VILLAS ALLOW FOR DOWNSIZING ONLY IN SPACE, NOT LUXURY
Connie McEgan’s busy lifestyle was better-suited for a home that demanded less of her time for upkeep. Beyond that, she wasn’t looking for a significant shift from her 4,000-square-foot home on the ridge in Cranston.
“The idea wasn’t about giving up luxury, it was about giving up space,” says McEgan, a senior account manager with an international audio visual company.
Naturally, that drew her just down the hill to a villa development in scenic Cranston’s Riverstone, which was crowned Community of the Year-City of Calgary at the recent BILD (Building Industry and Land Development) Calgary region Awards.
She bought at a development that builds out to 38 bungalowstyle units, all with attached garages, by Calbridge Homes, which was named Builder of the Year at the above mentioned awards.
They range from 1,510 to 1,704 square feet, which doesn’t include the full basement development that comes with each home. Prices start from the $770,000s, including GST.
McEgan bought the Sunstone model, which is 1,510 square feet above grade.
Villas commonly describe bungalow-style homes that may or may not be attached, in a shared development. They don’t necessarily have condo fees, but this one does. As a result, McEgan doesn’t have to concern herself with outdoor maintenance. A welcome perk for someone who is often on the road.
“What was most important to me was the ability to be able to walk away. I travel quite a bit, both for business and pleasure,” says McE gan, adding that it’s a relief knowing she can “lock the doors, leave and not worry about shovelling snow and mowing the lawn.”
She’s an avid scuba diver who loves exploring the ocean in many areas across the Caribbean, but calls Turks and Caicos her favourite.
McEgan enjoys the local water, as well. She and her partner, who lives with her at the Riverstone villa, have inflatable boats that they commonly take out on the Bow River.
“We’re right by the river here,” says McEgan of Riverstone’s location, which also includes quick access to Fish Creek Provincial Park. “That was important to us, to be close to the river.”
So were the connections to major roads and extensive shopping and recreation amenities. McEgan points to the community’s quick access to Deerfoot Trail, and looks forward to the completion of Stoney Trail, giving her a fast track to the Rocky Mountains.
Just across Deerfoot, Cranston residents will be able to take in everything offered in the mixed-use development of Seton by Brookfield, including extensive shopping and recreation options.
“With the hospital and the new theatre — that is fabulous,” says McEgan, referring to the South Health Campus, and the Cineplex Cinemas Seton and VIP, which launched earlier this summer.
“I did some research on what was going into the area and decided this is the place that I wanted to stay,” she adds.
On the villa, itself, the floor plan is open-concept and high-end. McEgan highlights the kitchen as “one of the areas I love.”
But before that, it makes an entrance.
“The front door is absolutely stunning ... It’s almost like a castle,” says McEgan, adding it often draws comments from guests.
“As soon as you walk in that big door, the whole upper floor is all open. You can see right through the kitchen, the dining room, living room. I like the open design.
“We have done a fair bit of entertaining with family and friends over the last year. Having everyone at that big kitchen island, it’s fantastic for people to gather around.”
Socializing is also done in the fresh air, with an expansive patio to which McEgan added a screen.
“It gives you a sun room, an extra space in your house, and it’s great for entertaining,” she says.
The space comfortably fits about 12 people, McEgan says, adding to support those evenings when they have a full guest list, they bought a second barbecue.
“It’s great for sitting out and having drinks in the evening, or to sit there and have dinner. It’s just fantastic.”
Here are six other villa developments in the Calgary area:
FIRESIDE
Another by Calbridge, the Clearbrook Villas of Fireside is planned for 28 units, starting from the $440,000s, including GST. They ’re 1,152 square feet above grade and all have an attached double car garage. A show home is available for people to visit.
Fireside is a community in Cochrane with a new school that’s master-planned by La Vita Land.
HOMES BY AVI
Located just west of Calgary city limits, the Swift Creek Villas by Homes by Avi start from the $760,000s, not including GST. It will build out to 50 villas with floor plans, above grade, ranging from 1,554 to 1,704 square feet. It has two show homes, one of its Tamarack model and another of the Cascade.
NUVISTA HOMES
This enclave by NuVista will build out to 28 villas at Harmony in Springbank by Bordeaux Developments and Qualico Communities. The floor plans are 1,450 to 1,750 square feet, above grade, and start from the high-$700,000s, including GST. They each have an over-sized two car garage. There are two show homes at this development.
Harmony recently won its second consecutive Community of the Year-Calgary Region Award at the BILD Calgary Region Awards.
STREETSIDE DEVELOPMENTS
The new Villas of Silverado by StreetSide will build out to 50 homes. Not including the basement, they’re range from 1,188 to 1,222 square feet, and include a double car attached garage. Prices start from $523,500, before tax. Three show homes will open Oct. 13.
Silverado is a community in southwest Calgary near Spruce Meadows.
REMINGTON
The Calais Villas by Remington Development Corp. is a new development in the southeast community of Quarry Park. It will build out to 24 units at a site one block from access to a pathway system and the river.
Above grade, these floor plans range from 1,285 to 1,465 square feet above grade, with an additional 820 square feet in the loft. All feature a double attached garage with a full-sized driveway that can accommodate an additional two vehicles.
These villas start from $595,000 before GST.
I did some research on what was going into the area and decided this is the place that I wanted to stay.
ROCKFORD
Morena West in southwest Calgary’s Signal Hill is slated for 54 villas and has 19 remaining to be sold. This includes walkout lots with views.
They’re all 1,471 square feet and come with a double car attached garage. Prices start from $690,000, before tax.
The development has two show homes on display.