Calgary`s appetite for high-end homes continues to

A D I R E C T E D E D I T O R I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F C A L G A R Y H E R A L D ’ S S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S D E PA R T M E N T
AUTO
•
•
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
LUXURY
REAL ESTATE
•
HOME DECOR
•
FURNITURE
•
FA S H I O N & AC C E S S O R I E S
Living
in
Luxury
Calgary’s appetite for high-end homes continues to grow
I
Barbara Livingstone
n the new world of Calgary’s luxury
real estate market, inner-city condos are
competing against suburban estate homes for
the hottest piece of a booming sector.
Consider this fact: A Calgary businessman just
paid $7 million for an estate condominium of
3,809 square feet with an 1,800-square-foot
outdoor terrace in The Concord, a new 200-unit
project proposed for Eau Claire. It is the highest
per-square-foot price ever paid for a condo in
Calgary.
Concord’s $13-million penthouse, complete
with 6,100 square feet of indoor space and another
8,100 square feet of outdoor entertainment space
— while still available — has seen lots of buyer
interest.
If sold, it will beat the record set in May 2012
when a 5,626-square-foot penthouse unit in The
River luxury development along the Elbow River
sold for $9.5 million.
And the just launched 14-storey The XII on the
riverfront in Mission is offering 12 condos ranging
in size from 2,200 square feet to 3,300 square feet
and priced from $2.95 million to $5.8 million,
complete with a unique automated parking system.
Of course, those prices don’t yet match the
almost $38 million a single-family home in Priddis
on 97 hectares (240 acres) was listed for this year
or the $20 million French chateau-style home for
sale just five minutes west of Calgary.
In the first 10 months of this year, more than
730 properties worth $1 million plus sold, already
more than the 726 sold on MLS in all of 2013,
when a record was set. And in what can only be
seen as the most luxurious of the luxury housing
market — those $3-million-plus properties —
there have been 23 sales of resale homes in that
same 10-month period, compared to 16 last year,
according to the Calgary Real Estate Board.
Morrison Homes, builder of the year for 2013
in the Canadian Home Builders Association —
Calgary region, was also honoured in the
$1 million to $1.5 million category (that’s without
land or GST) for its Savannah home in the
southeast lake community of Mahogany.
Sam Hudson, marketing director for Morrison,
says buyers of luxury homes are looking for
“amenity” lots — ones that back onto green space,
lakefront or have private lake access, providing
spectacular views.
He gives the example of island lots that have just
been released in Mahogany; ridge lots in Legacy;
and a new phase in Auburn Bay “that may be
the best location on the lake, yet.”
“They are buyers that are looking for
lifestyle; adding to their quality of life.”
That means, he says,
a demand for lifestyle spaces
like wine grottos, private
gyms and media
rooms
inside the homes, in addition to relaxation and
entertainment spaces outside.
Stanley Yasin, a Vancouver-based developer who
is the managing partner for The XII, says luxury
real estate today is not just about granite in the
kitchens or bathrooms or a marble fireplace.
“Luxury is about the quality of the offering; the
lifestyle it offers.”
See Luxury Homes, Page Three
two
LUXURY November 21, 2014
Winter warm-up
for wheeled wealth
Luxury car owners pamper expensive toys before the snow flies
Joel Schlesinger
L
uxury car owners love their ‘babies’
all year long. But come winter, their
six-figure toys need a little extra
tender loving care.
Whether they’re planning on driving
through the winter, or tucking their pride-andjoy away in a toasty garage, owners will pay
top dollar to ensure their expensive toys get
the royal treatment.
“Realistically, they spend about $500 to
$1,000 a visit — and that’s just regular maintenance,” says Ted Rozsa, owner of Riegel
Tuning, which specializes in maintaining
luxury European cars.
Most owners bring their vehicle in starting
from the beginning of October to the end of
November to get ready for winter — and that’s
usually just to put them in the garage for the
next six months.
“A lot of our customers will park their
Mercedes and Audis for the winter and drive
SUVs in the winter,” adds Rozsa.
Still, regular maintenance is required to
ensure their vehicle stays in tip-top shape
while waiting for warmer weather.
The oil and filters are replaced. The gas tank
is filled so no moisture can build up during the
long layover. A battery charger is even
installed so they don’t need a boost come
spring, and the tires are filled at 40 to 50 PSI
so they stay firm until warmer temperatures
arrive.
“If they are putting it away for the winter,
we also recommend what we call a ‘preserve
and protect,’” Rozsa adds.
This involves cleaning the car inside and
out thoroughly so no harmful residue is on the
paint or interior finishing, potentially causing
harm over the winter.
Yet, while many car owners put their luxury
cars away for the winter, a growing number
are driving their high-end vehicles all year
long, says Zahir Rana, owner of ZR Auto in
Calgary.
“These days, the newer luxury cars are made
to be used year-round,” he says.
“People don’t want that normal SUV or
truck because they are much more comfortable in a four-door sedan with all the comfort
levels of a luxury vehicle.”
Many drivers of Mercedes, Audis, BMWs,
and even Maseratis and Bentleys keep their
vehicles on the road all year, he says.
“But exotic cars — like the Lamborghini
— typically aren’t driven all year, although
I do have one client who is planning to drive
his Lamborghini through the winter,”
he says.
That may sound a bit odd, but driving this
famous brand of Italian sports car in the ice
and snow isn’t unheard of.
In fact, Lamborghini has a winter driving
school, Rana says.
Of course, luxury vehicles that are driven
throughout the year do require a little winter
prep. First and foremost, they need a good set
of winter tires. Many owners also have remote
starters installed.
“In European cars, not too many come with remote starters,” he says. These days, owners often
want satellite-linked starters that allow them to
use their smartphone to fire up their cars.
“You theoretically could start your car
here in Calgary while you’re in Europe or
California using your iPhone.”
Other measures involve protecting the
exterior from the sand and salt on the icy
roads that can damage both the paint and
windshield during the winter.
For instance, many opt for ClearPlex coating on the windshield to protect against stone
chips because cracked luxury auto glass can
cost big bucks.
Some luxury vehicles require more prepa-
ration than others, particularly those that
have been imported by the owners themselves. Often, they might need a block heater
installed because they have been brought up
from the U.S. where very cold starts are not
an issue.
Yet Rana says many luxury autos are kept
cosy in heated garages during the winter, so
the need to be plugged in is a rarity.
For the most part, however, those who keep
their deluxe rides on the road through the
winter are driving models made for adverse
conditions. These are often all-wheel-drive
vehicles, including the sporty Porsche Turbo,
which starts at about $170,000.
“It’s basically a (Porsche) 911 with allwheel-drive,” Rozsa says. “Those cars are
machines on winter roads.”
For these drivers, no outlay to ensure their
“babies” are ready for the snow is too costly.
“It’s really becoming the norm in Calgary
with the amount of wealth out there,” Rana
says. “People are not shy about buying
luxury cars and driving them all year.”
Above: Zahir Rana of ZR Auto says more
people are driving their luxury autos in winter.
Photo, Wil Andruschak
DEALERS FOCUS ON COMFORTABLE VISITS, SAFE RIDES
Alex Frazer-Harrison
I
t was not that long ago that if an auto
dealership offered free coffee, a comfortable place to sit and promised to
wash your car after every oil change, it was
considered luxury service.
Today, the bar has been set much higher,
both in terms of the dealerships themselves
and the vehicles they sell. For example, free
Wi-Fi can be found almost everywhere, and
customer lounges are de rigueur, so dealerships that focus on the luxury market are
upping their game.
“Our luxury customers are looking for a different experience,” says Mike Hofer, general
sales manager with Hyatt Infiniti.
“They want to be able to come into the same
kind of luxury atmosphere that they’d get
from a high-end hotel or restaurant. They want
to be acknowledged and know that their
business is appreciated.”
Hofer says it’s often the little touches that
spell out luxury. In Hyatt Infiniti’s case, for
example, the front entrance doesn’t lead
directly into the showroom, but into a reception area. And customers who need to wait
while their vehicle is serviced have access to a
big-screen TV for entertainment and to
workstation areas if they need to stay in touch
with the office.
“For a lot of people, their time is so valuable
… they need to feel like their time isn’t being
wasted,” says Todd Richardson, general manager
and dealer principal of Lexus of Royal Oak, a
newer dealership that not only has a dedicated
barista, it’s also partnered with a local spa to
offer on-site services such as pedicures and
manicures. And, for customers who just don’t
have time to come in for maintenance, the dealership offers a door-to-door valet service.
LUXURY
“The dealerships and the manufacturers are
always trying to one-up each other,” Richardson notes. “We are always trying to strive to
look the best we can in front of the customer’s
eye.”
The luxury experience and the understanding that time is money for many busy Calgarians also extends to how customers interact
with sales staff.
Woodridge Ford Lincoln established a
separate showroom for its luxury Lincoln
models, and general manager Travis Eade says
while all his sales staff are well-versed in
Lincoln, only a select few have achieved
certification as Lincoln specialists.
“Many times you walk into a car dealership
and you find the person selling the product
maybe doesn’t know as much as the customer
does,” says Eade. “Customers are very
well-educated today and have done a lot of
research and know what they’re looking for.”
For Steve Normore, general manager of
Lexus of Calgary, luxury stands for comfort,
both in the showroom and in the vehicles
themselves.
“A lot of people, when they think of luxury,
they think of the automobiles … but it’s so
much more than that,” he says. “Luxury … is
basically about removing, or trying to remove,
all the inconveniences associated with
purchasing or servicing the car.”
Lexus of Calgary offers massage chairs
and an on-site barista, and the valet service is
personalized so if a customer has their vehicle
parked in an underground parkade downtown,
an employee from Lexus of Calgary will
collect it, take it to the dealership, and return it
(washed, of course) to the same parkade to be
retrieved by the client.
“Calgary is a busy city and any time we can
remove inconvenience, it’s greatly appreciated,”
says Normore.
As for the vehicles, a common thread
among dealerships is that today’s driver views
safety and technology as priorities in luxury
automobiles.
“I think safety is a piece of luxury people
will afford themselves,” says Simon Clarke,
sales manager with the new car department at
Lone Star Mercedes-Benz.
“Luxury has many facets; it’s the highest
level of safety, performance and convenience
in the case of (access to on-board) infotainment.”
For example, the latest Mercedes-Benz S- and
C-class models have a steering-assist feature
that, Clarke explains, “locks onto the car in front
of you using a system of aligned radars and cameras … the car will actually steer itself.”
He says luxury vehicles are often ahead of
the curve; features such as back-up cameras
and blind-spot monitoring are quickly becoming standard, but luxury cars got there first.
The same goes for on-board infotainment
systems that can connect to Facebook or read
out your email.
Some high-end vehicles even allow finetuning of the suspension and steering to fit the
preferences of the driver.
“With Infiniti, you can program up to four
drivers and how they want their car to act and
drive,” says Hofer. “You can program the car
how you want it to operate, ride and perform
… that’s the next level of luxury.”
Richardson agrees that driver comfort
remains a major consideration.
“People really like the air-conditioned seats
in some of our Lexus models,” he says. “Some
people will buy a Lexus just because of that!”
Above: A customer receives a complimentary
pedicure while enjoying a coffee during a
service visit.
Photo, Wil Andruschak
luxury was developed by the calgary herald’s special projects department in collaboration with
participating advertisers to promote awareness of this topic for commercial purposes. The calgary herald’s
editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.
zx Project co-ordinatorS: DARREN OLEKSYN AND KELLY ZENKEWICH zx design: NS DESIGN AND CHARLENE KOLESNIK
zx Advertising inquiries: 403-235-7168
November 21, 2014
LUXURY
three
It’s all about
adding some bling
Today’s luxury homes spare no expense when it comes to the latest and greatest amenities
Joel Schlesinger
I
f you can dream it, they can design,
build and install it. Today’s luxury
homes have everything a person can
dream of — and then some. From
workout facilities to woodworking rooms,
steam showers to steam ovens, the choices
for stacking and packing in the luxury are
endless.
“The limit is your imagination,” says
Nicole Henson, marketing director with
McKinley Masters, a luxury homebuilder in
Calgary. No space is left bare of the latest and
greatest technological innovation and
convenience — and, of course, leisure.
“People are going really wild in terms of
entertaining in their homes,” she says. “It’s
all about accommodating any need for entertainment that they would go outside the home
to do traditionally.”
Home theatres have been a mainstay for a
number of years, but many homeowners are
moving away from designing dedicated
theatre rooms with row seating, although
some still want that extravagance.
“Media rooms depend on the size of the
house,” says Kevin Mullen, president of
Empire Custom Homes in Calgary.
“TVs are still very important in many of
our clients’ lives, but they’re now much more
unobtrusive.”
Instead of that dedicated theatre room,
many choose big drop-down screens in the
great room or basement entertainment room.
The speaker systems are fully integrated
throughout the home, able to play different
music at the same time in different rooms
— and every movie, album and TV show is
at the tip of a finger via tablet or smartphone
control.
Automation is standard these days with
curtains and blinds, lighting, heating and
cooling also controllable from a handheld
device.
Of course, kitchens are often where homeowners lay out the biggest expenses for the
latest in convenience.
“The kitchen is the heart of the home,
where families take the time to sit and talk so
it doesn’t just add monetary value, but adds
value by bringing families together,” says
Lisa Stinson, vice-president with Astoria
Homes in Calgary.
Some of the cutting-edge amenities you’ll
find in a newly designed and built luxury
kitchen are a six-burner gas stove, dual
ovens, warming drawers, dual dishwashers
and steam ovens.
“People are doing a combination of a traditional wall oven with a steam oven,” Henson
says. “These are replacing microwaves and
can do everything that you’d do in a
traditional oven, plus many other things like
making a hardboiled egg.”
Yet the appliances — like all other amenities
— are recessed to blend with the overall style
and theme of the home.
“Everything is being tucked in,” Henson
says. “It just looks like millwork, but there
is in fact a dishwasher or a fridge embedded
there.”
While kitchens are a focus for many homeowners, so too are the bathrooms — particularly the master ensuite.
“Bathrooms are the size of living rooms,”
Henson says.
Owners want freestanding porcelain bathtubs surrounded by in-floor lighting along
with radiant heating, creating a spa-inspired
sanctuary from the bustle of city life.
“We are even installing televisions in the
mirror that when turned off, you wouldn’t
even know they’re there,” she says.
Closets are also getting bigger. They’re
more than just walk-ins now, Mullen says.
“One of the trends for our luxury homes is
people are spending a lot more money, effort
and detail on their closets than they have before so they have dedicated tie storage, dedicated belt storage and shoe storage,” he says.
“It’s much more organized; as much thought
and detail goes into a closet as does any other
room in the house.”
Some homeowners spend as much on
millwork for their closets as they do in their
kitchens — tens of thousands of dollars’
worth of cabinetry.
What this adds up to is an additional room
Above: McKinley Masters custom-designed
home entertainment area and bar.
Photo, Mel Buschert
Left: A home woodworking shop.
Photo courtesy, McKinley Masters
luxury homes: ‘Calgary is looking for this’
In The XII there are only 12 condos on
14 floors — 10 condos on their own floor
and two suites that are two storeys each.
That means privacy, security and the luxury
of “not having neighbours.”
“There is only one unit per floor as
opposed to 10 people on a floor. That is
living, rather than existing, in a place that
is finished very nicely,” says Yasin.
And the technology of the complex —
homeowners will drive their vehicles into
for the couple — where they can get dressed,
do hair and makeup, or just relax in a comfy
chair.
And while many luxury homeowners are
looking for comfort, convenience and a
general sense of opulence, others seek to do
right by the planet — no matter the cost.
“We do get clients for whom the environmental element is very important, so those
people will go through great lengths to
incorporate Earth-friendly elements in their
homes,” Henson says.
“We even have clients who have been looking into solar panels that can feed back to
the grid even though that technology doesn’t
exist with our power system now.”
Many others seek out reclaimed wood and
real stonework from local sources while others scour the world to find that one-of-kind
artisan-crafted fixture, or even a priceless
painting to be the focal point of a room.
“Things are getting more whimsical.
Instead of playing it safe and going with
trends, they’re going with what they love,”
Henson says.
“Today’s homes are really being tailored to
their owners’ imaginations.”
the garage, walk straight into the lobby and
the private elevator to their floor, while
their car automatically drops below and
essentially parks itself — is also part of
luxury living.
“Our research has shown Calgary is
looking for this. It is clear to me that many
in the community surrounding the project
— in Mission, Roxboro and Mount Royal
— whose homes may have been damaged by the flood, are ready to get out of
single-family homes but want to stay in the
neighbourhood.”
At The Concord, where $60 million in
sales have already been recorded
(40 per cent of the units have been sold,
well ahead of schedule) the majority of
purchasers have been Calgarians who don’t
necessarily spend all their time in Calgary.
“They are snowbirds who spend winters
somewhere warm and want to downsize
without sacrificing the features of their
estate home or give up their toys,” says
Concord sales executive Katy Tansley.
And while they are ready to downsize, they
do want space, luxury finishes and
privacy, which Concord offers, including
private elevator service and private garages.
“These are people used to high-end
finishes in their homes, in the hotels they
stay in and that’s why in planning this
project, no expense was spared,” adds sales
executive Stephanie Yen.
The award-winning Savannah in Mahogany
Trust your new luxury estate home in Mahogany or Auburn Bay
to Calgary’s 11-Time Builder of the Year.
LUXURY LAKEFRONT ESTATE HOMES FROM $1.3M
TREVOR WINDJACK 587.352.5707 | 222 MAHOGANY MANOR SE
[email protected]
LUXURY
November 21, 2014
Calgary’s sophisticated shoppers
spoiled for choice
Meghan Jessiman
L
et’s be honest: Calgary’s shoppers
have never really been hurting for
access to luxury goods. Retailers
realized early on that Calgary’s “Texas
north” nickname translated to money to spend
and an insatiable hunger for designer goods.
We still like our polar fleece and North Face
gear (we are mountain people, after all), but the
large population of oil and gas execs and those
who “do lunch” regularly sure like to turn it out
when it comes to getting dressed.
Even during economically troubled years,
Calgarians still manage to keep themselves in
shoes — and very nice red-soled ones, at that.
What Calgary has been lacking for the past
few years, however, was a sense of competition
within the luxury retail realm. If one wanted to
add some Balmain or Balenciaga to their closet,
Holt Renfrew was pretty much the only player in
town bringing the big name labels to the party.
Don’t get us wrong, a visit to Holt’s is always
a pleasure, but competition in the marketplace is
what makes retailers up their game and
deliver the goods. Not just in terms of the latest
offerings from Chanel, but also on the customer
service front.
The arrival of American department store
Nordstrom in Calgary back in September has
provided this city with just that: a little healthy
competition.
Wandering through the new Chinook Centre
location of the Seattle-based luxury store (its
first location outside of the United States in the
company’s 113-year history), one thing quickly
becomes clear: shopping here is all about
service. And for Calgary shoppers, that’s a
good thing.
With shopping enhancements such as its
beauty concierge, complimentary personal
shopping services and shoelace-tying lessons in
the children’s department, Nordstrom has
certainly brought the heat with its customer
service.
“We think highly of both Holt Renfrew and
the Hudson’s Bay Company, so we have to focus
on being the best Nordstrom we can be,” says
Nordstrom spokesman John Bailey.
“We know we have to work hard to earn the
loyalty and business of customers here in
Calgary.
“We need to stay focused on seeing our business through the eyes of our customers and let
them guide us on how to best serve them.”
So far, so good.
It’s not just the customers who have taken
notice of what Nordstrom is bringing to the
table, though. Holt Renfrew is more than ready
to rise to the occasion in order to maintain its
clientele and will be pulling out all the stops to
enhance shopping experiences in its Calgary
store.
On Aug. 28 Holt’s announced that it would be
sinking $300 million into a 40 per cent
expansion in square footage in stores across the
country.
The “dynamic growth strategy” of the
177-year-old chain includes focusing on building its flagship stores — including Calgary’s
4th Street S.W. location — into destinations for
designer labels that can’t be found elsewhere in
the city (or the country, in some cases). The
retailer will also be focusing on turning
customer visits into lavish days of personalized
shopping and indulgence.
“We are focused more than ever on our unique
position as Canada’s destination for specialty
luxury. Canada has a sophisticated luxury
customer, and Holt Renfrew has a unique global
lens on luxury and fashion,” explains Debra
Kerr, divisional vice-president and general
manager of Holt Renfrew Calgary.
“Our customers are sophisticated, they have
discerning taste. They look to us to be their
partners in style for their everyday needs and
special moments in their lives, based on the
relationships that have been built over the
years.”
This expansion will include the addition of a
new 1,000-square-foot “apartment” concept.
Essentially a private suite nestled within the
personal shopping area, this apartment will offer
top customers an “intimate, tailored, luxurious
and serene shopping experience.”
Other additions in 2015 will include a fullservice licensed restaurant (you need to keep
your blood sugar up if you’re going to shop until
you drop) and special touches such as scotch
and whisky tastings and cigar rolling over in the
menswear department.
The Hudson’s Bay Company is playing coy
about how exactly it is planning to compete
with the likes of Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom.
However, the $2.9 billion acquisition of the Saks
Fifth Avenue chain in July 2013 indicates that
HBC is serious about entering the luxury
marketplace in Canada and intends to do so in
high style.
Calgarians never really needed an excuse to
go shopping, but with all these luxurious addons and personalized above-and-beyond service
standards, high-end retailers are making it more
and more difficult to stay away.
1
hig
hw
ay
S
A
old banff coach road
6t
C
E
PA
TT
E
E
ha
T
R
ve
A
IL
st
ra
th
co
n
bl a
vd
BLVD
bow trail
to aspen
landing
1/ 1
N
O
S
R
westsprings
co-op
R
85th st sw
four
TO DOWNTOWN
November 21, 2014
LUXURY
five
well
heeled
Meghan Jessiman
This holiday season all that glitters isn’t
gold. Crystal, silver and studs are also at
the forefront of fashion.
In years past, holiday dressing has been
all about the dress, but this year we —
along with Lisa Tant, Holt Renfrew’s vicepresident of Exclusive Services (and
the former editor-in-chief of Flare
magazine) — suggest starting
your styling from the bottom up.
We caught up with Tant
to get her top picks for the
statement-making shoes that
should definitely be on your
wish list.
■ Lace & Laces
The decadence is in the details
(and of course the signature red
sole) when it comes to
these stunning lasercut
Christian Louboutins.
“This sexy shoe would be
the perfect fit for a night of
salsa dancing. With its lacy
cutwork and leather ties, it’s
one of the prettiest heels I’ve
seen for holiday,” Tant says.
Equally alluring whether
paired with a beaded mini-dress or
a cropped tuxedo trouser,
this is an all-around
showstopper. $1,295.
■ The X-Factor
“Many of us — myself
included — plan our holiday
look from the bottom up,” admits
Tant. “These stunning Gucci
heels make a big statement,
so pair them with any of your timeless
outfits.”
Your clothes can be the classics and
these colour-blocked beauties will be the
twist. $650.
PAYMENTS ARE O.A.C. AT 1. 1.5% FOR 48 MONTHS. 2. PRE PAID 85% AND 15% AT MATURITY BASED OFF OF DLA WITH A MINIMUM OF 2 YEAR LEASE FOR PERSONAL USE OR 1 YEAR LEASE FOR BUSINESS USE. 3. 4.99% FOR 96 MONTHS. COST OF BORROWING IS
1. $1,854.72. 2. BASED OFF OF DLA. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. 3. $15,495.58. TOTAL OBLIGATION IS 1. $40,465.67. 2. BASED OFF OF DLA. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. 3. $72,109.86. 1.2. OFFER APPLIES TO ELIGIBLE CURRENT OWNERS OR LEASEES OF ANY MODEL
YEAR 1999 OR NEWER CAR THAT HAS BEEN REGISTERED AND INSURED IN CANADA IN THE CUSTOMER'S NAME FOR THE PREVIOUS CONSECUTIVE SIX (6) MONTHS. 3. OFFER APPLIES TO ELIGIBLE CURRENT OWNERS OF A COMPETITIVE LUXURY VEHICLE YEAR 1999
OR NEWER.PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GST. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS EXEMPT. VEHICLE MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS SHOWN. DEALER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO END PROMOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTIONS.
SEE DEALER FOR FULL DETAILS.
■ What a Stud
“Say the name Rockstud and
fashion-lovers will instantly equate this
eye-catching shoe with style-forward
sexiness,” Tant explains of arguably the
most coveted footwear design from
Valentino.
“It’s the
perfect choice
for everything
from dressy
jeans for afterwork cocktails, to a
little black dress for the office party.”
The only trouble will be deciding
between a neutral incarnation and
fabulously festive red. $995.
■ The Glitterati
Comfort and sparkle come together
in this striking holiday option
from Yves Saint Laurent.
“Patent and glitter
transform these,” Tant says.
Her styling suggestion?
“Pair them with a dress and
tights — plus rock-and-roll hair
and smoky eyeliner—for a night
out.” $1,095.
■ In the Buff
Going for the extra-long-legged look?
Skip the black heels for understated
nude. Subtlety doesn’t mean
sacrificing any of the sizzle,
though, with these stunners
by Aquazzura.
“You’ll reach for these over
and over all year-round,” Tant
says.
We’ll definitely be asking
Santa for a pair. $810.
Nov 20 - Nov 22
Extraordinary Watches & Jewellery
Exhibited for 3 days only
■ Slip These On
If stilettos aren’t exactly your style,
comfortable slipper flats can be just
as festive.
“These rococo beauties are
a natural choice with evening
trousers and I also love them with a short
full skirt,” Tant says of Miu Miu’s whimsical
design.
The perfect choice for house parties this
season. $675.
From the top: Miu Miu; Christian Louboutins;
Gucci; Valentino;Yves Saint Laurent;
Aquazzura.
Photos, courtesy Holt Renfrew
All shoes available at Holt Renfrew,
510 8th Ave. S.W. holtrenfrew.com
www.CalgaryJewellery.com
1201 - 17th Ave SW
(403) 245 3131
Open: 9:30 - 5:30
T
TO.COM
O.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPA
AU T
TO
O.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPA
AU T O.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
OM C
CMPAUTO.COM
MP
MPAU
AUT
TO.C
.CO
O M C MP
2014 ATS
4 YEAR CADILLAC
PREMIUM CARE MAINTENANCE
FREE WITH PURCHASE
LUXURY 2.0 L TURBO
MSRP: $50,335
NOW:
$42,300
1
AWD / SUNROOF / CLIMATE
CONTROL / 18” PREMIUM
WHEELS / 6 SPEED AUTO /
CADILLAC USER EXPERIENCE
AND NAVIGATION
YOU SAVE: $8,035
1.5% FOR 48 MONTHS
WITH $2,500 DOWN PAYMENT
LEASE FOR $198 B/W
FIRST 2 PAYMENTS FREE
CG193503
30 TO CHOOSE FROM
MOTOR TREND
CAR OF THE YEAR
ATS
2014 SRX
MSRP: $42,715
NOW:
$34,988++2
YOU SAVE: $7,727
SALE PRICE BASED ON
DLA. CALL DEALER FOR
DETAILS.
CLIMATE CONTROL / HEATED
SEATS / SIRIUS XM SATELLITE
RADIO / ON STAR / 6 SPEED
AUTO / BOSE 8 SPEAKER
SURROUND SOUND /3.6L
CG652372
8 TO CHOOSE FROM
2014 CTS NOW: $67,499 3
TWIN TURBO
V SPORT
MSRP: $80,375
YOU SAVE: $12,876
YOURS FOR $199WK
4.99% FOR 96 MONTHS
SUNROOF / CLIMATE CONTROL /
CUE + MEDIA CONTROL SYSTEM /
NAVIGATION / HIGHWAY SAFETY
KIT / DRIVER ASSIST / 3.6L /
420 HORSE POWER
CG167768
4 TO CHOOSE FROM
J.D. POWER
“HIGHEST IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
WITH DEALER SERVICE AMONG
LUXURY BRANDS.”
MOTOR TREND
CAR OF THE YEAR
CTS
403-207-1000
AMVIC
LICENSED
CMPAUTO.COM
1313 36 St. NE, Calgary, AB, T2A 6P9
P A R T
O F
T H E
K A I Z E N
A U T O M O T I V E
G R O U P
|
K A I Z E N A U T O . C O M
calgaryherald.com/luxury
six
November 21,GH
2014
LUXURY
Royal VIP perks
Happy guests
From manicures and pedicures in the Royal
Lounge to Lexus Loaners and an exclusive
Rewards Program and more, Lexus of Royal
Oak is committed to raising the bar in
Customer Satisfaction and Ammenities
“Incredible service, everyone was really
amazing to deal with.” — Lorelei G
“Had an awesome experience with my first
new car purchase!” — Vivian O
SPONSOR CONTENT
Lexus of Royal Oak
Guests given the Royal treatment
A
n auto dealership isn’t the first place
you might expect to get a pedicure or
a manicure, but Lexus of Royal Oak
prides itself in surprising people.
When it opened in February 2014, Calgary’s
second Lexus dealership aimed to set a high
bar for luxury, not only in the types of vehicles
on the lot, but also in the customer — or guest
— experience.
“We want to make people feel like they’re a
guest in the dealership,” says general manager
and dealer principal Todd Richardson. “We
have partnered with Edges Salon & Spa,
which is down in Crowfoot, and they helped
us set up a location here.”
The spa is next to the Royal Lounge, where
customers can relax with a coffee prepared by
the on-site barista.
“We’re very proud of our baristas; they take
care of our guests and really heighten the
experience,” says Richardson, adding that not
only does the Royal Lounge have free Wi-Fi,
but there are also iPads available to enjoy at
the barista counter.
So why go the extra mile? After all, Lexus
provides plenty of luxury just in the vehicles
themselves.
“Our brand was built on the foundation of
unmatched customer service and we try and
expand on that,” says Richardson. “We have a
unique rewards program for guests that allows
them to earn 10 per cent on parts and service
purchases toward their next Lexus purchase,
plus they have access to our extensive
merchant network where they can save on
other things.
“If they’re Royal VIP Rewards members they’re
also entitled to complimentary Lexus loaners,
access to Royal VIP events, detailing with
service and stone chip repair during service.”
Richardson explains. “We even have a lost key
return service and private travel concierge; and
enrolment is free for a limited time.”
There’s also a large on-site tire storage facility
available. Each tire is coded and filed, but the
service doesn’t stop there as Lexus of Royal
Oak inspects each winter or summer tire
before the time comes to reinstall.
“We’ll go over the condition of the tires with
our guests, and we can even e-mail them a
picture of the tire and say this is why they may
need to replace it,” Richardson says. “A lot of
dealers have gone into tire storage, but it is
usually off-site because they just don’t have the
facility for it (so) the customer may need to give
the dealership anywhere between two days
and a week’s notice to get their tires back. They
don’t need to worry about that here.”
As for the vehicles, the many Lexus models
speak for themselves. Lexus promotes the
theme of “progressive luxury”: stunning
designs with advanced technology and
refinements in sportiness. Richardson
describes it as the Lexus renaissance.
Right now, popular lines include the IS luxury
sports sedan, which Richardson says ranks a
close second to the always-popular RX luxury
sport utility.
The IS line, with its 3.5-litre V-6 306 h.p.
engine, eight-speed automatic transmission
with overdrive, integrated navigation system,
glass moonroof, driver seat memory and
electronic stability features (that’s just in
the base model), is attracting a younger
demographic to Lexus.
“We’re noticing with the IS it’s coming down
into the 40s (age range),” says Richardson.
“Calgary is a fairly affluent city compared
to a lot of others, but our pricing is still very
competitive and it’s often lower than our
German competitors, so you get better value.”
And these guests have high expectations
for customer service, which is met by a
management and sales team with years of
experience with Lexus.
“And we have Lexus technicians with
experience of anywhere from eight years up to
22 years,” says Richardson.
Drop by Lexus of Royal Oak at 7677
112th Ave. N.W. (conveniently located near
Stoney Trail and Country Hills Boulevard), visit
lexusofroyaloak.com or call 403-296-9600.
Be sure to ask about this year’s December to
Remember campaign.
This content was produced by the Calgary Herald’s Special Projects department on behalf of Lexus of Royal Oak for commercial purposes. The Herald’s editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.
2015 RX350 SPORT DESIGN
LEASE PAYMENT
$
$
DOWN PAYMENT
396* $0
340* $5000
48 MONTHS
*Semi Monthly
2014 ES 350 PREMIUM PKG
LEASE PAYMENT
$
$
DOWN PAYMENT
323* $0
269* $5000
48 MONTHS
*Semi Monthly
2014 IS250 AWD LUXURY PKG
LEASE PAYMENT
$
$
DOWN PAYMENT
339* $0
285* $5000
48 MONTHS
*Semi Monthly
Discover our Royal amenities and become a Royal VIP
• Earn 10% on qualified
qualified purchases
purchases toward
toward the
purchase/Lease
purchase/Lease of your
your next
next Lexus
Lexus
• Lost Key
Key return
return service
service
• Enjoy
Enjoy Guest appreciation
appreciation bonuses
• Loyalty
Loyalty Reward
Reward Guest Certificates
Certificates
• Private
Private travel
travel concierge
concierge
• Enjoy a manicure or pedicure with every service visit
• Complimentary service clean with every service
• Complimentary Lexus loaners
• Access to our Royal Lounge
• Available Barista Service
• Dedicated 8 bay Lexus Detail facility
• 18 Bay state-of- the-art service facility,
• On site off season Tire Storage
•Availableexpressserviceforfastmaintenanceservices
• Receive invitations to our Annual Lexus Events
• Enjoy Royal VIP Merchant Network Discounts
• Complimentary Clean w/ Scheduled Service
• Windshield Chip Repair
*Please see us for further details on offers and incentives.
*All payments are semi monthly. Plus GST 48 month lease 20,000km/year
7677 – 112 Avenue NW Just off Stoney Trail NW in the Northwest Automall
Sales: (403) 296-9600 | Service: (403) 296-9696
www. lexusofroyaloak.com
November 21, 2014
LUXURY
No premium
seven
Younger crowd
The MKZ is available in hybrid and
regular gas models, but there is no
premium added to the hybrid’s price.
The brand-new 2015 MKC has been
attracting a younger family-oriented
demographic to the Lincoln brand, says
general manager Travis Eade.
SPONSOR CONTENT
Woodridge Ford Lincoln
Specialists take customer service to new level
L
incoln. The very name conjures up
images of luxury, technology and design
esthetics that are a cut above other
vehicles on the road.
And customers who invest in Lincolns have
expectations that go beyond what’s under the
hood to the dealership itself.
“I think customers demand, and certainly are
justified in demanding, the people they deal
with know everything about the vehicle,” says
Travis Eade, general manager of Woodridge
Ford Lincoln Ltd.
“Our customers today are very welleducated and have done a lot of research;
they know what they’re looking for.”
Every salesperson at Woodridge is Lincolncertified, but only a select few — six, to be
exact — have passed the rigorous standards
to become Lincoln specialists. To become a
specialist, not only do you need to know every
new Lincoln model inside-out, but you also
need to score high on Lincoln’s customerservice survey, Eade says.
“It’s much more of an experience than just
a customer coming in to buy a car,” he says.
“Our specialists are a cut above.”
It helps to have quality product to sell.
Lincoln’s newest model, fresh out of the gate
this past spring, is the 2015 MKC.
“This is an entry into the compact sport utility
crossover market,” explains Eade.
“It competes in a pretty big market with
Lexus, Acura, BMW.
“The big thing about the MKC is we have
over 100 in inventory. The customer has a
large selection to choose from — they can
pick the colour they want, the options they
want, and take it home right away,” rather than
having to special-order, he says.
It’s the details that make the MKC stand
out. This includes standard features such as
MyLincoln Touch, a voice-activated system
that can be used to call up navigation aids or
music, and its 285-h.p. EcoBoost engine.
Other interior options include a panoramic
moonroof and class-exclusive Bridge of Weir
Deepsoft leather seats.
“Bridge of Weir comes from Scotland and is
used by some of the highest-end automotive
manufacturers,” notes Eade.
Lincoln is also known for its state-of-the-art
safety features such as blind-spot monitoring
and a reverse camera. Owners can also
download the MyLincoln Mobile app that
offers a variety of functions, including the ability
to set the remote starter to fire up the MKC at
whatever time you choose.
“The biggest thing customers give us
feedback on is they’re getting more content
for less money,” says Eade. “We hear from
customers who look at Lexus and BMW
and say Lincoln has more technology, more
up-to-date technology, and it’s $5,000 less
expensive.”
Indeed, lease rates on the MKC make its
luxury more affordable than many competitors.
With a 36-month term at 0.99 per cent, you
can lease an MKC for as little as $368 per
month, depending on down payment. The
MKX sport utility also has a 0.99 per cent
lease rate, and 2014 MKZ sedans have lease
rates as low as zero per cent.
“Lincoln also has incentive programs,” says
Eade. “There’s an extra $1,000 incentive if you
already have a Lincoln, and if you have another
brand there’s a $1,000 ‘conquest’ bonus.”
On the service side, Woodridge’s service
department has tripled its Lincoln volume over
the past five years, says Eade.
“We offer special service loaners for our
Lincoln customers,” he says. “If you service a
Lincoln, you get a Lincoln loaner if required.
They’re on site, so you don’t have to go to a
rental agency … they aren’t rentals.
“Lincoln is doing a lot to raise their brand
awareness, and the whole idea is to provide a
superior experience to the customer. And that
is what we try to do.”
To learn more, come down to Woodridge
Ford Lincoln at 11580 24th St. S.E., call
403-451-6187 or visit the brand-new
website at woodridgelincoln.com.
This content was produced by the Calgary Herald’s
Special Projects department on behalf of Woodridge
Ford Lincoln for commercial purposes. The Herald’s
editorial department had no involvement in the
creation of this content.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS.
OPEN THE DOOR TO UNCOMPROMISED LUXURY AT A SURPRISING PAYMENT
THE NEW
2015 LINCOLN MKC
SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY FROM
368
$
PER MONTH @ 0.99%
FWD100A • MSRP $39,940
FREIGHT AND AIR TAX $1,765
AWD100A • MSRP OF $39,940 PLUS
$1,765 FREIGHT AND AIR TAX
•••••••••••• PLUS ••••••••••••
ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS
CAN RECEIVE A
$ 1 , 000
2014 LINCOLN MKZ ECOBOOST
LOYALTY/CONQUEST
BONUS TOWARDS ANY
NEW LINCOLN
FWD100A • MSRP: $38,460 PLUS $1,850 FREIGHT AND AIR TAX
OPPORTUNITY
KNOCKS
FOR ONLY
37,810
$
FEES INCLUDED • GST REQUIRED
OR
PAY
318
$
PER MONTH
48 MONTH LEASE TERM
@ 0% (3.76% EFFECTIVE RATE)
WOODRIDGE
LINCOLN
2014 LINCOLN MKX AWD
AWD100A • MSRP: $45,890 PLUS $1,850 FREIGHT AND AIR TAX
OPPORTUNITY
KNOCKS
FOR ONLY
46,240
$
FEES INCLUDED • GST REQUIRED
OR
PAY
428
$
PER MONTH
48 MONTH LEASE TERM
@ 0.99% (3.64% EFFECTIVE RATE)
(403) 451- 6185
www.WOODRIDGELINCOLN.ca
AT DEERFOOT TRAIL AND DOUGLASDALE BOULEVARD
ALBERTA
MOTOR VEHICLE
PLEASE READ. All offers OAC. All factory rebates to dealer. All offers include freight, admin fees and air tax but exclude GST. Lease payments based on 36/48/48 month terms @ 0.99/0/0.99% with downpayments of $5,899/$6,139/$7,099
INDUSTRY COUNCIL
LICENSED and driving limits of 16,000 km/yr. Total lease obligation= $27,643 (MKX); $19,147 (MKC); $21,403 (MKZ). Limited time offers. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. Other conditions apply. Dealer order may be required. See dealer for full
details.
eight
LUXURY
Urban access
November 21, 2014
Luxury benefits
Riverstone of Cranston is adjacent to
Fish Creek Provincial Park, one of the
largest urban parks in North America.
Riverstone residents have full access to
Cranston’s Century Hall, the residents’
association’s 22,000-square-foot community hall and 2.8-hectare gated park.
SPONSOR CONTENT
Riverstone of Cranston
Luxury living is available on nature’s doorstep near Fish Creek Provincial Park
When it comes to living luxe, it’s all in the
details.
Riverstone of Cranston is a brand-new
river valley estate community from Brookfield
Residential, located alongside the scenic Bow
River and connected to Fish Creek Provincial
Park via 145.6 hectares of environmental
reserve.
Such communities don’t come along very
often, says Jason Palacsko, vice-president of
operations.
“What makes this an estate community are
the added details that go into Riverstone:
the entry features, the fencing detail, the
large trees, the architectural detailing of the
homes, the park spaces,” he says. “We
have even created a manmade creek that
incorporates the surrounding area of Fish
Creek (Provincial) Park.”
Riverstone is set apart from the rest of
Cranston by natural escarpment, with
land gently sloping south by a natural
escarpment. The homes showcase several
distinct architectural styles, including Prairie,
Craftsman, Shingle and French Normandy.
Brookfield and its partner homebuilders
selected these styles for their timeless, classic
features and their ability to contribute to a
diverse streetscape. Luxe does not mean
cookie-cutter, and you won’t find any of that in
Riverstone.
Brookfield recently opened seven new show
homes from its builder group. These homes,
Palacsko says, showcase the possibilities
for homebuyers, whether they’re established
empty nesters or young families.
“We are seeing a number of different
demographics, anywhere from first-time
buyers who can buy townhomes starting in
the $500,000s, to those who want estate
homes starting in the $600,000 range to just
over $2 million,” he says.
Some of Alberta’s top luxury homebuilders
have product in Riverstone.
In the Willow multi-family line, Calbridge offers
luxury villas starting in the upper $700,000s,
alongside Brookfield Residential’s own estate
townhomes from the low $500,000s.
The Landing series features builders
Cedarglen and Albi, with Trico coming soon.
They start in the mid-$600,000s and feature
meticulous design, located next to a green
space connecting directly to Fish Creek park.
Baywest, Calbridge and Albi contributed
to the Preserve series, homes starting in the
mid-$700,000s that are surrounded by the
natural beauty of the river valley in the heart
of Riverstone.
And Albi Homes is the exclusive builder of
the spectacular Portage series. Backing onto
the Bow and Fish Creek park, with lots as
wide as 75 feet, these are top-of-the-line
estate homes starting at $1.5 million.
“We see it as a true partnership with the
builders,” says Palacsko. “We’ve had longstanding relationships with each of the
builders and we really appreciate what they
do and their product offerings are exceptional.
We wanted to be aligned with builders that
share the same values as Brookfield.”
When completed, Riverstone will have
1,100 homes, including multi-family, as one of
the last true new river valley communities
Calgary is expected to see for the near
future. Its location places it only minutes from
community shopping and services, as well
as the Seton commercial and business hub
surrounding the South Health Campus, and a
second access to Deerfoot Trail is expected in
the near future.
But the key to luxe living is in forgetting about
traffic and hustle and bustle. Located at the
bottom of an escarpment, Riverstone offers
that escape.
“When you drive down the hill, it doesn’t feel
like you’re in the city anymore,” says Palacsko.
“In fact, we’re starting to see some buyers
coming from outside the city who were living on
acreages but are now looking at Riverstone.”
Whether it’s buying a new home, or buying
a car, part of the luxe experience is in the
customer service. Palacsko says whether
it’s at the developer end, or the homebuilder
end, everyone involved with Riverstone
strives to provide prospective buyers with the
experience they deserve and expect when
they prepare to make such a huge investment.
In fact, Brookfield and its building group see
homebuyers as partners, not just customers.
“It’s important for them to know that if they
buy into a Brookfield community, it’s going
to be the best place to call home,” Palacsko
says. “Our passion for perfection is fuelled by
our belief that it’s a privilege to build for you.”
For more information about Riverstone
and other Brookfield communities, visit
livebrookfield.com. To experience the seven
newest Riverstone estate show homes,
come down to 3 Cranbrook Dr. S.E. and
follow the signs.
This content was produced by the Calgary Herald’s
Special Projects department on behalf of Brookfield
Residential for commercial purposes. The Herald’s
editorial department had no involvement in the
creation of this content.
N