The vision for Alpine Park fast becoming a reality

Excitement is building in Alpine Park as the community’s new urbanist, people-centric concept rapidly transforms into a vibrant reality.

Growth is well underway in Calgary’s ‘new west’, and this year will see a significant acceleration as construction begins for Alpine Park’s pivotal second and third stages.

“We launched at the end of 2021, and we’re already approaching 200 homeowners within the community,” says Michael Tandara, Dream’s Director, Marketing, Western Canada Development. “The enthusiasm has been exciting to see, and it’s given us added confidence to move forward with the next two-thirds of the community earlier than anticipated.”

Early stripping and grading is now ongoing for Alpine Park’s Stage 2, which includes the community’s vital Village Centre, a thriving retail and business centre anchoring the ring-road-connected 154 Avenue SW corridor. “We deeply believe in the communities we build, and there’s no better example of that commitment than investing in them ourselves alongside our residents - Dream will continue to own and operate the lion’s share of the Village Centre over the long-term.”

As Stage 2 progresses, Stage 1 continues to enrich its offerings to current and future residents. Central Park – which will be one of six major parks within the broader community, will be ready this fall. This three-and-a-half -acre greenspace at the heart of Alpine Park’s Phase 3 offers accessible playgrounds, gathering spaces, a public green, and a dramatic concrete overlook with panoramic city views.

Upon completion, it will also be the largest of the seven currently available public spaces within these early phases of the community. In addition to ‘major’ parks, Alpine Park features HOA-owned ‘public greens’ with unique amenities, some already being enjoyed by residents. The upcoming Orchard Green and Sanctuary Green, with fruit-bearing trees and a naturalistic aspen grove, are set to complete this year as well.

“Central Park is different from most other parks in new communities. Encircled by a public road on all sides rather than with homes backing onto it, it feels like a proper communal space as opposed to someone else’s backyard,” Tandara explains. “It embodies our vision of a community that serves all its residents.”

New Urbanism shapes Alpine Park, and its principles are thriving. Emphasizing walkability, diverse housing, and neighborly building forms, these ideals seem to be connecting with early adopters.

Designed for walkability, Alpine Park ensures a less-than-10-minute walk to the upcoming Village Centre grocery from almost anywhere in the community, for example. “We do encourage every alternative mode of transportation – bikes, scooters, or simply walking,” Tandara says. “The key, though, isn’t just whether you can walk, but whether you’d actually want to do it – a 5-minute walk along Country Hills Boulevard isn’t nearly as appealing as a stroll through a winding park system or treelined street of porch-front homes.”

Calbridge Homes, Cardel Homes, Genesis Builders, and Homes by Dream – the developer’s homebuilding arm – are providing unique, contemporary laned homes, front- and rear-attached garage homes, and townhomes. The emphasis is on porch-front designs that create timeless, friendly-looking streetscapes that makes human spaces the focal point of the community rather than the garage.

“Many of our buyers look at Alpine Park as a great alternative to inner-city communities like Garrison Woods or Altadore. It’s more attainable here, you get a newer house, and the location next to the ring road makes it easy to get to any point in the city,” says Homes by Dream Area Manager, Jodi Hodgson.

Dream is particularly excited about the reception to the new Court and Vintage home types that debuted in Alpine Park. “These are wider and larger porch-front homes that put a premium on how they look from the street,” Hodgson says.

Our homes ranging from 26-, 32-, and 46-feet wide, Alpine Park allows for intricate frontages for each home. Even Homes by Dream’s bungalows are nothing like anything else in Calgary right now. “At 1,700 square-feet, they have virtually no hallways, and more usable living space with lots of windows that bring more natural light inside,” Hodgson says.

Homes by Dream has three showhomes open currently, including the Sinclair, a rear attached garage home with a side courtyard; there is also an Engler farmhouse model; and a prairie-style Morrow.

All the builders have bought in to Dream’s vision and have strived to put out models reflective of Alpine Park’s urbanist allure.

Calbridge Homes four showhomes in the community are studies in elegance and functionality as their Court Homes and Laned Homes impress.

Their Forgetmenot Court showhome provides perfect balance with generously sized living spaces, natural light brought into the home from both front and back, and a rear-attached garage through a convenient connected mud room.

Cardel Homes likewise has four showhomes in Alpine Park displaying the Court and Laned Homes selections.
The street-oriented detail of the Pinnacle’s design offers the perfect combination of modern, vintage, calm, and comfort with exceptional outdoor living spaces.

While the fee-simple Street Towns from Genesis Builders bring attainability to the neighbourhood with their drive-under townhomes. The Theo showhome is no exception. Located across from the future Alpine Park Village Centre, this home offers a double car garage, a more traditional concept offering separation between the kitchen and living rooms, and a thoughtful upper-level maximizing privacy and views.

Each builders’ unique home designs, exclusive to Alpine Park, embody Dream’s vision for a people-centered community. They prioritize the home and the homeowners over vehicle-centric planning common in many North American cities.

Alpine Park’s design emphasizes frontage and street presence. “Homes here have more front windows, enhancing the way we live by bringing in more natural light and allowing homeowners to watch their children play in tree-lined, park-fronting yards. Frankly, it fosters friendlier neighbourhoods,” Tandara observes.

Like other new urbanist communities, Alpine Park encourages tighter social bonds and fosters more inclusivity and vibrancy through the kinds of parks, pathways and other shared spaces that help pull people outside of their homes, many of which are already being enjoyed. Hodgson highlights the LED-lighted pathways winding through the community, adding a welcoming ambiance. “Wait till you see it around Christmas time when the whole community is lit up.”

The forthcoming Village Centre promises to be a game-changer. “While many were drawn to Alpine Park for its public spaces and ambiance, the arrival of the Village Centre will make it an irresistible living destination,” Tandara believes. The Village Centre’s opening is slated for 2026.

Adjacent to vast Fish Creek Provincial Park, connected to the city via the ring road, and less than a half-hour from Kananaskis, Alpine Park’s 464 acres will eventually be home to an estimated 10,000 residents. “Realizing this vision is a massive endeavor, but you can already see it start to come together. We’re committed for the long run,” Tandara concludes.

Find out more at alpinepark.ca.