loving east side living - march 2014

2 lo v i n g e a s t s i d e l i v i n g n m a r c h 2 0 1 4 n n e w h o m e L i v i n g s p e c i a L s e c t i o n

n e w h o m e L i v i n g s p e c i a L s e c t i o n n m a r c h 2 0 1 4 n lo v i n g e a s t s i d e l i v i n g 3

Community Feature

Facing eastChestermere spearheads growth of communities east of Calgary

Cover Feature

On dreams’ shoresFind your dream home in The Shores of Westmere

builder Features

More than skin deepLifestyle is building beautiful homes to higher standards

Prairie luxuryBroadview Homes’ Cavalier presents prairie living at its luxurious best

Family home perfectionBroadview Homes’ Stanford sets the standard in family luxury in Chestermere

Paradise foundReidBuilt Homes offers models that mirror the idyllic lifestyle of Chestermere

contents

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PUBLISHER • Source Media Group

AssociAte PUBLisHeR • Jim Zang

EdItoR • Pepper Rodriguez

ARt diRectoR • Jean Faye Rodriguez

gRAPHic designeR • Lama Azhari, Dave Macaulay, Megan Sereda

PRodUction co-oRdinAtoR • Colleen Leier

contRiBUtoRs • Lyndsie Bourgon, Aaliya Essa, Britton Ledingham, Portia Yip

AdveRtising sALes • Heather Dougall AccoUnting • Donna Roberts

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community feature n

Communities east of Calgary have, in the past, been thought of as nothing more than small prairie towns. But that image is undergoing a sea change — one

need only look at Chestermere to see that these little towns and hamlets to the east may be the new centre for growth in the region.

The once-sleepy lake community east of Calgary is on the verge of approving a massive 970-hectare residential and business development area that looks to multiply residents four times over in the coming years.

That change is already starting to happen. In 2013, Chester-mere issued 405 development permits for new homes. This equates to about 1,500 people being added to a community

of about 16,000. Then there is the massive de-velopment — being called Waterbridge — which will have 2,400 acres in between the town and it’s westerly neighbour, Calgary. When finished 25 years from now, this means homes for about 45,000 more people.

“We’re planning out that major recreation facil-ity right now in order to meet the needs of our population when it hits around 22,000 people,” Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews says.

Strathmore, despite staying at a fairly steady population of about 12,300 for the last several years has some new de-velopments coming down the pipes. The new development of Edgefield by Pollyco Group of Companies is slotted to be ready for residents this year with homes from ReidBuilt Homes, Ovations Homes and WestView Homes.

Lakeview Meadows is another residential development breaking ground this spring for another 77 residential lots and one multi-family lot. On the commercial side of things, Edgefield Place will offer four more commercial lots along the north side of the Trans Canada Highway on the eastern

Facing eastChestermere spearheads growth of communities east of Calgary

boarder of Strathmore. Langdon has also seen steady growth. Its

2013 census reported 4,817 people living in this hamlet in between Strathmore and Ches-termere, up from 2,617 in 2006. Broadview Homes just opened a new show home in the golf community of Boulder Creek here and area manager Andrew Goetz tells Loving East Side Living that foot traffic has been very busy. A new shopping center is under construction, which will be home to a major grocery retailer, Tim Hortons, and a hardware store.

One of the main reasons keeping growth prospects for these towns so high is their af-fordability.

New Chestermere residents, Natasha Stres-ing and her husband, built a bungalow with ReidBuilt Homes and moved to Chestermere from southwest Calgary last September. The move got the couple in their early 30s out of the rental rut and into their own home.

She runs her own aesthetics business from home and he commutes to downtown Cal-gary. She says her husband’s commute time to downtown Calgary hasn’t changed from where they travelled from their old southwest neighbourhood before. The only difference is, now, they get a chance to live outside of the city and save themselves anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 on a comparable house and lot in Calgary.

“It’s been wonderful,” Stresing says, even as her business starts to take off in Chestermere. “(I’ve had) really good feedback from the town and people.” n

One of the main reasons keeping growth prospects for these towns so high is their affordability.

n By Britton Ledingham


cover feature n The Shores of Westmere

There’s more to love in The Shores of Westmere, where the idyllic beauty of Lake Chestermere and its small town charms are yours to enjoy year-round.

You can swim, sail or paddle around in the lake’s calm waters in the warmer months, or skate, and play pond hockey when the weather gets cooler, and do this all right in your backyard. It’s a heavenly, resort-like existence with tremendous recreational opportunities that today’s families dream of.

The Shores of Westmere by Melcor Developments may be the last opportunity to make this dream a reality in Chestermere, as it is the only community left where you can still build a new home backing onto the town’s eponymous 2.65-acre lake.

Melcor’s Catharina Mendonça says the easy charm of lakeside living is the greatest draw to The Shores, but it’s the small town lifestyle and breezy convenience that Chestermere, as a whole, offers that makes life here an envi-able one.

There are very few opportunities left for building a home that backs onto a lake any-

where in land-locked Alberta, and the few available are very much out of the price range of most. Homes in Phase 16B (larger lots) start at $750,000 but homes backing onto the lake start at about $900,000.

“And that’s for homes that back right onto the water, many homes here start in the $650,000s,” she says. Adding to the allure is that there are no annual community fees, unlike most of Calgary’s premium lake communities.

The Shores exclusive builder group includes Homes by Avi and Albi Homes. Both provide the home building experience and crafts-

On dreams’ shoresmanship to create your dream lakeside home. Homes in The Shores range in size from 1,600 square-foot bungalows to estate homes at over 3,500 square-feet.

Trisha Pawaroo has bought a Homes by Avi home in The Shores and she tells Loving East Side Living that moving here was the best thing that can happen for her family.

“It’s a beautiful family community, aestheti-cally gorgeous lake and pond surroundings,” she says. “There’s a very calming and relax-ing atmosphere to come home to everyday. It feels like living in a resort. It is a privilege to live here.”

Adding to the allure is that there are no annual community fees, unlike most of Calgary’s premium lake communities.


Find your dream home in The Shores of Westmere

For more information visit www.westmere.ca{ }

The Shores will have 163 homes, all single-family, when completed. The lots they sit on are some of the widest residential lots still available in the Calgary area, going up to an amazing 66-feet wide, easy enough to fit triple-car front attached garages.

The Shores is part of Melcor’s Westmere community, The Estates of Westmere feature homes from Lifestyle Homes and ReidBuilt Homes. Offered are bungalows starting from 1,500 square-feet, and two-storey homes up to 2,300 square-feet. Prices of homes here start in the mid $400,000s.

“Homeowners in The Estates are offered

lots up to 48-feet wide with five feet of side yards,” says Mendonça, sizes you’ll be lucky to see in Calgary, not to mention anywhere near the prices offered here.

It’s not just the lure of the lake that makes people want to live in these two east side communities. “Chestermere is becoming one of the centres of growth in the Calgary area, and it will continue to do so in the coming years,” Mendonça says.

This enviable, resort lifestyle that Westmere offers remains just 20 minutes away from Calgary. “The total value of what Westmere offers is really what sets us apart, you can get the full benefits of a lakeside lifestyle at a fraction of the price compared to what is offered in Calgary,” she says. “While still enjoying the big city amenities just down the road.” n


builder feature n Lifestyle Homes

Can true beauty ever be just skin deep? How can a company differentiate itself in an industry chas-ing ever more glamorous homes at the expense

of fundamental construction quality?“It’s actually pretty simple,” says Ryan Armstrong, Gen-

eral Manager at Lifestyle Homes, “you just don’t sacrifice the quality.”

It’s a strategy that drives Lifestyle Homes to focus as intently on the products and technologies used in the construction of the home as they do on their impressive aesthetic design. The company’s philosophy may be simple, but it serves as the foundation to everything they do; build each and every home to stand the test of time.

“At Lifestyle we believe that it is what’s behind the walls of a home that is most important, even if the exterior and interior design often draws the most attention,” he says.

That’s why we hold ourselves to such high design stan-dards. A beautiful home is the perfect Trojan horse — many of our homeowners make their decision to build a Lifestyle home on emotion alone — it just so happens that it will also be the best quality home they’ve ever lived in.”

From the moment guests drive up the road, it’s obvious that ‘beautiful’ is an exceedingly modest way to describe Lifestyle’s newest project. The Enfield, one of several es-tate homes being offered in The Estates of Westmere,

More than skin deepLifestyle is building beautiful homes to higher standardsn By Aaliya Essa

is a 2,631-square-foot blend of classic and contemporary sensibilities that starts from $610,000. Generous amounts of brickwork and asymmetrical windows accented by strong vertical lines demonstrate their unique take on Tudor architecture — a vision shaped by the company’s signature Modern Fusion de-sign language — while the three-car garage and covered brick porch add to the home’s imposing presence.

The interior design is equally well consid-ered. Located in the heart of the home, the kitchen becomes a major focal point for every-thing from daily routines to gatherings with friends and family. The crisp white cabinetry and white quartz countertops are perfectly complimented by the dramatic wood grains of the American walnut hardwood flooring and walnut detailing on the central island.

The open-concept main floor is further en-hanced by nine-foot ceilings, and the living room — open to the upper level above — is accented by an elegant two-storey fireplace detail. Oversized rear windows allow an abun-dance of natural light to cascade onto both the main and upper floors.

The second level features spacious chil-dren’s’ bedrooms, as well as a private family room overlooking the front yard and a conve-nient upper laundry. But the showpiece is un-doubtedly the owner’s suite; a private getaway in every sense, floating ‘his and hers’ vanities, a classic free-standing clawfoot soaker tub, and a luxurious tiled shower with multiple showerheads make even the earliest morn-ings a pleasure.

You can visit Lifestyle’s show home in the Estates of Westmere at 606 Marina Drive in Chestermere. n

For more information visit www.lifestylehomes.ca

the crisp white cabinetry and white quartz countertops are perfectly complimented by the dramatic wood grains of the american walnut hardwood flooring.

{ }

More than skin deep


builder feature n Broadview Homes in Langdon

The call of the prairies is getting louder, as rising home prices in Calgary and a yearning for a return to small town living has raised demand in southern

Alberta’s hamlets and townships. Broadview Homes has heeded the call and has debuted

their unique brand of estate homes in Boulder Creek Estates in Langdon. Their Cavalier show home expertly shows how far prairie living has come from the days of Little House on the Prairie.

The Cavalier is a 2,508-square-foot split level home with four bedrooms and two and a half baths, but it’s so much more than the sum of all its parts, as the expert design and craftsmanship displayed in the home fills it with drama and character.

“The Cavalier is a magnificent home with a truly unique floor plan and design. It really benefits from walking through it and seeing it in-person,” says Broadview Vice-President Peter-John Woolf.

It was designed specifically for Langdon, as its high ceilings and tall windows emulate the Big Sky country feel of the Alberta prairies, but its sleek, contemporary finish and functionality makes it a perfect fit for today’s families.

The Cavalier’s attitude is meant to impress, the open-to-above airiness of the foyer and the great room lend

Prairie luxuryBroadview Homes’ Cavalier presents prairie living at its luxurious bestn By Pepper Rodriguez

grandeur to the interior. The stylish maple hardwood flooring in the main floor is mir-rored in the fireplace’s flue that soars all the way up to the ceiling 18 feet above.

“Although how this fireplace is finished is an upgrade, the fireplace itself is a standard,” says area manager Andrew Goetz. “In fact, most of what you see in the show home is part of our standard package.”

That tells a lot, as the Cavalier show home is packed with some of the most in-demand features in a home, like granite countertops, hardwood flooring, porcelain tile in the bath-rooms, and full height tile backsplash in the kitchen. Add to that the functional features of a triple car garage, a walk-in corner pantry and an upstairs laundry room and you have a home that everyone will love.

Its split-level design also helps make it a home that the whole family will enjoy. The master bedroom and its luxurious attached ensuite are seemingly in a world all its own, set apart from the rest of the household on the first landing from the main floor. The room also features 13-foot-high ceilings and the view-filled windows make it one of the most relaxing scenes to wake up to every morning.

Further up the stairs and you reach the bo-nus room, which serves as perfect gathering spot for the family, with the three other spare bedrooms branching off from it.

The Cavalier starts at $599,900 including lot and GST, and the show home itself is at $670,000, including lot and GST. “That’s probably just a fraction of the price of what a similar house will cost in Calgary,” Goetz adds.

The Cavalier show home is located at 224 Boulder Creek Drive, Langdon. They are open Mondays to Thursdays 2 to 8 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. n

For more information visit www.broadviewhomes.com

the stylish maple hardwood flooring in the main floor is mirrored in the fireplace’s flue that soars all the way up to the ceiling 18 feet above.

{ }

Prairie luxury


builder feature n Broadview Homes in Kinniburgh

Tucked away in the lakeside town of Chestermere, and in the new community of Kinniburgh, the Stan-ford makes a statement as bold and dreamy as the

sails boats waiting for their owners on the nearby docks.The Stanford by Broadview Homes is 2,686 square-feet

in size with three bedrooms and two and a half baths. From top to bottom, the home has an abundance of natural light, functional space and charming features to enhance all that lakeside living has to offer.

“The feeling I have when I walk into the home is that it’s so open and bright,” says Deryk Treasure, Area Sales Manager for Broadview Homes. “It reminds me of a bun-galow plan because of the openness.”

At the entrance, the airy foyer leads to a flex room on the left making it the perfect fit for an office. Rounding the corner unveils the open-concept kitchen and living space, plus the central staircase accentuated with maple and a wrought iron rail. The staircase is visible from the upper level and straight down to the basement adding to the spacious feel of the home.

But a stunning floor-to-ceiling fireplace, which divides the living room from the kitchen, will without a doubt start conversations while entertaining with family or guests. Treasure adds that the fireplace is two-sided, making it

Family home perfectionBroadview Homes’ Stanford sets the standard in family luxury in Chestermeren By Portia Yip

the biggest feature in the Stanford. “Televi-sions are mounted on both sides, so you can comfortably watch TV in the kitchen or from the great room,” he says.

The kitchen itself gleams with sheer ele-gance from the quartz countertops available in six different colours to the stainless steel appliances by KitchenAid, and the hand-scrapped farmhouse oak floors throughout the entire main level. The biggest advantage of the oak flooring according to Treasure is that it’s both pet and kid-friendly.

As open and spacious as the Stanford is on the inside, there’s just as much if not more waiting on the outside. “The lots here are wider than what you’re going to find in the city,” says Treasure. “And because people can build on a larger lot, they’re choosing to build triple-car garages.”

A larger garage is heavenly for those who own a few toys, especially for sailing or boat-ing enthusiasts. The long established Calgary Yacht Club is within walking distance from Kinniburgh, and a free one-year membership is included for those who purchase a home in the community.

Should you ever need to leave Chestermere, the commute to downtown Calgary takes 25 minutes, but there are plenty of nearby ameni-ties for everyone living in Kinniburgh. Camp Chestermere is only minutes away, and a new K-9 school with French Immersion is set to open its classroom doors this September. A new Alberta Health Services medical centre is also planning to open this summer.

Starting from $615,000 including the lot and GST, the Stanford has a lot to offer and the rea-sons are simple. “The space is well utilized and it’s a very open plan,” says Treasure. “There’s no wasted space in the home at all.” n

For more information visit www.broadviewhomes.com

the kitchen itself gleams with sheer elegance from the quartz countertops available in six different colours to the stainless steel appliances by Kitchenaid, and the hand-scrapped farmhouse oak floors throughout the entire main level.

{ }

Family home perfection


builder feature n ReidBuilt Homes

Take just a 10-minute drive east of Calgary and you’ll find an oasis — literally. With its huge lake and lush surroundings, Chestermere has been attracting

avid boaters, fishermen and campers for decades. Now, it’s at the epicentre of new growth east of Calgary,

providing an easy escape for homebuyers looking for a modern, affordable lakeside community with a range of amenities already available.

ReidBuilt Homes knows the tremendous potentials of Chestermere, and they offer homes in two of the lake town’s best communities that mirror the kind of family-oriented, resort-like lifestyle that abounds here. Their Ridgeway 2 show home is found in The Estates of West-mere on the north side of town, while the Rockyview show home is in Rainbow Falls on the south.

The 2,478-square-foot Ridgeway 2 in The Estates of Westmere is one of their most popular models with lots of features the whole family will love. It’s been so popular that Estates of Westmere area manager, Rudy Skapin, says they’ve made two smaller models of the same layout to fit in as many available lots.

Paradise foundReidBuilt Homes offers models that mirror the idyllic lifestyle of Chestermere

It’s easy to see why Ridgeway 2 is so popular. You are greeted at the front door with a large, welcoming foyer and the open design gathers the various components of the main floor into a cosy, family-friendly dwelling. The kitchen area provides the beating heart of the home, and with its large island, eating bar and din-ing nook can accommodate large gatherings and provide the perfect backdrop for holiday dinners.

The main floor also features a den that Skapin has seen used as an office or small bedroom. A winding staircase with mid-way landing is well lit with a large bright window, with another one at the top of the stairs. These provide a ton of natural light that makes the spacious bonus at the top of the stairs a welcome space for entertainment.

The bonus room also acts as a buffer separat-ing the master bedroom from the two spare bedrooms to give privacy to each of the home’s occupants. The master bedroom and its large attached ensuite are the jewels of this move-up home. It’s an amazing ensuite that is usually found in luxury estate homes, and includes a granite topped curved dual vanity, glass en-closed shower stall with bench, and a corner tub that makes it a spectacular room to start or end the day in.

The Ridgeway 2 starts at $538,529 including lot and GST. A dozen more two-storey homes and four bungalow models are also offered in The Estates of Westmere, starting from $459,397, including lot and GST. Skapin says that ReidBuilt offers three-car garages as a standard in Westmere.

A short jaunt to the south of town is Rainbow Falls. Peter Smith, ReidBuilt’s Rainbow Falls area manager, says their Rockyview show home makes it easy to imagine the relaxed lifestyle available here, with options for walkout design or a sunshine basement.

The 2,515-square-foot, four-bedroom Rocky-

n By Lyndsie Bourgon


Paradise found

For more information visit www.reidbuilthomes.com{ }

view also features a three-car garage as stan-dard, giving families enough storage room for their cars and toys. “You have plenty of room for your snowmobiles, bikes and canoes, which you can really put to good use in Chestermere.”

It is quite a family charmer with tons of functional features, including an upstairs laundry room, and a spacious bonus room that opens to a second floor veranda. Oak hardwood flooring in the main floor gives a contemporary rustic feel, enhanced by the Caesarstone tops in the centre island and perimeter counter.

Nine-foot ceilings on the main floor give the home a feeling of freedom and the full-size patio in the back extends the living space beyond the walls.

The master bedroom features vaulted ceil-ings, and from the adjacent ensuite (which boasts a large soaker tub and detached shower), you can stroll straight through to a full-sized walk-in closet and on through to the laundry room.

The Rockyview starts at $567,903 including GST (and based on a $175,000 lot). A smaller version is also available at 2,182 square-feet that start at $519,645, including GST and based on a $175,000 lot.

Smith says his market is primarily families looking for more space, or empty-nesters that want to live by the water. “The lots here are nice and big, they’re not like those postage stamp lots you get in Calgary.”

There are nine two-storey models and four bungalows. ReidBuilt Homes in Rainbow Falls, start in the $500,000 range. n

loving east side living - march 2014

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