Calgary’s modern villages

The success of many residential developments can greatly hinge on their proximity to amenities, especially commercial amenities. There is a natural synergy between them that sees these shops, restaurants, and services provide much-needed convenience to homeowners, at the same time these commercial entities benefit from the ready-made customer base.

This is why many high-density multi-family developments choose locations close to commercial centres and establishments, some high-rise condo towers even adopt the mixed-use design that bring these sought-after conveniences to the base of their buildings.

The concept of the mini village started with East Village in Calgary that took an underused area just east of downtown and created a thriving, self-contained community with an “instant lifestyle.”

Now there are even more ambitious projects that reimage the small town ideal to fit modern times. Massive developments like, University District, Trinity Hills and Quarry Park presented city life in microcosm. The award-winning southeast community of Seton by Brookfield Residential takes this concept even further by bringing in single-family homes to the equation. There is also the reverse, where commercial developments bring in a residential component, like Vivace at West 85th and Q Condos in Sage Hill Quarter.

We look at a few such developments with the most innovative designs and concepts in this two-part series which continues next month.

Vivace at West 85th

Bri-mor Development managing director, Aleem Dhanani, always knew that a steady customer base was essential for any commercial enterprise to succeed. So, when plans came up for their 10-acre West 85th in West Springs commercial centre, having a residential component at the heart of it was key.

This is where StreetSide Developments came in with Vivace at West 85th. The multi-family development, with its stylish looks and amenity-rich location, was a big hit, and 70 per cent of the 140-unit development is already sold.

“Our vision was to create a vibrant mixed-use community that would serve the wider West Calgary area and provide an immediate lifestyle benefit to residents of Vivace,” Dhanani tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide. “And that vision of live, work, and play has come to life.”

West 85th is in Calgary’s sought-after southwest quadrant, just off the busy 85th Street corridor. It offers over 105,000 square feet of retail, professional office space and the addition of luxury condominiums and townhomes make it the perfect destination in West Calgary to live, work and play.

“We have two daycares for kids, we have access to Vin Room and Mercato for date night, Boston Pizza for watching the game with friends, and that’s not to mention grocery and the general retail all within a two minute walk. There’s even convenient above-ground and underground parking. West 85th is the perfect escape without sacrificing the lifestyle.” he says.

Vivace offers two-bedroom suites, as well as two-storey two-bedroom homes with prices starting from $425,000. “It’s such a cool place to live, you get a sense of pride of ownership with a lifestyle you get to live and enjoy,” Dhanani says. Learn more at www.bri-mor.com and at www.livevivace.ca

University District

One of Calgary’s most progressive and forward-thinking master-planned communities, University District is ramping up excitement in the fall as it welcomes new residential and commercial developments and gets ready to unveil even more amenities for residents to enjoy.

University District is a comprehensive, 200-acre community offering a bold new vision for life in northwest Calgary. The lead developer is University of Calgary Properties Group Ltd. (formerly West Campus Development Corporation), which was established by the University of Calgary to oversee the development of the lands adjacent to the University of Calgary.

The thoughtfully designed community combines residential, retail and office spaces, shopping, dining and entertainment, with inspiring parks and green spaces. “The vision for University District has always been more than just building bricks and mortar – the goal is to create an inclusive community where people can thrive,” says Maureen Henderson, UCPG’s director of marketing and communications.

And a thriving community it has become, as more than 300 homes are already occupied, and even more commercial and recreational amenities come into play.
“We recently opened the doors to our first retailers, Save-On-Foods and Market Wines, Denim and Smith Barbershops, Curious Hair Skin Body, Pet Planet followed by Scotiabank later this September,” Henderson says.

Several more retailers and services are confirmed to open in University District in the first half 2021, and a highly anticipated Central Park will open in 2022. They make up for a vibrant village vibe that will also include a hotel and cinemas.

“Our Retail Main Street in University District has been thoughtfully designed to allow ease of shopping, eating, exploring and experiencing the community by foot, bike, transit or vehicle,” Henderson says.

It is also known for the wide choice of homes, including immediate possession options, available from some of Calgary’s best-known builders, including condos and townhomes from Homes by Avi, Brookfield Residential, and Truman. Gracorp Properties has upscale apartment rentals with immediate possession, while The Brenda Stafford Foundation offers aging-in-place options.

“Our building partners have done an incredible job at offering modern, customizable residential options, and their offerings can be visited all in one place in our beautiful Discovery Centre, allowing prospective buyers to visit all show suites in one convenient location and see why we are Calgary’s best-selling urban community.” Find out more at www.myuniversitydistrict.ca.

End Part 1. Pick up our October issue for Part 2.