, as Legacy marked the opening of 10 new show homes with the first ever Legacy Market. The new single family show homes are from Sterling Homes and Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, Stepper Homes Ltd, Calbridge Homes, Jayman BUILT, Trico Homes and WestCreek Homes. “To celebrate, we hosted a Neighborhood Market with 45 local organizations and vendors, free food trucks, free entertainment and giveaways!” says WestCreek Developments marketing manager Kalida Goldade.

“About half of the vendors are residents of the community, which just goes to show how important it is to us as developers to provide these events that bring the whole community together,” she adds.

Seller’s Market TV Series set to Film in Calgary VISLAND MEDIA IS excited to announce the hit TV show, Seller’s Market, will begin filming the shows’ first season beginning September 30th, 2017 in Calgary. This 13-episode realitybased television series features five top Calgary Realtors competing for listings each week. The show also features an array of Calgary homes for sale — from starters to luxury estates! While both entertaining and fun, Producers have lined up some great local talent to star in the series including Emmeline Noblet, Darren Langille, Larry Normandeau, Mark Calvelo, and Kaitlyn Gottlieb. Set to air in the fall of 2018, Seller’s Market Calgary brings together top local Real Estate agents, showcasing their

market knowledge, strategies and listing presentations as they pitch themselves to the homeseller. Each week it’s a new listing while the show emphasizes the importance of agent-client relationships. The viewers witness the friendly banter between the competing realtors along with a walk through of the property. At this point in the competition, each realtor is given time to try and win over the client. If you have a property to sell and would like to be featured on Seller’s Market, the producers are still accepting applications for this season’s show. Simply email them at realestatetv@ vislandmedia.com

Nanton resident wins 2017 Stampede Dream Home DONALD WAKELAM OF Nanton, AB, is the winner of the 2017 Stampede Rotary Dream Home, and he can’t be more excited. “You always dream of winning big, but you can never really imagine” says Donald. “It’s been totally unreal,’’ he says. This year’s Dream Home is a 2,580-square-foot two-storey home with a finished basement. It is in fact the first time that the Dream Home included such a feature. It was designed to maximize functional storage, while inspiring uncomplicated living and a calming ambiance. The Dream Home will be moved to the community of Carrington, Calgary’s Homes by Avi’s Avi Amir (2nd from left) new North West and key turnover is presents key to Donald Wakelam projected for December 2017.

Cooper’s Crossing Unveils new show home parade COOPER’S CROSSING unveiled the community’s newest show homes with fun for the whole family on September 16. “The grand opening is a great way to see the latest design trends, be the first to pick from our newly released waterfront lots on Cooper’s Cove and enjoy free food while you’re at it,” said Cooper’s Crossing Development Manager Paul Gerla. Cooper’s newly released estate and single-family front drive lots and tour show homes by NuVista, Harder, McKee and Emerald New Homes. “All our builders were selected for their exceptional abilities and quality workmanship. They share our goal to create the finest community in Airdrie and their showhomes represent a great mix of style, innovative layouts and superb value,” Gerla says. “Whether it’s a homesite backing onto park, a rear lane, or a huge waterfront estate lot, the Cooper’s Crossing builders can build the custom home of your dreams on a lot that exactly suits your needs.” The Emerald townhomes with double front garages offer all the luxury of single-family living just steps from shopping and no condo fees. The community truly offers something for all tastes and budgets as prices range from $300,000s to over $1 million. There has never been a better time to consider living in Airdrie’s most beautiful neighbourhood. With Cooper’s Town Promenade set to open, Cooper’s Crossing will become a fully integrated community with a wide variety of housing options, shopping, schools, office space, playgrounds and ponds all linked together via an extensive system of park trails. NL For more information, visit www.cooperscrossing.ca

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hope at large n

By Marty Hope

GROWING LEGACY WestCreek Development’s Legacy continues to prosper

TAKING A DRIVE through Legacy, it’s not difficult to see why the southeast development has won back-to-back housing industry awards for WestCreek Developments. Legacy, named top community in the city for a second straight year by BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Calgary Association) continues to capture not only the imagination of those shopping the new home market but is racking up sales as a benefit. With Pine Creek meandering along the southern border of the community, Legacy also provides residents with parks, pathways, water features, views, a community garden, and public transit connections — and coming for the start of the 2018 school year will be a new high school. Just last fall, Jane Seymour unveiled a sculpture she created as part of her Open Hearts collection that has found a home in a small park area on Legacy Mount. Legacy is about homes and lifestyle opportunities. “One of the appeals of Legacy is that people have a large choice of lots of different housing styles and prices,” says Kalida Goldade, marketing manager for WestCreek. “We have a menu of estate, move-up, and laned single-family homes, along with duplexes, townhouses, and condos — everything for singles and those starting out right up to growing families and downsizers.” As a result, this rapidly-growing, master-planned community is almost monthly among the most active in terms of building

54 | NE W HOME LIVING

OCTOBER 2017

permit applications handed out by city officials, says Goldade. Legacy has also “weathered” the economic downturn and now with confidence gradually returning to the marketplace, traffic and sales have increased, Goldade adds. And, so, to keep up with the pace of show home traffic and the overall interest by people in calling Legacy home, more show home parades are popping up. Just last month, a parade of 10 move-up homes swung open their doors on Legacy View. Priced from the low $500,000 range to the $700,000s, these homes in Phase 11 of the development are being offered by Sterling Homes, Calbridge Homes, Stepper Homes, Trico Homes, Jayman BUILT, and WestCreek Homes. This phase will also serve as an introduction to a special area of the property called The Woods, since about 32 recently-released lots will back onto a preserved stand of trees still inhabited by deer. “The deer are still there,” says Goldade, adding that work on The Woods is still about a year away. There is also a collection of new townhomes available from Stepper and Trico at Legacy Creek. As well, plans are for more moveup and estate product to be introduced to the market this year. The WestCreek development has con-

tinued to grow — and yes, prosper — due in part of its large stable of name builders. That list includes Shane Homes, Jayman BUILT, Calbridge, Albi Luxury, Trico, Stepper, Morrison, Sterling, WestCreek, Aldebaran, Carlisle and Brad Remington. Another part of the success story is the development vision WestCreek has brought to the community. “We take a lot of pride in the entry features we present, as well as the overall lifestyle vision we show off. We put a lot of time and effort into the details and it has paid dividends,” she says. Legacy is located off Macleod Trail south at 210 Avenue S.E. 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.