Architect advocates high quality over density
A development site on the corner of Royal Avenue and 8th Street S.W. was deserving of a rather splendid design, and that’s what Chris Harker of Casa De Ville sought.
His first big decision was to select the right architect for his project and he was able to commission Richard Lindseth, a Calgary architect with a long list of unique, high-end homes in his portfolio. A quick visit to his company website shows some remarkable residences, dream homes for the captains of industry, media and sports stars, and prominent figures in politics and business that persuaded Harker that this was the quality he was looking for.
When Lindseth first visited the site with Harker, they discussed the original high-density 40-plus unit project but quickly made the decision that to reflect the Mount Royal district it bordered, the appropriate design would be for five luxury townhouse units. And Lindseth was able to persuade his client that Mount Royal need not be restricted to a traditional facade but that a contemporary design would fit in well.
The result is The Terraces on Royal, five exclusive units designed to satisfy the tastes of the most discerning, a modern retreat for those who thrive in a vibrant uptown area.
The location is certainly exceptional. In a mature neighbourhood a stone’s throw from the city’s dining and entertainment pulse along 17th Avenue S.W. Add lots of boutique shops and the planned renovation of Mount Royal Village and its new nearby development help make it a pretty exciting corner.
Harker’s family was in heavy construction in southern Alberta but he decided to go the finance route and became a certified mortgage broker. He first became involved in the Royal Avenue site — which at that time had two rundown rental houses located on it — as an associate of Quadrum Mortgage Corp.
After the purchaser ran into financial trouble, he decided to take over and develop it on behalf of a Calgary investor group.
From the outset, he was determined to build a high-quality development and Lindseth says he is the perfect client, never questioning his recommendations.
Lindseth began by designing staggered units built of 12-inch thick concrete and steel. They rise from a front drive underground tandem two-car garage with recreation room/wine cellar to the three floors providing 3,300 square feet of living space accessed from the garage by individual in-suite elevators.
Kevin Mitchell of Douglas Cridland Interior Design was responsible for the luxurious finishings and interior details highlighted by an impressive three-storey glass wall rising above the floating staircases. The master suite is spread over the entire top floor from which the large balcony gives exceptional views of the city’s downtown skyline across to the Saddledome. Each unit has three outdoor patio spaces with a fireplace and barbecue on the kitchen floor level.
The combination of Harker’s dream, Lindseth’s design experience, and the prime location offer a rare opportunity; the end unit was sold in the early stages of construction.
Congratulations to George Brookman who had the entrepreneurial guts to buy West Canadian Digital Imaging 30 years ago; a very proud man with a great commitment to the business, his staff and his customers over all of those years.
And congratulations also to president Irene Price who has worked alongside him for 28 of those years.
Wonderful examples of West Canadian’s work are the enormous teepees that tower above the two main entrances of The Bow. Production took 10 days and installation a further five, but what a terrific example of the kind of project that gets this city into the Stampede spirit.
And check out West Canadian’s fleet of vehicles decked out in new wraparound graphics by the company’s signage and graphics team.
Calgary Economic Development and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce are joining forces to commemorate the business community’s response to last year’s flood. A luncheon event that will offer inspirational stories of experiences over the past year by those affected is being held in the Calgary Zoo’s Safari Lodge on July 24.