What’s happening in Calgary real estate

A smashing good time! Shane Homes wrapped up their $35,000 Piggy Bank Smash contest at the Expressions Design Studio in April at their head office in Calgary. The contest started last October, with entrants having to either visit a Shane Homes showhome or purchase a home from Shane Homes to be eligible. Three winners were drawn, handed a hammer and goggles, and given the opportunity to smash a piggy bank containing a voucher for either $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 cash. Congratulations to all the winners!

Mantra to the rescue

The Mantra condominium development is addressing affordability challenges for first-time homebuyers. An example of its savings initiatives, one-bedroom suite owners have the option to choose not to purchase a parking spot with their unit, providing an instant savings of $20,000.

Being at the heart of the Marda Loop district, with a lofty 89 Walk Score, many tenants may not need two cars – or even one car. That lets them do away with the cost of insurance, repairs, gas and maintenance, which saves them thousands of dollars per year.

For those needing more space, Mantra has the solution for that, too, in the form of spacious three-bedroom suites.

Located at the corner of 21st Street and 35th Avenue SW, the four-storey building from developer Castera Properties & Groupe Denux, is slated to have 33 units ready for occupancy in 2019.

Legends at Cornerstone

At Truman Homes, they do things a little bit differently.

The company officially launched its Legends condominium project in Cornerstone, with the unveiling of 16 new showsuites.

If the sheer number of showsuites isn’t unique enough, how about the fact that the entire building is complete, with every single suite finished and ready for sale.

“People want to see that it’s done,” says Oliver Trutina, vice-president of Truman Homes. “Just having a sales centre isn’t good enough anymore.”

Why so many show suites?

“To show how the same floorplan can suit different lifestyles,” says Trutina, “like young families, or single professionals.”

The four-storey, two-building project will have a total of 220 units and offers several one- and two-bedroom floorplans to choose from.

The living spaces range from 632 to 939 sq.ft. and come with underground parking stall and additional storage space. Pricing starts in the low $170,000s for the smallest homes.

Sales activity has been brisk, says Trutina, with more than half of the first building selling out before they could hold the opening event and first possessions in the next 60 days.

Section23 acquires Baywest Homes

Section23 Developments announced it has acquired full ownership of Baywest Homes. Under a previous agreement forged in 2015, Bordeaux Properties and Section23 were 50/50 partners.

Section23’s president, Chris Plosz, says the acquisition marks an important milestone in Section23’s growth and evolution.

“We are very excited about the future of Baywest Homes,” he says.

“Baywest has long been one of the city’s most respected builders known for its fresh approach to home building, outstanding design, integrity and craftsmanship – traits that align perfectly with Section23’s corporate values and vision.”

“With the new ownership structure, Baywest Homes now becomes part of a diverse and multi-faceted real estate organization, complementing Section23’s land holdings and presenting a tremendous opportunity to pursue Section23’s mission of creating dynamic, inspired built environments that foster a legacy of social connections for all generations,” says Robert Ollerenshaw, Section23’s executive chairman.

With the recent approval of Section23’s new community of Rangeview in southeast Calgary, and now full ownership of a well-established home builder, Section23 is poised for future growth.

Meanwhile, Baywest Homes will continue to do what they do best – focus on estate and move-up homes in master-planned communities, including enhanced customer choice through standard and customized plans.