BASKING IN TANDEM BAY
Couple finds friendly harbour in beautiful Cardel model home in Walden
When Rory and Cathy McLeod swung by a set of show homes in Walden to kill a few hours, the couple’s afternoon took a pleasantly unexpected turn.
“We went out on a Thanksgiving afternoon while the turkey was cooking just to waste some time and we came back with a house,” says Cathy McLeod with a laugh. She and her husband Rory found a lot that impressed them and a house model they couldn’t refuse through veteran builder Cardel Homes.
Walden is a master- planned community by Genstar Development Co. located off 194th Avenue S.E. It’s now selling in all segments, including move-up homes, laned homes, duplexes and townhomes.
The McLeods chose Cardel’s 2,083-square-foot Tandem Bay model, which is one of the builder’s two show homes in Walden. And as Cathy says, “It’s the most beautiful.”
“We walked into the show home and loved it immediately,” she adds.
In fact, Cathy was so smitten with the Tandem Bay show home, it inspired what the couple did with their own place. Luckily for them, the person who helped design the show home also worked with the McLeods on their selections.
“We loved her taste,” Cathy says. “I picked almost everything that was in the show home. I said I want the same floor, I want the same colour, I want the same this and that. I even went out and bought furniture that is almost identical to what she used because it’s so nice.”
With the Tandem Bay, Rory’s eyes were drawn to the garage. It’s two cars wide and one side is two cars deep. Rory is looking into a home business and says the extra stall would come in handy.
“It’s going to mean inventory,” Rory says. “Having the extra garage at the back I can set up shelving units, a work area and I can manage my home business from there, instead of being in the basement and lugging everything up.”
But the house was just one factor in their purchase.
The McLeods were excited to find a lot that backs on to an expansive green space and they think Walden has a lot to offer.
That includes pathways, perfect for staying active in the fresh air, says Rory.
“We can take one of the paths and go right to our friend’s door within seven minutes,” Rory adds.
“The retail opportunities and the commercial opportunities,” says Rory. “It’s all one happy little village, that really made it a sell for us.”
The Gates of Walden is a commercial hub in the community that’s anchored by a grocery store and drugstore along with a number of other shops and services.
“I think the commercial is huge,” says Genstar development manager Paul Boskovich. “For me, it would be a big deal to have a grocery store within the community and not have to leave. That is an advantage over our competitors be- cause it’s there, it’s fully built out. It makes a big difference in terms of how people utilize their time.”
There are four move-up home builders in Walden, including Homes by Avi, Cardel Homes, Excel Homes and now Cedarglen Homes. Cedarglen opens two new show homes in Walden this month. Excel Homes opens a new sales centre and two new show homes in Walden this month and the community is also holding a launch for Homes by Avi’s Mix and Match duplexes.
“We’re definitely guns-a-blazing here,” says Boskovich. “All market segments have new show homes or recently completed show homes or about-to-open show homes. It’s an exciting time for the project. The community looks great and we are coming off a very successful year there.”
Show home goers will have no shortage of places to explore in Walden this month.
By the end of March, three segments will have launched new show homes. Walden is a community in southeast Calgary by Genstar Development Co.
Excel Homes opened laned show homes this month, and Homes by Avi will launch four duplex models this weekend. Cedarglen Homes is a new addition to Walden’s builder group and will open two move-up show homes March 28.
Excel’s are its Huntley and Porter models, located at 19 and 15 Walden Parade S.E, respectively.
The Porter is the larger of the two at 1,446 square feet and the show home features an urban modern exterior.
“The kitchen is located in the heart of the home,” says Maureen Myden, Excel’s area manager. “Anytime I have customers that say they like to entertain, they love that home.
“It has a galley-style kitchen with a large island and a huge doubledoor pantry. The dining area in that home has large windows, so it’s absolutely beautiful. There’s a ton of natural light throughout that main level.”
The show home for the Huntley boasts a traditional exterior and displays its one-bedroom loft option, says Myden.
“It’s featured as a four-bedroom home,” Myden says. “It has a Ushaped kitchen and there is a ton of storage and counter space in the kitchen. And we featured it with our granite countertops and hardwood floors throughout.”
Along with new show homes, Ex- cel also opened a new sales centre with an impressive component, says marketing manager Mathilde Dujardin.
“It allows our customers to pick all of the interior and exterior selections for their brand new home within a couple of hours,” says Dujardin.
“Plus they’re doing it in the community in which they bought, and at times that are convenient to them. All selections can be seen in our design centre and show homes, making the decision easier and a bit of fun, too. So far, customers are raving about it and saying it compares to a thoughtfully tailored retail experience.”
Cedarglen’s show homes are its 1,870-square-foot Coleman and the 2,031-square-foot Huxley III floor plans. The Coleman is new to Cedarglen’s roster, says Allison Harvie, Cedarglen’s sales and marketing manager.
“This show home features a generous U-shaped kitchen that opens to the great room for family fun,” Harvie says.
“The upper floor plan has a bonus room, laundry room and large master bedroom with an impressive ensuite.”
Unlike the Coleman, the Huxley is a Cedarglen staple.
“The Huxley III is a version of one of Cedarglen’s most popular floor plans, modified specifically for the community of Walden,” says Harvie.
“This show home features a spectacular kitchen that invites the great room in for entertaining opportunities.
“The upper floor offers a large master bedroom with a five-piece ensuite, laundry room and large bonus room.”
Homes by Avi’s show homes are the 1,196-square-foot Lance model, the 1,246-square-foot Parker, the 1,269- square- foot Bentley and the Tristan, which measures 1,476 square feet. These show homes are located on 603 Walden Dr.