New Home Living January 2014 by Source Media Group

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 97 n JANUARY 2014

contents

12 cover feature

Luxury by the lake Glamour and purpose blend in Lifestyle Homes’ Elliott

News

2013 CHBA National SAM Awards finalists Calgary is well-represented in annual best-of-the-best awards

PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9

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contents

16 20

focus on

The lighting’s on the wall

Sconces and other wall lighting illuminate home design

Show home profiles

A breath of fresh air

The Banbury mirrors the relaxed lifestyle of The Willows

20 Pinnacle of luxury and comfort

Morrison’s The Apex sets the standard for luxurious living in Legacy

Community Profile

24 Walden’s paths

Genstar accomplishes vision for eco-friendly, all-ages community

Shopping

30 Art at your feet

Area rugs bring a magic touch to the home

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Feature

36 The McGillivray magic

Scott McGillivray brings unique touch to HomExpo 2014

columns

39 Around Town 45 Hope at Large

Items

8 Editor’s Message 40 Maps 44 Advertiser Index

editor’s message n

PUBLISHER

2014 blasts off

Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca

The new year would seem to augur well for the Calgary new home industry; first of all, the CHBA is predicting a healthy upswing in new home construction this year, and then there’s the glut of Calgary home builders and developers vying for honours at the National SAM Awards, you can check out whom among your favourites made the cut inside. The year’s not without its challenges though, as there is still the nagging worry about what the dwindling supply of serviced land will mean for the market, as the City and industry remain at loggerheads on how to handle Calgary’s growth. One of the effects of this disagreement that we’ve noticed at New Home Living is the growth of residential developments in the outlying towns and cities around Calgary, like Airdrie, Okotoks and Cochrane. Our cover feature on Lifestyle Homes’ show home in Chestermere is certainly a manifestation of the phenomena, and what a beautiful manifestation it is. Sitting on a 75-foot wide lot in the new estate community of Kinniburgh, The Elliott may be the face of the coming boom in these small towns. We also feature NuVista Homes’ The Banbury in the new Cochrane community of The Willows (told you these towns were growing), as well as Morrison Homes’ latest in Auburn Bay. Jessica Patterson also tours us through Genstar Development’s Walden, a community that seems to have achieved its goal of becoming an all-ages, sustainable community. This year’s HomExpo is another event we’re looking forward to, especially with popular handyman Scott McGillivray headlining the 2014 line-up of guest stars. The first market trade show of the year is going to be a blast! Kathy McCormick also brings us the latest trends in area rugs in her Shopping story. There’s a lot to look forward to this year, including a full slate of new show home openings already in the midst of construction in some of the best communities around that offer a wide choice for buyers. We can’t wait to tell you about them in the coming issues.

A s s o c ia t e P U B L I S H E R

Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca E d i t or

Pepper Rodriguez pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca A r t d ire c t or

Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca gra p hi c d e s ignerS

Lama Azhari

lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca

Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca

Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca p ro d u c t ion a d mini s t ra t or

Colleen Leier

colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL

Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Deanna McArthur, Kathy McCormick, Jessica Patterson, Jennifer Seamone A d ver t i s ing S A L E S

Heather Dougall

heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca A c c oun t ing

Donna Roberts accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca D I ST R I B U T E D B Y

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA

©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.

Next month:

We’re featuring bed sheets and covers in our Shopping story.

@CalgaryNewHomes

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NewHomeLivingCalgary

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focus on

The lighting’s on Sconces and other wall lighting illuminate home design n by

Aaliya Essa

You can never have too much light in your home, and for those tricky areas, sconces are the perfect solution. With so many styles and colours to choose from, finding the perfect fixture that goes with your décor will be a cinch. NL

1] EUROFASE, $48 at The Home Depot. 2] Mirror Branch Sconce, $65 at Pier1 imports. 3] Hinkley, $575.52 at The Lighting Centre. 4] Turquoise & Brown Pillar Wall Sconce, $55 at Pier1 imports. 5] Uttermost, $155.76 at The Lighting Centre. 6] Progress Lighting, $84.18 at The Home Depot. 7] Dainolite, $117.60, at The Lighting Centre. 8] Mosaic Wave Pillar Sconce, $49 at Pier1 imports. 9] EGLO, $39.97 at The Home Depot.

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n focus

the wall 1 4

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| Advertising cover Feature |

luxury

by the lake Glamour and purpose blend in Lifestyle Homes’ Elliott

rue luxury isn’t merely defined by glamour — it’s about the fundamental quality that stands behind a name. It’s that awareness that drives Lifestyle Homes to focus as intently on the products and technologies used in the construction of the home as they do on their impressive aesthetic design. The philosophy may be simple, but it serves as the foundation to everything they do; build each and every home to stand the test of time. The Elliott, Lifestyle Homes’ new show home in Chestermere, is the perfect embodiment of this philosophy, as this impressive three-car garage estate home effortlessly blends a rare executive elegance with a level of

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construction quality that is unrivaled in the market. “The show home is so well designed that despite of the extravagance of it all, you feel at home the minute you walk in,” says area manager Claudette Sinclair. While the 3,070-square-foot Elliott has all the refinements worthy of the rest of the million-dollar homes in Kinniburgh Estates, the company’s long-standing goal has been to build homes that are more than skin deep. Ryan Armstrong, General Manager at Lifestyle Homes, says that the 16-year-old Calgary-based home builder has always been committed to building homes of enduring quality and timeless beauty. “At Lifestyle we believe that it is what’s behind the

| Advertising cover Feature |

walls of a home that is most important, even if the exterior and interior design often draws the most attention,” he says. “The issue is that the technical details can be overwhelming for most people. If you don’t understand what one product will do for you that another won’t, it makes it difficult to make an informed buying decision. So we definitely try to educate our guests as much as possible. “But it’s much easier to just take care of the details on our clients’ behalf. That’s why we hold ourselves to such high design standards. A beautiful home is the perfect Trojan horse — many of our homeowners make their decision to build a Lifestyle Home on emotion alone — it just so happens that it will also be the best quality home they’ve ever lived in.” Lifestyle Homes is one of only a handful of builders in the Calgary area that were invited to participate in the Holmes Approved Homes program. Established by Mike Holmes — the TV personality repeatedly named the second most-trusted man in Canada in Reader’s Digest polls — the program aims to raise the bar on homebuilding practices. “Holmes Approved Homes are inspected by certified Holmes Inspectors several times throughout the construction process,” Armstrong says. Like every home Lifestyle builds in Kinniburgh Estates, which are all built to Holmes Approved standards, the Elliott utilizes moisture-resistant and fire-resistant treated lumber products like PinkWood for the home’s sheathing and engineered joists, improved mechanical systems that ensure a constant flow of fresh, clean air throughout the home, and triple-pane windows for added thermal protection. The technologies used to keep the outdoor elements at bay are also formidable. Each Holmes Approved Home combines durable yet stylish James Hardie fibre cement boards with a rain-screen system and advanced building wrap that work together to keep water out and, in the unlikely scenario that any moisture should get past, immediately drain it away. It’s the combination of these technologies that contributes to the outstanding durability of the home. “It’s not as simple as getting another builder to include one or two items in your spec,” Armstrong cautions. “The whole is very much greater than the sum of its parts. Each component in the program has been carefully selected to work in synergy with all of the other technologies.” Of course, while technical specifications will appease the more rational among us, it’s that visual splendor that makes guests fall in love with the homes. On a home site offering an impressive 75-foot frontage, the Elliott demonstrates a level of curb appeal uncommon in other estate homes. “It’s designed as a side-attached tandem garage, so that the front of the home is not dominated by garage doors,” Sinclair says. This let Michelle Moodie, Lifestyle’s Design Manager, really explore the architectural possibilities. “A recurring theme in all of Lifestyle’s designs is a respect for history, supported by an understanding of where trends are moving,” reflects Moodie. Though the elevation is best described as Craftsman, the company’s overall portfolio is shaped by what it calls its Modern Fusion design language. “So we think of it as more of a

Craftsman Fusion — a contemporary take on the classic architectural style. This enables us to play with more dynamic massing, and do things like incorporate larger, more vertical sets of windows on the façade.” These updates lend the home an easy, comfortable ambience. “Light pours into the wide, airy foyer,” Moodie points out, “and with 10 foot ceilings and 8 foot doors throughout the main level, the home feels much more spacious.” The home office, located just off the foyer, also benefits from the unobstructed front, featuring its own cluster of windows overlooking the yard. Not only does this make long sessions working from home more enjoyable, but it’s practical too, as you can easily see people come and go — whether it’s the children returning from school or the arrival of that client you had been expecting. A formal dining room with an elegant coffered ceiling detail is visible to your left as you continue into the home, and it’s easy to imagine it being the perfect backdrop to a big Thanksgiving dinner. In the summer, a private secondary deck accessible from the dining room becomes an ideal spot for more casual get-togethers. The kitchen would make any Gordon Ramsay fan curse with delight. A massive quartz covered island, full height cabinetry with stacked glass uppers, and top-end stainless steel appliances create an environment that’s sexy, stylish and begging to be put to good use. Combined with heaps of working space, it’s the perfect place for crafting culinary magic. “Because of the open concept layout, entertaining guests is a simple affair. Friends and family can easily relax in the living room or pull up a chair at the flush eating bar,” Sinclair says. “In either scenario, you’re not left out of the conversation just because you’re hosting. That feeling of separation is probably the biggest complaint we hear from families moving from older homes.” Plush carpeting graces the stairway leading to the private

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| Advertising cover Feature |

upper level. A generous family room at the front of the home looks out onto East Lakeview Road. “From this vantage point, you get terrific views of Chestermere Lake and the mountains beyond, all framed by the mature trees that line the streetscape,” Sinclair says. The two secondary bedrooms are oversized and feature multiple windows each, but it’s the grandeur of the master bedroom and attached ensuite that particularly impresses. “The master bedroom itself is massive, but the beauty is that the space is entirely usable — you don’t even need to put any bureaus or drawers in there because the walk-in closet is really more like a dressing room,” she says. That leaves homeowners with the ability to furnish their bedroom a little more creatively, such as by including a private reading nook or small desk area. Then there’s the spectacular five-piece ensuite. Marble tile flooring — warm on the feet because of the inclusion of an extra membrane that also helps dissipate moisture — adds sophistication in this secluded room. A deep stand-alone tub takes centre stage, while a large glass-encased shower with a tiled bench invites you to make even daily rituals a pleasure. “This is the place where you decompress and tune out the rest of the world; it’s your own private spa,” Sinclair adds. The structural and aesthetic excellence of the Elliott is only matched by its wonderful location in Kinniburgh Estates, where no two homes will look the same. Upon completion, it’ll be hard to imagine East Lakeview Road not being considered one of the most prestigious addresses in Chestermere. “The town has that rare resort-like quality with all of the recreation opportunities offered throughout the year, but it’s not merely a resort town — everything you need to make Chestermere home is all right here. Kinniburgh in particular is extremely well located — a new K-9 public school is opening just down the road, the Chestermere Community Health Centre is just steps beyond that, and all the grocery stores and retail shops you need are a short five-minute drive to Chestermere Station,” Sinclair explains. For those Calgarians who turn their nose at the thought of moving outside the city, Sinclair adds that “it’s common to hear someone say that we’re just 10 minutes outside of Calgary, but the reality is that the two municipal borders are shared. One to two more developments and the two will be connected.” As for the commute? “It takes less time to get to downtown from Chestermere than it does from many of Calgary’s southeast developments,” Sinclair answers. The Elliott can be built from $900,000 including home, lot and GST, with the show home itself retailing for $1.185 million. n

A deep stand-alone tub takes centre stage, while a large glassencased shower with a tile bench invites you to make even daily rituals a pleasure.

FAST FACTS: community: Kinniburgh Estates of Chestermere Builder: Lifestyle Homes Developer: Pollyco Development model: The Elliott II Style: Triple-garage, three-bedroom estate home size: 3,070 sq. ft. Price: Starts from the $900,000s Address: 800 East Lakeview Rd. Directions: East on 17th Ave., right on East Chestermere Dr., turn to East Lakeview Rd and follow the signs. hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Phone: 403-460-3606

For more information, visit www.lifestylehomes.ca

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show home profile n NuVista Homes

A breath of fresh The Banbury mirrors the relaxed lifestyle of The Willows n Written by

Pepper Rodriguez

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h air Yo u r h o m e f i t s your lifestyle, and in the case of NuVista Homes’ new show home, The Banbury, that feeling of relaxed, laid-back luxury is brought to focus even more in its location in the new community of The Willows in Cochrane. The 1,542-square-foot veranda-style home has been one of the consistent best-sellers at NuVista, but its new location in the just-opened-up community may be its best fit yet. The open-concept design of the main floor adds to the expansive feel of prairie freedom found in this new Cochrane community just off Highway 22 on the southwest part of town. “The Willows is all about embracing Cochrane’s smalltown values and The Banbury is designed to accommodate all the needs of a young family with small children or a young couple just starting out in their life together,” says NuVista Homes’ area manager, Hal Firlotte. The community is being developed by La Vita Land as a follow-up to their enormously successful Fireside that’s just across the highway. “It’s a very new community with plenty of potential, and completely in tune to the needs of a family,” Firlotte says. “It’s a community where you can plant your family and watch it grow,” adds sales assistant, Athea Manfron. The friendly front porch of The Banbury sets the tone for the home and presents a warm, welcoming countenance that adds to its curb appeal. A wide foyer provides plenty of room as you welcome your guests and the cantilevered

The open-concept design of the main floor adds to the expansive feel of prairie freedom found in this new Cochrane community... JANUARY 2014 NE W HOME LIVING

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show home profile n

gas fireplace displays the enormous entertainment possibilities of the home. Quartz countertops and an upgraded laminate flooring brings a sense of sophistication to the main floor, while the matching glass mosaic tile backsplash in the kitchen and around the façade of the fireplace brings added aesthetic punch. “The open-floor plan is its most desirable feature, it makes entertaining all that much easier and lends a cozy yet functional atmosphere to the home,” Firlotte says. The dining room and the great room are equally massive, there’s plenty of room for an eight-seater dining table in the former and a big sectional sofa and ottomans in the latter. The big windows along the front and back of the home, as well as the nine-foot ceilings, invite abundant natural lighting and add to the interior’s airy character. The island is wide and expansive and extremely functional. It serves as party central for big gatherings and as a convenient place for quick meals for a family on the go. The corner pantry provides plenty of convenient storage space. The built-in lockers at the back entrance are a standard feature that is essential for the active family. Upstairs, the three-bedroom home continues to impress. The laundry room is in the second floor for added utility. “And it’s a whole room not just a closet, you have a lot of space to store dirty clothes and close the door to keep it out of sight until wash day,” Manfron says. The master suite is spacious — and with its attached ensuite and walk-in closet — has everything to suit the homeowners’ needs. The two spare rooms are equally large, each with their own double door closets. The Banbury starts in the $360,000s including house, lot and GST. The show home itself with all the upgrades — including a detached 22-by-22-feet garage and a developed basement — is at $475,000.

“You can really personalize your home at a reasonable price.”

For a limited time, NuVista is offering free granite, tile and hardwood upgrades. “You can really personalize your home at a reasonable price,” Firlotte says. NuVista offers a wide range of homes in The Willows, from duplexes to walkout semi-estate homes. Prices start from the $300,000s. “Living in The Willows allows you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and choosing NuVista here guarantees that you will have a well-planned, well-built home,” he adds. NL

fast facts builder: NuVista Homes Community: The Willows of River Heights in Cochrane developer: La Vita Land Model: The Banbury Style: Three-bedroom laned home size: 1,542 sq. ft. Price: Starts at the $360,000s address: 10 Willow Drive, Cochrane Directions: North on Hwy 22, right on James Walker Tr. and follow the signs Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Web: www.nuvistahomes.com

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show home profile n

Pinnacle luxury comfort

…the space is a unique balance of cozy and exhilarating, ideal for an intimate evening, yet offering mesmerizing views through the endless expanses of windows. 20 | NE W HOME LIVING

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of and

Morrison Homes n show home profile

Morrison’s The Apex sets the standard for Jennifer Seamone luxurious living in Legacy n Written by

M o r r i s o n H o m e s i n t r o duc e s the stunning new semi-estate show home The Apex in the new south Calgary community of Legacy. As customers have come to expect the best from Morrison, The Apex delivers, giving home owners an amazing new design with all the quality and craftsmanship Morrison is famous for. The Apex is Morrison’s newest home design, and it was designed specifically to embrace Legacy’s unique topography and showcase its beautiful and elegant master design. “It is a master planned community that has been 10 years in the making,” explains Area Sales Manager Troy Taylor. “Each element of the community has been carefully designed. Here, it is not about maximizing the land, it is about creating a legacy.” From the escarpment overlooking Pine Creek to the south, to the ridge overlooking the beautiful Bow Valley, and boasting over 300 acres of environmental reserve, there is nothing ordinary about this community. “There will be a tremendous selection of lots, something for everyone, and with 15 kilometres of interconnected walking paths, an organic community garden, and a future

800,000-square-foot shopping plaza, it is a wonderful place to put down roots,” says Taylor. Located in the first phase of this 1,100 acre development, The Apex show home backs onto one of two large ponds. “All the lots in phase one back onto water or green space, and 90 per cent are walk-outs,” explains Taylor. Taking full advantage of the sweeping views one finds and impressive 247 square-feet of glass across the rear of the home. From every angle, this two-storey walk-out, is bright, airy and spacious. One of the crowning glories is the bonus room. Bridging the two-storey entry, and the open to above main floor great room, the space is a unique balance of cozy and exhilarating, ideal for an intimate evening, yet offering mesmerizing views through the endless expanses of windows. Like a private oasis at the back of the home, the Master Suite features large windows and a water view. “It is a peaceful retreat from the pressures of the day. Morrison always pays attention to details and it translates into happy customers and a tranquil existence,” says Taylor. Details include his and hers vanities, a large free-standing oval tub and a beautiful tile shower with a pebble base. The main floor flex room is bright and open, subtly separated from the great room and foyer by modern square bulkheads and column accents. Also on the main floor is a large great room boasting 17-foot ceilings and towering two story windows. A gourmet ‘L’ shaped kitchen with state of the art appliances, a mosaic stainless steel backsplash and a large central island showcasing black suede granite counters, is a centrepiece of the home. A finishing touch is the spacious and convenient 15foot by 10-foot-four-inch dining area adjacent to the kitchen.

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show home profile n

“A striking and unique design element in the home is the 17-foot high hardwood wall,” says Taylor. The accent, rising up from the floor around the firebox as an extension of the main floor hardwood, is a warm and modern touch. “It was incredible to watch it go up, there is a lot of work and thought behind it, and it’s nice that it can be enjoyed from both the first and second floors of the home,” he adds. Elegant and perfect for entertaining, The Apex is also an ideal three bedroom family home with spacious bedrooms for the children, a convenient upstairs laundry and lots of storage, explains Taylor. Adding to the functionality is a favorite for the man of the house, a tandem garage. The three bay “L” shaped garage with the traditional two cars spaces in front with an extra bay in behind provides storage, a place for a workshop, or keeping recreational vehicles. “The tandem plays to the family on the

go — lots of space helps keep basements clear and helps people stay organized. It’s got all the right space in all the right place,” says Taylor. With all the right space comes all the right stuff when it comes to Morrison Homes. For 50 years the company has been earning trust and respect from customers and the industry, explains Taylor. Touting credentials such as 10 time consecutive winner of Calgary’s Builder of the Year and three years running as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, it is obvious Morrison Homes knows how to make the grade. Morrison’s Apex show home is no exception, it receives an “A” in Legacy. From the beautiful exterior architecture of its French Country façade, to the innovative and thoughtfully designed interior, The Apex is a home to start your own history, in a place that Taylor describes as, “a community for now, and a community for generations.” NL

fast facts: builder: Morrison Homes area: Legacy Developer: West Creek Developments Model: The Apex, Semi Estate Size: 2.556 sq. ft. Price: Starts at $656,000 on flat lot, $681,000 on water Address: 16 Legacy Circle Directions: South on Macleod Trail past 22X, left at Legacy sign onto 210 Avenue, follow road and signs Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Web: www.morrisonhomes.ca

With all the right space comes all the right stuff when it comes to Morrison Homes... The Apex is a home to start your own history... 22 | NE W HOME LIVING

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community profile n Walden

Edison townhomes by Avi Urban.

W h e n G e n s ta r D e v e l o p m e n t first broke ground on Walden in 2007, the first houses went up amid the economic downturn that had just begun. But there was never any doubt that it would be a community that appeals to all generations with its strong connection to nature. “We started Walden as the next community heading south to provide some future growth to the south side of the city,” says Patrick Briscoe, Development Manager at Genstar Developments. “It was the natural continuation of developing great communities heading down Macleod Trail.” Walden, spread over 620 acres at Macleod Trail and 192nd

Vision Accomplished Walden is the eco-friendly, all-ages community it was always envisioned to be

n Written by

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Jessica Patterson JANUARY 2014

Avenue, will see approximately 3,000 homes at buildout. And recession or not, it was going to make a splash. “When Walden started, it was the first community in Calgary to hit the 11 sustainability principles set as targets by the city,” Briscoe says. “That involved saving a lot of the natural trees that were on the land, installing a lot of environmental features, such as bioswales which are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water, and storm water features.” The original vision for Walden was to keep as many natural features of the property as possible, and build parks and other natural areas in the community. It is a vision that has been kept and realized; Walden has a lot of green space embedded into its design. Two new playgrounds have been built, one of which completes the Phase 11, and the other is in the 12th phase of development, Briscoe says. “They’re amazing parks, with mature trees,” he says. “Parks and pathways will continue throughout the development south, and will link the entire community from north to south, and eventually connect with the schools that are located in the south of the community.” For all homebuyers, there is something to find in Walden. There are all types of housing in the community, from starter homes, to semi-detached, townhomes, move-ups and semi-estate homes. “We’re building a sustainable community that will allow all types of people to live there,” Briscoe says. “Walden has been designed to attract the starter home buyer, all the way up to the move-up and semi-estate home buyer,” Briscoe says. “There are townhomes by Avi Urban, who are selling out a three-storey town home with

community profile

a garage underneath. It goes all the way up to Cardel and California Homes who are selling in our newest phase, Walden Park, which are larger 38-40-foot lots, backing onto the parks.” Walden’s aesthetic embraces modern architecture. “We pushed our home builders to come up with more modern-style houses, with flat lines and verticals, and different kinds of building materials,” Briscoe says. “It gives Walden a unique feel for a suburban community. It makes it feel a little more urban.” The modern fusion of houses gives Walden a different look than other communities in the south of Calgary. Home designs are a step away from the traditional-style of houses. They give Walden a sleek character, for a brand new community. Also unique to Walden is the commercial area at the entrance to the community, The Gates of Walden. A glorious list of amenities is within walking distance. “Walden is one of the few communities in the city with a fully-built-out shopping district,” Briscoe says. “The Gates of Walden is within walking distance of all of the homes there now. There’s a Starbucks, a couple of banks and a Shopper’s Drug Mart. Save-On Foods is opening.” “Residents can drive home, park their cars, and walk to get their groceries,” Briscoe says. “It’s a benefit for future residents, because everything is right there in the community.”

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community profile n

The modern fusion of houses gives Walden a different look than other communities in the south of Calgary ... They give Walden a sleek character, for a brand new community. From there, amenities line the sides of Macleod Trail heading north. Just to the north is Shawnessy, a commercial centre with stores and services including Home Depot, Safeway, Co-op, Real Canadian Superstore, Canadian Tire, Winners and more. Of all of the new areas in the city, Walden is one of the closest to the LRT (at Shawnessy). Walden’s proximity to the Macleod Trail corridor makes it the perfect location for your new home. Residents there already include a range of people in various stages of their lives. “What we’re seeing is a lot of the people moving to Walden are professional working in south Calgary,” Briscoe says. “We’re seeing a lot of young professionals, a lot of young families and couples looking to start a family. A lot of people who can see the overall vision of Walden and are buying into a more mature, new community. Mature, because the first pioneering phases have been built-out and moving towards the larger development.” Prices of homes also reflect the width and breadth of the products offered. Townhomes at Avi Urban’s Edison start from the $270,000s, while move-up homes are from the $400,000s, and semi-estate homes are from the $500,000s. As your family grows, so can you in Walden. Starting with a starter home, there are housing types for everyone to stay and grow in the community. “We’re very proud of the community, proud to show what it has evolved to become,” Briscoe says. “Next year, we plan on releasing another 250 lots, which shows how popular Walden is in the area.” NL

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fast facts Community: Walden Developer: Genstar Development Co. Builders & Prices: Multi-family from Avi Urban Move-up homes from Cardel Homes, Centrex Homes and Homes by Avi Secondary Suites from Excel Homes Semi-estate homes from Cardel Homes and California Homes Prices: Check with particular show homes for prices Directions: South on Macleod Tr. and left at 194 Ave. Web: www.genstar.com

HWY 1A TO CALGARY

DOWNTOWN COCHRANE

SPRAY LLAKE AKE FAMILL Y FAMILY SPORTS CE E NTRE CENTRE

RI V

RIVER HEIGHTS DRIVE

HW 2 Y 2 JAMES WALKER TRAIL

shopping n

Art at your

feet

Photo courtesy House of Persian Rugs

Area rugs bring a magic touch to the home n Written by

Kathy McCormick

arpets have been flying out of Calgary and area stores — and there’s no magic about it. Area rugs bring warmth, beauty, design, and definition to spaces. And they come in every style, size and monetary value to suit every home and every budget. “Area rugs always work on hard surface floors — tile or wood — and warm them up,” says John Fitzsimmons, owner of Fitz Flooring, which has been looking after customers for two decades. “They’re also used as hallway runners and under tables where people have their feet.” But that’s not all, says Nishant Mehrotra, director of marketing for Indo Designer Rugs, which was founded by his parents Rana and Anchal Mehrotra in 1988. “Pets love rugs, as well.” In fact, “rugs are the only kind of art that you can walk on and sleep on.” He likens area carpets to “make-up for the floor. It’s one of the oldest luxuries of our times.” The best of the rugs are not only for floors, either, says Emad Keshmiri, the third generation of the founders of the House of Persian Rugs, opened in 1968. “We’ve seen them used as artworks — a central focus of any given space, including wall hangings.” The centuries-old Persian and Oriental rugs are the kings of the castle, where many antique area carpets still grace the floors in Europe and the Middle East. They bring a rich warmth, character and history to a home. And they can fit in with any design choice today, say the experts.

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“Usually older people tend to like the classic designs — but with new colours,” says Mehrotra. “Lately, more neutral, modern rugs are very popular with both young and older buyers.” At the House of Persian Rugs, “classic designs with traditional motifs and elegant floral patterns are now being produced in monochromatic colour palettes to match today’s contemporary taste,” says Keshmiri. “A lot of hand-knotted rugs are now produced in minimalist, contemporary designs. These include abstracts, geometrics and completely new forms that have never been seen in rugs before.” Although Fitz Flooring does carry Persian rugs (but only those where the store knows the origin — “we make sure they fit into our code of ethics and values,” says Fitzsimmons), buyers’ tastes are “all over the place,” he says. “We see a lot of Tex-Mex to contemporary design choices. There is a lot of influence here from the Southwestern States.” And mix-and-match is a very popular way of decorating today, Keshmiri says. People will opt for a combination of traditional and contemporary to create an eclectic look that will really make that special

People will opt for a combination of traditional and contemporary to create an eclectic look… piece of furniture, rug or accessory stand out. That resonates with Mehrotra as well. “Modern furnishings with traditional rugs give the home more flare and contrast, in my opinion. It’s all about opinion — and sometimes you have to push boundaries to create a style all your own.” Even so, says Keshmiri, “Like with any form of fashion and industrial design, there are trends in the rug world as well. Modern rugs with abstract designs as well as designs with a deconstructed or stressed look are being produced today by various artists and workshops.” Contemporary carpets can often be very plain, often without borders, says Mehrotra. “They can be like botanical paintings.” It all comes down to picking what you love, the experts say. “Pick a piece that resonates with you, even if it’s not an original Oriental or Persian rug,” says Keshmiri. “Ask a lot of questions and do research.”

shopping

Check the internet for many helpful hints on what to choose, says Fitzsimmons. “By understanding the context in which it was woven, you will often grow a sense of appreciation for each work, regardless of price,” Keshmiri says. How do you know if a rug is old or valuable? “First of all, not all old rugs are valuable,” says Mehrotra. “Certain designs and dyes of the wool are considered rare or more valuable.” It’s best to leave it to the experts, they say. At House of Persian Rugs, “even after 45 years and three generations in our family business, we are still learning and educating ourselves on rugs,” Keshmiri says. An experienced carpet dealer or appraiser will often be able to not only pinpoint the country in which the rug was made, but in many cases, even the city. Here are a few tips to help: • “If a rug is really old, the back of the handmade carpet should be very smooth,” says Mehrotra. • “Silk and wool rugs develop a patina on the surface — a thin layer that develops over time and becomes softer and smoother.” For those who are on a tight budget, the area carpet doesn’t have to break the bank, but it’s all about checking the quality. “Tribal pieces in our store are affordable,” says Keshmiri. “These are done in rural areas and by the nomads. The wool is sourced locally and designs are minimalistic, often a depiction of their surroundings. They have a lot of character, but are affordable.” At Indo-Designer Rugs, Mehrotra says, “dhurries are the cheaper, handmade alternative. It’s a flat weave style, which means you can use both sides.” All recommend wool or silk, or a combination of the two natural fibres for lasting quality. And prices can range anywhere from $700 for a six-by-nine-foot dhurrie that will last 40 years, to thousands of dollars for Persian or Oriental rugs in wool or silk. “You could get a tufted rug for a lesser price, but it won’t last as long,” says Mehrotra. And it won’t have the ‘Wow’ factor. Again, it’s all about choice, says Fitzsimmons. “The new, man-made fibres are great for colour and style without Photos courtesy Fitz Flooring breaking the bank.” NL

Photo courtesy Fitz Flooring

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news

2013 CHBA

National SAM Awards finalists Calgary is well-represented in annual best-of-the-best awards n Written by

Watermark Development LB, Watermark at Bearspaw

Pepper Rodriguez

significant number of Calgary home builders and developments were named among the finalists for the 2013 CHBA National SAM Awards, including three vying for Grand SAM honours. ALBI Homes, Homes by Avi and its multi-family division, Avi Urban, are among the six home builders vying for this year’s top prize. ALBI, which took home last year’s Grand SAM, is hoping for a repeat. “Our whole company was overjoyed to have won the CHBA National Grand SAM award last year. To be considered again for the 2013 achievement is truly exceptional for our entire organization,” says Allan Klassen, President and Managing Partner of ALBI Homes Ltd. They are also named as a finalist in five other categories. Homes by Avi and Avi Urban also have five other nominations between them. “Being recognized at the national level is thrilling,” says Alice Mateyko, president of Homes by Avi Alberta’s single-family division. “I have the good fortune of working with individuals who are not only passionate, but truly innovative, and it’s great to see their work recognized.” “Avi Urban is honoured to be included in the list of finalists for the many categories we have placed in, including the highly prized Grand SAM,” says Avi Urban president Charron Ungar. “This year’s announcement is especially sweet as our single family division has also been recognized.” “The national awards are especially important,” adds Ungar, “as they are judged by our peers across the country to be one of the best Canada has to offer.” The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) is the voice of the residential construction industry in Canada, representing more than 8,000 member firms across the country. The CHBA National SAM Awards will be handed out at the Association’s 71st National Conference being held in April 2014 in Whistler, British Columbia. NL

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PRODUCTION HOME AWARDS SINGLE DETACHED HOME UNDER 1,500 SQUARE-FEET • Brookfield Homes, Calgary, AB: The Belvedere in Cranston • Corvinelli Homes, Russell, ON: The Florence, Russell Trails • Doug Tarry Homes, St. Thomas, ON: The Thornwood Elevation C (Bungalow) • Linwood Homes Ltd., Young’s Point, ON: The Southbay • Stepper Custom Homes, Calgary, AB: The Lakeside, Mahogany SINGLE DETACHED HOME BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,200 SQUARE-FEET • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: The Bristol 7 in Elgin Estates • Doug Tarry Homes, St. Thomas, ON: The Ivystone Elevation B (Two Storey), Harrisview (Ingersoll) • Linwood Homes Ltd., Young’s Point, ON: The Peninsula Ridge • Portrait Homes Ltd., Richmond, BC: Hampstead Phase 2 • Garibaldi Plan Rinaldi Homes (Niagara) Inc., St. Catharines, ON: Coyle Creek Estates, Winterbury III SINGLE DETACHED HOME OVER 2,200 SQUARE-FEET • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: The Salerno 2 in Auburn Bay • Great Gulf Homes, Toronto, ON: King Oaks/The Ascot • Prominent Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: Westley II, Hawk’s Landing • WestView Builders, Calgary, AB: The Arlington - Aspen Woods • White Eagle Homes Ltd., Edmonton, AB: The Blue Diamond, Uplands at Mactaggart

n news Homes by Avi, The Enclave at Castle Keep

SINGLE ATTACHED HOMES • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: Vistas of Tuscany Unit 3 • Algra Bros. Developments Ltd., Chilliwack, BC: Brownstones on the Boulevard • Homes by Avi LP, Calgary, AB: JV1 in Richmond Park • Homes by Avi Urban (2006) Inc., Calgary, AB: The Enclave, Yorkshire E • Prominent Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: Altadore Infill

HOME RENOVATION AWARDS

CUSTOM HOME AWARDS

MARKETING AWARDS

SINGLE DETACHED HOME UNDER 2,500 SQUARE-FEET • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB • Dakine Home Builders Inc., Regina, SK • Linwood Homes Ltd., Young’s Point, ON • Maric Homes, Winnipeg, MB • Munro Homes Ltd., Regina, SK

PRINT AD • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: CULINAIRE Magazine, Back Cover • Augusta Fine Homes, division of NuVista Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB: The Look of Luxury Ad #1 • Homes by Avi LP, Calgary, AB: 35 Years of Firsts • The Daniels Corporation, Toronto, ON: Cinema Tower (Creative, concept and production: Montana Steele Strategic Marketing) • Watermark Development LP, Calgary, AB: Watermark at Bearspaw (Creative, concept and production: Lux Communications)

SINGLE DETACHED HOME OVER 4,000 SQUARE-FEET • Ambassador Fine Custom Homes, Mississauga, ON • Bachly Construction, Bolton, ON • Coastal Construction, Sidney, BC • EuroHouse Group, Vancouver, BC • Riverview Custom Homes, Calgary, AB

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARD • Adera Development Corporation, Vancouver, BC: Sail • Heritage Pointe Properties Inc., DeWinton, AB: Artesia at Heritage Pointe • Homes by Avi Urban (2006) Inc., Calgary, AB: The Enclave at Castle Keep • Portrait Homes Ltd., Richmond, BC: Hampstead at Silver Ridge • Watermark Development LP, Calgary, A: Watermark at Bearspaw - Phase Two

KITCHEN • Cochren Homes Limited, Oakville, ON • Distinctive Designs & Cabinetry Inc., St. Catharines, ON • Harwood Design Builders, Winnipeg, MB • Kon-strux Developments Inc., Calgary, AB • TQ Construction Ltd., Burnaby, BC

DIRECT PROMOTION • Geranium Homes, Markham, ON: Copperstone (Creative, concept and production: Builder Insight Group) • Hopewell Residential Management LP, Calgary, AB: Mahogany - Lake Front Grand Opening (Creative, concept and production: Fulcrum - Design and Print Coordination) • Homes by Avi Urban (2006) Inc., Calgary, AB: Kincora, Calgary • Rosehaven Homes, Oakville, ON: The Randall Residences (Creative, concept and production: McOuat Partnership) • Solterra Development Corp., Delta, BC: Keefer Block

WEBSITE • Brookfield Residential, Markham, ON: Treetops in Alliston (Creative, concept and production: BAM, Cable Bridge, OrchardRidge Homes) • Doug Tarry Homes, St. Thomas, ON: Doug Tarry Homes Corporate Website (Creative, concept and production: Hall & Associates) • Geranium Homes, Markham, ON: Copperstone (Creative, concept and production: Builder Insight Group) • Remington Homes: King Blue Condominiums (Creative, concept and production: Montana Steele Strategic Marketing) • Watermark Development LP, Calgary, AB: Watermark at Bearspaw (Creative, concept and production: Lux Communications) MARKETING EXCELLENCE • Brookfield Residential, Markham, ON (Creative, concept and production: BAM, Cable Bridge, Orchard Ridge Homes) • Concert Properties Ltd., Toronto, ON (Creative, concept and production: Max Advertising) • Geranium Homes, Markham, ON (Creative, concept and production: Builder Insight Group) • Solterra Development Corp., Delta, BC • The Daniels Corporation, Toronto, ON (Creative, concept and production: Montana Steele Strategic Marketing) • Watermark Development LP, Calgary, AB (Creative, concept and production: Lux Communications)

GRAND SAM AWARD • Adera Development Corporation, Vancouver, BC • Albi Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB • Concert Properties Ltd., Toronto, ON (Creative, concept and production: Max Advertising) • Doug Tarry Homes, St. Thomas, ON (Creative, concept and production: Hall & Associates) • Homes by Avi LP, Calgary, AB • Homes by Avi Urban (2006) Inc., Calgary, AB

Visit www.chba.ca for a complete list of 2013 finalists

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feature

The McGillivray magic

Scott McGillivray brings unique touch to HomExpo 2014

n Written by

Deanna McArthur

cott McGillivray, business savvy real estate investor, contractor and host of HGTV’s hit show Income Property, is coming to Calgary to take the stage at the 42nd annual HomExpo January 17-19, 2014. The first home, renovation and décor show of the year held at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park and hosted by Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region, is jam packed with exhibitors from all facets of the home building industry. With over 230 exhibitors expected, this is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to renovate, rebuild or get the first look at the newest trends in 2014. And with many Calgarians still feeling the effects of the floods in June, this is a chance to meet contractors and get professional advice on upcoming projects, saving time, money and giving peace of mind after a summer of uncertainty. McGillivray is bringing a whole new set of unique skills and information with him to share with the crowd at this year’s HomExpo. He will touch on the five most valuable renovations for the home and he’ll talk about the ways homeowners can increase the value of their property — and so much more. Stick around after the show, because McGillivray will host a question and answer period and will do a meet and greet with his fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. McGillivray takes the stage Friday, January 17, 2014 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.

Scott McGillivray

McGillivray on Secondary Suites It is not only homeowners who have been affected by the summer floods, the rental vacancy rates in Calgary have dropped close to zero per cent,

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n feature Reprinted from Profile magazine with permission from Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region. making housing affordability an issue and bringing the topic of approving secondary suites, which is supported by CHBA – Calgary Region, into the spotlight. This is one of McGillivray’s passions, and he hopes to see secondary suites approved by City Councillors soon. “Albertans have this amazing opportunity to come out of these hard times stronger,” says McGillivray. “Hopefully we can get some bylaw changes and some people can profit from the rebuilding they are doing.” An expert in his field McGillivray has been investing in residential real estate for 13 years, has been running a renovation company for eight and a half years, and has been hosting the show Income Properties for eight seasons. He knows better than anyone, that one of the keys to affordable housing is legalizing secondary suites. “I have been in touch with the mayor’s office and we have had a few preliminary housing meetings to see how we can make the secondary suite situation in Calgary work a little better,” says McGillivray. “It is a matter of balance between making sure rental properties are being built safe and legitimately, while at the same time making sure to not over regulate them and to keep them affordable.” Bad outweighing the good Even thought city figures show building permits for suites have risen steadily in the last five years, the number of illegal suites in Calgary still greatly outweigh those that are considered legal. In fact, the City estimates that as many as 50,000 illegal suites are now in Calgary. “It almost seems as though some of the rules and regulations have been put in place to deter some people from doing it legally,” says McGillivray. “A certain percentage of the population will always rent. Supply and demand will always find a balance and, whether it is done legally or illegally, it will happen.” And it is not only the rules and regulations that are showing opposition to secondary suites, it is some neighbours, says McGillivray. “A lot of rentals are getting bad raps and some people are very vocal that they don’t want them in their areas, and this is because most are done illegally. If they are done legally — and legally is doable — then you can get a balance between proper rentals and neighbours that won’t have a problem with it.”

Helping Consumers It is not only beneficial for the rental market to have more secondary suites being approved in Calgary, but it is also a big financial assistance to homeowners, says McGillivray. “The biggest reason most people decide to add a suite to their home is to generate some extra income from a very expensive asset. It will be even more important in the future as interest rates go up and people need to find a way to make additional income.” But it is important to ensure that adding a suite is right for your property. Before deciding to create a suite you have to think about separate entrances, windows, ceiling height, transportation, parking and more. “If a suite is done properly it is the most valuable renovation you can do. I have done hundreds of them and every single one of them has added more to the value of the house than the cost of the renovation.” NL

H om E x p o : Show Hours: Fri. Jan. 17 – noon - 9 p.m. Sat. Jan. 18 – 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. Jan. 19 – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets: Adults - $12 Seniors/Students - $10 Children 12 & under - FREE For more information visit www.homexpo.ca

One of many HomExpo Photo courtesy exhibitors. Bondar’s Furniture.

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around town n

By Pepper Rodriguez

Jay Westman donates $5 million to Haskayne School of Business One of the leading lights in Calgary’s new home industry has given a generous donation to one of the country’s leading business schools to improve studies on the real estate industry. Jay Westman, chairman and chief executive of Jayman MasterBUILT, donnated $5 million to create the Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. The centre aims to educate business leaders for the real Jay Westman estate industry by offering academic and research programs, as well as serving as an industry resource through its community outreach activities. “The real estate and development industry has had a strong hand in shaping this community and in building Calgary’s reputation as one of Canada’s most entrepreneurial cities,” Westman says in a newspaper article. “The industry has really come of age here. I am committed to its ongoing strength through the development of responsible business leaders, and I believe the Haskayne School of Business is the place to make that happen.”

The house that Jack James built The partnership between Homes by Avi and Jack James High School bore its latest fruit, as the students inspected the completed product of their labours. It’s been months since they donned safety glasses and brushed sawdust from their clothes, but a group of Jack James High School students relived those moments when the home that they worked so hard to help build was revealed during an official ribbon cutting ceremony in the northwest community of Nolan Hill. “There’s nothing better than the students seeing the result of their hard work. It’s unlike any other result that they see in school. A family calls what they built their dream home; it’s a source of pride,” says Homes by Avi founder and chairman, Avi Amir.

Avi Amir (far right) with Jack James faculty and students

Starts swing higher Housing starts in the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 13,949 units in November compared to 12,547 in October, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The standalone monthly SAAR was 20,557 units in November, up from 14,731 in October. The strength in housing starts last month reflects a heightened level of apartment construction, where builders are responding to declining inventories and elevated demand. “The trend in total housing starts increased in November for the fifth consecutive month, primarily due to an elevated level of multi-family construction,” says Richard Cho, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for Calgary.

Shane Homes debuts new design centre Shane Homes — in their continuous quest to improve the home buying experience — has opened their newly renovated design centre. “We were one of the first home builders in Calgary to open a one-stop-shop design studio for customers to make their selections in. Rather than having to drive all over the city to visit multiple suppliers, our customers are able to make the majority of their selections in one place saving them time,” says Dave Rickett, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “With styles and options constantly changing, we are committed to keeping the Design Studio as up-to-date as possible. We also strive to incorporate suggestions and comments that we collect from our customers, staff, suppliers and market research into our new design.” Upon entering the studio, customers are able to quickly identify their style, colour preference and see current trends on numerous colour, style, and trend display boards that the Interior Design Team has put together. The new design studio is also much brighter with retail and display case lighting throughout which allows customers to view the products in the best possible light. Products are also showcased in an arrangement that makes the selection process more attractive, fun and simplified.

Suburban Nation Cover your ears Mayor Nenshi; don’t look now, Rollin Stanley, but a study by The School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University in Kingston has come right out and said it: Canada is a suburban nation. The results of a new national survey showed that fully two thirds of Canadians — more than 22 million people — actually live in what would be classified as suburban neighbourhoods. In major cities that number is even higher, about 88 per cent of people living in Canada’s 33 metropolitan areas live in the ‘burbs. Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton lead the way at a whopping 89 per cent, while Calgary checked in slightly lower at 87 per cent. Even Vancouver, with it’s sprawling downtown full of apartments and condos, measured in at a healthy 84 per cent. So, while some municipal urban planners and academic types may not like the suburbs, they are by far in the minority. The rest of us? We like owning that little patch of land where we can let our kids or dogs out the back door and know they’re safe; and have a barbeque; or maybe park the RV. NL JANUARY 2014 NE W HOME LIVING

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calgary map n Northwest/Northeast

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calgary map n Southwest

Chestermere

Rainbow Falls · Westcreek · Westmere

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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map

AIRDRIE

OKOTOKS

COCHRANE JANUARY 2014 NE W HOME LIVING

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advertisers index n Brookfield Residential

Auburn Bay pages 2-3

Cardel Homes

Quarry Park page 7

Dundee Developments

Montrose page 44 HomExpo

page 44

Lifestyle Homes

Shane Homes

Marketplace Events

Tamani Communities

FC, pages 12-14 Calgary Home + Garden Show page 15

Hopewell

page 48

Riversong page 29

page 38

NuVista Homes

page 19

Drake Landing page 4

DS Homes

Innovations by Jayman

Sabal Homes

United Communities

page 41

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Chaparral Valley page 27

JANUARY 2014

SkyView Ranch page 33 Wellspring

Toupee for a day page 28

United Communities

Copperfield page 23

Cardel Renos

Walton

page 47

Nolan Hill page 9

West Pine Creek

Legacy page 32

hope at large By Marty Hope

Keeping an even keel Howard Tse steers Cedarglen through some tough times Take, for instance, this conversation between 14-year-old demigod Nico di Angelo and Percy Jackson, title character in Texas-born fantasy-adventure author Rick Riordan’s The Titan’s Curse, when they arrive at Camp Half-Blood to begin their demigod boot camp. “Whoa,” said Nico as he climbed off the bus.” Is that a climbing wall?” “Yeah,” I (Percy) said. “Why is there lava pouring down it?” “Little extra challenge,” said Percy. It was December 1, 2011 when Howard Tse took over the presidency of Cedarglen Homes, moving up from his previous role as purchasing and estimating manager, to take over the company reins from Scott Haggins who has become chairman. Stepping into the corner office, Tse settled into the comfy chair behind the big desk at a time when Calgary’s housebuilding industry was still scaling the wall from the depths of an economic downturn that had, beginning in 2007, taken on international proportions and impacted every corner of North America’s economy. For two or three years previously, Calgary consumers hadn’t been in a buying mood, but were by this time re-entering the marketplace albeit still cautiously. More than ever builders had to ensure they had the right product at the right price. That was challenge No. 1. A second challenge that bubbled to the surface was — and still is — the lava-hot issue of city growth and its attending concerns of an overall shortage of serviced land, a stubbornly slow approvals process,

and housing affordability and choice. “It’s been quite the learning curve. First of all, I got a quick lesson about dealing with the economic downturn, and now I am dealing with the election and post-election periods,” Tse says. One thing he knows for sure is that the housing sector will change because of political decisions that have or will be made regarding housing choices, community development, and affordability. We will always be able to meet the demand — but at what cost to the consumer? And as if these aren’t enough challenges to deal with, Tse, and likely others, are facing the problem of having to reduce or re-allocate staff in the wake of those land shortages and approved communities.

Top photo: A Cedarglen Homes show home. Lower photo: Howard Tse.

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hope at large

The housing sector will change because of political decisions that have or will be made regarding housing choices, community development, and affordability.

“... we will be looking forward to securing more sites and growing the business moving forward.” “We are definitely right-sizing,” says Tse from Cedarglen’s headquarters in southeast Calgary. “I’ve had to reduce my staff by 32.” In large part, because of the shortage of serviced lots — some forecasts say this issue could reach crisis proportions by 2017 or 2018 — Cedarglen has also reined in its construction forecast from its typical 300 homes to about 200 per year for the next two years or so. “We are always looking for land opportunities, but those land opportunities aren’t there for us like they used to be,” says Tse. For some Calgary developers and builders seizing those opportunities may lie in looking outside the city limits to the counties of Rockyview or Wheatland or the Municipal District of Foothills. “If there isn’t choice in the city, there is choice elsewhere,” says Tse. “As I say, we’re always looking for land opportunities and we might consider moving outside Calgary. Our developer partners have land inside the city, sure, but we can’t get to it because the city hasn’t approved its development.” And yet another challenge is manoeuvring a company through a time when

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there are questions about what the future of the industry might look like, what the city’s framework for growth will finally look like, and what the face of affordability and consumer choice will look like. “There are a million questions to be asked, but for now there aren’t any concrete answers,” says Tse. “How many other companies will have to right-size? What will happen to affordability because of land shortages and approval times? What about densification? What about consumer choice?” Looking for opportunities has led to Cedarglen Homes introducing a multi-family division to the Calgary marketplace. Cedarglen Living has started work on its first project, a 107-unit townhouse development in Panorama Hills. A second project is planned to break ground next year in New Brighton. “In the short term, we are just getting our feet wet on these first two projects and learning the ropes as we are very new to the multi-family process,” says general manager Cole Haggins. “As we gain experience and confidence in the process, we will be looking forward to securing more sites and growing the business moving forward.”

Tse says that Cedarglen, as part of its overall growth and to ensure supply of product, has acquired a partnership position in Kingswood Cabinets. “It was a terrific opportunity to address our own concerns and help Kevin Tan grow a terrific company,” he adds. “Cedarglen will continue to see out vertical integration opportunities.” Like Haggins before him, Tse is very confident Cedarglen will remain a strong player in Calgary’s housing sector, despite the ongoing challenges that are beyond his control. “We’re going to be around for a long time. The next two years will be slower than we’d like but we’ll get through it. That’s the reality of the situation,” he says. 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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