CONDO - Calgary Herald

CONDO
CALGARY’S GUIDE TO CONDO LIVING
FRIDAY, October 19, 2012
number 25
YOU DO THE MATH!
FIND OUT WHY CARLISLE IS ALBERTA’S TOP SELLING CONDO BUILDER
$120’s
FROM
LUXURY PACKAGE
OFFER
*
32,300
NE CALGARY
AIRDRIE
TARADALE
DRIVE NE
403.389.8144
indigosky.ca
GRIFFIN RD.
RAILWAY AVE
HIGHWAY 2
ST.
W
MAIN ST
8 ST
AIRDRIE ROAD NE
5 AVE.
N
BOW
VAL
LEY
TRA
IL
RAIL
WAY
CROWCHILD TRAIL
403.470.6286
encorecondos.ca
* ASK FOR DETAILS
lake
STONEY TRAIL
STONEY TRAIL NW
2 HEATED UNDERGROUND
PARKING STALLS
COCHRANE
COWBOY TRAIL
KINCORA GLEN
ROAD NW
tara
NS RD.
MO Y
SY LLE
VA
37TH ST.
at
STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
IMMEDIATE POSSESSIONS
FREE MORTGAGE PRE-QUALIFICATION
NW CALGARY
REAL WOOD CABINETS
THROUGHOUT
GREAT INVESTMENT
MCKENZIE WAY
245 BI-WEEKLY*
$
GRANITE THROUGHOUT
EASY DOWN PAYMENT PLAN
OVER 5 MONTHS*
YOU QUALIFY WITH A
HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF
WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN
OWN WITH PAYMENTS
FROM $
BONUS
TRANSCANADA HWY.
Sales Centre Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 2-8 pm,
Sat. & Sun. 12-5 pm,
Closed Fridays
YANKEE VALLEY BLVD SE
403.981.0276
403.980.3334
stonecreekcondos.ca
creeksidevillagecondos.ca
For quick possessions and
more information on Bridlewood,
Downtown Calgary, Varsity,
and Invermere please go to
carlislegroup.ca
# CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION
COVERED
with CARE
Canadian
Home Builders’
Association
www.blanketltd.ca
Prices shown do not include GST and are subject to change without notice. *Ask for details, based on OAC.
Visit our new Discovery Centre at
Riverfront Pointe, Main Floor 325
3rd St. SE Calgary.
FRONT
CONDO
Nestled along the bow river sits
waterfront, a four-tower condo
development in the core, with
two towers already complete.
floor plans range from 1,200 to
3,500 square feet. waterfrontcalgary.com
Contents
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012 Number 25
4
subletting
Experts lend advice on
subletting and swapping
your condo to get cash
and free accommodation.
14 ’hoods
Bowness gives buyers
waterfront living with
roots: a historic and
cultural community
with style.
16 mini-escapes
8
12
buyer profile
Siblings nick and
melissa godfrey buy in
cranston.
Photo by Michelle Hofer
Take advantage of
maintenance-free living
by escaping to the
mountains to dine and
embrace the divine.
comparison
Brother and sister HGTV
realtors debate pros
and cons of living in the
burbs and the core.
Photo courtesy of Anthem Properties
20
basic training
No, you don’t have to
shave your head for these
classes — just be ready to
part with your dough!
Condo Xtra
is a publication of
the Calgary Herald
Special Projects
Department.
22
Special Projects
manager:
Identity
What makes a condo
a condo? Find out the
distinguishing features
and what they all mean.
19 buyer
&
23
snapshots
Buyers talk about their
purchases and give advice.
Barb Livingstone:
T: 403-235-7339
E: blivingstone@
calgaryherald.com
Condo Xtra
co-ordinator:
Karen Petkau:
T: 403-235-7513
E: kpetkau@
calgaryherald.com
Contributors:
Alex Frazer-Harrison
Lindsay Holden
John Gilchrist
Julie Van Rosendaal
Gerard Young
Shawn Hoult
Rachel Naud
Michelle Hofer
advertising feature
Cityscape floor plan makes living in colour easy on the eyes
W
ith stainless-steel appliances,
a modern open-concept floor
space and four designer coordinated colour schemes to choose from,
Carlisle Group’s Cityscape floor plan is
bound to have buyers not only seeing
indigo, but a rainbow, as well.
Available at Indigo Sky at Tara Lake
and at Saddleridge, Encore and Emerald
Sky at Kincora in northwest Calgary,
Stonecreek Landing in Cochrane
and Creekside Village in Airdrie, the
Cityscape is 1,025 square feet of luxury
living in a corner unit with two bedrooms,
two bathrooms and two underground
heated, tiled parking stalls.
“Often, people suspect that the most
inexpensive plans will be the only ones
that sell out quickly — and we have those
plans from the $120,000s that do sell
quickly,” says Carlisle Group spokesperson John Sparrow.
“But equally impressive are the larger
plans at the top of our price bracket,
which might be even more competitive in
the marketplace.
“You just can’t beat them for what you
get for the price.”
From the minute you walk into the
Cityscape’s designer tiled entry, you will
be impressed.
Immediately in front of you is the spacious dining room.
The room is surrounded by an openconcept kitchen to the left, with granite
countertops, over-the-range microwave,
breakfast nook and hardwood cabinet
doors.
The kitchen and dining area overlook
the large living room, leading to a spacious patio/balcony large enough to enjoy
the big sky sunsets that Calgary and surrounding area are famous for.
Adjacent the kitchen and dining room,
and tucked neatly into the corner of the
Cityscape floor plan, is the master bedroom, ensuite and large walk-in closet.
On the far side of the unit, and adjacent
the living room, is the secondary bedroom
and secondary bathroom.
Other features in the Cityscape floor
plan include a den, media centre and
laundry room with in-suite storage.
This floor plan is sure to be the belle
of the Carlisle ball, especially when the
developer’s $1,000 Easy Payment Plan is
factored in, making covering the down
payment easier than ever (only $1,000
down, with equal payments over five
months to reach the five per cent) and the
plan is available from $209,900, depending on location.
With buying options like these, it is
no wonder that Carlisle Group condominiums outsold all other competitors
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
last year. For more information on the
Cityscape floor plan, and the pricing
options available, contact the respective
developments at indigosky.ca, 403389-8144; stonecreekcondos.ca, 403605-4524; creeksidevillagecondos.ca,
403-980-3334; or encorecondos.ca and
emeraldsky.ca, 403-470-6286.
october 19, 2012
3
condo shopping
i
Cashing in while
on vacation
t sounds like the
perfect solution —
you jet set away on an
extended holiday and
sublet your condo in Calgary
so someone else could pay
your mortgage.
When done properly and with
due diligence, subletting can be a
win-win for both condo owner and
tennant.
But before you sign away your
abode, there are things you need
to consider and put in place to
protect yourself and your condo.
“Before subletting, every condo
owner should read the areas of
the Condominium Property Act
of Alberta and the bylaws of the
Condominium Corporation in
relation to renting of units,” says
Sandra Johnston, president of
the Association of Condominium
Managers of Alberta.
“They should also be
knowledgeable on the
requirements of the Landlord
Tenancy Act of Alberta, which
is completely separate from the
condominium corporation.”
subletting & swapping
Before letting someone move into
your condo while you vacation,
review the Condominium Property
act of alberta to ensure you can
rent your suite.
Thinkstock photo
continued y 6
advertising feature
Seeing is believing at Waterfront, where luxury gets a room with a view
L
ocated in the heart of Calgary,
overlooking Prince’s Island Park
and the Bow River, Waterfront by
Anthem Properties is transforming what
used to be an old-bus barn site into one
of downtown Calgary’s hottest addresses.
Two of the four towers and a six-storey
podium are already completed, rising
above a desirable riverside property across
the street from Eau Claire Market and
only a few blocks from Calgary’s bustling
Chinatown.
“As Calgary is booming, there is a lot
of positive energy, but people have less
and less time, and their needs start to
shift,” says director of sales and marketing
Robert Marchand, as to why now is the
time to buy a maintenance-free, luxury
condo in the core.
“Their lifestyle is pulling them in different directions, and they want luxury
— something that’s high-end and offers
convenience. They also want to be able to
see it, touch it and live in it now, without
the long wait typical of other pre-sale
homes.”
4
october 19, 2012
The newest release at Waterfront
includes two-bedroom and two-bedroomwith-den suites, as well as a three-bedroom-and-den penthouse option. Floor
plans go up to 2,500 very efficient square
feet.
“People are surprised at the efficiency in
the space,” continues Marchand, adding
1,200 square feet may sound smaller than
a 3,500-square-foot single-family home at
first, until you realize how much wasted
space there is in a house. “Now, they’re
moving into something that perhaps is
more suited for one or two people. These
aren’t microsuites.”
The open-concept design offers an
impressive entertaining space and maximizes the impact of the floor-to-ceiling
windows that provide spectacular views of
the Bow River or downtown. But the luxury doesn’t stop at the suite’s front door.
Waterfront also provides a concierge service, 1,500-square-foot private gym, rooftop gardens, recreation room and social
lounge, as well as a 16-seat private theatre
that can be reserved for enjoying movies
with friends or playing video games.
Its adjacency to Eau Claire Market also
gives owners access to wellness services,
food outlets and a movie theatre, while
downtown amenities and transit are just a
short walk away.
A nearby pedestrian bridge connects
nature enthusiasts to Prince’s Island Park,
and the Bow River Pathway runs along
the back of the Waterfront property for
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
scenic, riverside strolls.
“We do believe that, when it comes to
Waterfront’s move-in ready suites, seeing
is believing,” Marchand says.
For more information, visit the presentation centre at 216 Riverfront Ave.
S.W. from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday to
Thursday, log onto waterfrontcalgary.
com or call 403-536-8802 to book a oneon-one appointment.
Continued from 4
They should also check the bylaws of the
condominium corporation because some bylaws
also require a deposit from unit owners that rent out
their units, says Johnston.
Condo owners also need to ensure they are
subletting their unit to a reputable subletter. In
accordance with the Condominium Property Act
of Alberta, a condominium corporation has the
authority to evict tenants. Any legal costs incurred
by the condominium corporation would be charged
back to the owners.
If this all sounds overwhelming, Johnston
recommends condo owners to consult with a lawyer
before subletting their unit.
“The most cost-effective option is to utilize the
resources offered through Service Alberta, refer to
the Landlord Tenancy Act and utilize the Calgary
Residential Rental Association (www.crra.ca),” she
says.
When done by the book, subletting can offer
some real advantages, especially given Calgary’s low
vacancy rate.
“It is a viable business opportunity and a great
way to build equity in your property while having a
renter subsidize or cover your mortgage and other
costs,” says Johnston.
However, potential pitfalls can occur if you sublet
your condo to a disruptive tenant.
“The owner is ultimately responsible for the
behaviour and actions of their tenants,” warns
Johnston. “If the bylaws allow for monetary
sanctions (fines) for bylaw infractions, any issues with
non-compliance of the bylaws (damage, noise, etc.)
by the tenant could fall to the owner.”
Another way to keep costs down
while leaving on an
holiday is to swap
condos.
“Swapping
condos for a
vacation is a great
idea if you want
zero-cost vacation
accommodation,
more space to
move around and
relax, multi-room
accommodation with
kitchen, bedrooms,
bathrooms and living
room, no-cost Internet
and parking plus all the
amenities that come with
staying in a home rather
than a hotel,” says Dennis
Choba of Global Home
Exchange. “When one swaps homes, they live like a
local rather than just being in a tourist area near a
hotel.”
But before you open up your home to a complete
stranger, Choba recommends you consider the trust
factor.
“Other people need to trust that you will look after
their home as much as you trust them to look after
yours,” says Choba.
Choba also advises Calgarians to be
pro-active when deciding on a condo
swap.
Although you may think your
condo is a palace, other travellers
from far-away locales might need
some convincing to come to
Calgary.
“We always have to send out
inquiries to others rather than
sitting back and waiting for
other members to contact us,”
says Choba. “We are realistic.
It may be difficult to convince
someone from Hawaii to
vacation in your condo at -30
C, but if they are interested
in winter sports or a summer
vacation to the nearby
Rockies, your opportunities
increase.”
Despite the trust factor and obvious risks, Choba
says swapping is still growing in popularity.
“At one time, when one went on a vacation, they
booked a hotel room or vacation rental not knowing
there were alternatives,” he says. “Smart vacationers
are finding the benefits of home-swapping. Not
having to pay for accommodation provides one with
more freedom and money.” y Rachel Naud
advertising feature
Vision for East Village closer to being realized as area takes shape
T
he dream is for Calgary’s East
Village to be a vibrant inner-city
neighbourhood, mixing homes,
retail, education and recreation. Every
day, that dream gets closer to reality.
This year has been a milestone one
for the 20-hectare site nestled between
the bustling downtown and historic Fort
Calgary and Inglewood, says Clare Nolan,
senior manager of marketing and communications with Canada Municipal
Land Corp., chief landowner in the East
Village.
“It’s been a pivotal year for us,” she
says. “In March, we opened our Sales
and Experience Centre, an 8,000-squarefoot building on the Bow River with
sales offices and show suites for our
builder partners, Embassy Bosa and
FRAM+Slokker. You can also see floor
plans, renderings and views from their
projects.
“The centre is a one-stop destination
for Calgarians and visitors to come down
and learn everything about East Village.
We have 2,000 square feet of space and
6
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
it’s all about the community — describing what it will look like when it is completed.”
Already, the two pioneering condominium developments — Embassy Bosa’s
Evolution and FRAM+Slokker’s First
— are more than 50 per cent sold. And,
last spring, Widewaters Group announced
plans to build a 315-room Hilton hotel
in the community. All that — combined
with ongoing planning for the National
Music Centre and a new central public
library, as well as continued development of the RiverWalk — has made East
Village one of Calgary’s hottest addresses.
“Our developer partners are working
with us to move forward, and we’re focusing now on identifying partners for retail
development in the community,” says
Nolan. “We’ve worked with retail planning groups to identify the type of retail
needed in the area. We see East Village as
a hybrid retail approach that will accommodate both urban village format and
niche convenience retail.”
The location of East Village, right next
to downtown, makes it a unique development opportunity, says Nolan. “Our first
residences are building across the street
from the river,” she says. “People are realizing the National Music Centre will be
only three blocks away, and there’s a new
central library planned, and there’s Fort
Calgary, historic buildings – and the third
phase of RiverWalk will open soon, wrapping through Fort Calgary and down the
Elbow River to 9th Avenue.”
Interest is strong. Nolan says more than
46,000 Calgarian have attended commu-
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
nity events — a significant number since
the projected population of East Village
is 11,000.
“At the centre, people can really see
what’s happening in East Village,” says
Nolan. “Certainly, a lot has been done
already, and there are lots still to be done.
But we have the momentum.”
For more information, visit evexperience.com (which includes links to the
developers), or drop by the Sales and
Experience Centre at 553 Riverfront Ave.
S.E.
PHASE I OVER 50% SOLD!
ve
r
4 Ave SE
f ro
nt
Av
e
Bo
w
R iv
er
SALES
CENTRE
St. Patrick’s
Island
6 Ave SE
LRT
City
Hall
6 St SE
4 St SE
EVEXPERIENCE.COM/REALESTATE
Macleod Trail SE
Condominium construction has begun in East Village, and the vision of a walkable
new riverfront neighbourhood is rapidly becoming a reality. EVOLUTION and
FIRST, built by two of Canada's most experienced multi-family developers, will
offer spectacular views over the city and put the RiverWalk urban promenade,
downtown and St. Patrick's Island on your doorstep. Come discover Calgary’s
newest, oldest, coolest warmest neighbourhood. The future is here.
Ri
8 Ave SE
King
Eddy
Fort
Calgary
VISIT THE EV SALES AND
EXPERIENCE CENTRE
553 RIVERFRONT AVE SE
MONDAY - THURSDAY 12 PM - 6 PM
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11 AM - 5 PM
CLOSED FRIDAY
city comparison
i
Urban vs. suburban living
Easy access, historic sites make an ideal locale
t is a dilemma as old and as common as the
family squabble: More family time or more
space? Quaint shops or quiet cul-de-sac?
The conflict is the basis for the Canadian-made
HGTV show, Urban Suburban, which airs its second
season this fall.
Brother-sister real estate team Philip DuMoulin
and Sarah Daniels take jabs at each other while
local families are along for a real estate tour of
competing options. Families then choose a home
located either urban or suburban.
DuMouline champions city living, while Daniels
reveals the perks of life in the suburbs.
Filmed in major cities across Canada, including
Calgary, homeowners encounter the same problem,
although each city has unique qualities to consider.
“Calgary is an anomaly among the cities,” says
Daniels. “The city has grown so quickly. The suburbs
are not independent cities like Oakville is to Toronto
and Burnaby is to Vancouver.
“Calgary has more of the traditional suburbs. A
development like Aspen Woods has Sobeys and
Starbucks and a mall but for most part, the people
commute downtown. In a bedroom community in
Vancouver, they live and work in their area.”
This season, viewers will see local homebuyers
debate south Calgary versus Riverbend, and Marda
Loop versus Aspen Woods. The show offers insights
into relationship dynamics, as well as dispelling
biases on life in potential communites.
dealing duo
Real estate team and siblings philip
dumoulin and sarah daniels tout
their preferred locals for living in
calgary in an hgtv homebuyer show.
continued y 10
Courtesy Urban Suburban, HGTV
advertising feature
F
Good things come in fours, including award-winning Chalet design
rom the builders of the SAM
Award-winning Chalet No. 3 comes
Chalet No. 4, the latest evolution in
townhome living in Copperfield.
Located close to the High Street and
SouthPointe/South Trail Crossing shopping areas, and less than five minutes from
Seton and the new South Health Campus,
Chalet No. 4 is ideally placed for those
who want to balance a quiet neighbourhood lifestyle with easy access to urban
amenities.
A diverse range of homebuyers have
expressed interest, ranging from single
young professionals and couples to those
who are retired or semi-retired and looking to downsize and enjoy a maintenancefree lifestyle.
“They don’t have a lot of time to spend
on yards and maintenance — it’s more of a
lifestyle choice,” says Sydney Forman, area
manager for builder Sabal Homes. “And
they find right off the bat they’re getting
more square footage and better specs for
less money than a single-family home.”
Chalet No. 4 features 65 townhomes
ranging from 1,390 to 1,520 square feet,
8
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
with most having front-drive attached
garages and 10-x-10-foot decks.
“The buildings are spaced wide apart,
with a lot of greenery, and there’s a courtyard with a trellised gathering area,” says
Forman. “These are some of the nicestlooking townhomes I’ve seen; reminiscent
of the European chalet and DanishEuropean urban style — all sleek lines and
darker reds.”
Floor plans include two-master and
two-bedroom-plus-den layouts, with
L-shaped or galley-style kitchens.
“And, of course, Sabal’s trademark is
very large windows and a lot of natural
lighting,” Forman says, adding many of
the standard specs would be considered
upgrades in other developments. These
include nine-foot ceilings, stainless-steel
appliances (including over-the-range
microwave, dishwasher and hood fan), a
huge kitchen island, walk-in pantry, walkin closets for both bedrooms, and even
a powder room on the landing (“nicely
tucked away from the living space”).
Chalet No. 4 netted Sabal Homes two
nominations in the Multi-Family Best
New Design (1,200-1,499 square feet)
category in the 2011 SAM Awards, joining previous SAM accolades that include
Multi-Family Builder of the Year for
2010, and Best New Design for Chalet
No. 3. Prices at Chalet No. 4 start in the
$280,000s, including GST and legal fees.
Forman notes townhome condo fees
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
are generally lower than apartment-style
condos, and Copperfield is one of the few
new communities that doesn’t charge residents a community association fee.
For more information, visit the show
home and presentation centre at 514
Copperpond Blvd. S.E. or log onto
sabalchalet.com.
Burb-ite
Realtor and co-host
of HGTV’s urban
suburban sarah
daniels says many
new homebuyers have
misconceptions about
lving outside of the
city core.
Courtesy Urban Suburban,
HGTV
Continued from 8
Surprisingly, many male buyers want a large yard
and big house, while the wife says, “by the way — I
am not cleaning that big house.”
Daniels says viewers may assume the females
would be the homesteaders, but the
women on the show actually fear
leaving the core and losing out on their
social connections, says Daniels.
“People have this idea the suburbs
will be all cookie-cutter and you have to
buy mom jeans and all coolness will be
gone, and you’ll never see your friends
again,” she says, adding she lives with
three dogs in a beach community —
and drives to Vancouver to meet up
with the girls for dinner every week.
Meanwhile, DuMouline plays the role of annoying
younger brother on the show and in real life. He is
dad to three kids — six-year-old twins and a 13-yearold daughter, while his wife ponders returning to
work part time in Surrey, B.C.
Although he doesn’t live in the inner city, on the
show he advocates for urban living: “Less commute
time means more family time,” he says, noting
Vancouver’s downtown housing stock is out of reach
price-wise, compared to Calgary.
“More established amenities, hospitals, more
established schools and heritage or culture of the
city.”
The show plays on the stereotypes people have
about living in certain communities. Part of the fun
is witnessing the shift in perception when myths are
debunked.
DuMouline also knows first-hand a
big myth of urban versus suburban
living.
“The biggest fallacy we have
discovered is if you move to the
‘burbs you will lose your friends,” he
says.
“It is not that you move away — it
is the fact your life changes when
you have kids. It is new social groups.
Preschool and kindergarten parents — they become
the de-facto friends.”
“At 31 with kids, I never saw the old friends again.
It was not proximity at all. It was my life got in the
way.” y Lindsay Holden
People have this idea that the
suburbs will be all cookie-cutter
and you have to buy mom jeans
and all the coolness is gone.
10
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
Also, Vancouver’s downtown is now home to
conveniences once only found on the outskirts, such
as a Costco nestled among tall residential towers.
Obviously, there are traditional merits of urban
living, he says.
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
advertising feature
Stylish highrise to
make its Mark in
Design District
A
270 OUTSTANDING HOMES
8TH ST SW
new addition to Calgary’s skyline
will soon make its Mark in the
Design District.
At 34 storeys, Mark on 10th by
Qualex-Landmark will be a vibrant
addition to Connaught, offering 270
homes on the former West Canadian
Graphics site at 10th Avenue and 8th
Street S.W.
“Mark on 10th is purpose-built for
today’s urban dweller because of its
proximity to the downtown Design
District, offices, universities, transportation and entertainment districts,” says
Qualex-Landmark president Roger
Navabi.
The $100-million Mark on 10th will
stand out from other condo towers in
part through the quality of its amenities,
including a 17,000-square-foot garden
on the third-floor podium and a rooftop
lounge and private members club with
wet bar, media centre and a cantilevered
enclosed glass mezzanine (a total of
6,000 square feet of rooftop space, which
is perfect for meetings and activities —
all overlooking downtown).
The fully equipped fitness studio is
outfitted with many amenities, including an infrared sauna and steam room,
elevated hot tub and sunbathing patio.
In addition, there is wireless Internet
access in all amenity areas, and a display
of unique artwork by one of Canada’s
most-renowned visual artists is planned
for the entry lobby.
One- and two-bedroom suites will be
available with superior features such as
above-average-height doors and ceilings,
wide-plank wood-laminate flooring,
stainless-steel appliances, elegant porcelain tiles, full-height European soft-close
cabinets, Kohler faucets and back-painted glass bathroom countertops.
Owners will also have two distinctive
colour palettes to choose from, enabling
personalization of their units.
Mark’s location has won it a Walk
Score rating of 97 per cent, which
means most daily errands won’t require
a car. The development is only a couple
of blocks from two major grocery
stores and a five-minute walk from the
C-Train station. As well, Mountain
Equipment Co-op is kitty corner, and a
number of top restaurants are nearby.
Pricing is expected to begin in the
low-$200,000s. For more information or
to register, visit the preview site: qualex.
ca/mark.
10TH AVE SW
REGISTER NOW AT QUALEX.CA/MARK
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
11
buyer profile
Moving out
c
MOSAIC
CRANSTON
on the side
BROTHER AND
SISTER, NICK AND
MELISSA GODFREY,
PURCHASED A
1,200-SQUARE-FOOT
TOWNHOME.
for more photos:
calgaryherald.com/
condoxtra
Siblings branch out
to new digs
a
fter a lifetime of living
with mom and dad,
Melissa Godfrey and her brother,
Nick, decided it was time for a change.
Growing up in the southeast area of Calgary,
both Melissa, a 28-year-old professional working in the
accounting department for a towing company, and Nick, a
25-year-old car salesman, wanted to stay in the neighbourhood in which
they had been raised.
They also had a checklist of some of the features they wanted in a home, including
two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage and storage space.
Always keeping an eye out for new developments in the area, it wasn’t until they
discovered Brookfield Homes’ Mosaic Cranston project that their dream of branching
out on their own became a reality.
“We prefer townhomes,” says Melissa. “So we knew we wanted a townhome-style
condo instead of an apartment-style condo.”
12
OCTOBER 19, 2012
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
Photos by Michelle Hofer
\After careful budgeting and researching different
developments online, both Melissa and Nick chose
the Mosaic Cranston Project for its quality, price and
amenities, especially its spacious parking.
“We really liked the fact that the unit came with a
double-attached garage,” says Melissa. “Nick has a
Mustang, and other townhomes we looked at only
had a parking pad, so then the second car would
have to go on the street. This way we can both park
in the garage.”
The siblings ended up purchasing an Indigo unit
at Mosaic Cranston. The two-storey, 1,200-squarefoot townhome, not only boasted a two-car
attached garage but the upstairs was fitted with new
carpeting and dual master bedrooms, each with their
own private ensuite and large walk-in closet.
On the main level, the layout is open concept,
leading to a spacious area for the living room, dining
room and kitchen.
After seeing the original kitchen slated for the
unit, both Melissa and Nick agreed they wanted to
upgrade for optimal working space.
“With the optional kitchen, we have extra
cupboard space, as well as an island,” says Melissa.
“Our cupboards in the kitchen go straight to the
ceiling, and because of this, we actually gain eight
shelves. Another bonus — this way, the tops of the
cupboards are dust-free. We don’t have to worry
about dusting.”
The kitchen also boasts granite countertops, a
double sink, stainless-steel appliances, dishwasher,
espresso-coloured cabinets and, of course, plenty of
room to cook.
In fact, Melissa, who loves to bake, says her newly
purchased Kitchen-Aid mixer now has a spot in her
new kitchen. And although in other condos, one of
those heavy-duty appliances would take up a lot of
counter real estate, she says she still has plenty of
room to prep for dinner and dessert.
In addition, the island also doubles as extra eating
space for fast dinners when it’s just her and her
brother.
“We bought a table set with six chairs,” says
Melissa. “Although it came with an extension, we
keep the table at its smaller size, with just four chairs
and use the other two chairs to sit at the island and
eat. It gives us lots of extra space.”
The main level also has hardwood floors —
something neither Melissa nor her brother have ever
had before. And the best part — they were free with
the purchase of the condo.
“We bought it at a time when they offered us free
hardwood, as well as free condo fees for a year,”
says Melissa. “It was a great buying incentive. Plus,
with hardwoods in the living room, dining room and
kitchen, it will be a great selling point if we want to
sell down the road.”
Both Melissa and Nick envision staying in the
condo long term unless one of them gets into a
serious relationship or gets married.
“Right now, the condo is a good fit for us,” says
Melissa. “It’s big enough for entertaining but we also
have plenty of room so we both have privacy.”
The maintenance-free lock-and-leave lifestyle of
a condo is also appealing to both Melissa and Nick
who aren’t big on landscaping or shovelling.
“My brother is looking forward to not having to
mow the lawn or shovel snow,” says Melissa. “The
building maintains all the plants, sweeps and shovels.
They’re good at keeping all the paths clear and
making sure it all looks nice.”
And not having to worry about that means more
time for the young professionals to enjoy life.
“It’s less stressful because we don’t have to worry
about our water bill going up because we have
to water the lawn, or worry about how the lawn
looks,” says Melissa. “Plus, we’ll have more time for
ourselves.”
The time may be filled with occasional visits to
their parents’ house, which is only a three-minute
drive away, but more likely to enjoy some of the
nearby amenities.
“Just up the street, they are putting in a sportsplex,
as well as other shops,” says Melissa.
“It’s going to be great to have everything so close.”
y Rachel Naud
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
ranston,
located in
southeast
Calgary off
of Deerfoot
Trail, boasts a
lot of desirable
amenities. Here
is what is in
spitting distance
of Melissa’s and
Nick’s new digs:
n Nearby
restaurants:
Within walking
distance to a
Subway, taco
joint, pizza
parlour and Thai
eatery.
n Nearby
shopping: Two
malls within a
15-minute drive:
Southcentre and
Chinook Centre.
The condo is also
just a 10-minute
drive to Costco.
n Nearby fitness
facilities: Besides
the pending Trico
and Southland
Leisure Centre
and sportsplex,
there is a Good
Life and Gold’s
gym just a fiveminute drive
away.
n Closest C-Train
station: Within
a 10-minute
drive, residents
can reach either
Bridlewood or
Anderson Station.
n Nearby parks:
Just a five-minute
walk from the
property and
residents can
enjoy the serene
nature of Fish
Creek Park.
n Closest
hospital: South
Calgary Health
is reachable
within a twominute drive or
10-minute walk.
OCTOBER 19, 2012
13
neighbourhoods
Small-town attitude attracts buyers
or residents of Bowness, everyone and
their dog loves the community — and they
can even spread their sentiments by way of a
bumper sticker, complete with a red heart right
between the words “I” and “Bowness.”
“I don’t know of another neighbourhood with
bumper stickers. I think it’s because Bownesians
really feel a connection to community,” says Sandy
Seifert, a graphic artist who purchased a home in the
neighbourhood with husband Jim Poon in 2009. There
she runs her business from home. Meanwhile, Poon has
lived in the community since 1973.
“Bowness has a small-town attitude that’s uncommon
in new communities,” says Poon, adding the lack of
pretension and a stable of family-run businesses has kept
him grounded in the community which was
in fact a town prior to being annexed by the
City of Calgary in 1964.
For its 10,700 residents, the Bow River and
100-year-old Bowness Park are main attractions, plus
there is quick access to anywhere in the city, and within
minutes residents can be on their way to the mountains
via the Trans-Canada Highway. Today, the park is
undergoing needed restoration, including a rebuilt
miniature ride-on train, which will soon delight families
again with tours of the park.
And while Bowness was plagued with a reputation for
crime about 20 years ago, all that is in the past.
Photo by Lindsay Holden
f
Beautiful
Bowness
continued y 18
advertising feature
Drake soars with buyers in historic Beltline neighbourhood
L
ocated just off 17th
Avenue in the fast-evolving Beltline, Drake by
Grosvenor Americas is poised to
become the historic neighbourhood’s newest landmark.
Towering 17 storeys above the
corner of 15th Avenue and 7th
Street S.W., construction on
Drake is well underway and is
scheduled to be complete within
the year.
Once Drake is completed, the
residents of Drake’s 135 studio,
one-bedroom, two-bedroom,
penthouse and ground-entry
townhomes will have an address
to be proud of.
“Architecturally, this is an
amazing building that fits in well
with the neighbourhood,” says
Grosvenor Americas vice-president Michael Ward. “The location is great — it’s not far to the
downtown core and, of course, it
is just a one- or two-block walk
14
October 19, 2012
to a number of fantastic stores
and restaurants on 17th Avenue.
“Drake has proven itself to be
a real success, and we are down
to our final selection of homes.”
Drake has attracted first-time
homebuyers and downsizers
looking for suites designed to
maximize space.
As a result, even the 452 to
517-square-foot studio floor
plans provide room to grow.
There are also ground-level
townhouses and larger twobedroom units; a real diversity of
housing options.
Drake embraces the highest
environmental standards, with
the building designed to LEED
standards, incorporating ecofriendly technologies such as
water-smart plumbing and an
energy-efficient building envelope system.
As for the suites themselves,
expect luxury European-style
finishes, including composite
stone countertops, ceramic backsplashes, laminate flooring and
stainless steel appliances.
The award-winning InSight
Design Group devised two highquality designer colour schemes
to choose from.
Grosvenor has a city-building
tradition that spans more than
three centuries in London,
England.
The company has held local
real estate assets for 15 years,
but Drake is its first ground-up
Calgary development, with Ward
promising more on the way,
given its success.
Prices at Drake start at
$224,900 (including parking) for
efficient studio suites, with oneand two-bedroom suites, townhome and penthouse options
available. Presales are already 80
per cent sold out, but there are
still prime suites available. First
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
possessions are expected in the
fall of 2013. For more information, visit the presentation centre
at 850 16th Ave. S.W. (second
floor), open Monday-Thursday,
noon to 6 p.m., and weekends,
noon to 5 p.m.. Or log onto
drake17.com, follow on Twitter
@MeetDrake or visit facebook.
com/MeetDrake.
What?
All this for 225K and
it includes parking.
403.264.1703 drake17.com
Show suites located at 850 – 16th Ave. SW
Open 12-6pm Mon-Thurs, 12-5pm Weekends. Closed Friday.
*See a sales representative for details. E & O.E.
beauty and bites
life style
living a maintenancefree lifestyle is a great
reason to explore
beyond the backyard of
the city, especially when
the rocky mountains
entice with beauty and
bites.
w
Thinkstock photos
on the
side
hen considering
a jaunt outside
of the city for
rest, relaxation and
culinary creations
surrounded by the
majestic Rocky
Mountains, here
are few of the best
places to put on your
travel agenda:
On the Cheap
(Under $15 per
person)
n Barpa Bill’s: Have
the lamb souvlaki or
a Barpa Burger (223
Bear Street, Banff;
403-762-0377)
n Valbella Café: Soup,
sandwich and cured
meat to go (104 Elk
Run Blvd., Canmore;
403-678-4109)
i
16
Mountain dining escapes
Restaurant reviewer John Gilchrist treks West
’ve been visiting the Canmore-BanffLake Louise area since I was a kid,
when my folks would cram us all into
the car and head out to enjoy a day in
the mountains.
Those days always included good food
— fudge, chocolate chip cookies, fried
chicken — and homemade road food,
suitable for eating in the back seat of the
Chevy or at a roadside picnic table. I don’t
think I ate in a mountain restaurant ‘til I
was in my 20s.
These days, a trip to the mountains
always stirs an appetite, partly fuelled
by the fresh evergreen air and partly by
memories of youth. And although I’m still
tempted to tote along a tub of fudge,
I’m more likely to plan ahead by making
a reservation at one of the Bow Valley’s
many fine restaurants.
If we’re in a hurry of just passing through
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
on the way to the Okanagan, we might
pop into the Valbella Cafe in Canmore for
a quick sandwich to go and a few meaty
pepperoni sticks. (Note: The pepperoni is a
great road food but it leaves your fingers
oily. Bring wet naps.) Canmore’s Railway is
another quick and cheap stop, and a fine
place for picking up picnic supplies, as is
the Owl Street Cafe in Banff.
Sometimes, we just have time for lunch
so that might mean a chicken breast, goat
cheese and fig panini or a bowl of pad
Thai noodles at Communitea or a burger
at The Eddie in Banff. And if we don’t think
we’ll be hanging around too many people
later in the day, we might drop into Barpa
Bill’s for a visit and one of his garlicy —
and great — souvlakis.
If we’re staying in the area, we’ll take a
longer look at the dining options.
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
continued y 22
Mid-Range
($20-$40 per person)
n Coyote’s: Best
breakfast in Banff
and good for lunch
and dinner, too (206
Caribou St., Banff;
403-514-1041)
n Sage Bistro: Great
braised lamb shank
(1712 Bow Valley Tr.,
Canmore; 403-6784878)
High-End ($50+ per
person)
n The Post Hotel:
Go for the game but
have some wine, too
(200 Pipestone Rd.,
Lake Louise; 403522-3989)
n Three Ravens:
Pomegranate-glazed
duck or braised rabbit
should work nicely
(107 Tunnel Mountain
Dr., The Banff Centre,
Banff; 403-762-6300)
advertising feature
Harvest Mosaic and
Mother Nature call
booming Seton home
W
ith the beauty of the majestic
Rocky Mountains and rolling
tree-dotted foothills out your
front window, Cranston is attracting those
wanting to trade traffic hustle with that of
the rustle of autumn leaves.
A short drive from the soon-to-boom
Seton area, Harvest Mosaic offers such
an experience, complete with Brookfield
Homes’ high standard of townhome living.
Located off Cranford Drive, Harvest
Mosaic will be a 160-home development.
“We’ve incorporated our row townhomes that we’ve been building for some
time with newer ‘stacked’ product,” says
Kelly Halliday, sales and marketing manager for Brookfield Homes Multi-Family.
The stacked townhomes include two
new models — the Olive and the Slate,
ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 square feet,
and the Ruby and the Ivory, ranging from
720 to 800 square feet.
Prices in Harvest Mosaic start from the
low-$200,000s for the Ruby and Ivory, up
to the low-$300,000s for the Olive and
Slate, says Halliday.
“We’re seeing a mix of first-time buyers,
couples in their 40s, and move-down buyers taking an interest,” she says. “It lends
itself well to the community — it’s not
just one buyer group.”
Many are drawn to the location.
Cranston is across the Deerfoot from
Seton, Calgary’s next big employment/
service/entertainment hub now that the
South Health Campus is complete. With
the Bow River just down the street and
Fish Creek Park virtually in your backyard, Mother Nature is also your nextdoor neighbour, giving buyers the best of
both worlds.
But location isn’t the only reason
Harvest Mosaic is gaining in popularity,
says Halliday, noting the floor plans cater
to buyer demand. “Our buyers want great
entertainment spacing, and we’ve created
large, open kitchens and wide-open living/dining rooms.”
There is also an on-site micro-generation power station, using solar panels to
offset power use for common-area lighting, she says, adding each home will have
an EnerGuide rating of about 80.
Show homes are slated to open this
winter, and first possessions are expected
early next year. For more information,
visit buildwithbrookfield.com or the sales
centre at 290 Cranford Dr. S.E. Monday
to Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m.; Friday, weekends
and holidays, noon to 5 p.m.
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
17
Bowness
Main: rafters on
the bow. at left:
jacques berube,
a member of the
Foothills Street
Rod Association,
with his car.
inset: Sandy
Seifert and Jim
Poon take pooch
rudy for a walk
along the bow.
Lindsay Holden photo
Continued from 14
“Bowness is safe,” says Seifert,
adding she spends more time
minding a four-legged menace
than concerns about crime. “The
massive grandfather porcupine
that tours the alleys at night in
search of fallen apples.”
She adds: “Everyone definitely
looks out for each other.
You don’t just know your
neighbours; you know almost
everyone and they know you.”
According to municipal
records, the area was first
leased by the Cochrane Ranche
Company, to graze cattle, in
1883.The area was named
Bowness by an area developer
John Hextall, who purchased
the riverside lands prior to the
First World War, with a vision for
an upscale suburb for the elite.
When Hextall died, however, so
did the plans.
Although today, Hexters
Rock and Roll Blues Lounge on
Bowness Road pays homage to
the man, with the adaptation
of his moniker, and some of the
large historic homes offered as
18
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
part of the original development
still stand.
After the war, the population
got a boost when returning
veterans were offered one of
19.4-hectare parcels in the area,
which essentially became city
blocks, explains area realtor and
long-time area resident, Ken
Richter.
Richter says a lot has changed
around his old childhood
haunts — his home was located
in nearby Montgomery, and
measured a snug 580 square feet
for the family of six, including
four boys.
“There is an eclectic nature to
the neighbourhood,” says Richter
who is considered an expert on
Bow Crescent, a three-kilometre
street where he now lives,
featuring sprawling parcels on
the Bow River. “The population
is diverse. From the $4-million
homes on the river to condos
selling for $100,000, as far as
real estate is concerned and the
people who go along with it.
Bowness is evolving, which it has
been since its inception.”
y Lindsay Holden
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
b
on the side
owness is home to:
n Condos from $100,000, and homes on
the Bow River for $4 million.
n Features a main street with quaint familyrun businesses, and eclectic mix of shops from
pottery to paddling.
n Local eateries include Mexican fare at Salt
& Pepper, family dining at The Place, Sunday
afternoon blues jam at Hexters, ice cream
and the Bowness burger at Angel’s Drive Inn
Restaurant.
n Established schools.
n Ten-minute drive to downtown Calgary and
quick access west to the mountains.
n Bowness Park is one of Calgary’s oldest –
with river pathways and a frozen lagoon serving
as a family skating rink in winter.
buyer snapshot
WHAT HE BOUGHT: A 1,450-squarefoot townhome with two and a half
bathrooms and two master bedrooms in
Chalet No. 4 in the southeast community of
Copperfield.
WHAT HE
NAME:
LIKED ABOUT
Nick Pangborn
THE PROJECT:
It was the only
one I could find
OCCUPATION:
that had parking
Heavy equipment sales
to accommodate
a pick-up truck.
PROJECT:
A lot of the
Chalet No. 4 in
townhomes are
Copperfield by sabal
quite similar
Homes
on the inside.
with the way
WEBSITE:
the builder
sabalchalet.com
had spaced the
common walls
and everything.
But the pick-up truck parking was my No. 1
priority.
I went to a few places and I asked them
about moving walls to make the garage
bigger but nobody was willing to do it, they
all said you’d have to go with visitor parking
or park in the driveway and have a useless
garage. Chalet No. 4 is the only one where
they had a dual parking pad on the front
with a full basement, and the developed
basement is really nice resale wise.
WHAT HE LIKED ABOUT THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD: At 130th, there’s
pretty much everything you could possibly
need. Another big selling feature was the
Seton expansion with the hospital. There
are also plans for a big shopping area, as
well as a future train line running in here,
which was another big selling feature for
me.
ADVICE TO OTHER BUYERS: While I
found the place myself, I had a realtor come
through with me and point out a few things
and that was really handy. I would go with
a realtor. Sydney at Sabal Homes, and the
rest of the crew here, were super helpful,
as well, explaining things in layman’s terms
— not so much legal mumbo-jumbo — so
that really helped out a lot.
y Shawn Hoult
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
19
food for thought
20
OCTOBER 19, 2012
Courses cater to
new generation
of bakers
Julie Van
Rosendaal
(Julie Van
Rosendaalt
is a Calgary
Herald food
writer, a food
columnist and
well-known
cookbook
author.)
ooking to brush up on your
culinary skills? Here are a few places
around the city that offer hands-on
and demonstration classes for all skill
levels.
n ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen is
a state-of-the-art facility offering
demonstrations and hands-on classes
for adults, families, school groups and
corporate team events with unique
programs developed by a team of
cooking professionals and home
economists. atcoblueflamekitchen.com
n Chinook Learning Services
has classes from cheese making
to bread baking, offered through
the Calgary Board of Education.
chinooklearningservices.com
n The Compleat Cook hosts classes
on topics from sweet to savoury, from
cooking basics to more elaborate
47
LUXURY CONDOS
PRICED FROM THE
240’s
$
REGISTER TODAY AT:
tenmountroyal.com
403.984.4518
ethnic themes. compleatcook.ca
n The Cookbook Company Cooks
offers a wide range of demonstration
and hands-on cooking, baking and
pastry classes by chefs, bakers and
other local and international culinary
experts. They also offer private events.
cookbookcooks.com
n Glory of India offers classes for
those who want to learn the art of
Indian cooking. gloryofindia.com
n Sidewalk Citizen Bakery offers
hands-on bread and sourdough
classes by demand. Call or e-mail
to see if anything is coming up.
sidewalkcitizenbakery.com.
n Sunterra Market offers a variety of
cooking class experiences, from Lunch
n’ Learn sessions to cooking classes
just for kids — they even do birthday
parties! sunterramarket.com
STANDARD FEATURES
17 AVE SW
9 Foot Ceilings and Vaulted on
4th Floor
5 inch Plank Cork Flooring
Titled indoor parking
Quartz Countertops Throughout
Designer Tiling Throughout
Designer Lighting + Plumbing
[ including Hansgrohe ]
Superior Sound Attenuation
State of the Art Security
In-Floor Radiant Heating
Upper End Cabinetry
All appliances and blinds included
8 ST SW
hen perusing yard
sales this spring, you’ll
likely come across a few
common items: Suzanne
Somers’ Thighmaster, VCRs and
bread machines.
Those much-loved appliances
of the ’90s that cranked out loaf
after enormous square loaf have
in recent years been banished to
basements in lieu of traditional,
hands-on baking methods.
As we reconnect with the source
of our food, we’re also learning
more about how it’s prepared and
who makes or bakes it.
And more and more of us want
to get our own hands floury
producing our own rustic, artisanal
loaves of the sort we remember our
mothers and grandmothers baking.
It’s not just bread; as home cooks
get back to the basics — pickles
and preserves, sourdough and
pastry, all the whole, natural foods
of our parents’ and grandparents’
kitchens — there is a renewed
interest in baking from scratch.
But if our moms and grandmas
aren’t around to teach us, who will?
Many Calgary bakers have
recognized the desire to learn these
skills without having to commit to
full-time culinary school, and are
starting to offer hands-on classes
for those who want to get sticky.
“It’s a fun, interactive way to bring
the family together while learning
new skills,” says former executive
pastry chef and owner of Sweet
Provocateur, Kira Desmond.
While it was open for business in
Calgary, Sweet Provocateur offered
corporate and private baking,
decorating and chocolate classes.
l
on the side
10 ST SW
Back to basics
w
Desmond is the now the executive
pastry chef of Street Location in
Vancouver’s Gastown.
“People often assume that
baking is complicated and difficult
to learn, when it doesn’t have to
be,” she says.
“There are great recipes out there,
and it’s simply a matter of knowing
where to find them, learning basic
skills and techniques and having fun
with it.”
High demand for rustic, artisanal
loaves inspired bread baker Aviv
Fried to offer sourdough lessons to
Calgary bread enthusiasts.
Those looking to produce their
own loaves utilizing locally ground
flours, homemade starters and
upper-body power can attend
three-hour classes at Aviv’s Sidewalk
Citizen Bakery.
They’ll learn not only how to
make their starter from scratch, but
how to maintain it and bake a good
crusty sourdough at home.
The basics of kneading, cutting
and shaping are covered and the
class culminates in freshly baked
bread and pizza for all to share.
Of course, Calgary’s more
established cooking schools, such as
The Cookbook Company Cooks and
The Compleat Cook, offer a variety
of baking courses, too, bringing
in experts to demystify everything
from pastry to cakes to breads —
or anything else you may want to
learn more about.
With so many skilled bakers
willing to lend their expertise,
there are plenty of
opportunities
to have your
cake and
make it,
too. y
ROYAL AVE SW
1723 10TH STREET S.W.
SALES CENTRE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday
and Holidays.
noon -5:00 p.m.
UNO - 4 UNITS LEFT!
POSSESSIONS COMING SOON
ROYAL AVENUE SW
maKe your lIFe a PerFect ten. LIVE WONDERFULLY. LIVE AT TEN.
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
OCTOBER 19, 2012
21
idenity
h
on the
side
Continued from 18
Know
your style
ere is a rundown on
the various condo
styles:
Buyers have choice
Apartment style
Low or highrise.
building codes dictate
that structures over five
storeys must be made
of concrete, while those
under five can be either
concrete or wood.
They can be in new or
resale developments
or refurbished rental
apartment buildings.
Condos can also be
converted houses with
common or individual
entrances.
Townhouses
(AKA: Row townhouses)
Attached on at least
one wall and more like
single-family homes.
They can be stacked
(one unit on top of
another) or even
duplexes and fourplexes.
Single-family detached
Share common
outside space and have
condo boards, bylaws
and fees.
Bareland
Usually established
by developers and are
no more than the land
with pins or monuments
set as property
boundaries. Developers
generally turn them into
conventional condos
(referred to as barely
blended) once they
are divided into units
and common space
is designated. Some
single-family detached
or townhouses can
be classified bareland,
which is more like
regular homeownership
but may have common
restrictions, such as
the kind of sale signs
that can be used. They
can share fees for
services such as road
maintenance and snow
removal.
uying a condominium was
like going back to school
for Glen and Motoko
Hasegawa.
The couple had been
living in a family member’s
basement and saving money for
their dream home, but after a
couple of kids, they decided the
art lee
time was right.
They realized their down payment and income
would allow them into the condo market but
beyond that, they knew little about condominium
types, boards, bylaws and fees.
“It was a huge learning process,” says Glen, who is
co-owner of a patient transport company. “For us, it
was what was ideal and what was realistic.”
They took about six months to buy, with the help
of a certified condo specialist.
The first issue the Hasegawas faced was the
almost limitless options.
They looked at apartment-style condos,
townhouses and stacked townhouses.
They quickly realized that
apartment-style living was not for
them because it can be noisier
and usually has a maximum of
two bedrooms. They eventually
found a three-bedroom, 2
1/2-bathroom townhouse in their
price range in Panorama Hills in
northwest Calgary.
Art Lee, a certified condo
specialist with Real Estate Professionals, says the
Hasegawas are not unlike other condo buyers who
quickly get overwhelmed.
Buyers often venture into the market with a
variety of misconceptions, including that all condos
are apartment style, he says.
“Pretty much anything can be condominiumized,”
Lee says. “It’s a type of ownership where you own
your unit usually defined by floors, walls and
ceilings. Of course, there is common property also.”
Owning a condo involves being part of
corporation with a board that establishes rules,
special assessments and fees. What the fees cover
can also be confusing.
“What condo contributions cover varies from
22
b
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
styles
above: KEYNOTE’s new urban VILLAGE
apartment-style development. inset:
Brookfield Homes’ stacked olive and
slate condos
Calgary Herald files
condo to condo,” Lee says. “For example, many
highrises in downtown Calgary will include
heat, insurance for common areas, professional
management, reserve fund
contributions, exterior
maintenance, landscape and
snow removal, water and
sewer, and so on.
“Some will even be the full
package and include electricity.
All you really need to pay
extra for is phone, cable and
Internet. Townhomes, semiattached and detached homes — all utilities are
usually on top of the monthly condo contribution.”
Apart from learning about condos, buyers often
overlook other factors once they find what they
consider their dream unit, he says.
For instance, the unit may be near a stairwell or
elevator or over a parkade door, meaning more
traffic and likely reduced resale value.
Many condo buyers, particularly first-timers,
feel weighed down by the number of issues they
have to consider, so hiring a knowledgeable
professional is crucial, Lee says. “It’s a lifestyle — it’s
convenience,” he says, adding the other side of the
coin is condo owners face more restrictions than
owners of single-family homes. y Gerard Young
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
Dinner at The Post
Hotel, with its worldclass wine list, demands
attention and requires an
overnight stay.
The Post’s elegant
Continental cuisine,
combined with the
log-cabin dining room
setting, is beyond
compare. We’ll also
happily tuck into a meal
of chef Shelley Robinson’s
food at the Baker Creek
Bistro or the fine food at
The Bison.
Also, in Banff, we’re
fond of the French food
at Le Beaujolais and the
superb creations at The
Rimrock’s Eden and the
Fairmont Banff Springs’
Banffshire Club —
especially if someone else
is paying.
The creative food of
chef Beat Hegnauer at
Three Ravens at the Banff
Centre is a treat and the
view is unbeatable. Just
down the road, Sleeping
Buffalo in Buffalo
Mountain Lodge is always
satisfying.
We also never go
wrong at Sage Bistro
in Canmore, where my
mother-in-law loves the
braised lamb shank, or at
The Trough, a small place
with big flavours. And I’ve
always given high marks
for Jan Hrabec’s food at
Crazyweed.
And if golf is on the
menu, you can’t beat the
steaks at Silvertip’s Rustica
or the ribs at Stewart
Creek’s restaurant. Then
there’s breakfast at Chez
Francois or Coyotes and
coffee at Beamers or
Harvest.
Any way you look at
it, the Bow Valley has a
lot more to offer than
fudge and chocolate chip
cookies these days.
y John Gilchrist
(John Gilchrist is a Calgary
Herald food writer, a restaurant
reviewer and well-known
author.)
buyer snapshot
WHAT she BOUGHT: A 1,675-squarefoot two-bedroom townhome with garage
and patio just off of 17th Avenue.
WHAT she LIKED ABOUT THE
PROJECT: After looking around at
potential options in
the urban heart of
the city, The Block
NAME:
was exactly what
ERIN FERGUSON
I was looking for.
The townhomes are
OCCUPATION:
zoned for work-live,
MORTGAGE SPECIALIST
which is perfect for
my business and
PROJECT:
lifestyle. It allows
AVI URBAN’S THE BLOCK AT
me to separate
1022 17TH AVE. S.W.
my home from my
work, yet offers
the convenience
WEBSITE:
to meet clients in a
LIVEATTHEBLOCK.COM
professional space
and convenient
location. One of the
other perks is that
the clientele buying into this unique project
are absolutely fantastic. We have already
started to create a great little community
among the owners and are all looking
forward to when we can move in.
WHAT she LIKED ABOUT THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Having lived in
Calgary for the last 10 years, the inner city is
home to me. I currently own two properties
in Mission, and I love living close to 17th
Avenue. It has numerous fantastic places to
eat, socialize and entertain — all a few steps
from your door. Being a foodie and a fan of
socializing, Lower Mount Royal just seemed
like the next logical step.
ADVICE TO OTHER BUYERS: Learning
from experience, as well as working in the
mortgage business, there are definitely
amenities and layouts in my first two
properties that could have been better.
With the upgrade options at The Block,
I managed to get everything I wanted,
including colours, cabinets and appliances.
Nik Roughton, area sales manager for The
Block at Avi Urban, has been helping people
purchase homes for almost a decade and
made the paperwork a breeze and easy
to understand. He definitely assisted in
my decision to make the purchase, not to
mention Avi is a long-time trusted builder,
and stands by its brand. If you’re looking for
a unique build concept in the inner city, I
would definitely consider The Block in your
options. y Shawn Hoult
advertising feature
Buyer ‘prospects’ are on the ‘rise’ in Avi Urban’s Kincora project
C
ombine classic with modern and
you get a townhome that’s a perfect base to stake your claim in one
of Calgary’s best new communities.
Prospect Rise in Kincora builds on
the tradition established by Avi Urban’s
Prospect Hill and Prospect Ridge communities, mixing tried-and-true with contemporary touches.
“We know that today’s townhome buyers are looking for something unique
that offers the ultimate in comfort and
flexibility, at an affordable price,” says
Avi Urban president Charron Ungar. “In
true Avi Urban fashion, buyers can expect
thoughtful designs with great options that
allow homeowners to personalize their
home for how they live.”
Prospect Rise features 68 townhomes,
arranged around a central courtyard. The
three-storey floor plans range from 1,211
to 1,385 square feet and include doublemaster, two-bedroom-and-den and
three-bedroom-with-office-space options.
All townhomes have a two-car attached
garage, a huge balcony and tremendous
curb appeal.
Superior interior features are an Avi
Urban hallmark, and this continues at
Prospect Rise with its nine-foot ceilings,
open-concept main floors, tile flooring
in the kitchen and bathrooms, extendedheight custom maple cabinets, full-height
glass mosaic tile backsplashes, functional
pantries and space for an eat-in bar and
dining area. Plans also include a secondfloor laundry and walk-in closets in the
master bedrooms. Plush shag carpeting
and oversized windows are just the icing
on the cake.
Kincora is ideally located close to shopping and services, with the Creekside
Shopping Centre and its restaurants,
stores and banks nearby, as well as one of
northwest Calgary’s largest commercial
areas, Beacon Hill, a five-minute drive
away. Plus, Stoney Trail and Deerfoot
Trail are in close proximity. Prices start in
the $270,000s.
Three new show homes were recently
opened in Avi Urban’s nearby Prospect
Ridge community in Evansview.
Featuring the Ruby, Topaz and
Sapphire floor plans, the show homes
showcase the best Avi Urban has to offer.
“Prospect Rise is already one of northwest Calgary’s best-selling developments,
and we expect that to continue as people
are now able to walk through their future
new home,” says Ungar. “We are very
excited about the launch of these incred-
c a lg a r y h e r a l d . c o m / c o n d ox t r a
ible new show homes.”
The new Prospect Rise show homes
are at 34 Evansview Rd. N.W. Hours are
Monday to Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. and
weekends and holidays, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information on how to stake
your claim in Kincora, visit aviurban.
com/prospectrise, where you can download a complete list of townhome features,
or drop by the on-site sales centre at 37
Kinlea Way N.W.
OCTOBER 1 9 , 2 0 1 2
23
NORTHWEST
NEW
TOWNHOMES
NW
WITH 2 CAR ATTACHED GARAGES
STARTING
FROM THE
CENTRE
$270’s
SHOWHOMES NOW OPEN
CUT YOUR
COMMUTE
TO 15 STAIRS
WHEN
YOU LIVEAT
THEBLOCK
.C M
1500-1650
SQ.FT.
LIVE/WORK
TOWNHOMES
STARTING IN
THE $570’S.
ONLY 6 TOWNHOMES REMAINING.
34 Evansview Road NW | 403 536 7290
aviurban.com/prospectrise
THE BLOCK SHOWROOM: SUITE 200 – 1022 17th AVENUE SW
PHONE: 403 536 7238
EMAIL: [email protected]