Get excited in the new Northwest

There’s a new vibrancy coursing through Northwest Calgary, as more new homeowners choose to make this amenity-rich, family-friendly sector the place to set roots in.

In fact, there’s so much going on that we are taking a second look in the area in this issue. Last month, we focused more on the north part of the northwest with Ambleton, Ambleridge and Livingston communities, among others. Now were putting a spotlight on the west part of the northwest.

There is an exciting batch of new developments here, like Upper Greenwich that just held its grand opening, and Osprey Hill that recently broke ground. University District remains hot with new retail establishments going in, even as Jayman BUILT and Crystal Creek Homes unveil their newest residential developments here.

There’s also the more established Rockland Park and Crestmont View that offer stunning nature backdrops. Arbour Lake West is growing around an already established lake community.

It’s this diverse offering of homeowning opportunities and lifestyle that has fuelled the growth of the Northwest and it’s not about to stop. We spoke with some of the most active residential community developers in the area to get their perspective on what is making the northwest so desirable today.

Osprey Hill

Avi Land is elevating Calgary’s west landscape with its unique and exciting new community: Osprey Hill. Set atop a hillside on the south side of the Trans-Canada highway just west of WinSport, this new community promises to bring a new vibrancy to living in the area.

“People are drawn to Osprey Hill because it offers a unique combination of natural beauty, active living, and convenient access to both urban and outdoor adventures,” says Homes by Avi Senior Marketing Specialist, Marni Chenier. Avi Land is the land development division of the Homes by Avi group.

“The community’s location next to WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park provides residents with direct residential road access to WinSport for year-round recreational activities such as skiing, ice skating, mountain biking, and sports training. Nearby amenities like Calgary Climbing Centre, the Calgary Gymnastics Centre, Valley Ridge Golf Club, and Bowness Park further enhance the active lifestyle,” she adds.

“Additionally, with just a 15-minute drive to downtown Calgary and 40 minutes to Banff and Canmore, residents will enjoy both city conveniences and mountain getaways. The lifestyle here will be vibrant, healthy, and immersed in nature.”

Osprey Hill stands out for its prime location on the west side of Calgary, offering unparalleled access to outdoor recreational activities and natural landscapes, including two environmental reserves and over 2.5 kilometers of trails. The community prioritizes sustainability, with 24 per cent of the area dedicated to green spaces. Additionally, its architectural style, inspired by early North American modern movements, creates a visually appealing environment, ensuring it is a desirable place to live for years to come.

Osprey Hill offers a diverse range of homes to suit different lifestyles. Phase 1 includes No-Condo-Fee townhomes, Front Garage Move-up Homes, and Front Garage Amenity Ravine Homes with west-facing rear yards. “The award-winning builders behind this development are Homes by Avi, Bedrock Homes, Renova Homes, and Lupi Homes, all of whom are committed to sustainable building practices and minimizing ecological footprint,” Chenier says.

Show homes are expected to open late summer/early fall of 2025. For more info visit the website - experienceospreyhill.com.

University District

The ingenious mix of commercial and residential is best seen in University District, the hugely successful undertaking by University of Calgary Properties Group that has blossomed into a community of tomorrow now. In addition to strong sales for its residential condominium developments, the influx of a varied range of commercial and retail establishments here has created a truly cosmopolitan lifestyle.

“In 2024 alone, we celebrated four significant groundbreakings, marking the addition of two new builders and their projects to our community: Magna by Jayman BUILT and GUILD by Crystal Creek Homes,” says Jacqueline Tran, Marketing and Communications Manager at University District (U/D).

“Additionally, we hosted the groundbreaking for Homes by Avi’s third for-sale residential project, Autumn, and welcomed Gracorp Properties’ third rental project in the community, Block 22. We are excited to welcome even more new builders to our community in the coming year.”

The retail businesses are seeing steady traffic and the recent opening of Cineplex VIP Cinemas, OEB and Village Ice Cream have created more awareness for the retail main street due to their popularity. She says more “feet on the street is a good thing” for everyone. The mix of local favourites and well-known staples continues to create a desirable mix of offerings.

“In addition to the amenities along Retail Main Street, our thoughtfully designed park spaces are a favourite among residents and visitors. From free skating at the outdoor rink in Central Commons Park to the off-leash urban dog park at the North Pond, and the inclusive experiences at the award-winning Northwest Commons Park with an inclusive playground, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Condo living opportunities are available from Homes by Avi, Crystal Creek Homes, Jayman BUILT, the Brenda Strafford Foundation and Gracorp Properties.

Upper Greenwich grand opening

The gorgeous, estate-style community of Upper Greenwich in the northwest dropped jaws when it held its grand opening on October 5.

Three million-dollar-plus front-garage estate showhomes from New West Homes, Homes by Fifty-Six, Luxuria Homes awed the crowd, as did the luxury paired homes from Partners Development Group that are selling well with only two remaining.

“Upper Greenwich offers an elevated experience, and access to an amazing variety of amenities,” says Partners Development Group’s Cale Marklund. Partners is the developer and one of the builders in the community which offers luxury paired homes from the $700s, front garage estate homes from $1.1-1.2M. Stunning 4-storey canal-fronting townhomes from $1.2M are also coming soon. Find out more at uppergreewch.com.

Recreational haven

Calgary’s northwest has always been one of the most desired residential areas in the city, and the diverse range of amenities – from shopping, dining, recreational opportunities and more – attract more homebuyers.

Nose Hill Park is at the very heart of the sector, surrounded by 12 residential communities and offers a ton of four-season recreational fun. The sprawling, 11 square-kilometre park is popular for hikers, joggers, and dog-walkers.

Calgary Farmers Market’s second location in Greenwich has quickly become a magnet for foodies and shoppers, as the giant, 50,000 square-foot location offers a multitude of fresh, homegrown goodies.

Across from it is the popular Winsport Calgary Olympic Park. It is a multi-purpose training and competition facility that is used both for high performance athletic training and for recreational purposes by the general public. Its ski hill is very popular in the winter.

Market Mall is one of the most popular shopping centres in the city, and the growing list of retailers, restaurants, and coffee shops in University District itself is making it a vibrant destination for foodies and entertainment seekers.

There’s a lot of reasons why Northwest Calgary is as popular as it is, and these are just a few of them.