EAST VILLAGE’S INK PROJECT PUTS STAMP ON MICRO-CONDO TREND
The company behind Lido, Pixel and Chocolate is out with a new skyscraper believed to offer the smallest condo in Calgary.
Veteran inner-city builder Battistella Developments opens sales to the public at Ink in East Village on Saturday at 11 a.m. The 14-storey tower boasts nine floor plans to pick from, starting with two studio condos at less than 400 square feet. One is 368 and the other is 378 square feet.
“I’ve been watching the micro loft trend for some time now and felt that it was the perfect way to deal with the affordability challenge that living in Calgary’s inner-city was facing,” writes Paul Battistella, company president, in an email. Ink sets its entry pricing at $179,000, which puts the down payment at $17,900. This is the lowest price on a condo in East Village.
“I visited projects in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and Vancouver to try and see how they were making such small spaces work,” says Battistella. Five things stood out to him, including the need for the condo to be in a walkable neighbourhood with convenient access to transit.
“East Village will be the most dynamic, walkable neighbourhood in Calgary when it is done,” Battistella says, pointing to the area’s mix of uses, parks, density and public buildings. “To make small space work you need a pretty special place right outside your door,” he adds.
Floor- to- ceiling, wall- to-wall windows was another key, Battistella says, adding the developer aimed to offer as much light as possible. He supplements this idea with soaring 9.5-foot ceilings.
“It also allows for people to use the volume so that instead of the size being measured by square feet, it really is measured by cubic feet,” Battistella adds. “We’ve also taken away bulkheads that close in that volume.”
Flexibility was another box on Battistella’s checklist.
“You only have to go on Pinterest to see the amazing ways people can configure such small homes,” Battistella says. “By taking away wall and other obstructions to the space, we’ve created an open palette. Our buyers are going to amaze us with what they come up with in their homes.”
The building also needed a place for residents to connect and Ink does this with a rooftop garden and lounge.
“We’ve demonstrated the smallest one in a show suite just to show how livable it is,” says sales and marketing manager Ijmal Haider. A sales centre and the show suite for Ink is at 108 535 8th Ave. S.E. It’s open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Condos at Ink feature central air conditioning, four-inch baseboards, front-load Frigidaire washer and dryer, a balcony equipped with a gas line and matte polished concrete floors.
“It fits with the styling of our buildings,” says Haider of the concrete floors. “But a major benefit of it is that in a condo development, it is warmed by the unit below it, which always keeps it warm, similar to in-floor heating. It’s easy to maintain and clean.”
Kitchens have Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, including an over-the-range microwave and hoodfan. The cooking space also features a deep bowl undermount sink with a spray faucet that extends, quartz slab counters, and full-extension soft-close cabinets and drawers. Buyers have their pick between two modern wood grain cabinet selections.
Ink is also offering an opportunity for up-and-coming artists. The sales centre and show suite will display art pieces by students at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Once the tower is complete, Battistella is also providing gallery and studio space in the Ink building.
“We have strived to bring unique design and architecture to Calgary in our effort to improve the quality of the built form. That’s what we are doing to make a better city,” Battistella says.
“Truly great cities need more than buildings, art is another key ingredient. Our support for the work at ACAD helps make our city a more interesting and dynamic place to live.”
Battistella also sponsors awards and yearly scholarships for ACAD students. The scholarship is in honour of the late Jacqueline Battistella, who co-founded the company with husband Giovanni in 1980.