Car optional: Developers weigh walkability factor
‘Convenience, culture and recreation’ key elements in inner-city communities
Just like the song These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, condo developers in Calgary’s inner-city are finding hits of their own with locations that allow residents to thrive on foot.
While not a must-have for everybody, many condo buyers relish the ability to go shopping or out for a bite to eat — without reaching for their car keys.
Avi Urban knows buyers like this. While the developer is a familiar face in new communities, after its first foray into the inner-city with Garrison Woods nearly 20 years ago, the company has been active on this end of the market.
Including a current focus, Duke at Mission, which recently opened a show suite. .
“Walkability, for me, answers the question of whether it is more convenient to walk, or bike to an amenity than it is to drive,” says president Charron Ungar. “In denser, inner-city communities, that answer is, most times, yes. I consider Mission or Kensington to be highly walkable communities because the community has well-established businesses, infrastructure and services that cater to all aspects of life.”
He singles out shops, restaurants, medical services, parks, schools and transit.
“I think that walkability is an important facet of a neighbourhood’s maturity,” says Ungar.
“When we look at neighbourhoods like Kensington, or Mission, it’s a major benefit that living in the community makes owning a car an option. With that said, there are many established areas of the city that aren’t as walkable as those two examples but are truly amazing communities to live in.”
Walkable access has resulted in a growing interest in homes where parking is optional, says Ungar; however, he calls it a “niche decision.”
“Calgary is not as advanced in that aspect as other major cities, as we still have far more densification that would need to occur before ditching the car becomes a mainstream idea,” Ungar says. “Buyers need legitimate and convenient options to justify not having a vehicle, including efficient transit, vehicle sharing and permanent bike paths.”
For Bucci Developments, when deciding on the location of a new multi-family project, on-foot convenience matters. The company is currently constructing and selling into Radius in Calgary’s historic Bridgeland neighbourhood.
“Walkability depends on who you’re building for,” says Mike Bucci, vice-president at Bucci Developments. “Walkability for young families getting to school or walkability for younger professionals getting to restaurants and work. You need to have a concept of the neighbourhood first, who wants to live there, then define walkability within that context.”
While he says they’ve seen growth in the number of families and downsizers buying at his company’s developments, the bulk are in their late 20s to late 30s.
“They want convenience, culture and recreation,” says Bucci. “So we look at those things when we do walkability.”
When looking at the site for Ra- dius, Bucci says “it’s five minutes to everywhere.”
“If you want a nice restaurant, it’s five minutes. If you want to go downtown, the LRT is five minutes. Take your dog for a walk at the park, it’s five minutes. Everything is really close and convenient, but it’s still quiet, which is very unusual.”
Battistella Developments has been building in Calgary’s innercity for more than 36 years, where walkable convenience counts.
“Walkability is getting better,” says company president Paul Battistella. “There’s so much being written about the improvement in quality of life by getting out of our cars and walking. The development of the East Village, Kensington, Marda Loop and Inglewood are a testament to that desire.”
Battistella is currently building its Ink tower in Calgary’s mixed- use East Village. Since 2007, the district has gone through a number of improvements as part of the Rivers District Revitalization Plan, being carried out by Calgary Municipal Land Corp.
B.C.-based Bosa Development is one of the first companies to build residential skyscrapers in East Village. It’s also behind the Royal, just off 17th Avenue. Planned to connect to an Urban Fare Super Market, the Royal will put the convenience of picking up all the necessities for dinner just a few steps away.
“We are committed to energizing neighbourhoods and inspiring residents through smart growth,” said Ryan Bosa, president of Bosa Development. “Healthy living has become a much greater priority for Calgary residents and Bosa wants to continue leading that.”
Another B.C. developer, with a long history of building in Calgary’s Beltline, says this district is ripe for people who want to get where they need to go on foot. Qualex-Landmark’s latest tower in the neighbourhood is Park Point.
“In large part, homebuyers have chosen Park Point because it is located in a very established neighbourhood with every amenity and service imaginable, particularly its walking distance to the city’s business district,” says Parham Mahboubi, vice-president of planning and marketing for Qualex-Landmark.
Mahboubi says Park Point residents “will live among the closest of any Calgarian to every conceivable urban neighbourhood amenity and across from one of Canada’s oldest and most beautiful urban parks.”