Southeast Calgary enjoys dynamic, new growth

The raucous noise of a game night resounds outside the parking lot of the Canda Brewhouse sports bar in Mahogany Village. The scene is repeated at the always-crowded Earl’s restaurant in the busy 130th Avenue commercial centre. Unbelievable as it may seem to some Calgarians who grew up in the ‘70s, Calgary’s southeast is today a lively, energetic scene for entertainment, shopping and a modern – even urban – lifestyle.

In decades past, the southeast was mostly known as an industrial centre, a place of work with not much residential options. The area east of the Bow River and on either side of the southern portion of Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail began to change in the early 2000s with the boom of new suburban communities along its outskirts.

Now, those communities – like Cranston, Copperfield, Auburn Bay, and New Brighton - have all been built out. And those that took their place – like Legacy, Seton and Mahogany – continue to expand. Walden is, in fact, down to its final phase.

Now there is a new batch that’s up and ready to take their place, like the two Rangeviews (one developed by Section 23 and the other by Genstar), and Hotchkiss by Hopewell Residential. Even more are on the way, including Sora by Melcor that just launched, Seton Ridge by Brookfield Residential, Logan Landing by Genesis Builder Group, and Heartwood by Rohit.

The location of that last one, Heartwood, was so highly prized as it’s so near the South Health Campus Hospital and all the already established amenities nearby that it became the subject of a very competitive bidding war that Rohit finally won.

What’s important to take from all this growth is that these new communities mean continued affordability, as the southeast remains one of the best residential sectors where new homes remain a lot more attainable. The established amenities available, the improving accessibility and closeness to nature and recreational opportunities make this one of the best places to live in Calgary that promises a true work-life balance.

Southern beauty

Besides having a world-class hospital, and the world’s biggest YMCA (both located in Brookfield Residential’s award-winning community of Seton), the southeast has a serene, nature-bound character to it too. The ridge pathway overlooking the Bow River along McKenzie Lake all the way to Cranston is a beautiful spot for dog-walkers, bird watchers, and nature lovers. Fish Creek Park – one of the largest urban parks in Canada – is a well-known destination for fall photography. As it was for the rest of the city, the completion of the Stoney Trail ring road is a game-changer for accessibility in the southeast too.

No wonder the southeast ranks high in the most popular areas to raise a family in Calgary.

“Southeast Calgary is known for their family-friendly neighborhoods with great community spaces such as parks, playground, leisure centres, and schools,” says Rohit Communities Division Marketing Manager, Daisy Lieu.

“There are many modern amenities like shopping and dining options in popular spots like Seton, while also having the world’s largest YMCA and proximity to the South Health Campus. As the community like Heartwood is located at the edge of the city, it provides easier access to the foothills and mountains, making quick trips to Kananaskis and Banff a breeze. SE Calgary has something for everyone providing a balance of suburban comfort and urban accessibility,” she adds.

New excitement

When Seton launched some eight years ago, the aim was to create “Downtown South,” a place that would offer all the urban amenities of the city core. This has been largely realized and now the new communities sprouting around it all benefit from this development.

One such community is Rohit’s Heartwood, the homebuilder and land developer’s latest development in Calgary. Although they have been active as a homebuilder in the city, and they have developed land in the Calgary region, Heartwood marks their first community development within Calgary.

Excitement for Heartwood is definitely ramping up ahead of the opening of its first showhomes next year.

“We’re excited about the architectural package which will provide a unique streetscape and community design,” Lieu says. “It includes modern complimentary roof lines, simple home shapes around wide entry way and includes elements of Urban Timber, Nordic and Alpine Stone.”

Heartwood will be approximately 200 acres with 8 planned phases and with approximately 2,000 homes at build-out. “We will offer townhomes, duplex homes, rear laned homes and front garage homes in the first 2 phases of the community. Zero-lot homes are also available for front garage and rear laned, as well as some limited pond facing lots,” she adds.

Antoher factor setting Heartwood apart is Rohit’s amenities-first priority. “Rohit Communities prides itself on an amenity-first development approach and we’re looking forward in having a completed park, playground and pond by the time the first residents move in,” Lieu says.

“It provides a chance for new residents to have a gathering spot and meet their neighbours while enjoying the outdoor spaces in their community. In total, we have a future school site, 3 planned parks with ample green space, a wetland and pond area, and 4+ acres of planned neighbourhood commercial.”

Heartwood’s builder group includes Bedrock Homes, Genesis Builders, Jayman BUILT, Rohit Homes and Trico Homes. Find out more at heartwoodcalgary.com.

Southern advances

Also on the way is Genesis Land Development’s Logan Landing, a master-planned community with access to the Bow River, and over 140 acres of open space, breathtaking valley and mountain views, traversing pathways, and established amenities.
It is also close to the Seton Commercial Core, the South Health Campus hospital, YMCA and a high school and offers an abundance of educational, employment and recreation opportunities.

Seton Ridge by Brookfield Residential is the long-awaited sequel to Seton. The new community sits directly south of Seton, Calgary’s newest urban hub. Residents have easy access to Deerfoot Trail and the Ring Road, making it easy to get downtown or out to the mountains.

Seton Ridge lets you experience the splendour of the Bow River and the grandeur of the prairie landscape in a modern urban setting. There’s a calmness here. Enjoy relaxing walks in environmentally protected areas, fish for brown and rainbow trout, and contemplate the stars as you unwind at the end of your day.

Explore

No doubt that growth will continue throughout the southeast, but why do people love living here so much? The rich number of amenities that are readily available would be a big part of that, and so would the easy accessibility to any part of town now that the ring road is finished.

The natural wonders of Fish Creek Provincial Park can be easily accessed from these southeast neighbourhoods.
Seton is the epicentre of commercial, retail, recreation, and dining in the southeast. Its urban district will have 1 million square-feet of retail space that has already blossomed into a multitude of offerings, from the Superstore to the Cineplex VIP Theatre – the first ever in Alberta.

Mahogany Village Market continues to grow adding more establishments to a roster that already includes Sobeys, Tim Horton’s, Cobs Bread, ATB Financial, Dairy Queen, Kinjo Sushi & Grill, The Canadian Brewhouse, and State & Main.

The massive Township Shopping Centre in Legacy is also shaping up fast as a major source for shopping and entertainment and services, providing a much-needed amenity to service the new communities in the area and beyond.

Life in the southeast certainly has its perks, wouldn’t it be nice to grow with it?