VOLUME 14 ISSUE 153 n SEPTEMBER 2018
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COVER FEATURE
D’ARCY takes root After a soaring start, D’A RCY is ready for the next step FOCUS ON
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Professional retreat
Amazing tempo
Teaching style
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Maximizing style
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Tiny Homes
Jayman BUILT takes flexible floor plans to new heights
20 A custom fit
Shane Homes’ Belmont front-drive homes display custom creativity COMMUNITIES
24 The last of its kind
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STYLE
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Make your home office a comfortable, efficient and stylish spot SHOW HOME PROFILE
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Styling a healthy learning environment at home FEATURES
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Amanda Hamilton introduces Maximalist style at 2018 Calgary Fall Home Show Big solution to Okotoks’ affordable housing crunch
Qualico’s Crestmont View launches with a truly unique opportunity
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Home on the hills
HillCrest is a high point in Airdrie lifestyle and affordability
COLUMNS
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Around Town Real Estate Insider Hope at Large ITEMS
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Editor’s Message Advertiser Index
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editor’s message n
Growing communities
When I started in this job some 10 years ago now (I know, I’m a lifer) Auburn Bay and Mahogany Lake were a little more than deep holes in the ground in the city’s south. But now these spectacular and avidly popular new lake communities have become complete
PUBLISHER
Source Media Group
neighbourhoods living up to their vision, and more. Back then, the city’s southern border
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ended in Silverado, and to the north, the new communities of Livingston and Carrington
A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R
were nothing more than prairie grasslands. Now, we have Yorkville and Belmont bringing us further south and new communities of East Stoney, Glacier Ridge and more now approved for further development in the north. My friends and family will sometimes look at me perplexed and ask where these new communities are. (“Carrington, where’s that?” one of my recent conversations with a buddy went.) They’re about to get more perplexed after City Council voted to allow 14 new suburban communities to be built in the coming years. Those include the massive developments of Glacier Ridge in the north, Providence, Rangeview and South Shepard in the south. According to news reports, these new communities could add more than 18,000 single-family homes and as much as 9,000 multi-family homes. With so much going on, Source Media Group is launching New Community Guide in the coming months to inform readers of these new places to live, whether they’re established, on
Jim Zang
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR
Pepper Rodriguez
pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR
Jean Faye Rodriguez
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Chloe Purcell
chloe.purcell@sourcemediagroup.ca
Vivian Zhang
vivian.zhang@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 CONTRIBUTORS
Brandi Holmes, Marty Hope, Mel Ladner Christina Loc, Mario Toneguzzi ADVERTISING
Andrew Best
their way to being established or are just coming down the pipeline. I’ve always seen Condo
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Living and New Home Living as chronicles of Calgary’s growth, this new magazine will make
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it doubly so.
Brandi Holmes Jennifer Mills
Growth isn’t happening just in Calgary. As our cover feature indicates, the town of Okotoks to the south is also enjoying a growth spurt, specifically with Anthem United’s newest development, D’ARCY. Sales have been particularly strong for the duplex offerings, but they expect more with the coming release of front-drive homes and villas. Apex Development’s Hillcrest in Airdrie is also part of the growth and is now approaching build-out, as it takes on the aspects of a fully established community. People have fallen in love with what it has to offer. And that goes for the rest of Airdrie and you can read more
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about the new developments of Southwinds by Mattamy Homes and Chinook Gate by Brookfield Residential in our sister publication Loving Airdrie Living out now. In this issue, you will also find show home features on Shane Homes’ Sovanna in Belmont and Jayman BUILT’s Tempo a semi-detached duplex that’s also available as a townhome. We also have Amanda Hamilton’s interview where one of the stars at this year’s Calgary Fall Home Show explains to us the benefits of “maximalism.” So, if you’re looking for a new home, a new place to live, or a new style for your existing abode, just follow us. We’re your best resources in finding out the best new opportunities to live in your new home.
©2018 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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focus on
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PROFESSIONAL RETREAT 1 Make your home office a comfortable, efficient and stylish spot n BY
Mel Ladner
THE HOME OFFICE seems to be a contradiction in terms; who wants to bring work home anyway? But setting up a dedicated locale in your home for office work can be a challenge — you want it to be professional, efficient and tidy yet still be part of the home. Finding the right chair, or desk, or bookcase is essential, but so are the peripheral accessories like a laptop or PC, and maybe remote speakers to set a musical tone to the proceedings. Or set-up your home office as your own private Netflix watching location and tell the little ones that no one can bug you while you’re ‘working’. NL
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[ 1 ] TERTIAL Work lamp, green, $14.00, at IKEA. [ 2 ] EKET Wall-mounted cabinet combination, white/dark gray, light gray, $205, at IKEA. [ 3 ] SONOS Play:5, $649, at WestWorld Computers. [ 4 ] Safco® Scoot Under-Desk Printer Stand, $94.94, at Staples. [ 5 ] LÅNGFJÄLL Swivel chair, Gunnared light brown-pink, white, $159, at IKEA. [ 6 ] SONOS ONE, $249, at WestWorld Computers. [ 7 ] Seagate® Backup Plus Slim STDR2000103 2TB Portable Drive, Red, $112.12, at Staples. [ 8 ] Floortex (FCA22032BK) Standing Workstation Anti-Fatigue Mat 20x32, $65.03, at Staples. [ 9 ] Apple TV 6GB (4th Generation), $249, at WestWorld Computers. [ 10 ] Adesso® 122-Key Large Print Keyboard with High Contrasting Yellow Keycaps, $35.66, at Staples. [ 11 ] Exian Bluetooth Headset with SD Card Slot, Black, $50.99, at Staples. [ 12 ] SONOS Beam, $499, at WestWorld Computers.
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D’ARCY TAKES ROOT
After a soaring start, D’ARCY is ready for the next step
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ny farmer will tell you the first few months after planting a crop is crucial for a successful harvest. The same can be said for building communities. D’ARCY, the new master planned community from Anthem United in the northern tip of Okotoks has certainly taken root, with exceptional traffic and strong sales. Made even more remarkable that the community only officially launched this spring. Morrison Homes, Pacesetter by Sterling Homes and Trico Homes are the first three builders to have opened showhomes in D’ARCY. Morrison
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Homes’ paired homes have been the undeniable hit of the community as only one of its 32 initial lots is left. Anthem United is getting set for the second act of this popular development with the upcoming unveiling of two front-drive showhomes in the fall. One will be from Trico Homes and the other from Sterling Homes, both are slated to open on September 29th. The new front-drive homes promise to be the epitome of the family move-up home with four-bedroom models available, as well as walkout lots. They will start from the $500,000s. Trico Homes will have the 2,553-square-foot The Winston, a fourbedroom model with developed basement. While Sterling Homes will open their popular 2,376-square-foot Pierce model There is also plenty of anticipation for the coming release of Morrison
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“If you and your family are looking for a new home surrounded by lovely scenery, then D’ARCY is an ideal choice.”
Homes’ villas. “These will be available in the fall and are priced from the $500,000s,” says Anthem United’s Megan Starke. Also new to D’ARCY in phase two are fee-simple Street Towns from Partners Development Group. These are street oriented townhomes that include a garage with no condo fees. Sales are expected to launch in September from the low to mid $300,000s. There is plenty of enthusiasm for the community, says Trico Homes area manager, Clint Pilon. “It is the closest community in Okotoks to Calgary, there are a lot of already existing amenities nearby and more planned in the future, including two school sites in the community.” He adds that the newly renovated clubhouse at the D’Arcy Golf Course next door is just icing on the cake. “It speaks to the recreational opportunities that abound in D’ARCY which is perfect for the active, sports-minded family.” Michelle Lefurgey, marketing manager of Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, agrees, saying the family-friendly design of D’ARCY makes it an ideal place to settle. “If you and your family are looking for a new home surrounded by lovely scenery, then D’ARCY is an ideal choice,” she says. “The combination of open green space, flourishing vegetation, and a view of the Rocky Mountains makes this community a paradise for families who want to live in a natural setting.”
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
“The combination of open green space, flourishing vegetation, and a view of the Rocky Mountains makes this community a paradise for families who want to live in a natural setting.”
Currently open are four showhomes for Morrison Homes paired homes. Models range from 1,400 to 1,600 square-feet starting from the $320,000s. “We can’t wait for the next phase and the villa models that back onto green space that are launching soon,” says Morrison Homes’ area manager Jodi Kellogg. Laned homes from Pacesetter and Trico are also gathering a lot of attention. “We’re getting a lot of traffic through the showhomes,” says Pilon. “People are responding to the vision of D’ARCY.” Trico has laned homes from 1,540 to 1,820 square-feet from $362,900 including GST. Pacesetter offers eight laned home models, including bungalows from 999 square-feet and starting from the $370,000s, including GST. They also have two-storey models from 1,228 square feet starting from $379,000. “These product types will offer great affordability and choice for buyers looking to get into the Okotoks market,” says Steve LePan, development manager at Anthem United. “Close proximity to Calgary, future school sites, neighbourhood retail, and vast open spaces make D’ARCY a perfect spot for a young family to lay down roots.” The second phase is set to launch this fall, and LePan says they expedited servicing this phase “in order to build D’ARCY Ranch Boulevard to the golf course and will bring on villa bungalows, front and rear-drive single family lots, and two-storey duplex lots on a lane,” he says. D’ARCY will have housing styles for all budgets and lifestyles, — everything from street towns and other townhouse types, to single family homes with rear-detached or front-attached garages, move-up, and estate homes, according to LePan. Anthem United has projected there will be approximately 2,000 homes in D’ARCY spread over several phases in the coming five to seven years of construction. In addition, D’ARCY will have its own retail area, Gateway Village, that will offer residents a wide range of retail, as well as office space. There is also a dedicated joint school site at the centre of the community for a couple of K-9 schools.
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D’ARCY is located on 280 acres of land bounded on the north by the town boundary, on the south by Sandstone Gate, on the east by Northridge Drive, and on the west by the D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club. This new community can be seen as a milestone to Okotoks’ continued growth. “Okotoks is an incredibly special place,” says LePan. “It’s rich with history and has a strong community identity. In putting together the designs for D’ARCY we knew we wanted to create a neighbourhood centred around lifestyle; a place that would inspire connections and community.” It is Okotoks’ nearest new community to Calgary with just a 15-minute commute to big city amenities that include the Calgary South Health Campus right off Deerfoot Trail. “We anticipate a lot of interest from buyers who would otherwise be looking at some of south Calgary’s newer communities. Moving to Okotoks offers them the chance to be at the centre of a small, connected community, rather than the outskirts of big one,” he adds. n
FAST FACTS: COMMUNITY: D’ARCY DEVELOPER: Anthem United BUILDERS: Laned Homes – Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, Trico Homes Paired Homes – Morrison Homes PRICES: Starting from the $320,000’s COMING SOON: Front-drive homes and villas from the $500,000’s and Street Towns from the low to mid-$300,000’s WEB: www.darcyokotoks.com
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show home profile
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Jayman BUILT
AMAZING TEMPO Jayman BUILT takes flexible floor plans to new heights WRITTEN BY
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Pepper Rodriguez
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Jayman BUILT n show home profile
F I N DI NG E XC I T I NG , S T Y L I S H new show homes is what we do here in New Home Living, but this may be a first even for us. It’s a two-in-one show home as it were as the Tempo by Jayman BUILT is both a single-family semi-detached home but is also available as a no-condo-fee townhome. Regardless, it is an ingenious two-bedroom home with a stylish flourish, that is much more than it seems. The 1,356 square-foot home can be turned into a three-bedroom or even have four with a basement development, and it really has captured the imagination of buyers in both its variations as part of a duplex or in a streetoriented townhome development. Tempo is available in many of the communities where Jayman BUILT has a presence, either as one or the other, but people can see its bare essence in the semidetached laned show home in Evanston. Here — despite using only the base standard finish — Tempo still manages to CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
wow without the use of any upgrades. “It has been our best-seller,” says Evanston area manager Michelle Henkel. “It’s out-of-the-box design has attracted a wide and varied demographic that relish its stylish openness and its functional verve.” She adds that the two-bedroom version fits many life-changing situations. “Single-parents, downsizers and newly-marrieds have found the twobedroom design to fit the needs of their changing life situation. But its design is so flexible that it can be easily reconfigured to fit the lifestyle of families with young kids.” Best of all is that, because it is offered as a no-condofee townhome and a single-family semi-detached home, the Tempo can accommodate most budgets. And because it is offered in four of the newest and most livable communities in Calgary, it can cater to different sets of buyers. Tempo is offered as a semi-detached single-family home in Evanston and Carrington in the north, and as no-condo-fee townhomes in Cornerstone in the northeast and Seton in the southeast. In Evanston, it starts from $367,766 including GST.
OPPOSITE PAGE The more than 17-foot-tall open-toabove feature of the Tempo’s living room never fails to elicit “wows’ from visitors. “The open, airy feel it brings to the home makes its 1,356-square-foot seem actually bigger and more spacious,” Henkel says. But the space can be easily converted to a third bedroom if needed. ABOVE Evanston’s Tempo show home is a prime example of how a home doesn’t have to have the most expensive upgrades to still look fabulous. The linoleum and carpet flooring on the main floor and the laminate countertops can be just as just as captivating. “It shows that you don’t really have to spend as much to look good,” Henkel points out.
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show home profile n Jayman BUILT RIGHT The master bedroom with attached ensuite is at the top of the stairs, and the second bedroom is on the first landing along with the main bath. “It is the perfect home for me and my son,” says Kelly — a single-mom who just bought a Tempo in Evanston. “The price, the location, the design — it’s just perfect for what we need,” she tells New Home Living. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP The developed basement with its wet bar and spacious home theatre room was one of the biggest selling points for Kelly. “My son just fell in love with the space, he and his friends can just spend their summers playing video games and watching movies there,” she adds. “We can offer to develop the basement and build the detached garage for our customers, and many of them have chosen to take that option,” Henkel says.
LEFT Jayman BUILT has made a name for itself in the innovative use of all space in their homes, and Tempo is no different. Putting the stairs next to the front door allows for more space for entertaining on the main floor. “Looking at it from the outside, you’d never expect the kind of home it is inside,” Henkel says. “Many customers are surprised by its efficient and stylish use of space.”
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ABOVE The big master bathroom and spacious walk-in closet is made with style in mind and functionality at heart. The deep, soaker tub says “relax” and the glass shower stall says “I’ve got work to do.” The double sink vanity with full length mirror serves to enhance the look of spaciousness of the room.
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fast facts BUILDER Jayman BUILT MODEL: Tempo SIZE: Starts at 1,356 sq. ft. SEMI-DETACHED SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN:
Evanston sales centre:
83 & 87 Evanston Hill N.W.
Price: From $367,766 including GST
Carrington sales centre:
119 & 123 Carringvue Dr. N.W.
Price: From $389,900 (Tempo)
NO-CONDO-FEE TOWNHOME IN:
Seton Town home sales centre:
285, 289, and 293 Seton Circle S.E.
Price: From: $384,900 (Tempo)
Cornerstone Town home sales centre:
1516 Cornerstone Blvd. N.E.
Price: From: $359,900 (Tempo)
HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.
ABOVE Whether as a no-condo-fee townhome or a single-family semi-detached home, the Tempo holds plenty of options. “The basement development can add another room,” Henkel says. The Tempo is the smallest home Jayman BUILT offers in Evanston, she adds, but she points out that the flexibility it offers has made it the most popular. NL
WEBSITE: www.jayman.com
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Shane Homes
A CUSTOM FIT Shane Homes’ Belmont front-drive homes display custom creativity WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
T H E FA M I LY HOM E needs to be a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s a place of comfort, it’s a spot for entertaining, most importantly it’s a place where individuals become a family. In the nearly 40 years Shane Homes has been around, the award-winning builder certainly knows a thing or two about building family homes. Key to their success has been the flexibility inherent in all their plans — they are a custom home builder at heart. Knowing that every family’s situation is different, Shane Homes has developed an expertise in personalizing their floor plans to accommodate the buyer’s unique needs. The same holds true in their line of front-drive move-up homes in the new community of Belmont in the south. “We have approximately 14 models of front-drive homes that we can build here. However, with our ability to customize, the sky’s the limit on what we can do,” says area manager Jeff Brodowski. Shane Homes has three- and fourbedroom plans available in Belmont, and some can even be built with side entrances. Take their Sovanna show home here
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as an example: there are at least seven options that can be made on the main floor and the upper floor. But the way the show home is finished displays the Sovanna at its best. Brodowski says the fact that frontdrive homes sit on zero-lot lines in Belmont is a big advantage that allows them to offer bigger homes at a lower price. “I explain to buyers that for the most part on their existing single family home that they do not use the one side and that is wasted space where grass will not grow as well as they are paying taxes on that space. So with the zero lot line they are saving that money in taxes.”
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ABOVE Young families have fallen in love with Sovanna, Brodowski says. “The openness of this home is inviting and allows for great entertaining on the main level. There is an open office/flex room up front off the foyer that buyers can choose to close off.” Wall mounted appliances and the L-shaped island give the main floor a seamless flow. LEFT Tall ceilings equal oversized windows; these complementing features undoubtedly enhance Sovanna’s enchanting character. Engineered hardwood flooring through the main floor bring a sense of warmth to the home, and the drop-down ceiling overhead is a subtle way of delineating the dining nook from the rest of the main floor. OPPOSITE PAGE The classy Tudor elevation of the Sovanna show home lends to the family-friendly streetscape of Belmont. “Belmont is going to be one of the fastest growing communities with the ammenities that are going to be in it in the future.” Brodowski says. It will feature a large recreation centre, an elementary school, playgrounds, a fire station and a mixed-use site. Residence will also enjoy the walkability to an LRT station making transit a convenient and comfortable travel alternative.
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show home profile n Shane Homes
fast facts BUILDER: Shane Homes MODEL: Sovanna COMMUNITY: Belmont DEVELOPER: Anthem United SIZE: 2,307 sq. ft. PRICE: Sovanna can start from the $520,000s. Shane Homes’ front-drive homes in Belmont are from the $430,000s. ADDRESS: 100 Belmont Terrace S.E. DIRECTIONS: Take Macleod Trail SE to 210th Avenue SE. Turn west onto 210th Avenue SE. Follow the signs. Turn right onto Belmont Terrace SE. Showhome will be on your left. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEB: www.shanehomes.com
TOP The relaxing ambiance of the spalike master retreat is a joy to behold. Pristine white tile brings freshness to the room. The corner tub is an inviting spot to relax and the glass-enclosed shower stall is just the thing for daily use.
RIGHT The bonus room at the top of the stairs is another favourite feature in the show home as it permits a greater deal of privacy among family members. “Having the bonus room between the master bedroom and the two other bedrooms also allows for bigger secondary bedrooms and both come with walk-in closets,” Brodowski says.
LEFT The corner fireplace ties in the living room quite nicely, but having the widescreen TV on top of it is a design coup. “This allows for everyone sitting in the living room, by the island or in the dining room a vantage point to watch the game on TV, you don’t have to miss a minute of TV even when you’re preparing food in the kitchen.”
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RIGHT The herringbone pattern of the full height backsplash certainly brings a stylish element to Sovanna. The glass cooktop, fullheight cabinetry and stainless hood fan all combine to add to the glamour. Don’t forget to check out the enormous pots and pans cabinets and drawers that speaks to the everyday utility of this home. “In Belmont, the Sovanna starts in the $520,000s,” Brodowski says. NL
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community profile n Crestmont View
THE LAST OF ITS KIND Qualico’s Crestmont View launches with a truly unique opportunity n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
THERE SEEMS TO be a new appetite in Calgary for high-end homes — triple garage homes with three, four or more bedrooms that sit on more than your average lot size. Problem is there’s not very many left with a city address. That’s where Crestmont View comes in. Qualico Communities has announced the highly anticipated launch of its master-planned acreage estate community, Crestmont View that offers just what those buyers are looking for. Abutting the community of Artists View along the city’s southwest edge, Crestmont View will have 25 customizable acreages, spanning three collections. The Valley View, the Meadow and the Woodland Collection. Each offers the ability to build a fully customized home, quite a rarity in Calgary these days. “If someone wants to build a wine cellar built for 2,000 bottles, and the perfect humidity control, they can. If they have been dreaming of building a complete spa, with an indoor swimming pool that is a possibility,” says Cheryl Heilman, Marketing Director with Qualico Communities. “Home gyms, a theatre wired for surround sound, the sky is the limit,” she adds. Crestmont View, which is part of Qualico’s larger Crestmont community, is 20 minutes from Calgary’s downtown core, and 45 minutes to the Rocky Mountains. The estate acreages will feature stunning views of the river valley, the Rocky Mountains and the aspen forest. “You have the privacy of a community far away from the urban areas, yet downtown is easily accessible to you when you want,” says Heilman.
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Crestmont View n community profile
The estate acreages will feature uninterrupted views of the river valley, the Rocky Mountains and the aspen forest. Calbridge Homes and Augusta Fine Homes, two of Calgary’s most trusted builders — both with a strong custom home building expertise — will be in Crestmont View. They will be building on lots ranging from .25 acres to 1.65 acres. “Augusta Fine Homes will build you your luxury dream home,” says Wendee Bishop, Marketing Manager and creative director with Augusta Fine Homes. “Augusta builds one-of-a-kind homes in some of the most desirable areas of the city, we are thrilled to participate in building on the last of their kind, acreage estate lots in the city of CalCALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
gary,” says Bishop. “Calbridge Homes is very excited and proud to be part of Crestmont View,” says Michelle Jakeman, Director of Sales and Marketing with Calbridge Homes. “Calbridge Homes realizes the great opportunity to be a part of the final chance to own spectacular, grand, estate, lots within the city, many with incredible views, says Jakeman.” Potential buyers can meet with Calbridge or Augusta Fine Homes to begin building their homes, and for more information, including prices. Prospective buyers are encouraged to book their private tours with either builder to get a sense of the size and beauty of these lots. While the homes are fully customizable and no two homes will be the same, there are two show homes slated to open fall 2019. “With 25 lots available buyers are recommended to begin the process now to take advantage of this truly unique opportunity, says Heilman.”
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community profile n Crestmont View
Crestmont View will sit atop the larger communities of Crestmont and Crestmont West. Crestmont originally broke ground in 2000, and buyers have been attracted to the unique solitude it offers and its elevated location perched on foothills on land with a long history of cattle ranching. Despite seeming worlds away, the fact it’s just a few minutes away from Highway 1. “Crestmont, as a whole, has easy access to the highway that leads to the mountains to the west, Canmore and Banff, and any number of recreational locations,” says Heilman. Close by, it’s an easy drive to Crowfoot and Westhills shopping centres, the Children’s Hospital, Foothills Hospital, University of Calgary, Canada Olympic Park (practically next door), and Crowfoot YMCA. Across the road is access to Valley Ridge Golf Course. With a new access road to Old Banff Coach Road, Westhills shopping centre and the shops and services of Aspen Landing, and Westside Recreation Centre are also a quick drive, says Heilman. Amenities within the community include a well-appointed residents’ hall, walking paths, several community parks, splash pool, three playgrounds, and lots of elevation changes. “Building in Crestmont View will afford buyers an opportunity they likely didn’t believe was possible in the city of Calgary,” says Heilman. “That opportunity is to build your customized acreage estate, with a city address. That is something special.”
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fast facts COMMUNITY: Crestmont View DEVELOPER: Qualico Communities STYLE: Custom acreage estate homes LOT SIZES: .25 to 1.65 acres BUILDERS: Augusta Fine Homes, Calbridge Homes SHOW HOMES: Coming soon WEBSITE: www.crestmontview.ca
Qualico Communities has a long string of development success with a portfolio that includes communities like Redstone, Evanston, Ravenswood, and Dressage in Silverado. It is also a partner in the creation of Harmony in Springbank. It has also launched development of their first community in the city of Chestermere called Dawson’s Creek. (See story in Around Town in this issue.) NL
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HillCrest n community profile
HOME ON THE HILLS HillCrest is a high point in Airdrie lifestyle and affordability n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
CHELSEY, A YOUNG mom with an almost-one-year-old boy, is shopping for her family’s forever home. She says she and her husband are looking to move to Airdrie from Calgary and she is looking for options that would suit their lifestyle. “My husband and I want a forever home where we can raise our young family. Ideally it should back onto a park or some green space, with enough room for future growth,” she tells New Home Living. She and her toddler were in the Excel Homes show home when we spoke with her and she is excited about what they have to offer. “They check off a lot of boxes on our list,” she says. With only a few opportunities left to own a front drive garage single family home in the community, Chelsey may want to make a decision quickly. Single-family homes on 36-foot wide lots have been very popular. Even models with three-cartandem garage homes are available for those who need the space. “Sales have been great for us, we sold three homes last month,” says David Zanini, area manager for Excel Homes in HillCrest. “The community is very much
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community profile n HillCrest
Excel Homes - Eaton
established. There are K-4 and K-8 schools nearby, and a new school opening in HillCrest in 2019. There are also new commercial areas, and accessibility has never been better with the opening of a new access road to 40th Avenue”. Eventually, 40th Avenue will connect to the QEII giving residents even better access to the city and surrounding towns. “Our buyers love HillCrest’s proximity to Calgary,” says Excel’s Zanini. “HillCrest is ideal for them. Located on the south end of Airdrie, it offers quick access to the highway and back roads for travel to and from Calgary. It is also within a short commute to all major amenities within Airdrie, and nearby Balzac.” HillCrest itself offers plenty of reasons for residents to stay right at home. For example, very few communities in Airdrie have such incredible views, which is due to the natural landscape of the area, says Zanini. “It is Airdrie’s highest point, offering views like no other community in Airdrie.” The community also has an extensive pathway system that connects to two existing playgrounds, a central gazebo that serves as a communal point for the community and a storm water pond, he points out. “It’s also worthwhile to note that even with all these in-community amenities, HillCrest doesn’t have community fees,” Zanini says. “We’ve been attracting a lot of young families in HillCrest, and they are by far our biggest demographic,” he tells New Home Living. Jaime Ivey, area manager for Shane Homes in the community agrees that HillCrest has been a success. “HillCrest has been busier than some of our other communities in Calgary,” he says. “The community really is perfect for young families with all the amenities that are readily available.” Phases 8 and 9 offer the newest and final opportunities to own a new home in this family-oriented, amenity-rich community from Apex Developments. A variety of home styles are offered in these phases, including single family laned homes, paired homes (or duplexes), as well as freehold townhomes. Both Excel Homes and Shane Homes have a variety of quick possession homes available for those looking to move in sooner rather than later. Excel’s street towns are now selling and are a great deal starting from the $310,000s, says Zanini. This includes the 1,542 square-foot single-garage Monterey, and the 1,389-square-foot Hollywell. Among their quick possession single-family
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Excel Homes - Eaton
homes are the 1,420-square-foot Huntley, 1,468-square-foot Porter and 2,153-squarefoot Harlow. Excel Homes also builds single front attached garage duplexes starting from the $340,000s. Shane Homes, who recently opened their new paired and single family laned show homes also offer great options for families looking to call Airdrie home. Paired homes from 1,472 square-feet are available starting from the $320,000s. Their laned homes range from 1,368 to 1,710 square-feet and are designed to creatively maximize living space. For those looking to move up, they also have front-drive garage homes starting from CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
HillCrest n community profile
fast facts COMMUNITY: HillCrest DEVELOPER: Apex Developments BUILDERS: Excel Homes, Shane Homes PRODUCT TYPES: Street towns, laned and front-drive duplexes, laned and frontdrive single family homes PRICE: From the $310,000s DIRECTIONS: From Calgary: Take the QEII north and take exit 282 heading west on Big Hill Springs Road/Yankee Valley Blvd. Make a left turn on 8th Street SW heading south. Turn left on Hillcrest Ave SW then turn right on Hillcrest Road SW.
Shane Homes
HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays 12 to 5 p.m. (Excel Homes is open on Fridays 12 to 5 p.m.) WEBSITE: www.hillcrestairdrie.com
the $450,000s with some 20 models to choose from, starting from 1,694 squarefeet. “Our front drive homes are perfect if you are looking for more living space for a growing family or for a large extended family,” says Ivey. “Four and five bedroom options are available. Plus all of our floorplans are fully customizable.” For buyers in Airdrie, the architecture of HillCrest’s character homes featuring spacious and stylish floorplans, and the overall pristine nature of the community have been key selling features. Its family-friendly nature works well with its proximity to grocery stores, schools, and medical clinics. It’s also close to Genesis Place Recreation Centre, Plainsmen Arena, several schools and an assortment of outdoor parks, picnic areas and recreation centers. The 58.4-hectare community will have about 890 homes on build out. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this great community, now selling in its final phase! NL CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
Shane Homes
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n style
Teaching style Styling a healthy learning environment at home
n WRITTEN BY
Christina Loc
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ummer holidays are over and while parents are jumping for joy — looking forward to the much-craved-for peace and me-time, some kids are struggling just to get back in to the routine of going to bed and waking up early as the new school year begins! In an era of portable and wireless devices, such as laptops, tablets and e-readers, parents may question if dedicating a space in the home for learning is needed any more. Whether you live in a big house with a den or in a condo where the island has to act as both the dining and homework area, designing and organizing a healthy learning environment is essential. They say, start them young for a bright future and things taught at an early age will stick and create good habits in to adulthood. Creating an area dedicated to learning will help kids focus and get the task at hand completed.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF METRO ELEMENT
Using a dining table in place of a desk allows for a bigger work surface. With lots of shelves, cabinets and drawers, everything can be put away reducing clutter.
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ABOVE: The Sipi Bean Bag, available at Revolve Furnishings, is light with a handle making it easy for kids to drag around from room to room. Available in many colours.
RIGHT: A nice comfy chair, like the Siesta chair by CF Interiors, is great for lounging in and reading.
So, what should this space look like? First: location, location, location. Just like real estate, location is so important when it comes to studying. Pick a well-lit area in your home with good air circulation. While every one learns differently, your child will need to figure out what works best for them. For complete silence, some will need to study in a den or their bedroom. Some will need to study in the kitchen surrounded by noise and activity, as they cannot concentrate in a silent environment. Next, you will need a big flat surface area and comfortable chair. Depending on your space, you can get creative with the type of flat surface area you want to use. It can be anything from a built-in workstation, desk, dining table or island. You may want to incorporate a workstation into your bonus room, hallway or kitchen. A desk is great placed in a den or bedroom. If you have little room, the dining table or island will suffice. When space allows for one in the den, I love substituting a dining table in place of a desk as dining table surfaces are typically larger than that of a desk and gives a grand feel. Your study chair will need to be sturdy and comfortable. The study chair can be anything from a rolling desk chair to an Eames plastic moulded side or armchair. This chair can also be different from that of a reading chair. While a study chair (paired with a flat surface area) is good for writing and math, a nice lounger chair, chaise or window seat is great for reading. It’s nice to switch things up as one can get restless sitting in one spot for a long period of time. Beanbag chairs are a popular option as they are fun, comfortable and easy to drag around from room to room. Moving onto organization. A study area needs to be organized and clutter free. If you have a space dedicated to just homework, having shelves and drawers are great for displaying and storing books, electronics, stationery and paperwork. Take
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advantage of the vertical walls by installing upper cabinets or floating shelves above your work area. Pick up decorative baskets and filing boxes to display on your shelf along with books and accessories. In the event where the dining table or island is being used intermittently as a dining and study area, make sure to reclaim that space for its purpose each time. Store pens, paper clips, erasers, crayons and markers in mason jars, opaque plastic containers, pencil cases or even Ziploc bags. Keep notebooks, paper and assignments in baskets or folders. By having storage for each item, they can easily be taken out and put away when finished. Assign some space inside a cabinet or drawer to store these items when not in use. To lessen stress and anxiety, for both child and parent, make sure the materials your child needs are easily accessible. Another important thing when it comes to creating a study space is to get your child involved in decorating. A child will enjoy their time there more when it is personalized for them. Have fun with
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF CF INTERIORS
P HOTO C OUR T E S Y OF RE V OLV E F URNI SHING S
RIGHT: Have fun with décor. Incorporate a desk for writing and a chaise for reading all in the same room.
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dies. On that note, electronic devices can be very distracting when it comes to studying. The addiction to texting and social media is real — and I’m not sure if it’s the child, parent or grandparent that is more hooked! Make sure your child is only using their tablet or laptop for study purposes. If need be, there are free tools to block online distractions. In doing all of this, the intention is to create a learning environment with minimal distractions: a quaint place to focus and get homework done; a place to stimulate imagination and creativity; a place for peace and quiet for concentration, retaining information and learning. As Edgar Howe said, “if there were no schools to take children away from home part of the time, the insane asylum would be filled with mothers”. Be grateful for teachers and the great job that they do! Help your kids and teachers by creating an environment at home that will instil good habits at a young age and in to adulthood. NL
PHOTO COURTESY OF EQ3
BELOW: A built-in work station in the bonus room is a great place to allow kids to have a space of their own. Decorate it with things they like. Does 2+2=5?
colour and style. Paint the wall with a neutral colour for better concentration. Introduce a bright coloured chair to stimulate creativity. Make the room cosy with area rugs and toss cushions. Let them pick out stationery they like to use. Display photos, certificates and trophies of their accomplishments to promote confidence and success. Engage in DIY projects with your kid by using cardboard and gluing a fun fabric to it to make a pin board. Add plants to purify the air while creating a calming effect. Lastly, make sure there are adequate electrical outlets for electronic devices. Nothing is worse than finishing up an assignment when your device shows only 10 per cent battery remaining and thinking you only need a few more minutes to wrap it up and before you know it, the laptop The Nixon office chair by EQ3 comes in different colours and is stylish with it’s curved silhouette.
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Maximizing n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
L
ess can be more, but more can be so much more. Or at least that’s what interior designer extraorinaire, Amanda Hamilton, says of her new Maximalism design tenet that seeks to bring a more elaborate personality through décor in your home. Hamilton will be discussing her new Maximalist ideas on stage at this year’s Calgary Fall Home Show where she is one of the headliners. She tells Condo Living in an interview that “repetition, layering and contrast” can work wonders in introducing this new “more is more” style. “Traditionally, Maximalism has been described as a rejection to minimalism and is contrasted by using what could be considered excessive, overly elaborate or unnecessary design elements. It is the idea that ‘more is more,” she says. But the design TV personality says her interpretation of the Maximalist method isn’t a direct counterpoint to the Minimalist approach — a design that is commonly seen among many of today’s contemporary homes. “Minimalist design, if done properly, doesn’t have to be cold and austere; it is just focused more on streamlining space and keeping accessories and other design details at a minimum. In contrast, Maximalism is the celebration of design elements like texture, colour and pattern all in once space. Ultimately, interior space is an outward reflection of our style and preferences so when designing a space it should feel like you, whatever that is.” She continues: “As a current approach, we see Maximalism as an exploration of eccentricity; a celebration of eclectic personalities woven into interior space.
Amanda Hamilton
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Amanda Hamilton introduces Maximalist style at 2018 Calgary Fall Home Show
“Layering materials, furniture and other design elements together will allow you to create vignettes that still feel tailored and pulled together while exploring more to a maximalist design aesthetic.” Her Amanda Hamilton Design Studio is based in Calgary and her work can be seen in numerous residential, restaurant, retail and office spaces. Her show homes for Dream Homes have been featured in New Home Living, and in countless other design publications. She has been practicing Interior Design for about 15 year. “My studio, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design, just celebrated nine years in business in August. We are launching a new business on August 30th, Palette Archives, that is an e-commerce based business that provides designer-curated finish + material palettes.”
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
She has appeared at the Calgary Fall Home Show (and the Calgary Home + Garden Show) numerous times and she always looks forward to every opportunity to reach audiences here. “I’ll have some giveaways this time, too,” she says. She doesn’t believe in trends. “I see them but as soon as you see something over and over, it’s already mainstream. Make your own trends, be a leader that others want to be inspired by.” And her Maximalist style can be seen as an anti-trend, as it speaks more about your unique tastes and personality. HERE ARE SOME OF HER TIPS TO ACHIEVE A MAXIMALIST SPACE: It’s easy to go overboard, which Maximalism lends itself well to. If you want to explore the “more is more” idea but still keep a tailored space, here are a few tips. Repetition: Whether it’s artwork, teacups or vintage belt buckles, display your collection all in one spot to create a big impact. Layering: Instead of selecting a matching bedroom set (snooze!) find vintage pieces that are all different but speak to each other. Instead of doing traditional bedside tables, layer two tables together and top with books, boxes and pair with floor lamps vs. table lamps to keep space on your nightstands and add to the layered effect.
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If you love green — try to explore light green, dark green, jade, teal, navy, mustard, all together in one room. It will create more visual interest. Contrast: Focus on intentional disharmony versus everything matching perfectly. The best way to do this is to focus on using variations of colour. For example, if you love green — try to explore light green, dark green, jade, teal, navy, mustard, all together in one room. It will create more visual interest. Amanda won’t be the only one presenting new ideas at The Calgary Fall Home Show. Other headliners include Tommy Smythe, Leigh-Anne Perrault and Tiffany Pratt. Marketplace Events, the organizers for this annual home show taking place September 20-23 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, says they are very excited for this year’s line-up. The Calgary Fall Home Show has been a staple in consumers’ calendars since 1983, attracting more than 27,000 qualified visitors every fall. Produced by Marketplace Events, the show features high-interest exhibits, high-profile industry personalities and the latest home and lifestyle trends. Marketplace Events produces 58 home shows in 32 markets that collectively attract 1.8 million attendees and another 3 million unique web visitors annually. The Calgary Fall Home Show runs from Thursday, Amanda Hamilton September 20 at 4 p.m. to Sunday, September 23 at 6 p.m. at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Stay tuned for STARS OF THE 2018 CALGARY FALL HOME SHOW the final Main Stage schedule, slated for release in August. For more information, or to buy tickets online and save $3, visit calgaryfallhomeshow.com. NL
Amanda Hamilton
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Tommy Smythe
Tiffany Pratt
Leigh-Anne Perrault
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around town n
By Pepper Rodriguez
34 Calgary home builders finalists in 2018 BILD Alberta Awards CALGARY’S HOME builders were well represented among the finalists for the 2018 BILD Alberta Awards. 34 of Calgary area’s most recognizable home builders were among the 93 finalists competing for the first annual BILD Alberta Awards presented by The Alberta New Home Warranty Program Group of Companies. Award winners will be announced at BILD Alberta’s annual Fall Conference in Jasper during a special ceremony on September 14, 2018. “We are excited to recognize members that represent the hard work and innovation happening throughout the land development, home building, and renovation industry in Alberta,” says Wendy Jabusch, Chair, BILD Alberta, “BILD Alberta represents a diverse industry and is proud to showcase finalists spanning categories from single and multi-family homes to Net Zero, community development, renovation and safety.” The Awards feature 31 individual categories and five prestigious Pinnacle Awards. The Pinnacle Awards will be presented to the highest scoring developer, renovator, and home builders in the small-volume, large-volume and multi-family categories. Pinnacle Awards are given out based on a demonstration of leadership in design, safety, volunteerism and customer satisfaction. An astounding 470 submissions came in
from across Alberta to compete for the awards. Edmonton region has 46 finalists, followed by Calgary region at 34. Lethbridge has six finalists and Central Alberta region has four finalists in the running for provincial awards. CALGARY FINALISTS ARE: • Brookfield Residential (Cranston’s Riverstone) — Existing Community • Macdonald Development Corp. (Watermark at Bearspaw) — Existing Community • West Campus Development Trust (University District) New Community • Brookfield Residential (Livingston) — Showhome Parade • Brookfield Residential (Auburn Bay) — Showhome Parade • Crystal Creek Homes (Custom Two Storey) — Estate Home $600,000-$800,000 • Urban Indigo Fine Homes (Phung-Shui) — Estate Home $600,000-$800,000 • Alair Homes (Colgrove Avenue Infill) — Estate Homes $800,000-$1,000,000 • Alloy Homes (East Elbow Park House) — Estate Homes $800,000-$1,000,000 • Calbridge Homes (Lottery Home in Mahogany) — Estate Home over $1,000,000 • NuVista Homes (Banbury II) — Single-Family $325,000-$350,000 • Morrison Homes (Henderson) — SingleFamily $425,000-$475,000
City approves development of new communities CALGARY CITY COUNCIL has voted to allow 14 new suburban communities to be built in the coming years. City administration had a list of 11 areas for development, with seven of them in the north end of the city. Three additional communities — one in Glacier Ridge, one in Belvedere and one in South Shepard — were brought forward and approved. The 14 new communities would be located within the following provisionally-named area structure plans (ASPs):
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
• 4 in Glacier Ridge in the north. • 2 in Belvedere in the east. • 1 Haskayne in the northwest. • 1 in East Stoney in the northeast. • 2 in Keystone Hills in the northeast. • 2 in Rangeview in the southeast. • 1 in Providence in the southwest. • 1 in South Shepard in the southeast. There also would be a couple areas set aside for commercial and industrial development. The new communities could add more than 18,000 single-family homes and more than 9,000 units such as condos and townhomes.
• Stepper Homes (Custom Hampton) — SingleFamily $525,000-$600,000 • StreetSide Developments (Rosewood 18.0) — Multi-Family Townhome $350,000-$500,000 • Brookfield Residential (Welland) —MultiFamily Apartment Under $500,000 • Logel Homes (Atwood-H1) — Multi-Family Apartment Under $500,000 • Logel Homes (Jackson-B) — Multi-Family Apartment Under $500,000 • NuVista Homes (Fairview) — Multi-Family Duplex Under $350,000 • Stepper Homes (Weston) — Multi-Family Duplex Under $350,000 • Ultimate Homes and Renovations (Strathcona Ensuite Transformation) — Bathroom/Ensuite Renovation • Ultimate Homes and Renovations (Edgemont Ensuite Renovation) — Bathroom/Ensuite Renovation • Kon-strux Developments (Shades of Seafoam Blue) — Kitchen Renovation Under $100,000 • Ultimate Homes and Renovation (Edgemont Kitchen Transformation) — Kitchen Renovation Under $100,000 • Ultimate Homes and Renovation (Varsity Kitchen Renovation) — Kitchen Renovation Under $100,000 • Empire Custom Homes (Simply Divine) — Kitchen Renovation Over $100,000 • Kon-strux Developments (Spectacular Scullery) — Kitchen Renovation Over $100,000 • Kon-strux Developments (Fine-Detail Elegance) — Kitchen Renovation Over $100,000 • Alair Homes (Grandvalley Poolhouse) — Home Renovations Over $500,000 • Kon-strux Developments (Modern Masterpiece) — Home Renovations Over $500,000 • Diamond Valley Custom Homes (Rocky Mountain Oasis) — Renovators Choice • Ultimate Homes and Renovations (Bonavista Lake Outdoor Living Retreat) — Renovators Choice • Logel Homes - Safety Leadership — Medium Volume Builder • Kon-strux Developments — Safety Leadership — Small Volume Builder
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Qualico enters Chestermere market with Dawson’s Landing CHESTERMERE WELCOMES THEIR newest community development, as Qualico Communities broke ground in Dawson’s Landing. Dawson’s Landing marks the first time Qualico — the multi-awarded land developer of such communities as Evanston, Redstone and Crestmont in Calgary — enters the hot Chestermere market. “Chestermere is a growing vital city. It is a place people want to live,” says Clark Piechotta Associate Director of Development with Qualico Communities. “The population has increased 34 per cent since 2011. Beyond that, the City’s administration has been welcoming and has been proactive in bringing investment to the City. Given these factors, it became apparent that Chestermere is an obvious place to develop a great community for people to call home.” “We are really excited about this community. Not only because it’s Qualico’s first community in Chestermere but because it’s going to have some really interesting elements, that haven’t been done in other communities,” says Thilo Kaufmann General Manager of Acquisitions and
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Development with Qualico Communities. “Dawson’s Landing will be a modern, integrated community, designed with the existing character of Chestermere in mind,” says Cheryl Heilman, Marketing Director, with Qualico Communities. “There are two future school sites within the community, and ground floor retail options, this community will seamlessly blend into the existing city of Chestermere,” says Heilman. Dawson’s Landing will feature an EcoPark wetland. The goal of the proposed Ecopark is to retain the wetland and enhance it as a community amenity. The park will be used for recreation and education. Interpretive boards will highlight the importance of wetland preservation, rehabilitation, and environmental sustainability to residents. The park will also feature a boardwalk, and sheltered education areas that students from Chestermere and surrounding area can use. The EcoPark will be approximately 12.15 Hectares (30 acres in size). Dawson’s Landing comprises approximately 108 hectares (267 acres) and is located in west Chestermere, immediately west of Rainbow
Road, and just off Chestermere Boulevard (17th Avenue). There will be 241 homes in the first phase and approximately 1,305 at final build out. With a range of products, potential homeowners can choose from single family, duplex, townhomes, condominiums or cottages. In the initial phases the award-winning builders will be Broadview Homes, NuVista Homes, Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, Morrison Homes, Truman Homes and Trico Homes. Qualico Communities will begin stripping and grading fall of 2018, with show homes projected to open in 2019. NL
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
real estate insider n
By Mario Toneguzzi
CALGARY HOMES REMAIN AFFORDABLE Calgary bucks national trend in housing affordability
WHEN IT COMES to housing affordability Calgary is doing relatively well compared with the rest of the country. Affordability is one of those topics that makes headline news and the elevated — and growing — concern in the Canadian marketplace is evident on a consistent basis throughout the country. How will people be able to afford a home when prices are so high? That’s the common refrain heard these days. And the reason is because of the skyrocketing prices in Canada’s big centres like Toronto and Vancouver. A recent quarterly report by RBC Economic Research — Housing Trends and Affordability - sheds some light on how Calgary relates to those major centres — and affordability in the Alberta city is a much more decent scenario for homebuyers. What the report does is look at how much household income is needed to cover the costs of owning a home. For Calgary, that was 43 per cent. Vancouver and Toronto — challenging markets for homebuyers for a number of years — were much higher. For Vancouver, it was 87.8 per cent and for Toronto it was 74.2 per cent. “Housing affordability hasn’t been a real issue for close to 10 years in Calgary but the picture isn’t quite as rosy as it was just three years ago,” said the RBC report. “Tough economic times first undermined local buyers’ ability to own a property as household income fell during the provincial recession of 2015-2016. More CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
recently, rising interest rates drove ownership costs higher despite home prices largely stagnating in the area. “RBC’s aggregate measure for Calgary tracked a slight upward trend since 2015, including in the first quarter when it rose by 0.5 percentage points to 43.0 per cent. This still shouldn’t be a big issue though buyers now also have to contend with the new stress test. These factors contributed to a 10 per cent drop in home resales in the first quarter.” So how does the RBC Housing Affordability Measure work? The measure shows the proportion of median pre-tax household income that would be required to service the cost of mortgage payments (principal and interest), property taxes, and utilities based on the average market price for single-family detached homes and condo apartments. The affordability measures are based on a 25 per cent down payment, and a 25-year mortgage loan at a five-year fixed rate. Let’s take a closer look at what those measures indicate for the Calgary market. In the first quarter of the year, the
aggregate price in the city was $506,300, which translated into an affordability measure of 43 per cent. That was up 1.3 per cent from the previous year. Over the long haul, the average since 1985 was 41.5 per cent. The measure for a single-detached home is understandably much higher at 47.4 per cent, up 1.8 per cent from the previous year as the price in the first quarter was $558,900. The average measure since 1985 was 44.5 per cent. Condominium apartments in Calgary are showing better affordability these days with the measure of 26.7 per cent, which was down 0.3 per cent from a year ago and also down from the long-term average of 27.3 per cent. The price for homes in this category in this quarter was $289,400. RBC said higher mortgage rates were the main reason why the national measure was at a multi-decade high. NL This article was shortened for space considerations. For the full text, visit www.calgaryhomeliving.com
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
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Tiny Homes
Big solution to Okotoks’ affordable housing crunch n WRITTEN BY
Jim Zang
T
he Town of Okotoks has come up with a unique solution to solving some of their affordable housing shortage by partnering with Vagabond Tiny Homes to build one of the first ‘tiny home eco villages’ in Canada. Proposed for the land where present-day Kinsmen Park sits, the mini-community will feature 30-35 homes ranging in size from around 380 square-feet to close to 600 square-feet. “We’re really excited about how open Okotoks was to working with us to become a partner in our vision of an innovative, sustainable and purposeful community development,” says Thomas Grenier, one of the proprietors of Vagabond Tiny Homes along with partner Devonn Drossel. So excited, in fact, that, after beginning with a modest goal of building two tiny homes, he’s put his medical studies on hold while he pursues his tiny home community vision. The planned village fulfills many of the priorities identified in the Town’s long-range plans, including integrating environmentally friendly and sustainable resources and promoting healthy lifestyles. About half the homes will be less than 400 square-feet, with a single bedroom plus loft; while the remainder will be 550-plus square-feet with two bedrooms, a handful made specifically for wheelchair accessibility . All the homes will have abundant outdoor living space, with their own patch of unfenced yard and, says Drossel, “almost as much deck as living space.” CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
There’s no basement, and no wheels. “These are homes,” stresses Grenier, “not trailers.” There will be an amenities building which will have space for community events upstairs and a five by eight-foot storage space for each resident in the basement. A commercial-grade community greenhouse means residents can grow enough produce for themselves and then some, making things like a community market a future possibility. The homes will all be rental only, says Grenier, with at least a couple set aside as VRBO units for use by vacationers or visiting friends and relatives. Monthly rates have yet to be determined, but Grenier says it will be a mix of approximately 55 per cent affordable, 30 per cent market rate, and the remaining 15 per cent on par with local short-term rental rates. Vagabond has applied for funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Affordable Rental Innovation Fund, which requires the builder and the Town to meet a number of criteria for approval. Grenier concludes, “above all, we seek to strengthen peoples lives and do good for the
community. We know people work hard for their income and we have set this project as a non-profit organization so the profits from the VRBO homes are kept within the community. In doing so, the community is able to provide discounted child care, free fresh produce yearround, and access to community amenities and events, like paint nights, co-working space, and group fitness and educational classes. “I really want to convey to people that the entire point of this village for us is to do good for the community and add to it in a tangible way. It may not be for everyone, but for the seniors hoping to downsize, the students looking for independence, the environmentally minded, or the people who want to live more simply so they can get the most out of their lives — it is exactly what they want. We are an unconventional developer, as we are built as a social enterprise rather than a purely profit driven corporation and the end game for us is to propose a new perspective on living well.” “There is still a lengthy process to change the land use for the site,” says Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson. “The community’s participation will be an important consideration in the process.” Residents will also have the opportunity to take part in discussions about the village’s design and functionality, with the initial information session taking place during Chilifest on August 25. The public can tour one of Vababond’s tiny homes and offer input on both the homes and village itself. Further information sessions will be held in the fall. NL SEP TEMBER 2018 NE W HOME LIVING
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advertisers index n Qualico Communities + Bordeaux Developments Harmony Rockyview County, page 29
Alberta Health Services Apple Magazine, page 48
Bri-Mor Developments The Rise, page 4
Genstar Carrington, page 53
Mattamy Homes back cover
Anthem United Belmont, page 2 Cornerstone, page 27 D’ARCY front cover pages 10-13
Brookfield Residential Capella, page 35 Pay for your move page 40
HeritageHills page 19
McKee Homes page 36
Homes by AVI Gabriel, page 28
NuVista Homes page 46
Cardel Homes Shawnee Park page 34
Jayman BUILT page 18
Cedarglen Homes The Parks of Harvest Hills, page 30, 55
Marketplace Events Calgary Fall Home Show page 45
Qualico Communities Crestmont, page 51 Evanston, page 41 Redstone, page 53
Apex Developments Heartland, page 3 Hillcrest, page 50 MountainView, page 52
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
Outdoor Dental page 46 Trico Homes page 40 WestCreek Developments Legacy, pages 7
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hope at large n
By Marty Hope
BUNGALOW BOOM Prominent Homes capitalizes on growing appetite for bungalows
THERE HAS LONG been a saying in the home building industry that goes something like this — it’s cheaper to go up than out. In other words, two-storey homes are less expensive to build than bungalows because, for starters, they use up less land. All this being said, Prominent Homes, has stepped up its bungalow program, and is finding a ready market for them — particularly with the appealing price tags and the level of specs that go with them. “Over the past two years we have built about 25 bungalows all around 1,100 squarefeet and with another 750 square-feet developed on the lower level,” says Prominent general manager Pal Shergill. “In the 10 years before that we maybe did one per year — and it was always a larger bungalow in an estate area ranging in price from $900,000 to $1.5 million.” Currently, the company is working its way through a 10-lot inventory as well as snagging some of the nine pooled lots being offered in the popular and successful southeast community of Walden by Genstar Development Company. On a 32-foot lot and measuring approximately 1,100 square-feet, the Berkshire bungalow being used as the show home is priced from $475,000, including lot, basement development, and GST. There are two levels of specs available with the Berkshire. The Classic level includes luxury vinyl flooring, maple cabinetry, and quartz countertops throughout. The Executive specs com with built-in kitchen
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appliances, hardwood flooring, and upgraded plumbing and lighting fixtures. “We’ve kept our margins low without skimping on the specs,” says Pal Shergill, general manager of Prominent. “So, I would say that price and the specs are the big selling points for the home.” And the pool of buyers is very diverse, starting with the expected older crowd who is looking for single-family living but “don’t want to pay $700,000 or so to get it,” Shergill adds. Then there are the young couples with no children who are just taking advantage of the eye-catching pricepoint to get into single-family home ownership. “A unique buyer, one we didn’t anticipate but have sold several to, are single parents on a single income who are taking advantage or our prices. Or maybe they only have the children every other weekend and don’t need a large two-storey home anymore,” Shergill adds. Another appealing element of the Prominent bungalows in Walden is that they are coming in at close to the average price of a home in Calgary, according to figures from
the Calgary Real Estate Board. “Our baby-boomer buyers of today bought homes in the 1980s for something like $130,000 to $150,000. That same home put on the resale market today would likely fetch $450,000 to $500,000, so they can sell and move into a spanking new home in a new community, maintain their independence, and not be paying more out of pocket to keep that lifestyle,” Shergill says. Prominent Homes is hoping to move through its inventory of lots in Walden and snap up others that become available as Genstar continues to move int development of Walden further to the east. For more information on Prominent Homes and its homes, visit prominenthomes.ca. 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. CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM