VOLUME 9 ISSUE 94 n October 2013
contents
14 cover feature
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A charmed life in Nolan Hill Old-world vision unfolds
PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9
News
Awards of Excellence 51
Provincial home builder winners announced
Included in this issue of NEW HOME Living Loving Cochrane Living
Best of Cochrane’s new homes and communities
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contents 46
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Focus On
12 Hot pots
Tea may be a humble drink, but the way you serve it doesn’t have to be
Show home profiles
18 Innovative harmony
Chaparral Valley show home blends nature with stylish design
24 Style power
28 Luxuriously yours
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Sabal Homes brings uncommonly stylish appeal to Copperfield and Mahogany Who says affordability and luxury don’t mix? Not ReidBuilt Homes
columns
53 Around Town 61 Hope at Large
Community Profile
32 Tranquil waters
Canals Landing in Airdrie is a prairie waterfront wonder
Lifestyle
Items
10 Editor’s Message 56 Maps 60 Advertiser Index
37 It’s crystal clear
Young family feels Crystal Creek’s appeal in West Grove
On Trend
42 Perfect pantries
An organized pantry is your best kitchen helper
Shopping
46 The cook’s helpers
Surround your kitchen with automated assistants
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12 s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i t s 10th y e a r
editor’s message n
October to remember Anniversaries are important, not only do they mark a special day in our lives but they serve as a watermark to gauge just how far we’ve come. This October, Source Media Group — the publishers of this magazine you hold in your hands — marks its 10th year anniversary. The milestone marks a decade of success for our company that also publishes Condo Living, DOMUS, Okotoks Living, Red Deer Living and a range of industryspecific and lifestyle magazines. I’ve been with the company for less than half of that time (coming on five years now, actually, so maybe it’s time for me to change my profile picture here), and it has been a great ride so far. I look at it as a job that allows me to chart the city’s growth, just looking back at the display of covers of our magazines in the office, I can’t help but be nostalgic at how far residential developments in the city have come in that span. Our cover feature on Nolan Hill is a perfect indicator of this growth, as this thriving northwest community was but a parcel of windswept grasslands in 2000. But now, it has all the hallmarks of a young, vibrant community that is quickly coming together with tons of amenities already established or in the pipeline. Sabal Homes has made considerable headway in being the builder of choice in the southeast communities of Copperfield and Mahogany and their latest show homes in here show off their “uncommonly stylish” ways. Innovations by Jayman has made an indelible mark in the starter home-first move-up home market and their Chaparral Valley show homes add glamour to this booming market segment. ReidBuilt Homes has made its deep inroads in cornering the “afford-uxury” market in the communities of Kincora and Sage Meadows — be they side-by-side or detached single family homes. Canals Landing is the final phase of Genesis Land Development’s extraordinary Airdrie community that offers idyllic waterfront living in the middle of the prairies. But maybe the greatest indicator of growth this past 10 years would be Cochrane, which we cover extensively in our Loving Cochrane Living special supplement. The phenomenal growth of its outlying suburbs has been nothing short of outstanding but it never has lost its quaint small town feel. You just have to check it out yourself. Kathy McCormick lays out the sheer variety of small kitchen appliances that have become essential in our everyday lives in her Shopping story, and Jessica Patterson gives us some helpful tips in designing our pantries in On Trend. Calgary really is an amazing city, and the range of multi-family options available is nothing short of astounding. I can’t wait to see what other developments are coming down the line when we celebrate our 20th anniversary. You better believe that New Home Living is your best source for the latest happenings in the industry.
Pepper Rodriguez,
Editor pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca
Designing your study, and shopping for Next month: bookshelves are focused. @CalgaryNewHomes 1 0 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
PUBLISHER
Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca A s s o c i a t e PUBLISHER
Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca Editor
Pepper Rodriguez pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca Art director
Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca graphic designerS
Lama Azhari
lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca p r o d u c t i o n a d m i n i s t r at o r
Colleen Leier
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
Aaliya Essa, Karen Durrie, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick, Jessica Patterson, Jennifer Seamone, Kiki Streets, Portia Yip Photography
Don Molyneaux A d v e r t i s i n g SALES
Heather Dougall
heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca Accounting
Donna Roberts accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY
Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA
Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of 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 propperty of SOURCE MEDIA GROUP CORP. Reg. CIPO TMA 693289. Contact: Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9 T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109 TF: 1.888.932.3101, E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca
NewHomeLivingCalgary s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
focus on
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Hot Pots
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Tea may be a humble drink, but the way you serve it doesn’t have to be n
By Aaliya Essa
Tea has been around for centuries, but teapots and kettles have had plenty of variations. Now, teapots are not only short and stout, they can be tall and slim, round or square, made of glass, ceramic, iron and many other permutations. They can even serve a decorative function, as teapot collections have gained popularity. So, although tea may be one of the humblest drinks around, the way you serve it certainly doesn’t have to be. NL
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1] OXO Uplift tea kettle, $60 at Williams-Sonoma. 2] Staub teapot, cherry, $155 at Orange Works. 3] Eclipse-frosted teapot, $14.99 at Stokes. 4] Pugg teapot, green, $24 at Orange Works. 5] Pugg teapot, cherry blossom, $24 at Orange Works. 6] Tomoko teapot set, $35 at Pier 1.
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7] Chantal whistling tea kettle, $120 at Williams-Sonoma. 8] Le Creuset demikettle, carribean, $85 at Orange Works. 9] Owl teapot, $30 at Pier 1. 10] Elephant teapot, $22.95 at Pier 1. 11] London Pottery geo teapot, nectar, $30 at Orange Works. 12] Dragonfly cast iron teapot, $29.99 at Stokes.
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| Advertising cover Feature |
a charmed life in
Old-world vision unfolds
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ike some magical vision, the transformation of Calgary’s northern fringes is nothing short of phenomenal. Take for example United Communities’ Nolan Hill, which not two years ago was empty, prairie grassland but has now become a thriving, energetic young community. The long-anticipated new access points of Shaganappi Trail and Sarcee Trail extensions are both now fully open, improving accessibility in the area almost overnight. Nolan Hill’s distinctive entrance features are finished and fully landscaped, giving the community a real sense of identity. New show homes featuring a wide array of choices seem to be opening every week, there’s a blur of activity that gives the neighbourhood a sense of vibrant vigour. Yet, though it may be one of Calgary’s youngest communities, Nolan Hill is a community “that blends old-
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world traditions with modern living,” says United Communities marketing director, Steve LePan. “The castle-ruin entry features and rolling hills frame an impressive variety of modern construction to create a community residents are proud to call home.” The Irish castle ruins entrance feature that gives the community much of its identity is already complete, as are playgrounds and parks and pathways that are a significant part of the family-friendly nature of Nolan Hill. “It was important for us to complete these features so that buyers have better idea of the kind of neighbourhood they will be living in,” he adds. Sales have been robust, and LePan says Nolan Hill is around the quarter point of its 2,000 single-family homes build out. “We will be releasing Phase 4 this fall with a blend of starter and move-up homes from six of the city’s top builders,” he says. Nolan Hill’s Phase 5 show homes parade remains very popular, featuring front garage move-up and estate-style homes that range in price from the $400,000s to the $800,000s. LePan says there is a lot of interest for Phase 5 and 11, which s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
| Advertising cover Feature |
Nolan Hill offer opportunities for walkout lots backing onto an environmental reserve, and plenty of lots backing onto green space. The builders here are Morrison Homes, Shane Homes and Sterling Homes. “We’re very excited for these homes, and these lots are also selling fast,” he adds. LePan expects Nolan Hill’s popularity to continue, as a large number of homes in Phase 3 have been approved for secondary suites — one of the most sought after features in homes today. “Being able to offer a second suite option is important, families need to know they can expand their living space easily,” he adds. Two townhome developments have also recently opened, offering an even better opportunity to own an affordable home in this unique community. One is Trinity townhomes from Jayman Modus, the multi-family arm of Jayman MasterBUILT, and The Post from Avi Urban, the multi-family counterpart of Homes by Avi. Trinity will have a total of 99 townhomes divided into two types: street-oriented models up to 1,460 square-feet from the low $300,000s, and stunning homes up to 1,590 square-feet that back onto the ravine starting from the mid $300,000s.
The Post, meanwhile, offers townhomes starting in the $270,000s. They range from 1,130 to 1,400 squarefeet and come in two- and three-bedroom plans. Like its sister community of Sage Hill, Nolan Hill boasts a strategic location between the newly opened extensions of Sarcee Trail and Shaganappi Trail. “Nolan Hill’s prime northwest location places it among rolling hills with mountain views and convenient access to transportation and amenities. With the extension of Sarcee and Shaganappi Trail nearing completion, access will be even more convenient,” LePan says.
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Nolan Hill is a community “that blends oldworld traditions with modern living.”
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| Advertising cover Feature |
Lying along Calgary’s northwestern edge, west of Shaganappi Trail, Nolan Hill will have more than 400 acres and is envisioned to have 2,000 homes upon build out.
Lying along Calgary’s northwestern edge, west of Shaganappi Trail, Nolan Hill will have more than 400 acres and is envisioned to have 2,000 homes upon build out. It has 96 acres of green space and parks as its backyard, with an extensive linear pathway system, natural ravine and wet ponds, and breathtaking views all around. The convenience of living here is made even more captivating by the huge number of amenities nearby. The Creekside and Beacon Hill shopping centres are at your very doorstep, CrossIron Mills is a straight shot down Stoney Trail, and there is no shortage of public and separate schools in the vicinity. “We’re also very close to the airport, downtown is still just less than a half-hour away, and Stoney Trail provides a speedy getaway to the mountains,” LePan says. Nolan Hill’s theme calls to mind home designs found in the British Isles that emphasize natural features and unique settings that compliment the surrounding landscape, yet allow a refreshing diversity in architecture styles and home sites. Homes will have Nolan Hill’s serene natural landscape as its backdrop, including the natural ravine, and accented by three beautifully designed wet ponds. Nolan Hill’s list of amenities stretches to include tot lots, and sports fields, among others. Residents have convenient access to their community amenities through an impressive connecting pathway system.
“Nolan Hill offers a relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle with all of life’s conveniences within easy reach, and the variety of homes we offer here makes it a very inclusive community,” LePan says. n
FAST FACTS: Community: Nolan Hill Builders: Single-family: Shane Homes, Sterling Homes, Trico Homes, Homes by Avi, Morrison Homes and Market Street Homes by Baywest. Developer: United Communities Price: Multi-family from the mid $200,000s, Laned homes are from the $350,000s and front attached garage homes from the $400,000s – the $800,000s Directions: Take Sarcee Trail north from Stoney Trail and follow the signs. Show home hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays 12 to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.nolanhillunited.com
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Innovative ha
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Innovations by Jayman n show home profile
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Chaparral Valley show home blends nature with stylish design n By
Jennifer Seamone
Located in the picturesque and quaint community of Chaparral Valley in Calgary’s southeast, Innovations by Jaymans’ Nuvis show home hits all the right notes, complementing the beautiful harmony of this private and naturally abundant hamlet. Driving down the scenic road leading to the community, it is difficult not to be entranced by the spectacular natural surroundings. Opening up before you are the breathtaking views of Fish Creek Park. From towering grassy slopes dotted with strands of trees and the widespread meandering river valley, to the lush green fairways of the 18-hole Blue Devil Golf Course, The Fish Creek Park system, one of the great gems of Calgary, lays itself out as an inviting playground. In the community, bike paths descend from the ridge above. Five kilometres of pathways encircle the community and connect to the regional pathway system so adventure can go on and on. Everywhere you turn children and parents are enjoying the many pleasures Chaparral Valley has to offer. “It is an exclusive community nestled in the boundaries of Fish Creek Valley,” explains Sandra Prior, sales associate with Innovations by Jayman. “It is urban living without feeling you are in the city,” adds Area Sales Manager Mark Semon. The Nuvis draws on the natural features of this community. Warm and cozy, the home is thoughtfully designed and appointed to give homeowners a sense of comfort and balance. “It is more than you expect, and everything you need,” explains Semon. The main floor of The Nuvis begins in a spacious front foyer with plenty of light streaming through the front door window. There’s plenty of storage including a large coat closet and broom closet. From the foyer the home opens into a family concept area where children color at the eating bar while Mom and Dad prepare dinner in the spacious kitchen. “The décor is warm and woodsy,” says Semon. The dark tone of the cabinetry, stone backsplash and warm laminate flooring brings outdoors in. The large windows of the dining area and living room allow in an abundance of light and highlight the delightful backyard. Standard stainless steel appliances add sparkle and light making the kitchen pleasing and functional adding to the overall appeal of the living space. As the top selling model for Innovations by Jayman in Chaparral Valley, The Nuvis is full of unexpected elements. “The bonus room is the biggest draw, most people are not expecting to find a feature
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show home profile n
Fast facts: builder: Innovations by Jayman area: Chaparral Valley developer: Genstar Developments Style: Two storey, with single attached garage Size: 1,680 sq. ft., including bonus room Price: From $380,000 Directions: Take Lake Chaparral/Chaparral Valley exit off 22X and left on 194th, follow signs to show homes
like this,” says Semons, “It really adds to the functionality and coziness of the home.” A large landing at the top of the stairs adds openness and Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and dimension to the bonus room. As you enter, lofty 10-foot ceilings and holidays noon to 5 p.m. generous windows invite a sense of intimate grandeur. The owner’s suite, located at the front of the home, is generous at WEB: www. jayman.com 11-feet-four-inches by 14-feet-six-inches and features two walk- in closets and a spacious ensuite bathroom. Providing the adults with privacy, two good-sized bedrooms are found at the rear of the home. Mirrored layouts make the choice of who gets which room a lot easier. Upstairs laundry, a valuable feature for many homeowners, is conveniently located across from the main bath near the second and third bedrooms. A large single front attached garage is the finishing touch on a home that offers everything a family or young couple could want. “The home offers tremendous value, great fit and finish and exclusivity into the valley,” says Semons. With an affordable starting price tag of $380,000, Semons explains it is a natural fit for first time homebuyers and parents with young children. With a total of 650 homes being constructed and only two phases remaining, this little community has grown fast. But the popularity and rate of construction is the only thing that speeds. Two traffic circles help keep the streets safe and the wealth of little skateboarders, scooters’ and cyclists is evidence that life here seems a little bit removed from the commotion of city life. It’s about lifestyle in Chaparral Valley. “All the amenities are close by and convenient in Walden, but you are far enough away to maintain the quiet of the community,” explains Semon. Quaint, charming and tranquil, valley life in a beautiful Innovations by Jayman home will give each homeowner balance and the choice to live a life seamlessly blending urban comforts and outdoor pursuits. NL
valley life in a beautiful Innovations by Jayman home will give each homeowner balance and the choice to live life seamlessly blending urban comforts and outdoor pursuits.
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show home profile n Sabal Homes
Style
Sabal Homes brings uncommonly stylish n By
Kiki Streets
Sabal Homes is the uncommonly stylish home builder, boasting a wide array of homes to choose from throughout Calgary and Edmonton. In Calgary and area, Sabal builds in four popular communities, including Copperfield and Mahogany, both of which are Hopewell Residential developments located in the desirable southeast quadrant. “Both Copperfield and Mahogany are incredibly wellsituated just off of Highway 22X, within close proximity of Macleod Trail, Deerfoot Trail, and Stoney Trail,” says Nicole McLaws, Marketing Manager for Sabal Homes. The Stoney Trail extension is scheduled to open later this year — the 52nd Street overpass to Mahogany is already open — and this will add to the accessibility of both communities. “All the amenities one can imagine are nearby, including schools, grocery stores, off-leash dog parks, recreation centres, theatres and restaurants — everything that makes life easier,” she adds. Copperfield is south Calgary’s new, established community, and is rich in personality, style and colour. This bustling community features everything from schools, to shops and services, to playgrounds, a community centre and more. Mahogany is a SAM Awards winner for Community of the Year, and its crowning jewel is Mahogany Lake, which, at 63 acres, is Calgary’s largest lake. In addition, the community features a 13-acre central park, a lakeside promenade,
Precise, Mahogany 2 4 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
Ascent, Copperfield
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appeal to Copperfield and Mahogany an Urban Village retail district, beach sites, parks and playgrounds, 74 acres of naturalized wetlands, and architecture that brings new meaning to life at the lake. And in each of these communities, Sabal Homes offers a home to fit any purchaser’s lifestyle. “We feature our popular and attainable SabalSmart attached homes in Mahogany, which are available in either laned, front-attached garage, or rear-detached garage plans, with a myriad of floor plans and options to choose from,” McLaws says. “We offer laned homes in both Copperfield and Mahogany, and we’re extremely proud of our newly opened laned show home parades in each community.” In Mahogany, Sabal opened the Koti, Precise, Xeno and Synergy show homes in May; and in Copperfield the builder opened the Insight, Precise, Xeno and Verso show homes in September. Each home has been designed in a unique style that speaks to Sabal’s dedication to innovative, thoughtful design. “We also feature garage homes in each community — in Copperfield, our award-winning Ascent show home and Reflex show home are perfect for family living, while in Mahogany, our brand new Insignia and Linea show homes opened on September 21st,” adds McLaws. The Linea show home is truly a sight to see — complete with a developed walkout basement, this is the largest show home Sabal has ever built, and with its chef’s kitchen, jaw-dropping features and Bistro Bold décor style, is a true stunner.
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Reflex, Copperfield
Ascent, Copperfield
Xeno, Mahogany
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However, that can be said about all of Sabal’s show homes — designed to inspire, each home is one-of-a-kind, and is sure to resonate with visitors. When it comes to building a home of their own, Sabal purchasers can reimagine the look of the show home in their own home, or can be as creative as they’d like. Sabal features a wide selection of options so homeowners can personalize their home to suit their lifeSabalSmart attached style. In addition, each homeowner has homes are available the opportunity to complete their home in Mahogany. at Sabal’s designSense Studio, where they work with professional designers to select their finishings. At Sabal, it’s all about making the home building process as exciting as possible, and that starts from the moment visitors enter the show home. “Visitors walk into a show home and immediately feel at home — we don’t do gimmicks or unusable spaces,” shares McLaws. “We carefully consider every nook and cranny. Many of our visitors can’t quite put their finger on why they love our homes so much — they tell us that our homes just feel right. And that’s something that we take great pride in.”
“Visitors...tell us that our homes just feel right. And that’s something that we take great pride in.” Homes in Copperfield and Mahogany start in the low $300,000s. Sabal also has quick-possession homes that mean homeowners can move in just about right away, and they also offer homes that people can build from scratch. For more information visit www.sabalhomes.com or find Sabal on Facebook (Sabal Homes) and Twitter (@sabalhomes1). NL
Fast facts: builder: Sabal Homes Communities: Mahogany and Copperfield Style: Laned, front-attached garage, or rear-detached garage plans Price: Starts in the $300,000s Directions: South on 52nd St. S.E., left on McIvor Blvd. for Copperfield, straight ahead past Highway 22X for Mahogany Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays, noon to 5 p.m., closed Fridays. Koti, Mahogany
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Web: www.sabalhomes.com
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show home profile n ReidBuilt Homes
Luxuriously Who says affordability and luxury don’t mix? Not ReidBuilt Homes n By
Portia Yip
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ReidBuilt Homes is yet again ‘Reid-defining’ affordable luxury in some of the most prime communities in northwest Calgary offering their brand of afforduxury side-by-side and single-family homes in Kincora and Sage Meadows. This may be your last chance to get into ReidBuilt’s Uniti in Kincora (side-by-side homes), as they were snapped up in no time, leaving only three spec homes in the development. But the award-winning builder continues to have a presence in this thriving and vibrant quadrant of the city with their single-family homes in Sage Meadows. Celebrating their 30th anniversary last year, ReidBuilt Homes continues to uphold their reputation for making the home-buying process easy, hands-on and flexible. From the moment you step foot inside a show home, to the moment your last service inspection is over, ReidBuilt Homes is there every step of the way, says Angela Killick, Sage Meadows area manager. “We’ve got a very personable process,” Killick says. “As we always say, we make home-buying easy. We want to work with the customer.” ReidBuilt’s Uniti line was a certified hit with its European influenced design. Their show home, the Opus, features the European s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
n show home profile
yours Style Package, which has maple trim throughout and the kitchen is equipped with maple cabinets in a dark coffee stain with under cabinet lighting. The three side-by-side “express” homes available at Uniti are just starting construction and interested parties can view them by appointment. Prices start at $355,000 and homes range from 1,267 to 1,515 square-feet. “We call them express homes because it allows for quicker possession so you don’t have to go through the full pre-construction process,” says Killick. Homes in Uniti come with three generous-sized bedrooms, two and a half baths, a beautiful island kitchen, and a lovely walk-in closet attached to the master bedroom. ReidBuilt Homes also allows customers to choose their upgrades as they see fit, such as customizing colours and, in some cases, selecting the type of wood to suite their tastes. As we live out our fast-paced lifestyles and busy-bee schedules, often times we forget that convenience is a blessing especially when it’s close to home. “You’ve got amenities that are already in place like the Creekside and Beacon Hill Shopping Centres,” says Killick. “All around there’s
Photos on these pages are of Opus show home.
...ReidBuilt Homes continues to uphold their reputation for making the home-buying process easy, hands-on and flexible. very quick commute times. Stoney Trail is two minutes away with very easy access to the airport and downtown.” Sage Meadows, just down the hill from Kincora, is another community that offers the perfect balance between city and country living. Families can feel comfortable knowing that schools are close by and that plenty of outdoor activities — natural pathways, bike trails, golf courses and more — will appeal to young professionals and active adults.
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With only 160 homes in Sage Meadows, the opportunity to settle in beside the natural ravine, also known as the West Nose Creek Environmental Reserve, is becoming more and more exclusive. There are six express homes in Sage Meadows, plus three more lots up for grabs. The most affordable model is the Roxburgh, a 1,622-square-foot, two-storey estate home with a French Country design, starting at $440,000. Possession dates for express homes in both Sage Meadows and Uniti are slated for early spring or late winter of 2014. ReidBuilt Homes also offers the flexibility to choose from their signature custom-style finishing packages in Colonial, European or Contemporary. The Colonial style features rich dark hues with a stained oak finish, and the European style is the opposite with warmer tones and a stained maple finish. The most popular finishing package is the Contemporary and it’s easy to see why with its sleek, modern and clean design throughout. Killick likes to tell her customers that it’s like buffet-pricing — you really get to make your own custom home by picking and choosing the features and upgrades that you prefer. “We price our homes accordingly so that all facets of a home can be attainable,” she says. “We want you to go ‘wow I can have this for that?’ and know that you’re not breaking the bank,” she says. “We’re offering what’s called our half-price upgrade promotion,” Killick adds. “So if you put $15,000 (worth of upgrades) into your home, you’re only paying for $7,500.” Homebuyers have many opportunities to reap the rewards when it comes to investing in their chosen home, and it’s clear ReidBuilt Homes keeps their customers in mind throughout the entire process. Think you might need an extra bedroom? ReidBuilt Homes has it covered because the option is there to modify a three-bedroom home to a four bedroom like with the Newcastle model in Sage Meadows. “We’re a modest home building company that’s proud of our product and the luxury and hard work we put into the homes,” Killick says. “And we want you to be just as proud when you move in.” NL 3 0 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
Photos on this page are of Newcastle show home.
Fast facts: builder: ReidBuilt Homes Area: Kincora and Sage Meadows Style: Semi-attached homes and two-storey estate homes size: From 1,267 to 1,515 sq. ft. (Uniti) and 1,622 to 2,123 sq. ft. (Sage Meadows) Price: Starting at $355,000 (Uniti) and $440,000 (Sage Meadows) Sales Centre address: 24 Sage Meadows Circle N.W. Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Web: www.reidbuilthomes.com
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he relaxing flow of the six-kilometre Canals waterway provides the calm backdrop to Genesis Land Development’s new community of Canals Landing in Airdrie, where a family-friendly resort lifestyle goes hand in hand with modern city convenience. As Calgary’s population continues to grow, more and more people are looking beyond the city limits to find a sense of community and a place to call home. With its friendly, small town atmosphere, rolling countryside backdrop, a seemingly endless ribbon of paved pathway and a picturesque system of waterways the likes of which life-long prairie dwellers never before have seen, Canals Landing of Airdrie is drawing city-weary souls out in droves. Canals Landing — the final phase of Genesis’ outstanding The Canals of Airdrie community — will have 153 estate, move-up and side-by-side homes on build out. It will have some of the best lots, including 74-foot wide walkout lots, with opportunities to build triple-car garage homes, and numerous lots backing onto the water. “Canals Landing’s water-theme really appeals to a wide range of buyers from young families to retirees, the canals are an attractive amenity where people can canoe or kayak in the summer and skate in the winter,” says Genesis’ marketing manager, Kristen Wilkinson. “It’s not surprising to see the kids run home from school, grab their buddies and skates and shovel the snow off the canals so they can go skating or play shinny hockey,” she adds. Three new move-up show homes from Genesis Builder Group, McKee Homes and ReidBuilt Homes are opening in this one-of-a-kind community on September 21. “Crystal Creek Homes has also just joined our builder group, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the kind of truly unique custom homes they will be building here,” Wilkinson adds. Genesis Builder Group will also offer side-by-side homes in Canals Landing. “They will be unlike any duplex anyone’s ever seen, as the only attached part of the homes is the garage wall.” Masterfully crafted by Genesis Land Development, Canals Landing flows alongside kilometres of canals,
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with numerous parks, walking and bike paths and a five-acre pond creating a peaceful cottage-like atmosphere where residents can unwind after a hectic day. Wilkinson also quickly puts to rest any flooding concern. “There’s been some doubt cast on waterfront living after the historic June flooding we saw in southern Alberta, but I can tell you that The Canals performed exactly as it was designed to perform, water levels never came up over the levels they were designed for. So in Canals Landing, you get all the benefits of waterfront living without the flooding concerns.” Not only this, but the utter family-friendly convenience of the neighbourhood addresses almost all of a family’s concerns. “We have the Ralph McCall s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
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Canals Landing in Airdrie is a prairie waterfront wonder n
Story and photos by Pepper Rodriguez
Fast facts: community: Canals Landing AREA: Airdrie DEVELOPER: Genesis Land Development Builders: Semi-detached homes – Genesis Builder Group Two-storey and bungalow single-family homes – Genesis Builder Group, McKee Homes, ReidBuilt Homes Estate homes – Crystal Creek Homes
Numerous parks, walking and bike paths and five-acre pond create a peaceful cottage-like atmosphere where residents can unwind after a hectic day.
Prices: Semi-detached homes start in the low $300,000s, single-family in the low $400,000s. Estate homes from the $650,000s ADDRESS: Show home parade at corner of Canals Blvd. and 1st St. N.W., Airdrie DIRECTIONS: North on Deerfoot Trail exit Yankee Valley Blvd., right on 8th St. and left on 1st Ave. N.W. and follow the signs. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEB: www.canalslanding.com
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K-4 elementary school at the entrance of the community, and a new grades 5-8 elementary school coming up a block over, so families with young kids don’t have to worry about busing their kids to school for years to come.” Airdrie’s growing reputation as a thriving young city has also attracted a slew of commercial development in and around town. You can walk or bike to Creekside Landing just off 8th Street to have a frozen yogurt at Menchie’s, or sample the baked goodies at Good Erath Café. All the big box stores like Costco, Walmart and Superstore are within a five-minute drive from Canals Landing. The gigantic CrossIron Mills mall with its plethora of shops and cinemas is also just down the road in Balzac. “We are getting a lot of buyers who work at the airport, WestJet and the industrial parks in Calgary’s northern tip, so they really get to enjoy the joys of a lake-cottage lifestyle and still remain conveniently close to work. A mountain getaway is also that much closer with Stoney Trail just a stone’s throw away,” Wilkinson points out. “And if you do need to drive to Calgary, it’s still just only 15 minutes away.”
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Airdrie’s growing reputation as a thriving young city has also attracted a slew of commercial development in and around town. The affordability of homes here is key to Canals Landing’s success. Genesis Builder Group’s side-by-side homes will start in the low $300,000s, while the front-attached single family homes from Genesis, McKee Homes and ReidBuilt Homes are from the $400,000s. Crystal Creek Homes will have custom estate homes starting from the $650,000s here, too, which will undoubtedly add to the community’s appeal. Wilkinson also says that Genesis remains firmly committed to community-building and not just developing communities. Genesis has been in Airdrie since 2009 and we have been part of its spectacular growth. We support a lot of local charitable foundations, and we are the title sponsor for Airdrie’s popular art initiative, ARTember. We’re getting art submissions and winners will have their paintings displayed prominently in all three show homes. It’s just another way we give back to the community.” NL
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n lifestyle
It’s crystal clear Young family feels Crystal Creek’s appeal in West Grove Story by Karen Durrie n Photos by Don Molyneaux
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hen Carolyn Cheetham was nearly full-term with her son Kade, she and husband, Tyler, decided it was time to expand their living space in light of their expanding family. They had outgrown the starter home they’d bought six years prior in the southwest community of West Springs, but they wanted to remain in the same general neighbourhood. When they stepped it up, they really stepped it up — to the tune of a $1 million custom home built by Crystal Creek Homes in West Grove. “Crystal Creek — they were amazing. They made the whole process so easy. Everything was custom with this house. We picked out everything down to the doorknobs. It was a neat process, and we really enjoyed it,” Carolyn says. Both she and Tyler are land administrators at an oil and gas company. The family moved in a year ago, and Kade will be two-years-old in a few months. The stately Craftsman exterior boasts two garage doors at the front, and a generous back yard with a beautifully appointed outdoor living space set on an aggregate patio.
“We didn’t want to do a deck. The patio keeps the yard big,” Carolyn says. Inside, the home is a cool study in gray, black and white. An airy foyer features a custom wood panel wall inset with a large window looking into the spacious den, where Tyler spends time tying flies — the Cheethams are avid fly fishers. The foyer leads to a wide space with a ceiling vaulted to the second floor. This is the heart of the home, where the living room, kitchen and dining area flow together. An impressive stacked stone column climbs to the ceiling, inset with a fireplace.
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Tyler, Kade and Carolyn
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“I’d seen one like it in a magazine, and I truly loved the idea. Crystal Creek designed it up and made it happen for us,” Carolyn says. The pair chose the hardest flooring they could get — solid oak — realizing their golden lab, Bubba, would visit some wear and tear to its surface. Planks stained charcoal gray contrast sharply with wide, snow-white baseboards and a mid-gray hue on the walls. An oversized island topped in gleaming black granite dominates the kitchen, and white cabinetry, featuring a subtle beach-worn treatment, pops brightly against the dark walls and glass tile backsplash. This open space is the favourite place in the house for Carolyn and Tyler, who have curbed their city socializing since Kade arrived, and now frequently host large get-togethers in their home. A walk-through pantry features a bank of shelves on one side, and a stainless freezer and beer fridge on the other, and leads to a nicely organized mudroom with custom shoe shelves, a bench, hooks, and storage cubicles all painted crisp white. “The mud room was another key thing Crystal Creek helped us design. It’s great to have with a kid and a dog, and it contains the mess,” Carolyn says. The finished basement has a large rec room with an oversized sectional couch and big-screen TV hung on the wall — all TVs are connected through conduit to eliminate messy wires. The couple plans a game room and bar to be added to the rec room in the future. A full bath and large guest bedroom are perfect for out-of-town visitors, such as Tyler’s parents, who live on Vancouver Island. An open staircase with dark railings leads up to the second floor. The landing features a large wall that the Cheethams wanted to accessorize with a grand piece of art. “You can see this wall from a lot of angles around the main floor. We wanted a big, beautiful piece. We looked at some in galleries, but then found this painting at Urban Barn. It was a steal at $200,” Carolyn laughs. It’s a colourful scene of fall poplar trees, with azure sky peeking between them, rendered in thick acrylic.
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“It was a neat process, and we really enjoyed it.” There are three bedrooms on the second floor, including Kade’s spacious nursery with a lovely oval window set in the north-facing wall at the front of the house. The room is plain for now but they plan to decorate in a fishing theme. A catwalk to the large master bedroom opens to look down at the grand main-floor space. The view from the master to the rear of the home looks onto a large green space rimmed by aspen forest. A double-sided tile fireplace in the bedroom opens to the ensuite, facing a gigantic soaker tub that is Carolyn’s oasis away from her busy work and family life. West Grove is a perfect neighbourhood, the Cheethams say. “I love that it’s kind of off to the side, kind of isolated. The road through isn’t a main road, and there is very little traffic, and no crowds,” Tyler says. And, he adds, the commute to downtown is quick. A large playground and green space is steps away, and the area’s pathways are loaded with young children riding bikes and walking with parents. “There are so many nice people around, and we say hi and chat. Everyone kind of congregates around the park,” Carolyn says. The Cheethams envision eventually expanding their little family in the big home they had tailored to their specific needs, tastes and desires. NL s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
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pantries An organized pantry is your best kitchen helper
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By Jessica Patterson
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GORM shelving units Courtesy Ikea 4 2 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
hen Karen Fron was a child, her grandmother had a fair-sized pantry with a window in her little house. “It was a place of magic,” says Fron. “Hanging on the wall across from the window was her rolling pin, wooden spoon, colander, and cheese grater. When we went to visit I’d be told to go into the pantry and see what special treat was waiting on the small counter.” These days, Fron is an interior designer, of Karen Fron Interior Design in Calgary, who believes pantries are an integral part of any kitchen. “Pantries are becoming one of the most requested feature when building a new home today,” she says. “Having a pantry allows for great organization and also adds a bit of charm and nostalgia.” One of the most requested features in new homes, the pantry has come a long way through modern history. In Europe, from medieval times through to the Victorian age pantries had a variety of functions, from food storage to silverware and serving items. These days, pantries store any number of non-perishable goods, and depending on the individual, silverware, linens, brooms, mops, extra dog leashes or laundry detergent. It’s important to have your pantry organized, so it not only looks visually appealing, but actually help in keeping work in the kitchen flowing smoothly, Fron says. “Group like items together, vinegars and oil with spices,” she says. “I always incorporated baskets as they aid organization and also add amazing texture if you use wicker ones.” Making the most of your pantry space takes some thought, the interior designer says. “It takes work to keep a pantry tidy and organized,” she says. “It’s a good idea to do a straightening of the pantry before grocery shopping. That way you’ll know what you have and can even plan a few meals around using what’s already there. After shopping, it’s important to put away provisions where they belong and with similar items.” If your new home pantry isn’t big enough for you, move, renovate or approach your pantry with a different attitude, Fron suggests. s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
n on trend
INREDA LED (top) light strip and GRUNDTAL (bottom) cabinet lighting. Courtesy Ikea
“Think about using every inch of space,” she says. “Can shelves be put up near the ceiling? This could hold seasonal items. What is best for storage? Built-ins? What’s available for storage? Which are better? Drawers or shelves?” Deep shelves are great for storing large appliances or large bags of rice or dog food. Narrow shelving is the perfect home for spices, and drawers are good for linens and dishes. And if you can’t figure out how to store things in your pantry, you can always look around. “There are so many storage options on the market and these can be placed where needed,” Fron says. “Think outside the box and see what can be used to create the space in a way that compliments your lifestyle.” Try organizing the shelving in your pantry based on your needs, says Alicia Zoffranieri, national public relations specialist at IKEA Canada. “Two of our most popular pantries include the GORM & OMAR shelving units,” she says. “Each of these products have options for customers to be able to purchase separate add-on pieces to make organizing their pantry quick and simple.” After organizing the items in your pantry, arrange them based on the amount of space you require, Zoffranieri says. “Always put your heaviest items towards the bottom of the pantry where you can easily lift them,” she says. “It’s best to keep the top of the pantry free for items you seldom use and save the middle for your most used items to make them easily accessible for you.” Adding hanging baskets in between
“There are so many storage options on the market and these can be placed where needed.”
shelving allows you to use every available inch of space. “At IKEA, we offer a wide variety of boxes, baskets and bins to help hide the clutter,” Zoffranieri says. “SAMLA storage boxes are a great option because they come in a variety of sizes and are available in clear plastic or black (for those who don’t want the clutter to show).” In terms of colour and trends, the best idea is to use neutral colours, as the pantry is one area that won’t see you renovating it every season. But, if you want a splash of colour, IKEA also carries storage boxes that are colourful and vibrant, the national public relations specialist says. “Two of our newest storage boxes in the range are the KVITTRA & PALLRA boxes.” Pantries also need lighting as functional as the rest of your kitchen. Zoffranieri recommends GRUNDTAL cabinet lighting, which is easy to mount on the top of a pantry. “If you have a pantry with doors, a stylish and sleek lighting option is the INREDA LED light strip, which is suitable for use in the pantry,” she says. NL
SAMLA storage boxes Courtesy Ikea
PALLRA (left) and KVITTRA (right) storage boxes. Courtesy Ikea
OMAR shelving units Courtesy Ikea s o u r c e me d i a grou p: ce lebrat ing it s 10t h y ear
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The cook’s helpers
Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker, $49.99 at Canadian Tire.
Surround your kitchen with automated assistants
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By Kathy McCormick
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he impossible happened in the movie, “Field of Dreams” simply because one man believed that it could. ‘Build it and they will come.’ It seems today’s small kitchen appliance manufacturers have discovered that it is true — they’re building and people are coming. They’re not only coming, they’re buying — and buying lots, say retailers. Small kitchen appliances are one of the largest growth areas for big-box retailers — so much so, that many of the smaller local shops have stopped carrying them — they aren’t able to offer the bulk-buying prices and variety of the large chains. “The variety is incredible today,” says Mike Pearson, a manager at a local big box retailer. “There is something for everyone, whether single-serve coffee makers, which are huge now and found everywhere, breakfast machines, waffle makers, yogurt machines, or even more specialty-type items.” Today’s families are much more health conscious — and that’s a challenge for parents today when hectic school and extra-curricular activities eat up so much of a family’s time. That’s why anything that helps parents in the kitchen is welcome, says Andrea Zimmerman, category business manager, small appliances, at Canadian Tire. “Today’s households are focused on fresh and healthy meals, but with a limited amount of time available we have seen a surge in small appliances that enable moms and dads Breville Crispy Crusty Pizza Maker, $189.68 at WilliamsSonoma (online).
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to accomplish fresh and healthy in a timely manner — for example, single-serve coffee systems, crock pots, blenders and food processers allow families the ability to create fresh meals quickly at home.” A big seller right now is juicers, made popular by a movie extolling the virtues of healthy diets, starting with the juicer, says Pearson. “It brought focus to juicers and the healthy aspect of using them.” Juicers, blenders and appliances to make slushes, smoothies and other nutritional drinks have been around a long time — and because they allow people to eat nutritiously, they’re going to stay. And there is something for every budget: prices range from the Magic Bullet Single Shot at under $30, to $800 or $900 for one of the Vitamix series, the Rolls Royce of blenders. And at Canadian Tire, the Ninja Pulse Blender is one of the most popular small appliance sellers. Priced at just under $80, it blends up tasty and healthy smoothies for the kids and their parents in the morning — the perfect start to a hectic back-to-school day. It has a large capacity and powerful pulse technology, plus its dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup quick and easy. Another favourite of Zimmerman’s is the crock pot. “Crock pots are often overlooked as a major time-saving tool and
small appliances can be highlights of the kitchen design — no need to hide them away in forgotten cupboards. s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
n shopping Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1 Grill – $129.99 at Canadian Tire.
kitchen essential. While they force you to plan ahead, they make mealtimes easy and relatively painless, plus, there are literally thousands of recipes available at our fingertips — get the kids involved by having them help you choose a recipe and drop the ingredients into the pot. Turn it on in the morning and come home to a fresh cooked meal.” Here are some of the other most popular small kitchen appliances at Canadian Tire designed to make life easier for the busy household where children are back on schedules and hectic calendars mean organization and easy meals to keep everyone healthy and happy: KitchenAid Food Processor, 7-Cup Quickly mince, blend, mix, and emulsify foods with this model making it quick and easy to prep ingredients for lunch, dinner or an evening snack. $149.99 at Canadian Tire. Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1 Grill Four appliances in one, this kitchen helper serves as a contact grill, Panini press, flat grill, and regular grill, allowing you to quickly press sandwiches for lunch or dinner, or grill up meat and veggies for a speedy dinner. Bonus — both upper and lower plates are non-stick, easy to remove and dishwasher safe. $129.99 at Canadian Tire. Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Stay or Go Slow Cooker Come home to a hot dinner every night with this cooker. With three temperature settings (high, low and keep warm), it provides a variety of cooking and serving functions. $59 at Canadian Tire Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker What kid doesn’t love dessert? Treat the little ones to a cool, yet healthy, treat with Yonanas. It transforms bananas and other frozen fruits into delicious, creamy ice-cream-like desserts. $49.99 at Canadian Tire. Over at Williams- Sonoma, these are some of the popular choices: Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker This compact countertop machine is a game-changer for making extraordinary, brick-oven style pizzas — in about 10 minutes. The dual heating elements replicate a brick oven by heating the built-in baking stone up to 660 degrees Fahrenheit, guaranteeing crisp, golden crusts every time. $189.68 at Williams- Sonoma online. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor This stream-lined Mini-Prep Plus easily dispatches those small but time-consuming prep tasks, from chopping herbs to grinding nuts. At the push of the button, its touch-pad controls switch from Chop to Grind — so you don’t have to change the blade. $50.54 at Williams- Sonoma online.
KitchenAid Pro-Line Dicing and Food Processor This top-of-the-line food processor perfectly dices, shreds, purees, mixes, and kneads with precision and agility. From chopping small quantities of nuts to dicing whole potatoes, this machine offers the ideal balance of versatility, performance and power. $758.92 at Williams-Sonoma online. And let’s not forget about looks. Today’s small appliances can be highlights of the kitchen design — no need to hide them away in forgotten cupboards anymore. KitchenAid, for example, has a line of appliances that are sleek and colourful. Think fire-engine red stand mixers, or the all-new Artisan Stand Mixer ($299.99 at London Drugs) that comes in 26 colours, including luscious Boysenberry or Persimmon or Pistachio Green. And add in your choice of Hand Mixers, Stick Blenders or Food Choppers in matching colours for $39.99 each. “The assortment of machines today has grown dramatically compared to 10 years ago,” says Pearson. “Another big area of growth, especially around Christmas time, is the novelty items, such as Margarita makers, snow cone machines, or great big popcorn machines on wheels.” Anyone for a Circus-Themed Waffle Maker? From Smart Planet, it’s just $19.99 at London Drugs — and the waffles come out shaped like circus animals. Last, but certainly not least, parents need a good cup of joe to get them going in the morning. A huge seller at all retailers right now is the coffee maker — in particular, the one-cup machines that can customize each cup. “Coffee makers and machines are consistently popular,” Zimmerman says. “Canadians love their coffee and being able to make a fresh cup at home to start the day has remained a tradition. Single-serve machines like Tassimo and Keurig enable you to cater to everyone’s needs — making anything possible — making tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso in seconds. Why not cater to everyone’s different wants?” Zimmerman says. Build it and they will come. NL KitchenAid Pro-line Dicing and Food Processor, $758.92 at WilliamsSonoma (online).
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Awards of Excellence Provincial home builder winners announced
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inners of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta’s (CHBA – Alberta) 2013 Awards of Excellence in Housing were announced September 13th at the BUILD 2013 conference in Jasper. For the first time in the history of the event, CHBA – Alberta presented Builder of the Year Awards in three categories: large volume, small volume and multi-family. In the Builder of the Year category, Homes by Avi was named the winner of the Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award in the large volume division, while White Eagle Homes received the same award in the small volume category. The winner of the award in the multi-family category was Qualico Group of Companies. Awards were also presented in 22 other categories to Alberta’s top builders, renovators and developers. Edmonton builders won 14 of the awards, Calgary won six, and one builder from both Red Deer and Lethbridge took home an award. Following is a list of Calgary winners. For a complete list, go to www.chbaalberta.ca NL
MULTI-FAMILY Multi-family Townhome or Duplex $300,000 – $400,000 Landmark Homes Unit 3109 Calgary Multi-family Townhome or Duplex Over $400,000 Prominent Homes Altadore
Calgary
RENOVATIONS Renovation Over $500,000 Malbec Homes
Barn House
Calgary
Auburn Bay
Calgary
Cascade Marcelo Austyn II Marquis Sovdi Residence
Calgary Red Deer Edmonton Lethbridge Medicine Hat
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Brookfield Residential
MERIT AWARDS Broadview Homes Sorento Custom Homes Daytona Homes Master Builder Daytona Homes Master Builder Brost Developments
* Note: Prices for the Single Family & Estate Categories do not include land or GST
Builder of the Year Builder of the Year — Large Volume Homes by Avi
Alberta
Builder of the Year — Small Volume White Eagle Homes
Edmonton
Builder of the Year — Multi-Family Qualico Group of Companies
Alberta
Single Family Homes Single Family $525,000 – $625,000 Homes by Avi Dream Home
Calgary
ESTATE HOMES Estate Home Over $1,500,000 Crystal Creek Homes
Single Family $525,000 – $625,000 Winner: Homes by Avi – Dream Home
Bobier Residence Calgary
Estate Home Over $1,500,000 Winner: Crystal Creek Homes – Bobier Residence
Community Development Winner: Brookfield Residential – Auburn Bay
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By Pepper Rodriguez
Sabal unveils new Heron Pointe show homes
Starts remain steady
Sabal Homes launches a brand new four-bedroom home to the public at the grand opening of Heron Pointe at Reunion, Airdrie. “It’s a busy, but exciting time for Sabal Homes in Airdrie,” says marketing manager Nicole McLaws. “We’re not only showcasing two of our new show homes at a grand opening event in Heron Pointe, but we’re releasing our brand new Initia2 floorplan. And on top of that, we’re sponsoring the Airdrie Family Fall Fair. We couldn’t be more excited to spend our time in the Airdrie community.” Sabal Homes is showcasing two show homes in the front-attached garage parade in Heron Pointe at Reunion, which has amenity lots backing onto a pond or park space. “We have a line-up of seven models, including our brand new four-bedroom floorplan,
Housing starts in the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 12,164 units in August compared to 12,135 in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 of total housing starts. “The trend in total housing starts rose slightly in August with an increase in both single-detached and multi-family construction,” said Richard Cho, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for Calgary. The standalone monthly SAAR was 11,352 units in August, down from 15,506 in July. The decrease is mainly the result of a decline in multi-family starts from the elevated pace recorded in July. CMHC uses the trend measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing starts to account for considerable swings in monthly estimates and obtain a more complete picture of the state of the housing market.
which features an upper floor laundry and entertainment room as well as a main floor flex room.” Sabal’s two show homes include the ever-popular Adero shown in a “Lager Haus” décor style and the stunning Vasi, shown in a “Fall Fair” décor style. Sabal Homes in Heron Pointe offers amazing floorplans, an incomparable list of standard specifications, attractive exteriors and all at an incredible attainable price.
New laned show homes in EvansRidge Eight new laned show homes are opening this September in the thriving community of EvansRidge from Excel Homes, Genesis Builder Group and Morrison Homes, as the community winds down to its final phase. “We’re filling up fast, all our builders have been extremely busy, and the announcement that new schools are opening in the area is just spurring demand more,” says Cheryl Heilman, marketing cooridinator at Dundee Developments, EvansRidge’s developer. “A new K-9 Catholic elementary school will be built in the community, it has been awarded funds and it is anticipated to be completed by 2016. It will have a capacity of 750-900 students. Also approved was the public K-4 Evanston school with the capacity of 600 students,” she says. The new laned show home parade will be located right across from this future school site and they will feature some new floor plans that will be making their debut in EvansRidge, including a loft home from Excel Homes. Prices are from the mid $300,000s.
Hospital Home Lottery at 50 per cent sold Calgary Health Trust announced that tickets for Hospital Home Lottery are already 50 per cent sold. This year’s lottery is offering more than $2.9 million in prizes and features an amazing grand prize show home. Built by Calbridge and located in the spectacular lakeside community of Mahogany this home is valued at over $2 million. This luxury home comes fully furnished, has lakeside views from all three levels, with lake access and a private dock in the backyard. The Early Bird prize will have the winner choosing between the all new 2014 Corvette Stingray or $100,000 cash. The “Take 50” Add-On jackpot is now over $584,000 and growing… The lucky winner will take home half of the total jackpot. Go to www.CalgaryHospitalHomeLottery.ca and watch the jackpot grow.
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Burger Battle ushers in new Cranston show homes
Vesta opens new show homes in Williamstown
“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is the wise old saying. Apparently the same holds true for homebuyers who flocked to the recent launch of eight show homes from Brookfield Homes and Morrison Homes in Cranston and help choose Calgary’s best burger. Brookfield Residential hosted the Brookfield Burger Battle that pitted Black Betty Burger and Winebar against Loungeburger. “Black Betty represented the four Brookfield Homes’ show homes, while Lounge- Loungeburger burger was for the four Morrison Homes’ show homes,” Brookfield Residential’s Jo Sarpal tells Around Town. “Show home visitors got to taste the burgers and cast their vote on which one they thought Black Betty Burger and Winebar was best.” Black Betty came away with the most votes, but the real winners are the show home visitors who got the chance to see the latest laned single family homes being offered in this popular southeast community. Brookfield Homes’ portion of the show home parade features the Leighton, Belvedere, Grandin and an all new model, the Carlisle, a 1,700 plus square-foot home featuring impressive standards that include a main floor flex space, second floor bonus room and upper floor laundry. Prices start from the $320,00’s. Launching their new Discovery Series, Morrison unveiled four new models ranging from 988 to 1,748 square-feet: The Solaris, Jasper, Indigo and Brooklyn.Prices are from low $340,000s and includes house, lot and GST.
Vesta Properties announced the opening of four new show homes in their Bridges at Williamstown townhome development in Airdrie. Bridges groups three townhome models — the Urban Collection, the Classic Collection and the Three-Storey Collection — but they have been so incredibly popular that the Urban Collection has already sold out. There will be two new show homes each from the Classic and Three-Storey Collections. “About 70 per cent of the initial release has already sold and we are releasing more as we open the new show homes on September 28,” says Vesta Vice-President, Marketing, Curt Woodhall. The 81-unit Bridges development, he says, is being snapped up by a lot of young families, couples and even downsizers who love the stylish functionality they offer and the fact that almost all units back onto Williamstown’s lush environmental reserve. “The Bridges improves on our previous townhome designs in the Trails, and they have a lot more space to offer, you can realistically park up to four cars as some of the homes have a full driveway to go with a double attached garage,” he tells Around Town. The Three-Storey Collection has townhomes from 1,400 square-feet starting at the $259,000 mark. The classic Collection has models from 1,500 square-feet from $324,000.
Shane Homes’ 18th annual golf tournament nets over $27,000 Shane Homes believes in rewarding hard work and has been doing so since 1996 at their annual golf tournament. “This July we enjoyed our 18th annual golf tournament,” says Shane Wenzel, President of Shane Homes. “As our company has grown so has our tournament. Our golf tournament started as a day out with our trades and staff to show our appreciation for their dedication
and hard work. Over the years it has grown into a 27 hole tournament with over 220 people attending including our partners, trades, suppliers and staff.” The annual tournament also raises money for the Frank Lindsay Golf Foundation. “This year we raised $27,180 for the Frank Lindsay Foundation. $9,060 was raised at the tournament, then D & B Lumber, who is another long term partner of Shane Homes
From left from Shane Homes: Dave Rickett, Jim Smith, Rhonda Halyn, Cal Wenzel, Reuben Rausch from D & B Lumber, Gary Houssin from All Floors, Doug Rausch from D & B Lumber, Shane Wenzel 5 4 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
generously matched this amount, as did Shane Homes,” Wenzel says. The Frank Lindsay Golf Foundation was started in 2003 in memory of Frank Lindsay, who established Carpets for Less in 1984 (the name has subsequently been changed to All Floors) and has been Shane Homes’ flooring supplier for almost 30 years. Cal Wenzel, CEO/CVO of Shane Homes and close friend of Franks since the late 1970’s says that although we could never forget Frank, “It is nice that his memory carries on thanks to the Frank Lindsay Golf Foundation.” Gary Houssin, owner of All Floors, and heavily involved in the Frank Lindsay Golf Foundation and long time friend of Franks, says “Since the Foundation was established over $600,000 has been raised and about 500 kids have been put through golf programs due to the Frank Lindsay Golf Foundation. I’d say the foundation has touched at least 1,000 kids out there since it was established 10 years ago.” NL s o u r ce m e di a g r o u p : ce l e b r at i ng i ts 10th y e a r
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United Communities Drake Landing page 52
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United Communities Nolan Hill FC, pages 14-17
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hope at large By Marty Hope
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Phoenix rising A new reality emerges in Alberta’s favourite desert playground After coming dangerously close to bleeding out, the new housing market in Phoenix is in the early days of a healing process. Potential purchasers are streaming back into show homes, and builders are finding themselves busy responding to the renewed consumer appetite by adding phases to existing developments or breaking virgin ground for new communities. And at the forefront of one of the most watched developments in the Valley of the Sun is Calgary-based Brookfield Residential Properties which is a 50-50 joint-venture partner with DMB Associates Inc. in the creation of Eastmark — a 3,200-acre master-planned community in Mesa. “This is one of the more strategic pieces of land in the southwest United States,” says Don Merlo, executive vice-president of corporate development for Brookfield. In an earlier life, the Eastmark land was used as a proving ground by General Motors. “It will be a small city when it’s done,” he says, commenting on development plans that call for an estimated 15,000 housing units, and up to 20 million square-feet of land for non-residential uses, including a 100-acre park that will connect the various neighbourhoods making up Eastmark. Other uses will include school sites, employment centres, recreational areas, as well as retail and commercial elements. As the first large-scale community to launch in Arizona in nearly 10 years, Eastmark is being closely watched, according to DMB president Charley Freericks. “We are designing the community with the ‘new normal’ in mind. People are putting
higher values on a sense of community, proximity to employment, and environmental stewardship,” he says. The community opened its sales centre early this summer and if opening day crowds are any indication, Eastmark will be a huge success story. More than 5,000 attended the opening and to date more than 100 of the 700 homes planned for the first phase have been sold. Housing styles will include single-family, villas, condos, a gated 50-plus neighbourhood, and executive homes catering to everyone from young families to retirees. Builders in the initial phase include Mattamy Homes, a Toronto-based builder making large inroads into markets in and around Calgary; Standard Pacific Homes, Maracay Homes, Meritage Homes, Ryland Homes, Woodside Homes, and Taylor Morrison.
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Eastmark will have 12 themed neighbourhood parks, a large community-social centre, 20 show homes, and a restored riparian stream feeding into a lake. The opening was delayed nearly three years because of the dramatic downturn in the U.S. economy and pummeled the housing markets of several regions of the country, including the greater Phoenix region, says Merlo. “Now, as the market regains some strength, we see Eastmark’s strategic location in the valley, as playing a key role in the ongoing recovery.” DMB senior vice-president Dea McDonald says Brookfield will make the perfect partner for the 20-year project located about four miles north of the expanding Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in the heart of the rapidly growing Mesa region. “Brookfield knows the development business,” he says. “We kicked around the possibility of others partners, but it didn’t take long to settle on Brookfield because they have the same vision for community development as we do.” While this is the first venture for Brookfield in the Arizona market, the company has other holdings in California, Texas, Colorado, and Washington D.C. In Calgary, Brookfield is the developer of McKenzie Towne, Auburn Bay, Cranston, Seton, and New Brighton. Among DMB’s Phoenix area communities are Centerpoint on Mill in Tempe, DC Ranch in Scottsdale, and Verrado in Buckeye. “Brookfield has been eager to find the right strategic investment in the Phoenix market,” 6 2 n e w home liv in g Octo ber 2013
says Brookfield senior vice-president John Bradley, who is in charge of the company’s Phoenix operations. “The vision and plan for Eastmark aligns with Brookfield’s strengths in developing innovative master-planned and mixed use projects in North America,” he adds. Brookfield’s ongoing role in Eastmark will be to serve on the executive committee with DMB and to contribute to “major strategic decisions” relating to the community’s multi-faceted development. DMB purchased the 3,200-acre property in 2006 then undertook a visioning process to understand the needs and long-term opportunities of the land. And the result was a people place, a place where residents wouldn’t face long drives to work, shop, dine or play. And, says McDonald, Brookfield’s expertise and experience will further enhance the high-profile development. “Our shared values and commitment to thoughtful, quality development allows us to fulfil the vision for Eastmark to become a major economic core for the region,” he adds. For more information on Eastmark visit www.eastmark.com. For more information on Brookfield visit www.brookfieldrp.com. For more information on DMB visit www.dmbinc.com. 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.
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