Innovation takes over Calgary community design

Location, location, location – that has ever been the all-important phrase when searching for real estate property. Or so we’re told. But, these days of ever evolving communities, there seems to be now more of an emphasis now on innovation.

New communities rely now more than ever on more innovative designs that enhance the lives of its residents and add to the appeal of its location. Developers go to great lengths to bring in more amenities.

These innovative designs can span from new environmentally sustainable initiatives, a unique composition of homes, or a design that emphasizes the connectedness of the community by having more spaces to engender interaction among residents. And much more.

NextHome set out to explore some of Calgary and area’s newest neighbourhoods that bring these exciting new innovations to life.

Encore at West Grove Estates

The southwest has always been the preferred sector for building family homes, but it is not exactly the most affordable. Enter: Encore West Grove Estates - now more homebuyers will be able to enjoy the life that so many have already found in this one-of-a-kind neighbourhood.

Encore is the continuation of Bri-mor Development’s successful West Grove Estates that also includes The Rise at West Grove Estates. These communities just off 85th St. and Bow Trail have become the standard for a balanced lifestyle in the southwest with their offerings of upscale homes in an amenity-rich setting. But through constant innovation – including in lot sizes - Encore West Grove Estates is able to bring affordability to the mix.

Sales are already off to a great start since opening in the fall, and Aleem Dhanani, Bri-mor’s Managing Director, believes the new designs are paying off.

“We have smaller lot sizes keeping building size similar, we were also able to leverage the seven-plus acres of greenspace in the overall community, and have achieved an unrivaled price point in this sought after southwest area,” he tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide.

Another new approach is giving one builder – Cedarglen Homes – exclusive rights to build here. He’s most excited about Cedarglen’s new models with a third-floor option.

Cedarglen’s Marketing Manager, Allison Harvie, says these three level homes provides buyers the extra living space without increasing the size of their lot. “We also designed variations in these homes that allows the third floor module to be placed in front of the home or the rear to ensure that owners can enjoy the best views.”

Dhanani says the new design has been a hit in Encore. “I think we can build this in 60 of 64 lots,” he says. “We also have new architectural controls allowing a Modern Farmhouse design and have white exteriors are now an option.”

Find out more at www.encorewestgroveestates.com

Heartland

With its setting where the horizon meets the sky in beautiful Cochrane, Heartland by Apex Developments already has a lot going for it. Key in its development of this community just west of Calgary is the focus on enhancing outdoor spaces in an already naturally blessed location.

“For Heartland there’s an incredible focus on outdoor spaces!” says Morgan Gowland – Development Coordinator at Apex. “So far there are two playgrounds, one of which features outdoor workout equipment, multiple park spaces for sport programming and organic play, extra wide tree lined medians, green boulevards, a tree planting program, and new this year a temporary community ice rink.”

She adds that the focus on designing spaces for families has been important. “We know families, now more than ever, want to stay active and get outside and it’s easy to do that in Heartland when there’s so many beautiful spaces designed to be enjoyed. Rohit Communities has also introduced a new product to the community - front/back duplexes – and for the first time Excel is offering single-family laned homes here too, both innovative new home types offered to suit the needs of buyers.”

Find out more at www.heartlandcochrnae.com

Carrington South

Connections is at the heart of the design innovations in Carrington South, the young northwest community being jointly developed by Apex Developments and H3 Developments.

Gowland says Carrington South’s stormpond system is pretty complex as it ties together all three parts of the greater Carrington area that includes areas developed by Mattamy and Genstar. The central pond flows to Carrington South’s own south pond and the whole system is operated by a state-of-the-art pumphouse that includes solar components.

“Together with the local and regional pathway system which wraps around the ponds and through Carrington South, features of greater Carrington like playgrounds, skateparks and public art,” Gowland says.

Another design feature working for Carrington South is that it has no high-density residential developments that gives the community a more intimate, boutique feel. “We offer a pretty neat boutique feel, tucked away on the south edge of Carrington, whilst still being connected to both nature and the city at large,” she says.

For more information, go to www.carringtonsouth.com

Dawson’s Landing

Qualico Communities knows the importance of greenspace in the community, and its new development of Dawson’s Landing in Chestermere brings in even more innovation on how to design a compelling, and ecologically-sound greenspace.

“Dawson’s Landing is integrating a number of water features into the community. We will have the Stormwater Kidney™, which will be a space that is not only beautiful, but functions as a way to clean stormwater via an ecosystem of plants and aquatic creatures,” says Emily Smith, Qualico Communities’ marketing and customer care manager.

“This will the first development in Canada and the world to implement this unique system. This unique location within the community creature much needed biodiversity and bird habitat within this urban setting. It will be vibrant and resilient to drought and floods. A similar Stormwater Kidney™ is planned for the second pond later in the development as well.”

Qualico is also working to integrate as much of the existing wetlands in the area to Dawson’s Landing’s EcoPark. “The EcoPark is intended to be the neighbourhood focal point offering interpretive boards or plaques along a nature walk to educate about wetland species, ecology and biology,” Smith says.

Visit www.liveindawsonslanding.ca

Currie

The past and the future blend magnificently in this historic inner-city community that presents a modern lifestyle. Much of its appeal can be seen in its parks.

Its Victoria Cross Park and Valour Park are prime examples of greenspace providing contemplative calm. They are not only greenspaces that provide a soothing respite from city life and a safe place for play, but both are also places of honour.

These parks serve as backdrops to this one-of-a-kind community, the first of its kind in Canada with Stage-2 LEED-ND gold certification for its leading edge environmentally sustainable design, and indeed whose homes reflect the area’s distinct heritage.
Since its launch, Currie has been steadily growing and maturing as its vision for a takes shape.

Today, Currie is a beacon of endless possibilities, linking past, present and future in one brilliant setting. You can continue the tradition of vibrant living in Currie with homes for every life stage and lifestyle, designed to be close to shopping, restaurants, parks and playgrounds. All just seven minutes from downtown.

For more information, visit www.currielife.ca.