#InsideCalgary Apr. 2020

Calgary facts: According to lifeincalgary.ca, Calgary covers a land area of 848 square-kilometres (327 square miles) and as such, exceeds the land areas of both Toronto and New York City. With a population of just 1,285,711 in 2019, it has one of the lowest population densities of any large city in North America. JZ

Tamarack Lodge ground-breaking

The shovels hit the dirt on Tamarack Lodge, the eighth and largest addition to the Spring Creek family of mountain-side homes in Canmore in February, marking the halfway point of the master-planned alpine community. “The mountain condo has replaced the historic cabin at the lake as the home of choice for recreational property buyers,” says Frank Kernick, president and owner of Spring Creek, and sales so far seem to prove him right, as approximately 80 per cent of the Tamarack’s 80 condominium homes have been sold. Set for completion in 2021, there are several available options for one-, two- or three-bedroom suites ranging from 720 to 2,331 square-feet and priced from $469,000 to $1,359,000. JZ

Did you know?

Like everywhere else, most of the April events in Calgary have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many home builders, as well, have decided to temporarily close show homes. Go to the NextHome_Calgary Instagram and other social media pages to find out the latest on what’s happening at your favourite show home parade. PR

University District fetes Capella and Gramercy

March was a big month for the University District, as the dynamic, young community in the northwest hosted a couple of special occasions that marked its continued growth. First was the launch of Gracorp’s Gramercy concrete condos, and the other is the groundbreaking for Brookfield Residential’s Capella condos.

West Campus Development Trust (the developer for University District) and Gracorp Properties launched The Gramercy, the first concrete condominium offering at University District. It is also Gracorp’s first for sale residential development here following their Rhapsody rental suites that are anticipated to occupy this summer.

Once complete, The Gramercy will offer 83 units across five floors of residential living over a main floor retail platform, with one-bedroom suites ranging from 540 to 620 square feet, and two-bedroom suites ranging from 785 to 1,140 square feet. Unit prices will start in the $300,000s.

“We’ve paid close attention to every detail and believe The Gramercy will be an instant classic and one that is well received by prospective buyers,” says Novy Cheema, Director, Real Estate for Gracorp Properties.
Then Brookfield Residential broke ground for Capella, its second multi-family development in University District.

Capella is comprised of eight buildings in total, a single condo building offering one- and two-bedroom homes and seven, smaller buildings of single level residences offering two- and three-bedroom options. “We’re a big believer in the vision for University District,” says Brookfield Residential’s Ryan Moon.

Both developments are located at the heart of the bustling new community steps away from a three-acre Central Park and within walking distance to the University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital and CF Market Mall.” PR

Four important websites for condo owners

1. bildcr.com
BILD Calgary is the organization which represents the local home building industry. While much of this website’s content is intended for members – land developers, home and condo builders, trades, suppliers and housing related professions – the public can find useful information on topics like the Smarter Growth Initiative.

2. condolawalberta.com
Published by The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta, this website for condo owners and board members organizes everything into easy-to-navigate sections with headings like Buyers, Owners, Condo Board and Finances. There’s even a glossary of condo terms and a list of useful resources.

3. qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/c22.pdf
The Alberta Condominium Property Act, often referred to in the industy simply as “The Act” is a detailed piece of legislation outlining the responsibities of developers, condo boards and individual condo owners. Everything from Bylaws to Reserve Funds is covered in detail.

4. cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a treasure trove of information for the new home buyer. From tips on buying, to renovating, even financial and insurance information. There’s also tons of research on topics like industry trends, housing starts and average prices by market. JZ

Jayman BUILT charity to benefit Alberta’s homeless

As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, Jayman BUILT will be donating $1,000 for each home it sells this year to four Alberta-based charities that have created a long-lasting impact in the community, two of which are involved in helping end homelessness in Calgary and Edmonton.

“With our milestone anniversary, it is important to remember where we started and how we got here by giving back to the communities we live and work in,” says Jay Westman, Chairman and CEO, Jayman BUILT. “We are aiming to raise a formidable amount to support HomeSpace and other Alberta-based charities and are confident we will reach our goal.”

With nearly 3,000 Calgarians experiencing homelessness and tens of thousands more at risk, the support for affordable housing from Jayman could not be more timely. The beneficiaries of the Jayman program also include the MS Society Research, the Hotchkiss Brain Trust Institute, and Homeward Trust Edmonton.

Jayman BUILT has planned to hold a gala later this year where the Westman Charitable Foundation will match the donations raised up to $1 million. However, plans for the gala itself may be affected by the current coronavirus pandemic that has put on hold many such events. “We are still committed to making those contributions, but it is just a matter of timing when we will be able to hold the big event,” Jayman BUILT President and COO, Dave Desormeaux, tells Inside Calgary. PR

Homes by Avi’s cancelled event benefits Calgary’s Drop-In Centre

Some of Calgary’s most vulnerable got to enjoy some delectable Venezuelan street food courtesy of Homes by Avi, when the homebuilder decided to donate food to be served at a cancelled event to the Drop-In Centre.

Homes by Avi was scheduled to hold a big block party in the young northeast community of Livingston on March 14 to mark the launch of their new bungalow models. They had called on Arepa Boss to bring their food truck serving Venezuelan traditional dishes to the party.

Concerns over the widening COVID-19 pandemic, however, cancelled those plans.

But rather than to let all that food go to waste, Homes by Avi just decided to bring the party to the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

“Arepa Boss dropped off 85 pounds of barbecue smoked meats, bottles of their sauces, large bags of rice and they gave a few workers at the Drop-In Centre gift cards to the Crossroads Market, where Arepa Boss has a storefront,” says Kim Trim, marketing and communications specialist at Homes by Avi. A total of 250 meals were donated.

“We made the decision to divert the food because it had already been ordered, and paying it forward was the right thing to do – it not only helps some of the most marginalized in the city but a small local business, like Arepa Boss, as well,” she adds.