Edmonton Home & Condo Living March 2013

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contents M a r c h 2 013

n

vo l ume 5 i ssue 3 7

8 COVER FEATURE

8 Walton wows with

Woodhaven-Edgemont

New community takes advantage of natural setting to offer a familyfriendly lifestyle

Condo Profile

10 Landing a winner

Carlisle Group’s latest condo creation offers affordability and style NEWS

15 Finalists announced

Momentum building for city’s 2013 Awards of Excellence in Housing

Feature

20 Star power

24 CHBA – Edmonton

Region announces new president

10

RMC Group of Companies’ Rod Taverner takes over position Market view

30 Improving outlook

for Alberta Oil

Healthy economy a big positive for housing industry

items

20

6 Editor’s Message 23 Around Town 26 Maps 29 Ad Index

Celebrities take main stage at 2013 Edmonton Home + Garden Show

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editor’s message

‘Tis the season for awards & Home + Garden Show With award season in full bloom, what better time to get a glimpse into how the city’s

P U B LI S H E R

Source Media Group

builders stacked up in the closest local contest to the Oscars, The Awards of Excellence

info@sourcemediagroup.ca

in Housing. Presented by the Canadian Home Builders Association – Edmonton Region

Asso c i a te P U B LI S H E R

(CHBA–ER), we have devoted four pages to the upcoming gala on March 16. See how your builder fared for finalist nods.

Jim Zang

jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca E d i to r

Meet Rod Taverner, the newest president of CRHB–ER in this issue as well, who shares some building and homebuying pearls of wisdom with our Associate Publisher, Jim Zang.

This month’s cover girl is ready for her close up

Shelley Williamson shelley.williamson@sourcemediagroup.ca AR T DIR E C T O R

Jean Faye Rodriguez

jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca

— perfect timing as Woodhaven-Edgmont, a Walton

G RA P HIC D E S I G Ne r S

development on the Wedgewood ravine, ushers in

Lama Azhari

first visitors to new show homes by Sabal, Montorio,

lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca

Dave Macaulay

Pacesetter and Coventry Homes this month. Find

dave.maucaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca

out what’s available in dream homes from the

Megan Sereda

mid-$400,000s in Tudor, Craftsman, and Heritage

megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca

architecture, the focus of this month’s front-page

p r o d u c t i o n a d m i n i st r a to r

Colleen Leier

feature.

colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca

Discerning home shoppers on a budget will love

E d i to r i a l

Cynthia Dusseault, Wesley Gunderson, Michelle Lindstrom, Heather McIntyre

the latest condo profile. Heather McIntyre takes us down south to Rutherford Landing, a Carlisle Group apartment-style address with units priced from an unheard of $129,900. It is perhaps no wonder 210 of 265 have been spoken for. Talk about your market value!

Speaking of the market, David Lan, our Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

p h otog r a p h y

Heather McIntyre d i r e c to r of S AL E S

Norma Robertson

(CMHC) go-to guy tells us 2012 was a far better year over 2011, with both single-family

norma.robertson@sourcemediagroup.ca

and multi-family home starts up, to the point of being “robust.” Read up on these stats

A d ve r t i s i n g S AL E S

and more builder news in Around Town on page 23.

Al Donegan

al.donegan@sourcemediagroup.ca

Oil is well again according to Wes Gunderson, who sheds some light in Market View about the relationship between bitumen and the provincial economy, which currently translates to even more good news for Alberta and Albertans.

Last but not least, spring has sprung if the folks at the 2013 Edmonton Home + Garden Show have any say about it. The annual show set for March 21-24 brings a star-studded cast including names like Bryan Baeumler, Bob the Builder and Paul Lafrance, not to mention Edmonton Home & Condo Living designer darlings, Alykhan Velji and Rosalyn Lazaruk. Michelle Lindstrom gives a preview to help show goers plan their weekend and indoor/outdoor projects with a trip to the four-day Edmonton Expo Centre event.

ACC O U N T IN G

Donna Roberts

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DI S T RI B U T E D B Y

Source Media Group, Media Classified I SS N 1918 - 4 4 6 8 PRINTED IN C ANADA

Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion.

Edmonton Home & Condo Living™ is published 12 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Edmonton and area. One-year subscriptions are available for $12 in Canada, $48 internationally.

Shelley Williamson Editor shelley.williamson@sourcemediagroup.ca

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| Advertising COVER Feature |

Walton wows with Woodhaven-Edgemont New community takes advantage of natural setting to offer a family-friendly lifestyle

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here’s a little known green space — Wedgewood Ravine — in southwest Edmonton, and along its northern edge, Walton Development and Management L.P. is building a new community that’s becoming very well-known in home-building, home-buying circles.

“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of interest in this community,” says Jill Curtis, marketing coordinator at Walton, “especially about the opening of the show homes.” That took place on March 2, at the grand opening of Woodhaven-Edgemont.

There’s good reason for the excitement; as a community, Woodhaven-Edgemont has a whole lot to offer. “It’s a unique site, with its proximity to the Henday, to amenities, to quality west Edmonton schools… combined with a host of environmental and natural features,” explains Curtis, adding that Walton

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has made it a priority to preserve the ravine area so that residents can picnic under matures trees, enjoy the flora and fauna that characterize ravine life, and take in the tranquil beauty of the creek that meanders through the ravine.

And then there’s the development itself. Walton has selected four builders — Sabal Homes, Pacesetter Homes, Coventry Homes, and Montorio Homes — to grace the streets of Woodhaven-Edgemont with dwellings in the Tudor, Craftsman, and Heritage styles. “It’s a long-term process to select builders,” says Curtis. “It has to be the right fit for us and our vision for the community. It also has to be the right fit for the builder. We’re seeing a lot of strong colours, bold accents, and really unique features in the homes.”

A four-stage development, started in 2011, and with expected completion in 2017, Woodhaven-Edgemont will, at build out, have approximately 650 single-family homes, starting in price in the mid $400,000s and going up to where buyers and builders want to take it. There will also be two multi-family

| Advertising COVER Feature |

complexes, in walk-up condo style. A man-made pond surrounded by treed park areas will be the focal point of this 198.8-acre community, and a multi-use trail will wind alongside the ravine.

Located on the southwest corner of the intersection of 199 Street and 35 Avenue (also called Edgemont Boulevard), the community is easily accessed, either via Anthony Henday Drive and Lessard Road, or via Whitemud Drive and 215 Street (at the intersection of which is Edmonton’s newest Costco supercenter — talk about convenient!). West Edmonton Mall is a short drive away, as is the big-box-store, mega-shopping complex, Currents of Windermere, located just off the Anthony Henday Drive and Terwillegar Drive.

Edmonton’s newest public transportation hub, the Lewis Farms Transit Centre, with over 600 parking sites for park-and-ride commuters, is about a five-to-ten-minute-drive north of Woodhaven-Edgemont. You can hop on the 100 Super Express to downtown Edmonton and be there in less than half an hour.

This is the type of community where established

“We’re seeing a lot of strong colours, bold accents, and really unique features in the homes.”

families with school-aged children will feel right at home, explains Curtis. “We anticipate appealing to working-parent families who are active and busy, who want to be close to transit and amenities, but who also want opportunities to connect with nature and with one another. After a busy day, this is a community they can come home to and relax in.”

Billed as a “move-up” community, it’s perfect for buyers who are in an older home or a starter home, and are looking for a place where they can plant roots, where they can watch their children grow, and where they can develop a real sense of community — of belonging. “This is probably a home that they have been anticipating to purchase — that they will stay in for a long time,” says Curtis. n For more information about Woodhaven-Edgemont, visit www.woodhavenedgemont.com.

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condo profile

Landing a winner Carlisle Group’s latest condo creation offers affordability and style Story and photos by Heather McIntyre

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here are certain features that homebuyers are looking for when it comes to a new condo.

And affordability tops the list of many, says Kim Laskin, Carlisle Group sales manager for the Edmonton area.

Construction recently began on the builder’s Rutherford Landing project, located in southwest Edmonton. And with prices starting at $129,900, it’s a hard deal to beat.

“Our main feature is our affordability,” says Laskin. “Nothing touches us in the city. In the last two years in the city we’ve sold over 1,000 units in four different projects, so that speaks volumes to our affordability.”

Of the 265 apartment-style condo units available throughout the three buildings that will make up Rutherford Landing, 210 have been sold.

“In the whole project, anything ranges from 615 square-feet to 1,025 square-feet,” says Laskin. “They’re all two bedrooms; some with one bath, some with two bath; some with a den and some without.

“There’s 10 different floor plans — lots to choose from and lots of different price range categories.”

The condos start as low as $129,900 and cost up to $213,000. Those numbers, combined with the variety in floor plans, show there is something for everybody, says Laskin, noting first-time homebuyers and empty nesters are the target demographic.

And both types of people enjoy what’s on offer.

As of the beginning of February, the Queue and Q2 floor plans, measuring the smallest at 615 square-feet and 724 square-feet respectively, were sold out. But units remain available in the other eight concepts.

“We have a whole bunch of suites,” says Laskin. “It’s not like we have one in the $120,000s and then everything else is in the $200,000s. We have a full range of products under $165,000.”

The City Space, the largest floor plan at 1,025 square-feet, is the most expensive, but shows off what all of the units have to offer.

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condo profile

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condo profile

“Just tremendous upgrade features for spectacular prices...

And people love that.”

Upon entering the show suite, which is down the street in Carlisle Group’s Heritage Landing project, a spacious den attached to the entrance leads into an open concept main living area — consisting of a dining room, living room, and kitchen complete with a nook.

The bedrooms are on opposite corners of the suite, and the master has a walk through closet and en suite bathroom. There is also plenty of natural light flowing in through a number of windows, including the doors off the living room through which the balcony can be accessed.

Other notable features include stainless steel appliances, dark cabinets and granite countertops as upgrades. Both the countertops and maple cabinets cost $795.

“Just tremendous upgrade features for spectacular prices,” says Laskin. “And people love that. But our standard spec is a very nice spec, too. The key here is affordability, plain and simple.”

Beyond affordability, homebuyers also care about the community they are moving to.

Rutherford Landing is located in a community by the same name, specifically on 22 Avenue west of 111 Street, south of Ellerslie Road.

The area has been growing and continues to, with much more in store for the future. And while there is a ravine nearby, along with many tree-lined fields, the heart of the city is minutes away.

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But not only does it have great access to Anthony Henday Drive and therefore all of the amenities south Edmonton has to offer, a town centre is being built directly to the south of the development.

And, while located in the suburbs, the LRT will eventually expand its reach — right nearby.

“It’s locked and loaded, there’s no debate on route,” says Laskin.

“The LRT is a bunch of years away, but as soon as the southwest expansion becomes forefront on the table there will be a stop right here.

“People like that stuff. It’s just a really nice and upcoming area.” n

Fast Facts Builder: Carlisle Group Area: Rutherford Landing, southwest Edmonton Number of Units: 265 in three buildings Move-in Ready: Spring/Summer 2014 Sizes: 615 square-feet to 1,025 square-feet Prices: $129,000 to $213,000 Show Suite Address: 11804 22 Avenue SW

(Heritage Landing ) Hours: Monday to Thursday, 2 to 7 p.m.;

Weekends and holidays, noon to 5 p.m.

Web: www.rutherfordlanding.ca

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NEWS

Finalists announced

Momentum building for city’s 2013 Awards of Excellence in Housing

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he Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Edmonton Region (CHBA–ER) has announced the 2013 Awards of Excellence in Housing finalists in the following categories: Single-Family, Multi-Family, Renovation, Sales Centre, Advertising, Development, Leadership, Environmental, Builders Choice, Sales Volume, and Sales People.

The Awards of Excellence in Housing celebrates the creative design and craftsmanship of Edmonton region builders and renovators, and recognizes excellence and professionalism in the field of sales and marketing within the home construction industry. Every year at this time, the industry honours the best of the best, and this year’s entries are no exception.

The winners in all categories will be announced Saturday, March 16 at the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala at the Shaw Conference Centre.

A listing of the 2013 CHBA – Edmonton Region Awards of Excellence in Housing Finalists follows.

For more information on the Awards of Excellence in Housing finalists, check out www.excellenceinhousing.ca.

Show home parade at Walton Developments’ McConachie

2013 Awards of excellence in housing — Finalists Advertising Awards

Best Print Advertising Beaverbrook Developments (Upper Windermere) Brookfield Residential Properties (Run for Milk, Run the Trails) Dolce Vita Homes (Edmonton Eskimos) Rohit Communities (Baby it’s cold) Walton Development (Hawks Ridge)

Best Radio Commercial Brookfield Residential Properties (Neighbourly advice) Carrington Communities (Live Free) Daytona Homes (Daytona 500) Landmark Group of Builders (Moving out) Sterling Homes (Bigger Castle) Best Digital Media Campaign/Mobile Apps A & B concrete Pumping (Employmnet video) Brookfield Residential Communities (Chapelle Gardens)

Carrington Communities (Waterstone testimonial) Carrington Communities (Rutherford Gate testimonial) Daytona Homes (Relax) Best Direct Mail/Email Promotion Beaverbrook Developments (Greenbury Tree Planting Project) Kimberley Homes (Flex Suite) Landmark Group of Builders (Product Catalogue) Look Homes Master Builder (New) Walton Development (Hawks Ridge Grand Opening) Best Indoor/Outdoor Advertising Bedrock Homes (26 different models) Brookfield Residential Properties (Beautifully connected) Homes By Avi (Avi mix + match) Parkwood Master Builder (Infill campaign) Parkwood Master Builder (Store fronts)

Best Brochure Package Beaverbrook Developments (Greenbury) Jayman Modus (Live in harmony) Jayman Modus (The brightest new star) Rohit Land Development (Starling at Big Lake) Sterling Homes (Model brochure) Best Website Alldritt Land Corporation (www.mygranville.com) Aquarian Renovations (www.aquarianrenovations.com) Bedrock Homes (www.bedrockhomes.ca) Homes By Avi (www.homesbyavi.com/inspirations) Sterling Homes (www.sterlingedmonton.com) Walton Development (www.woodhavenedgemont.com)

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NEWS 2013 Awards of excellence in housing — Finalists Development Awards

Best Community Entrance Alldritt Land Corporation (Granville) Beaverbrook Developments (Upper Windermere) Brookfield Residential (Chappelle Gardens) Brookfield Residential (The Orchards) Rohit Land Development (Ravines of Richford) Best Development Landscaping & Amenities Alldritt Land Development (Granville) Beaverbrook Developments (Upper Windermere) Brookfield Residential (Chappelle Gardens) Canada Lands Company (Village at Griesbach) Rohit Land Development (Callaghan) Best Home Parade Alldritt Land Corporation (Granville) Hopewell Residential Communities (Secord) Hopewell Residential Communities (Secord garage) Rohit Land Development (Starling at Big Lake) Walton Development (McConachie) Best Subdivision Alldritt Land Corporation (Granville) Beaverbrook Developments (Upper Windermere) Canada Lands Company (Village at Griesbach) Rohit Land Development (Callaghan) Rohit Land Development (Ravines of Richford)

Leadership Awards

Leadership Award Habitat Studio & Workshop Homes By Avi Landmark Group of Builders Parkwood Master Builder Rohit Communities

Multi-Family Awards

Best Multi-Family Apartment Style Under $250,000 Carrington Communities (L’Attitude Studios)

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Landmark Group of Builders (Birch I - Aspen Meadows 4) Landmark Group of Builders (Elm - Aspen Meadows 4) Rohit Communities (Mandarin) Rohit Communities (Gala) Best Multi-Family Apartment Style $250,000-$350,000 Carrington Communities (Rutherford Gate - Waterloo) Carrington Communities (L’Attitude Studios - Dali II) Jayman Modus (Ion 1 in Ambleside) Parkwood Master Builder (Mill Creek Park #104) Qualico Developments West (Windsor Estates) Best Multi-Family Apartment Style Over $350,000 Christensen Developments (McCrae Estates 1) Christensen Developments (McCrae Estates 2) Qualico Developments West (Element Lofts and Flats) Rohit Communities (The Duke) Best Multi-Family Townhouse/ Duplex under $275,000 Alldritt Land Corporation (Nottingham - Tiffin Residence)

Coventry Homes Inc. (Langdale Dunbar) Coventry Homes Inc. (Burrard) Sterling Homes (Sensation) Sterling Homes (Summation) Best Multi-Family Townhouse/ Duplex $275,000-$300,000 Brookfield Homes (Axio Orchards) Jayman MasterBUILT (Neo B) Landmark Group of Builders (Brookside III) Rohit Communities (Dakota) Rohit Communities (Dawson) Best Multi-Family Townhouse/ Duplex $300,000-$330,000 Brookfield Homes (Axio Lake Summerside) Dolce Vita Homes (Lexington Duplex) Jayman MasterBUILT (Image B) Park Homes (Mirra) Rohit Communities (Lawrence 2) Best Multi-Family Townhouse/ Duplex $330,000-$425,000 Bedrock Homes (Aspen) Kimberley Homes (Rutherford New Haven I) Kimberley Homes (New Haven III) Landmark Group of Builders (Apex IIID) Rohit Communities (Lawrence 2) Brookfield Residential’s The Orchards at Ellerslie

NEWS 2013 Awards of excellence in housing — Finalists Best Multi-Family Townhouse/Duplex Over 425,000 Christenson Developments (Eton Park Villas) Encore Master Builder (Sapphire) Kimberley Homes (New Haven I) Rohit Communities (Manors) Tapestry Developments (Monterey)

Qualico Developments West’s Element Lofts and Flats

Best Multi-Family Apartment Building Carrington Communities (Waterstone A) Carrington Communities (Urban Village) Qualico Developments West (Element Lofts and Flats) Rohit Communities (The Essex) Rohit communities (Infusion 2) Best Multi-Family Townhouse/Duplex Project Brookfield Homes (Axio Chappelle Gardens) Kimberley Homes (Rutherford Estates) Landmark Group of Builders (Emerald Hills) Rohit Communities (Callaghan Ravines) Rohit Communities (Vistas at Callaghan)

Renovation Awards

Best Exterior Renovation Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Ramsay Heights) Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Parkview North) Aquarian Renovations (Biander Gardens) Aquarian Renovations (Grand Isle) Caliber Master Builder (High Park) Best Interior Renovation Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Ramsay Heights) Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Parkview North) Aquarian Renovations (Laurier Heights) Aquarian Renovations (Pleasant View) Caliber Master Builder (High Park) Best Renovation under $125,000 Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Parkview East) Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Parkview West) Aquarian Renovations (Glenora) Serenity Contracting & Design Inc. (Hubick)

Sales People of the Year Awards

Rookie of the Year – Single/Multi-Family Eva Sakkab (Brookfield Homes) Yolanda Grant (Dolce Vita Homes) Marcel de Moissac (Jayman MasterBUILT) Eddy D’Ambrosio (Jayman MasterBUILT) Dan Gibson (Pacesetter Homes) Sales Person/Team of the Year – Single Family Muriel McKay (Crimson Cove Homes) Marina Delemont (Homes By Avi) Carla Weinmeyer (Pacesetter Homes) Biljana Spasojevic (ReidBuilt Homes) Christopher Wigeland (Sabal Homes)

Sales Centre Awards

Best Sales & Information Centre – Single Family Jayman MasterBUILT (5908, 175 Ave. NW) Jayman MasterBUILT (7606, 22 Ave. SW) Sabal Homes (5928, 175 Ave. NW) Sterling Homes (2108 Trumpeter Way NW) Sterling Homes (4118 Orchards Dr. SW) Best Sales & Information Centre – Multi-Family Brookfield Homes (4137 Orchards Dr. SW) Carrington Communities (1144 Adamson Dr. SW) Jayman MasterBUILT (1061 Watt Promenade SW) Sterling Homes (12503, 171 Ave. NW) Thomsen Built (1018, 177A St.) Best Design Centre/Show Room Aquarian Renovations (11428, 142 St.) Coventry Homes (17615, 111 Ave.) Icon Flooring (5148, 75 St.) Landmark Group of Builders (9765, 54 Ave.) Parkwood Master Builder (129, 625 Parsons Rd.)

Sales Person/Team of the Year – Multi-Family Yasemin Ozbey (Brookfield Homes) Jennifer Schwitzer (Daytona Homes) Jerry Baird (Qualico Developments West) Pamela Haymour (Rohit Communities) Kim Johnson (Rohit Communities) General Member Sales Person of the Year Elizabeth Hernandez (Alberta Hardwood Flooring) Darryl Ballace (All Weather Windows) Barry Halyk (Artistic Stairs) Kerri Light (Points West Marketing)

Single Family Awards

Best Single Family, without attached garage under $250,000 Jayman MasterBUILT (Outlook 1) Jayman MasterBUILT (Renew) Landmark Group of Builders (Penticton) Pacesetter Homes (Silverado) Rohit Communities (Newton)

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NEWS 2013 Awards of excellence in housing — Finalists Best Single Family without attached garage $250,000-$300,000 Coventry Homes (Claarkson) Homes By Avi (Jacob Darcy Dixon) Pacesetter Homes (The Winchester) Pacesetter Homes (Bosley) Sabal Homes (Ovation) Best Single Family without attached garage over $300,000 Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Valleyview) Ackard Contractors Ltd. (Wizard Lake) Habitat Studio & Workshop (Alberta Prairie House) Habitat Studio & Workshop (Facing the Fox) Homes By Avi (The Donovan) Best Single Family Bungalow/ Bi-level under $350,000 Coventry Homes (Speldor) Daytona Homes (Denali) Daytona Homes (Sentra II) Rohit Communities (Berkley) Sterling Homes (Belvedere) Best Single Family Bungalow/ Bi-level $350,000-$450,000 Bedrock Homes (Ridgewell) Canyon Spring Master Builder (Cypress IV) Green Living Homes Ltd. (Evergreen One) Kimberley Homes (Christina Custom) White Eagle Homes (The Ruby) Best Single Family Bungalow/Bi-level over $450,000 Infiniti Masterbuilt Inc. (Sherwood Park Custom) Marcson Homes (The Victoria) Rococo Homes (Martineau) Rococo Homes (Shearing) White Eagle Homes (The Roman) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level under $275,000 Celebration Homes (The Chambray) Jayman MasterBUILT (Allure B) Rohit Communities (Florence) Sterling Homes (Trista) Sterling Homes (Tyndall) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $275000-$300,000 Caliber Master Builder (Quinnell III) Daytona Homes (Austyn II) Impact Homes (Aria) Look Homes Master Builder Inc. (Apparition A) Parkwood Master Builder (Venice) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $300,000-$325,000 Alldritt Homes (The Monarch) Jayman MasterBUILT (Eclipse T) Look Homes Master Builder (Apparition B) Pacesetter Homes (Madison E) Rohit Communities (Heathrow) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $325,000-350,000 Alldritt Homes (The Monarch) 18 • E D M O N T O N H O ME & C O ND O L I V IN G M A r c h 2 01 3

L’Attitude condos by Carrington Developments Daytona Homes (Benz II) Kimberley Homes (Diamond) Look Homes Master Builder (Ambiance) Pacesetter Homes (Kristana) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $350,000-$375,000 Bedrock Homes (Catalina) Crimson Cove Homes (Motmot) Infiniti Masterbuilt Inc. (Summerside) Parkwood Master Builder (Yellowstone park Royale II) Rohit Communities (Bristol) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $375,000-$425,000 Bedrock Homes (Catalina) Kimberley Homes (Onyx) Montorio Homes (Rialto) Rococo Homes (Cameron) White Eagle Homes (The Sandstone III) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $425,000-$500,000 Celebration Homes (Chaumont II) Homes By Avi (The Caldwell) Landmark Group of Builders (Strauss IIA) Perry Signature Homes (Tovell) White Eagle Homes (The Sandstone IV) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $500,000-$600,000 Caliber Master Builder (Avery IV) Kanvi Homes (Fusion) Landmark Group of Builders (Mendelssohn II) Landmark Group of Builders (Brahms 36) Rococo Homes (Wurz) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $600,000-$750,000 Canyon Spring Master Builder (Madison) Infiniti Masterbuilt Inc (Parkland) Kimberley Homes (McDannold) Kimberley Homes (Broscheit) Look Homes Master Builder (2451) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level $750,000-$1 million Habitat Studio & Workshop (The Double ‘J ’) Kimberley Homes (New Hampshire IV) Parkwood Master Builder (Waterford)

Perry Signature Homes (Bristol) White Eagle Homes (Blue Diamond) Best Single Family Two Storey/ Split-level over $1 million Darren’s Homes (Cameron Manor) Homes by Managen Ltd. (Legacy) Landmark Group of Builders (Berlioz) Marcson Homes (Blackhawk Estate) Vicky’s Homes (Legacy III) Environmental Recognition Award Bedrock Homes Dolce Vita Homes Effect Home Builders Habitat Studio and Workshop Jayman MasterBUILT Landmark Group of Builders Perry Signature Homes Tapestry Developments

General members of the Year – Builders’ Choice Supplies/Manufactures a Product directly to the Builder/Renovator All Weather Windows Gienow Windows & Doors Glenora Lumber Progressive Home Warranty Zytech Buildign Systems

Supplies/Manufactures and Installs a Product directly to the Builder/Renovator Creative Door Services Divine Hardwood Flooring Gem Cabinets Jetco Mechanical Lenbeth Weeping Tile Supplies a Service directly to the Builder/Renovator A & B Concrete Access Plumbing & Heating IB Engineering Pals Geomatics RONA n

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feature

Star power Celebrities take main stage at the 2013 Edmonton Home + Garden Show

By Michelle Lindstrom

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t’s a desperate time of year for most Edmontonians. It’s that time when they need proof that they can remove their pom-pom toques and go outside for reasons other than shovelling snow. Any amount of grass — brown, yellow or green will do — spotted between the piles of snow is enough to bring tears of joy to their eyes. Finally, the deep freeze is over!

When they wipe away their tears, it’s straight to business and out come the notebooks with scribbles of backyard designs and flyers from local hardware stores riddled with Sharpie circles. Indoor and outdoor living space will never be the same … or so they hope.

This year’s Edmonton Home + Garden Show will take over the Edmonton Expo Centre from Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24. Approximately 55,000 attendees will visit the 46th annual show and its 650 exhibitors one of those four days to find the latest and greatest regarding projects inside and out.

We always want to do something new, says Marketplace Events’ show manager Teri Salazar, citing a wealth of new additions this year. The Cooking Stage makes a comeback instead of being combined with other stages. Local culinary experts will show and tell how to create healthy meals as well as give overall entertaining tips.

Food Truck Alley will showcase six Edmonton food trucks that typically only downtown residents or employees get to take advantage of. The trucks will share the show’s food section with a beer garden and wine lounge to make it a whole day outing event instead of just an informational quest.

But, if information is what you what, information is what you will get. Experts from Salisbury Landscaping will provide a free landscape consultation while various interior designers will also do 15-minute free interior consultations for attendees — so be sure to bring pictures and dimensions of your existing spaces for the experts to ponder.

It may sound surprising, but Salazar says, “We have as many people in our Garden Stage audience as we do for our Main Stage celebrities.” She explains that Edmonton’s hot summer days and cooler nights provide the perfect environment for gardening and those with a

“You have to get out of the mindset of what you would spend on a cottage or vacations every year; what if you could have that every day?”

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green thumb are already in on the secret. All Garden Stage speakers will be local and very much aware of the climate, soil conditions and pests this city’s gardens are dealt, so they can speak with experience of what Edmonton gardeners should do and try.

That’s not to say the Main Stage celebrities won’t have useful tips for their audiences. Paul Lafrance, HGTV’s star of Decked Out, upcoming Deck Wars and co-judge of Canada’s Handyman Challenge, is scheduled to take the Main Stage three times (see the Main Stage schedule to confirm times at www. edmontonhomeshow.com/EHGS/EventsHome.aspx) with his idea of “The Backyard Revolution.” He started his company, Cutting Edge Construction and Design, at the age of 22 and has much to say about changing what people think of their yard’s purpose.

“Who says you can use your backyard space for only two months?” asks Lafrance. He’s a huge advocate for providing clients an outdoor space that can be used any time of the year. How? The four-season room. He has clients all over North America, even though his home base is in Ontario, meaning he is aware of Edmonton’s climate and takes that into consideration when providing advice to locals.

“There are all kinds of amazing products that allow for that backyard space to be used for a higher percentage of the year instead of a couple months,” Lafrance says. “The four-season room is one of the hottest ticket items when you get out into the colder

climates.” It can be a simple 10 by 10-foot enclosed space with a heater, shade and views, detached from your home but still tied together by a landscaped transition, that can give the oasis many yearn for.

“You have to get out of the mindset of what you would spend on a cottage or vacations every year; what if you could have that every day?” says Lafrance. “We’ve never had a bigger need to find a place of rest. We don’t even realize just how much we are inundated and overwhelmed mentally.”

The Main Stage will play host to Alberta interior designers Alykhan Velji and Rosalyn Lazaruk as well as Lafrance’s co-host to Canada’s Handyman Challenge, Bryan Baeumler (also the star of HGTV’s House of Bryan and Disaster DIY).

Bob the Builder steps on the Main Stage on Family Day — Friday, March 22. Friday’s family focus will also have an interactive demonstration by Crave Cupcakes on the Cooking Stage and other home-related projects to keep all ages entertained. The first 200 parents through the door that day will receive a gift bag.

Parking at the Expo Centre will be $12; tickets at the door for adults are $15, seniors $12 and kids 12 and under are free. Check out purchasing tickets online and save $3 per ticket. n

(Left) Various interior designers will also do 15-minute free interior consultations for attendees

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AROUND TOWN

By Jim Zang

Trista turning heads

Escape to E’Scapes

Sterling Homes introduces their new show home model, Trista, in the Hamptons Terrace community. The Trista comes with three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, and has a front attached garage.

Ranging from 1,476 to 1,877 square-feet, the show home measures 1,634 square-feet. The open concept floor plan highlights abundent usable space.

This show home boasts “many optional layouts,” says Norma Purser, marketing administrator for Sterling Homes. Buyers can have an “upstairs laundry, an optional en suite, and nine-foot ceilings,” she says.

Located in Hamptons Terrace, residents will have “access to Anthony Henday ring road, giving quick access to the whole city,” says Purser. This community is also close to West Edmonton Mall, Terwilligar Recreation Centre, and Save-On Foods. Belmead Elementary School, Westlawn Junior High School, and Jasper Place High School are also close.

The starting price for this home is $395,000, which includes the Simply Sterling building specifications.

To see what is available, buyers can visit sterlingedmonton.com or the new sales centre at 1728 Hammond Crescent N.W. With a new layout design, visitors can access four 32-inch touch screens, including an area for kids to play games on a touch screen too. Each touch screen is customized with software to show the various floor plans, spec homes, prices and lot maps.

Show home hours are Monday – Thursday, 3 p.m. till 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays, noon till 5 p.m.

E’Scapes, a highly anticipated, concrete, mid-rise condominium by Carrington Communities, is under construction in southwest Edmonton.

With two rooftop terraces, an exercise room, leisure center, conference room and guest suite; the E’Scapes luxuries are worth waiting for.

Each unit includes “air conditioning, engineered hardwood floors, a stainless steel appliance package, front load washer/dryer, a gas barbecue outlet on the balcony, and many other artistically inspired finishes,” says Kathy Douglas, project sales manager, for Carrington E’Scapes.

“The building features overheight ceilings throughout the homes with the ‘penthouse sixth floor’ having overheight-plus vaulted ceilings, as well as garden doors and an extended balcony,” says Douglas.

There are 12 floor plans to choose from, with each unit netting one underground parking stall plus storage.

They have pre-sold 26 units to date, and buyers should note that presale pricing won’t last long. There will be a total of 121 units, ranging in size from 694 square-feet to 1,272 square-feet, ranging from one-bedrooms starting at $227,080.00 to two bedrooms starting at $290,780.00, and a corner unit with two bedroom suites and a den/dining area at $406,720.00.

For more information, visit 11080 Ellerslie Road Monday through Thursday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.

Moving forward The year of 2012 was better overall then what we saw in 2011 for the housing market, with a 13 per cent increase in single-detached starts to 5,658 units, which is up from the previous years where there were 5,017 units. Multi-family starts ended with 7,179 units breaking ground for 2012, compared to the end of 2011 where there had been 4,315.

David Lan, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Senior Market Analyst explains, “the pace of multi-family construction in December decreased from the elevated levels reached in the previous month, resulting in a decline in total housing starts. Despite the decline, new home production for 2012 has been robust, supported by a strong local economy.” n M a r c h 2 01 3 E D M O N T O N H O ME & C O ND O L I V IN G • 2 3

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CHBA – Edmonton Region announces new president RMC Group of Companies’ Rod Taverner takes over top position

By Jim Zang

H

is inauguration may not have been the multi-million dollar event that President Obama’s was, and he doesn’t have to rescue anyone from falling over any fiscal cliffs anytime soon, but Rod Taverner is looking forward to his year as president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Edmonton Region.

Rod was officially welcomed into the top Rod Taverner position, and outgoing president Alphonse Pilon, of Marcson Homes, thanked for his service, at the 2013 President’s Gala held Jan. 18 at the Westin. And, although it’s his first go-round as leader of the local chapter of the CHBA, he’s an old pro at the president gig based on his experience heading up the RMC Group of Companies (which includes Rolling Mix Concrete, Alliance Ready Mixed Concrete, Capital Concrete and RMC Sand & Gravel).

“My role,” he says, “is to provide direction to our staff for the direction and culture of our companies. It involves a very hands-on approach to the daily activities of the group, while providing some long term focus for us.”

Born in St. John’s, Nfld., Rod moved to Prince George, B.C., with his family when he was four. His father was an engineer and his mother managed a retail store. “I never met a harder worker than my Dad, or a more diligent, organized woman than my Mom,” he says.

Rod eventually moved to Vancouver to attend Simon Fraser University, where he earned his BA in 1992 with a concentration in political science and business. He spent some time articling with a chartered accounting firm in B.C. before making the jump to Alberta and starting with Rolling Mix in 1994.

“It was a drastic change at first,” he says. “Mostly because of the landscape. I still love B.C., but I absolutely love the landscape here

“... the purchase of a home is the single largest purchase of an individual’s life, and this importance is reflected in our CHBA members’ attention to detail.”

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now as well. However, my favourite part of Alberta is the people. The ‘let’s get it done’ attitude is prevalent in schools, sport, and business everywhere in Alberta. We are competitive and compassionate. And entrepreneurial to the core. Edmonton is also a spectacular place to raise a family. It’s a major centre, but with a small town feel.”

Rod and his wife, Patricia, live in Windermere with their three sons (aged 14, 15 and 17). “My favourite night out is watching my boys play hockey and then off to a great local eatery like Lux or 19 to enjoy friends’ and co-workers’ stories. I love to hear everyone’s story,” he laughs. “And I’m a large proponent of local business, so I enjoy trying as many new restaurants as I can.” He’s also a huge hockey fan, car enthusiast, fisherman and — putting that university degree to work — political observer.

So, Mr. President, what about the new home building industry in Edmonton?

“The house building industry is an exciting entrepreneurial industry,” says Rod. “Builders provide the most crucial, important and largest purchases for virtually every member of society.

Generally speaking, the purchase of a home is the single largest purchase of an individual’s life, and this importance is reflected in our CHBA members’ attention to detail. These details go far beyond construction; but entail design, compliance, safety, aesthetics, warranty and much more.

“Of course, of all these details, affordability is the most important.

Creating and providing an affordable home — while maintaining the standards that industry members have established — allows first time home purchasers the ability to afford a new home. In Alberta,” he says, “this issue is paramount with the shortage of skilled labour and the increase in demand for housing and infrastructure.

“That’s why CHBA is at the forefront of the establishment of standards and building criteria to meet the demands and needs of municipalities and home buyers. This balance is our future. In my opinion, affordability is our critical issue.”

His advice to prospective homebuyers: “find somewhere you want to live. Don’t just pick a house, find a neighbourhood. Next, find at least two CHBA member builders and compare not just price, but what and how they build. Eliminate the horrible and great stories about any particular builder and listen to the average person who has built with them.

“CHBA member builders are some of the best in North America,” he says. “Take advantage of the resource.” n

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EDMONTON AND AREA MAP NEW HOMES 1. Northern Lights Estates 2. Erin Ridge 3. North Ridge 4. Tuscany Hills 5. The Crossing at River’s Edge 6. The Manors of Oakmont 7. Regency Heights Estates 8. Kingswood 9. Greystone Manor 10. Pinnacle Ridge Estates 11. Riverstone Pointe 12. The Banks of Sturgeon Valley

CONDOS 1. Lakeview Estates 2. Sierras of Inglewood 3. Grande- Mission Hill 4. Tenor

NEW HOMES 1. Stony Village 2. Brookview 3. Graybriar 4. The Fairways 5. Willow Park 6. Lake Westerra 7. Stellar Homes

CONDOS 1. Laredo On The Park 2. Station 33 3. Stony Village 4. Graywood Terrace 5. Cedar Brae 6. Urbia Place

NEW HOMES 1. Jesperdale 2. Stoneshire 3. Harvest Ridge 4. Deer Park Estates 5. Hilldowns 6. Spruce Village 7. Spruce Ridge 8. Hawthorne at Heatherglen 9. Springate at Spruce Ridge 10. Legacy Park 11. Lakewood

CONDOS 1. Parkland Village 2. Fairway Eight 3. Harvest Ridge 4. Nova Ridge Villas 5. Spruce Ridge Manor 6. The Pointe 7. Kingstreet on Park

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NEW HOMES 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Village Champlain La Rose Grandin Park Close Notre Dame Estates The Lakes

NEW HOMES 1. Valley Pointe Estates 2. Forest Ridge in West Park 3. Westwood Trails 4. West Woodlands 5. Southfort 6. Southpointe 7. Sienna

CONDOS 1. Village Champlain 2. Maple Brooks Villas 3. La Rose

CONDOS 1. Riverview Estates 2. Fort Gardens 3. Walnut Grove

NEW HOMES 1. Strathcona Village 2. Aspen Trail 3. Summerwood 4. Lakeland Ridge 5. Clarkdale Park 6. Foxboro 7. Willow Ridge/The Ridge 8. Sherwood Hill Estates 9. Balmoral Heights 10. Fountain Creek Estates 11. Sherwood Golf & Country Club Estates

CONDOS 1. Pallisades on the Ravine 2. Strathcona Village 3. Crystal Estates 4. Axxess 5. Summerwood Greens 6. Maple Ridge & Oak Ridge

NEW HOMES 1. Deer Valley 2. West Haven 3. Bridgeport 4. Aspen Creek 5. Suntree 6. Windrose 7. Southfork 8. Tribute 9. Meadowiew Park

CONDOS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Brooklands at Bridgeport Ravine Villas Urbia Manor Urbia Green The Springs at Bridgeport

NEW HOMES 1. Coloniale Estates 2. Montalet 3. Citadel Ridge 4. Eaglemont Heights 5. Montrose Estates 6. Westbrook 7. Four Seasons Estates 8. Goudreau Terrace 9. Triomphe Estates 10. Beaumont Lakes 11. Place Chaleureuse 12. Beau Val

CONDOS 1. Coventry Homes 2. The Village at Beaumont 3. Beausjour 4. Montrose View 5. Giselle Valley Manor

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CITY OF EDMONTON MAP

INNER CITY Legend Shopping Centre

Points of Interest

Hospitals

CONDO PROPERTIES 1. Aurora 2. Serenity 3. Axio Parkland 4. Mosaic Meadows Parkland 5. Windermere Village 6. Macewan Gardens 7. Sandstone at Walkers Lake Station 8. Aspen Meadows 9. Meridian Plaza 10. The Corners 11. Griesbach Wood II 12. Griesbach Wood III 13. Carlton Villas on the Lake 14. Trails of Millcreek 15. The University Brownstones 16. Century Park 17. Hollick Kenyon Pointe 18. Evergreen Community 19. Maple/Oak Ridge Community 20. The Esates of Upper Windermere 21. The Ion 22. Grand Scala 23. Heritage Landing 24. 12th Street Station 25. Mosaic Town Square 26. Mosaic Summerside 27. Axio in Parkland 28. Stone Pointe 29. Aspen Meadows 30. Walker Lake Landing 31. Rutherford Landing 32. Fox One 33. Fuzion

Colleges /Universities

NEW HOME LISTINGS 1. Walker Lake Estates 2. Lewis Estates 3. Secord 4. Parkland 5 The Hamptons 6 Copperwood 7 South Hamptons 8. The Properties of Donsdale 9. Cameron Heights 10. Terwillegar Towne 11. South Terwillegar 12. Palisades 13. Upper Windermere 14. Windermere Ridge 15. Ambleside in Windermere 16 Rutherford 17. Callaghan 18. Walker Lakes Station 19. Lake Summerside 20. Ellerslie Heights 21. Tamarack 22. Griesbach 23. Fields of Summerside 24. Allard in Heritage Valley 25. Tuscany Hills 26. McConachie Landing 27. McConachie 28. Laurel 29. Ravines of Richford 30. Trumpeter at Big Lake 31. Axio Summerside 32. Touchmark 33. Hawks Ridge at Big Lake 34. Woodhaven – Edgemont

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ADVERTISERS INDEX ATB Financial

Page 16-17

www.atb.com Brookfield Homes

Page 31

www.buildwithbrookfield.com Carlisle Group

Page 13

Rutheford Landing www.rutherfordlanding.ca Lincolnberg Homes

Page 2-3

www.lincolnberg.com Marketplace Events

Page 19

Edmonton Home + Garden Show www.edmontonhomeshow.com Melcor

Page 4

Aurora www.auroraedmonton.com Melcor

Page 32

Lewis Estates Sabal

Page 7

Woodhaven www.sabalhomes.com Walton Development

Page 22

Hawks Ridge www.hawksridge.ca Walton Development

Page 14

McConachie www.mcconachie.ca Walton Development

FC, pages 8-9 & 25

Woodhaven www.woodhavenedgemont.com

M a r c h 2 01 3 E D M O N T O N H O ME & C O ND O L I V IN G • 2 9

market view

by Wesley Gunderson

Improving outlook for Alberta oil Healthy economy a big positive for housing industry It comes as no surprise to Albertans that oil is the driver of our economy. As investment has poured into the province, production of the oil sands is now greater than ever, and this is projected to continue.

With the price of oil elevated and relatively stable last year many have been caught off guard by the provincial government’s talks of huge deficits and potential budget cuts or tax increases.

The problem is that Alberta oil, by and large oil sands or bitumen, does not trade at the price of West Texas Crude (WTI) or Brent Crude, but rather a new benchmark called Western Canadian Select (WCS).

This benchmark trades at a discount to WTI. Historically the WCS discount has been $16 per barrel or around 20 per cent off the price of WTI. In 2012 however this spread increased to around $40 per barrel or 40 per cent off the price of WTI at year end.

What the Premier has been calling a “bitumen bubble” is more of a bitumen backup. All this production needs to get to refineries. Pipelines carrying our oil are at capacity, and maintenance issues temporarily reduced capacity last year compounding the problem.

Our refineries are at capacity and the U.S. refineries we need to get to are on the other side of full pipelines.

Given all these factors, why do we expect an improved outlook for Alberta oil?

• In the short term pipeline maintenance has been largely completed. In the long term we expect increased capacity and utilization improvements. The energy and pipeline industries are working to better utilize the capacity we have by converting and even

reversing some existing lines, and through better scheduling and planning. They are also trying very hard bring on new pipelines that benefit both the Canadian and U.S. economies alike that are stubbornly being prevented by politics and lobby groups.

• Rail lines have begun transporting more and more Alberta oil as well, easing the backup somewhat.

• More refineries are coming online or have been converted to process heavy oil as well, increasing the demand for Alberta oil.

All this leads to a forecasted shrink in the discount to WCS. PIRA Energy Group, a leading energy market analysis firm released its “North American Midcontinent Oil Forecast” recently and they expect the WCS differential to tighten to about $22 per barrel by June, and then $13 per barrel by year end.

As of this writing the discount has pulled back considerably from the lows of around $40 per barrel to $27 per barrel.

This bodes well for the Alberta economy, the provincial coffers and for Albertans. n

Wesley Gunderson is Vice President of Finance for Growth Marketing an Edmonton based real estate consultancy firm providing integrated marketing services to its valued clients. Mr. Gunderson has been with the firm since 1997 and actively involved in economic and market research, marketing and product strategy as well as advertising and sales promotion.

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