SWEET SUITE ADDITION
Option available with Carlisle II
For some families, a secondary suite can be a game-changer.
Used for a rental tenant, it can be a bonus to the monthly budget, or offset mortgage payments, making their home more affordable. It’s also a handy concept for adult children living at home, or extended family, giving them a self-sufficient area of their own.
Such a space is presented in a show home by Brookfield Residential in the new north Calgary community of Livingston. The Carlisle II is demonstrated with an optional 660-square-foot legal basement suite. It has one bedroom, one bathroom, a great room, dining area and central Ushaped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a flush eating bar. There’s also an in-suite laundry and a separate furnace.
A private hallway in the basement provides the homeowners access to the mechanical room without entering the suite.
Supporting the separation between the two living spaces is an optional side entrance, which sets up direct access to the basement. The Carlisle II, which measures up to 1,820 square feet above grade, is a laned single-family home with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
On the main level, its great room — which sits along tall rear-facing windows — is a highlight. It’s a generous 19 feet by 13 feet six inches and boasts a box-shaped fireplace surrounded in tile and flanked by built-in shelves. It’s easy to imagine using these shelves for displaying family photos, or small plants and pieces of art.
An L-shaped kitchen sits sideby-side to a spacious dining area with a transom window. The cooking space has a stylish fullheight backsplash, island with a sink with an extended eating bar, pantry and stainless steel appliances, including a chimney-style hoodfan.
Near the front entrance is a flex area closed off by sliding French doors. It’s a savvy fit for a variety of purposes, such as a home office or children’s play room.
While most half bathrooms are found on the main level, this one is slightly elevated. It’s accessed a few steps up, along the staircase from the first to second level.
The second level is centred by a welcoming bonus room, a space ideal for families to spend quality time together before heading to bed.
It’s directly across from a full bathroom and generously-sized laundry area with cabinets and a front-load washer and dryer.
The master bedroom is 13 feet eight inches by 12 feet and has a walk-in closet and ensuite with dual vanities and a shower.
The secondary bedrooms sit side by side and have windows that overlook the backyard.
Livingston straddles Centre Street, west of Deerfoot Trail. The site measures 519 hectares, making it about one-third of the size of Okotoks. One of its planned features is a 30,000-square-foot HOA building, which is typically larger than buildings of this kind.
Livingston is one of the first communities in Calgary approved under the current municipal development plan. This helped make it possible for a major activity centre and urban corridor along Centre Street to be included in the community plan.