The timeless appeal of the townhome

Townhomes are a lot of things for a lot of people, but in these days of rising home prices, it may just be the best option for owning a new home.

For one thing, townhomes are offered in a wide variety of styles that work for different kinds of lifestyles. They may be stacked on top of each other; or sitting side-by-side in a row; they can offer single-level living or a three-storey lifestyle; they can have condo fees and there are those that don’t.

They are the most versatile housing option in the Calgary market now, and they’re super hot right now.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), townhome sales reached an all-time record high in March, contributing to year-to-date sales of 1,550 units, which is a 96 per cent increase over last year. “Persistently tight” supply conditions, CREB says, have raised prices significantly as the March benchmark hit $335,400, a four per cent rise from the previous month and 17 per cent higher than last year’s.

We spoke to a couple of Calgary’s top townhome developers to get their insights on the enduring popularity of this multi-family housing type.

Types of townhomes

Any of the new communities around the city will offer townhome developments, and buyers have lots to choose from that can suit their needs. There are traditional townhomes that have three floors and a developable basement, then there are those with three floors but built on slab (meaning level to the ground and will not have a below-grade basement). Some have attached garages, and some don’t.

Then there are stacked townhomes that place one- or two-storey units on top of each other. They give homeowners more separation than a typical condo because each unit has its own exterior front door and there are no elevators or shared lobbies.

Buyers can also find back-to-back townhomes that in addition to sharing side walls, homes share a back wall with another. This improves affordability, while still giving homeowners their own space. There are quite a few more types like bungalow villas and live-work models that fall into the category.

The townhome’s advantage

Buyers can find a townhome to fit their need almost anywhere in Calgary, in almost any style – from the modern village feel townhomes to the more traditional ones in the suburbs. What’s common among them is the relative affordability.

But that’s only the start of the townhome advantage, according to Cale Marklund, Marketing Manager at Partners Development Group.

“Townhome living offers a lot of great benefits to homeowners that a duplex or laned home do not. The largest benefit of a townhome is that they’re very low maintenance. From garbage disposal, to landscaping and even exterior repairs, these are typically covered in your condo fees, a small monthly payment. With some of the weather we’ve been having the last few years with large hailstorms, that added security can be a huge bonus!” he says.

Kim Orr, senior marketing specialist at StreetSide Developments, adds that the spaciousness and privacy townhomes can offer at a lower price is very much its sharpest edge.

“Townhomes are a popular choice as they give you the square footage of duplex or laned homes but allow you to spend your time how you want without having to mow the lawn or shovel the walk. Townhome living also provides more of an opportunity to feel like you are part of a community as the designs of the homes are often integrated into the community,” she tells Calgary New Home + Condo Living Guide

Buyers of every stripe

Every buyer – from downsizers to young families buying their first home – can find townhomes irresistible.

“Younger first-time home buyers love the fact that they can get a two- or three-bedroom home for a lower price than they typical duplex or laned home, and still get that extra time to do what they want in their lives without worrying about all the typical maintenance details that home ownership often comes with,” Marklund says.

“On the other side of things, low-maintenance living is extremely convenient for older homeowners, who maybe don’t have the ability to do the upkeep that they did in their previous single-family home.”

According to Orr, “Our core target buyers are first time home buyers who have busy lifestyles and like the security and freedom that a maintenance free townhome provides. All common areas and exterior maintenance are looked after which helps avoid any additional costs that would be out of pocket if you lived in a single-family home.”

Specializing in townhomes

Partners Development Group offers more than 20 models in communities all over the Calgary region, and they are about to add more.
“We’ve got a couple of very exciting developments coming up this year, but our most recent launch is Arrive D’Arcy II, the follow-up to the very successful and popular Arrive D’Arcy, no condo fee street towns (townhomes) and rowgalows (bungalows/rowhomes) in the town of Okotoks, south of Calgary.”

He says Arrive D’Arcy II has been a big hit considering it was just launched last fall. “This is an exciting project for us as at Arrive D’Arcy II, we offer a great variety of home options to suit multiple lifestyles, and the community of D’Arcy is shaping up to be a beautiful community for families.”

Arrive D’Arcy II offers four different floorplans. Two two-story townhome options ranging in size from 1,886 – 1,903 square feet, as well as two bungalow options, both around 1,900 square feet when fully developed with a basement.

“From the inside out, we’ve crafted these homes with high end finishes to provide a luxury feel. Inside, we provide full-height kitchen cabinetry, quartz throughout, spacious, open concept kitchens and bright, oversized low-E windows. Outside, our homes are crafted for Alberta’s elements with premium fibre cement siding the is both durable, and beautiful. All homes also come with a double detached rear garage,” Marklund says.

Visit partnershomes.ca for more information.

Calgary’s best-selling townhomes

StreetSide Developments was Calgary’s top townhome builder in 2021, as the Qualico Developments’ award-winning, multi-family development arm sold 206 townhomes or total market share of 11 percent in townhomes.

They’re aiming to improve on these impressive figures this year.

“We’ve just launched Red Embers Point in Redstone which features three- and four-bedroom townhomes and three floorplans to cover a wide variety of needs,” Orr says. “We have three showhomes opening this fall!”

Red Embers Point – one of the final opportunities to own a new home in Qualico Communities’ popular Redstone community in the northeast – range in size from 1,168- to 1,469- square-feet.

“We offer surface parking, three-bedroom homes with optional lower-level developments. Another plan features 3 bedrooms with optional lower-level development with a single car garage and a 3 bedroom with den and double car garage. These homes feature kitchens with eating bars, master bedroom with ensuites and walk in closets and upper floor laundry. We have three showhomes opening this fall.”

In addition, StreetSide will also open a much-anticipated showhome in Creekstone Towns located in the scenic community of Hudson in Creekstone in the southwest. Creekstone Towns offers farmhouse inspired, fee-simple townhomes with 2– to 4-bedroom options, double car detached garages and backyards.

They also have the final phase in Evanston Park, which will feature three new floorplans and is slated to open for pre-sales in the fall. “This phase will complete the circle of four phases that wrap around a central municipal park in Evanston,” Orr says.
Go to streetsidecalgary.com to find out more.