Calgary’s exciting new home opportunities

Through the year, Calgary New Home + Condo Guide has been running regular features that focus on a certain type of home. Our “Why Buy…” a condo, or townhome, or duplex, or laned home, or front-drive garage home, has been one of our most popular stories online and in print.

These features are in service of our readers, as we strive to “guide” them on the best new homeowning possibilities out there that might fit their lifestyle. Featuring a particular home type gives us and new homebuilders the opportunity to tout the appeal of each one and where they are available, and clue in the reader – many of whom are new to the city – on what’s available to them.

And now, as 2023 draws to an end, we wanted to rundown the wide variety of home types that are available in the city from some of the builders we talked with through the year and give our readers a widescreen shot of Calgary’s new home offerings.

Apartment condos

Whether it’s a downtown tower, an inner-city mid-rise, or a lifestyle-connected four-storey condo in the suburbs, single-level apartment condos offer a rich, fulfilling option for new home buyers.

Apartment condos have always been thought of as a perfect first-time homebuyer opportunity. But there is more to them than just that, as they are communities in themselves.

Logel Homes has been one of Calgary most reliable and trusted name in condo developments, winning the BILD Calgary Multi-Family Developer of the Year a record third straight year in 2023.

“We ask our homebuyers what motivated them to search for a condo and the overall answer is the value that Logel Homes offers when it comes to quality and price as well as the convenience that condo living offers!” says Logel Homes Sales & Marketing Manager, Reilly LePage.

Logel Homes’ best-selling condo apartment floorplan is the Cohen, which can be found in all of their developments. It is a two-bed, two-bath plan that varies in square-footage from 971- to 1,125 square-feet.

“This floorplan makes great use of the space featuring a single family-esque kitchen bolstering plenty of storage space along with an oversized kitchen island that fits several bar stools” LePage says. “This condo features a primary bedroom with walk-in closet and ensuite with plenty of customizations. The secondary bedroom is also well-sized featuring large windows with enough space to comfortably fit a queen-sized bed and side tables.” Find out more at logelhomes.com.

Townhomes

Whether upsizing or downsizing, for many, the townhome is about right-sizing. The townhome is the most versatile new home option in the Calgary market these days; it’s stylish, functional, and just makes sense. Most of all, it’s affordable.

New home buyers love the fact that they can get a two- or three-bedroom home for a lower price, with the extra advantage of a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Partners Development Group specializes in townhomes with a variety of offerings in and around the city. “Our current best-selling townhome is the Rundle model townhome,” says Cale Marklund, Marketing Manager at Partners. “It’s a gorgeous, two-storey townhome that offers 1,886 square feet of open concept space and comes with a double detached rear garage and a fully fenced backyard.”

Partners currently offers the Rundle townhome model in the new community of Sirocco, in SW Calgary. “We have just sold out of the model in D’Arcy, Okotoks. We also sell bungalow townhomes (starting from the mid $500’s) in Wedderburn, Okotoks, and Sirocco as well.” Find out more at partnershomes.ca.

Duplex or paired home

The two-of-a-kind might be the lowest hand to win with in poker, but the paired home – or duplex – hits the jackpot every time, especially among first-time homebuyers.

Homebuilders have different names for the duplex. Some call it a side-by-side home, or a semi-detached home, or even a paired home. No matter what it is called, its flexibility, functionality, and perhaps most importantly, its affordability have made it a perennial best-seller for Calgary’s homebuilders.

Trico Homes paired homes in the northwest community of Glacier Ridge exemplifies this home type’s continued appeal.

“With the cost of homes, duplexes typically are a good entry point to home ownership,” says Justin Rampersad, Trico Homes Area Manger in Glacier Ridge. “With the flexibility of our designs, we can accommodate most customers’ needs and wants based on their stage in life. Having the ability to build a legal suite and rent out either the main house and/or basement from day one is very enticing and helps with mortgage approvals up-front.”

Trico’s Lancaster duplex home is a best-seller. “At 1,660 square-feet, it has a very flexible design that allows the addition of a main floor flex room, upper floor bonus room, and also a two-bedroom legal suite,” Rampersad says. Find out more at
tricohomes.com.

Laned Homes

Laned homes have been the darling of the new homebuyer set for almost as long as there has been a new homebuilding industry. This type of home usually has a porch or veranda facing the street, or big front windows with unencumbered view of the front yard. It also has a parking pad or detached garage with rear lane access, and it has always been the preferred first home for many.

Excel Homes’ Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank, says the curb appeal and spacious front yard of the laned home can explain its enduring appeal.

‘They offer an abundance of natural sunlight from the front facing windows. It offers all the perks of a front-attached garage home like yard space, privacy, and an optional double garage at the back, but at a lower price.”

Excel’s best-selling laned home is the Bellevue, a 1795 sq ft. 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home that is bright and open. Designed with families in mind, the Bellevue has three separate living areas - a flex room and great room on the main floor and a bonus room on the second floor.

A popular design feature of this home is the strategically placed central bonus room that creates ultimate privacy for the large primary suite, combined with the stunning open to below feature.”

Find out more at excelhomes.ca.

Front-drive garage home

For many of today’s families, the ideal home remains to be the front-drive attached-garage home. These types of homes are as ubiquitous as the suburbs they are generally found in and are at the apex of the home-buying cycle. The challenge for most buyers is its limited affordability, as it is the largest home type.

Bringing in added value is how Morrison Homes is able to surmount the challenge. And of course, being the most awarded homebuilder in Calgary doesn’t hurt either, with a record 16 Builder of the Year awards.

“Our Front Garage Zero homes, namely the Bentley, Bristow, Wexford, and Cliffton, stand as our most sought-after models,” says Max Conrad, Marketing Manager. “These residences are highly favored because they afford homebuyers the opportunity to acquire their ideal front garage home, complete with desired finishes and features, all at an appealing price point. Additionally, these homes offer the flexibility of side entries, the potential for basement suite developments, and various floor options such as open to above living rooms, creating an estate-like ambiance.

Morrison Homes builds front garage zero homes across Calgary in Legacy, Livingston, Cornerstone and Wolf Willow. “We also offer traditional front garage homes in Cornerstone, Livingston, Sirocco and Wolf Willow,” he adds.
For more information, go to morrisonhomes.ca.