The timeless appeal of the townhome

Whether upsizing or downsizing, for many, the townhome is about right-sizing. The townhome is the most versatile new home option in the Calgary market these days; it’s stylish, functional, and just makes sense. Most of all, it’s affordable.

New home buyers love the fact that they can get a two- or three-bedroom home for a lower price than is typical for a duplex or laned home, with the extra advantage of a low-maintenance lifestyle.

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

Townhomes are hot on the homebuying market right now and are available in many of Calgary’s newest communities. We spoke to some of Calgary’s top townhome developers to get their insights on the enduring popularity of this multi-family housing type.

Trico Homes

Trico Homes has always believed in the appeal of the townhome, which remains a consistent best-seller in their line-up.

Trico’s Director of Marketing, Glenda Schwartz, enumerates the number of advantages townhomes have, including cost-effectiveness, low maintenance, and security. “They are often more affordable than single-family homes, making them an attractive option for first-time homebuyers or those on a tighter budget,” she says.
She adds that townhomes typically provide a well-designed layout with efficient use of space. “They often feature multiple levels, allowing for separation between living and sleeping areas. This can be advantageous for families or individuals who want to maximize space without the need for a larger single-family home.”

Adam Zymirski, Sales Manager of Trico’s West 83 townhomes, says another advantage of buying a townhome with Trico is being able to have your own parking garage. “Townhomes are a great stepping-stone if you would like to own a larger home down the road, or they can be a great option for someone who is looking to downsize from a larger home into something small with less maintenance,” he adds.

“West 83 is our newest luxury townhome community, which just launched sales a few months ago in the community of West Springs,” Zymirski says. This is a community that is very well established with every type of amenity available within walking distance away.”

With interiors designed by Calgary’s preeminent designer, Aly Velji, West 83 presents curated townhome living in the west side’s most coveted location.

It will have 150 exclusive opportunities available (Phase I – 75 Units & Phase II – 75 Units), with homes ranging in size from 15-, 17- and up to 20-feet in width. Two- and three-bedroom models are available, and they are selling quick.

Along with West 83 in the southwest, Trico offers this summer Colours of Seton Townhome in the booming southeast community of Seton.

Colours of Seton Townhomes will be one of the last chances for townhome buyers to become homeowners in the growing community of Seton. There will be 95 townhomes released over 15 blocks, with 2- and 3-bedroom options. There will be single or double tandem garages, which will begin pre-selling in the summer of 2023.
Trico has more plans for even more townhomes in the near future. Stay informed at tricohomes.com.

Jayman BUILT

Jayman BUILT has built a reputation on classy, sustainable, and highly styled homes, and their townhomes are in a class all their own. They offer both traditional townhomes with condo fees and street town with no condo fees.

Jordan D’Haese, Jayman BUILT Multi Family Sales Manager, says maintenance-free, lock and leave lifestyle is the biggest attraction for townhome buyers. “You enjoy amazing amenities from parks, greenspace, gardens without the hassle of maintaining them. This includes snow removal in the winter as well! Peace of mind and you can lock and leave while on vacation!”

New from Jayman BUILT are the Les Jardins and Park Place townhomes, as well as the Seton Street Town, no-condo fee townhomes.

Les Jardins Townhomes offer two- and three-bedroom models, from 1,288 to 1,645 square feet., with tandem, single, and double attached garages, fully fenced and landscaped yards. These townhomes start from $470’s + GST. “The community features a two- acre central garden, inspired by the grand gardens of Paris (Les Jardins actually means “The Gardens” in French). This central space includes a water feature, community garden plots, pergolas with seating areas and twinkle lights. We have move in ready homes available now and more coming available this summer! You could move in before the end of the year!”

Park Place of Lake Mahogany recently launched for pre-sales, with showhomes coming in the Fall. With eight different models to choose from, ranging from 1,380 to 1,742 square feet, starting from the $490’s + GST. These models include two- and three-bedroom configurations, all with five-piece, spa-inspired ensuites, optional pantries and flex rooms. Cheekily named after wines, you can choose the model that suites your needs and personalize the interior.

While the Seton Street Towns have no condo fee townhomes, they still come complete with landscaping. There is space to add a detached garage on the back, should the purchaser wish. The main difference is that these are entered from the street (instead of through the garage like our multi-family products). “We have 3 models to choose from – the Brooklyn, Destiny, and Tempo – in two- and three-bedroom configurations. Ranging from 1,350 – 1,576 SQ. FT. and starting from the $540’s (including home, lot, and GST),” D’Haese says. Go to jayman.com for more.

Partners Development Group

Partners specializes in townhomes, and they are intimately familiar with what the townhome buyer needs. They have several on-going townhome developments in and around the city that cater to their buyers’ lifestyles.
“For most townhome developments, the low-maintenance benefit does come at a cost (condo fees),” says Cale Marklund, Marketing Manager at Partners. “But those costs cover everything from lawn-maintenance and snow-removal to weather-related damages and waste removal. Now, many builders are beginning to feature new options built on a no condo fee, or freehold, structure. At Partners, we are beginning to offer more and more no condo fee townhomes, that still provide homeowners with the low maintenance peace of mind that a condo fee structure would.”

He says Partners offers low maintenance xeriscaping landscaping (drought tolerant, little watering required), “so if a homeowner wants to get away for the weekend, they can do so without having to worry about upkeep.”
Among Partners’ offerings is Central by Partners townhomes in Skyview Ranch in the northeast. These are the typical townhome development/complex with 3-stories – attached garage on main, living space on second, and bedrooms on third. These ones are a condo fee structure, but offer fantastic low maintenance living, full-width balconies for outdoor living space, two- or three-bedroom options and are located right next to a future LRT corridor in the NE, so accessibility isn’t an issue. “We only have six units left here, too! It’s been a very popular area lately. We also just sold out of our Symon by Partners townhomes, which were the exact same design, but in the community of Evanston in the NW.”

They also have Arrive D’Arcy II in Okotoks. These are no condo fee street towns townhomes and bungalows: “This has been one of our most popular products due to the no condo fee structure, the modern architecture, and the street town style, as opposed to the townhome complex structure. The street town elevations offer a mix of bungalows (our Casa model floorplan), some with stunning vaulted ceilings, and two-storey townhomes (our new Rundle floorplan). These homes also come with a detached double garage, fencing, and front yard low-maintenance landscaping all included in the price!”

They have been so popular that Partners just released the same style of development with the same two floorplans in the community of Sirocco in SW Calgary.

“We are days away from releasing another new product, this time in the community of Wedderburn in Okotoks. Based on popular demand, we decided to take our Casa model bungalow, and do our no condo fee street towns, but exclusively bungalows. This project will feature the same great bungalows as D’arcy and Sirocco with the same add-ons and features, but we’re slightly changing the exterior,” he says. For more information, go to partnershomes.ca.