Get excited in the 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.

The northwest is undergoing a rapid transformation, the sector that had once lived in the shadow of southwest Calgary as the most sought-after residential neighbourhood is gaining prestige. Where growth used to be focused along the Country Hills Boulevard NW, there are more new communities now sprouting around the northern sections of Stoney Trail and in other now-highly urbanized areas to the west.

New communities, like Livingston, Carrington, Carrington South, Evanston and Ambleton are clustered around Stoney Trail and the accessibility the ring road offers. While University District , Greenwich, and Trinity Hills have become hotspots of cosmopolitan living. Rockland Park and Crestmont are at the very western edge of the city and 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.

The advent of more communities has ushered in a new era of affordability, but the sector does retain an air of exclusivity. 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.

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, surrouned 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 is opening a second location in Greenwich near where Highway 1 and Highway 1A meet. The giant, 50,000 square-foot location is highly anticipated and is scheduled to open this summer.

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.

Plenty of groceries and big box stores around these northwest communities, too, like the Creekside Shopping Centre, which has the popular Bro’Kin Yolk restaurant. Qualico Communities’ Nina Wulder recommends Tipsy Pig Kitchen + Bar in Evanston, as well as JPs Indian Bistro nearby. There’s also Sushi Ai in Panorama Hills, as the northwest cuisine offerings has become as varied as the housing opportunities
it presents.

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.

“The residents are excited about the retail diversity in University District as it brings even more amenities within reach,” says Maureen Henderson, Vice-President, Community Experience, University of Calgary Properties Group.
The retail businesses are seeing steady traffic and the recent opening of Cineplex VIP Cinemas, OEB Breakfast Co., Village Ice Cream, The Canadian Brewhouse, Cobs Bread, and Plantlife Cannabis 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.

The area offers condominium, townhomes, seniors living, and rental properties mindfully designed by innovative builders including, Homes by Avi, Brookfield Residential, Truman, The Brenda Strafford Foundation and Gracorp Properties.

Anthem

Anthem has a long history of development in northwest Calgary. It has developed some of the most suceesful and pioneering communities in the sector, including Edgemont and Hawkwood, and they recently just sold out the award-winning communities of Sage Hill and Nolan Hill. Anthem is making a return to the northwest with Glacier Ridge, says Jenny Cawthorn, junior marketing manager at Anthem.

“Calgary’s northwest is one of the city’s most sought-after quadrants due to its access to amenities and picturesque topography and we are excited to embrace the natural backdrop of the land and introduce a great new community that we will feature Calgary’s best builders, modern planning and design, and unique, landscaping, architectural guidelines and parks,” she says. “The community will also be thoughtful and inclusive for all families.”

Glacier Ridge is being built on 840 acres and will have 6,000 homes on build-out. It can be seen as a continuation of their previous Sage Hill and Nolan Hill developments and is similarly blessed with the rolling prairie grassland topography of the area.

Paired, laned and front-drive and exclusive park front lots are available in the first phase. Builders include Cedarglen Homes, Jayman BUILT, Morrison Homes, Shane Homes and Trico Homes with showhomes opening this summer.

Apex Land and H3 Developments

Carrington South has been one of the hottest sellers in the northwest, as buyers are attracted to its boutique community appeal. The smaller scale of the development has given it a mien of exclusivity and the developers takes pains in maintaining its friendly, small town appeal.

“Construction on the newest playground in phase 3 will be completed and ready for play early this summer, and our current and future homeowenrs couldn’t be more excited. This playground will include a basketball court, picnic area and even a toboggan hill!” says Michelle Wilken, Land Administrator at Apex Land.

Builders in this 115 acre community with 2 extensively landscaped ponds include Excel Homes, Trico Homes and Truman. “Phase 3 is almost sold out, with only a few single-family front drive homes available for sale. Our newest Phase is being developed right now and will be ready for new home construction this summer. Our showhome builders are now preselling, don’t miss out on your opportunity to purchase a new single-family front drive garage home, single-family laned or purchase your dream lot backing onto environmental reserve and pond.,” she says.
“From our homes to our parks, we have curated a place to live where families come first,” Wilken adds.

Brookfield Residential

Brookfield Residential has been very active in the development of the northwest. Its Livingston community ushered the growth of The New North when it began just a few years ago. Its popular Rockland Park further west maintains its commitment to the sector’s growth.

“At Brookfield we provide a diversity of housing types to fit the lifestyles and budgets of a wide range of buyers,” says Mary Aucoin, Brookfield Residential marketing manager. “Our communities are planned to incorporate the best of what Calgary has to offer, enhance the landscape, and foster community spirit.”

She says Livingston will be announcing its first retail business later this year. A fun new park will be built near the new showhomes, and six new showhomes from Brookfield Residential, Cedarglen Homes and Morrison Home are opening this summer.

Of note in Livingston is that it has the largest homeowners association facility that Brookfield has ever built: The Hub. “This is an amazing building and outdoor park space exclusive to residents to experience and enjoy. We also have a temporary dog park and pump track, multiple greenspaces, pathways and a few different playgrounds,” Aucoin adds.

Qualico Communities

Qualico is just as invested in the northwest’s growth. Its hit community, Evanston, was a main driver for residential growth in the sector in recent years and it is all but sold out now. Its follow-up, Ambleton, promises to replicate this success.

“The Northwest is so popular because of its proximity to amazing amenities and the sense of community people bring to the neighbourhoods. Qualico has been investing in this quadrant for many years building on the success of Evanston as well as Country Hills, Coventry Hills, Harvest Hills and Hidden Valley to name a few,” says Qualico’s Nina Wulder.

The biggest amenity in Ambleton will be the pond, she adds. This area is meant to create neighbourhood gathering spaces and a way to bring the community together. There will also be areas along the pond that will keep a more naturalized look. There is also a future High School site planned for the community that will be an amazing addition to the area once it is built.

There is a wide variety of housing options here as well. Jayman BUILT and Broadview Homes offer Laned and Duplex models. Broadview is currently sold out, Wulder says. There is also Shane Homes, Sterling Homes, and Trico Homes with Front Garage homes. “Trico also offers Front Garage Wide Shallow Models as well. And Truman Homes will have townhomes soon, but sales have not begun yet.”