INNER-CITY FRIDAY , APRIL 29, 2011 N°1 LIVING LIVING THE LIFE WHERE TO LIVE FESTIVALS Condo owner Tyson Lewis talks Inglewood’s trendy, eclectic From lilacs to Latin, the inner about why he bought in the vibe makes it an ideal place to city is a hotbed for summer inner city//12 set up new digs//19 festivals//20 BUY LOW.GET HIGH. consider it a life upgrade $359,900 REMAINING INVENTORYSELL OFF TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BEST SUITES WHILE THEY LAST Located at the centre of Calgary’s new downtown community 10 ft ceilings Corner suites with spectacular curtain wall glass Quartz countertops with glass backsplash Stainless steel appliances Air Conditioning Storage locker included Blind package included SE SE 1st 14th Ave. just East of 1St. SE -Directly North of Sasso TRAIL 14th AVE Phone: 403.234.9894 I nueraliving.ca Sales Centre Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 12-6 pm IFri.-Sun. 12-5 pm MACLEOD 15th AVE WWW.COVEPROPERTIES.COM FOUNDATION I STRENGTH I HISTORY INNER-CITY LIVING is a publication of the Calgary Herald’s INNER-CITY Special Projects Department T RANSIT STOPS/4 TIPPING/23 PARKS/8 LIVING FESTIVALS/20 ARCHITECTURE/10 BUYING INNER-CITY/12 CITY COMPARISON/14 CORE ESSENTIALS/16 MARKET MANIA/18 NEIGHBOURHOODS/19 COVER: Shelley Doucette at the annual 4th Street Lilac Festival May 30, 2010 // Special Projects manager: Barb Livingstone, 403-235-7339; [email protected] // Special Projects co-ordinator/designer: Karen Petkau, 403-235-7513; [email protected] ADVERTISING FEATURE Ranging in size from 895 to 1,040 there are many new shops and services square feet, each suite comes with and the building’s proximity to all ENTER A NUERA perks such as extra storage space, these aspects help residents focus on a custom closet shelving, stainless steel modern, urban lifestyle.” IN HOME appliances and built-in blinds. Located within walking distance to Expect to see sleek quartz coun- numerous bars, boutiques, restaurants tertops, full-height cabinets and glass and entertainment, Nuera residents’ OWNERSHIP backsplashes, as well as oversized options on what to do each weekend European tile throughout all the living are wide open and easily accessible. azing out at spectacular views areas. Hit the tranquil Elbow River path- of the Rocky Mountains, The 1,060-square-foot sub-pent- ways for a Saturday morning jog, cool GStampede vistas and the house features custom bathrooms with off with a beverage of your choice downtown Calgary skyline, you’ll liter- full-height mirrors, fully tiled designer from one of several trendy coffee shops ally feel like you’re on top of the world. showers and a jetted tub, as well as and glam it up for a night out on the The best part is there’s no wait to quartz countertops and Kohler sinks. town after browsing the latest offer- get there. The piece de resistance is the two- ings from local boutiques like Purr, Now ready for immediate posses- storey penthouse suite at 1,472 square Gravity Pope or Rubaiyat. sion, and competitively priced from feet with soaring 21-foot ceilings, Feel like sushi for dinner? No only $359,000, Cove Properties’ multiple balconies and features that problem. Whether you crave steak, Nuera development offers a range of include designer showers and in-floor wood-fired pizza or simply a pint at a two-bedroom-two-bathroom suites heating. local Irish pub, it will be only footsteps throughout the highrise building. “While Cove has always over- away from your new home. With almost 80 per cent of its units delivered when it came to amenities, For a full list of current available sold, Cove recently reduced the prices specs and building design, one of suites and pricing, or to walk through on the remaining units for sale at the most premium attributes of this any of the fi nished units, contact Nuera. development is the location,” says the sales centre, open Monday to As a developer, Cove has a reputa- Clay Hamdon, president of Cove Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and tion for advancing new concepts in Properties. Friday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. modern design without compromising “Close to Stampede Park, it’s truly The centre is located at 14th Avenue, quality, value or service — and Nuera, situated in what people refer to as the just east of 1st Street S.E. located in the heart of Calgary’s centre of the ‘new’ downtown. You’ll For more information, call 403-234- downtown core, is no exception. fi nd the restaurants are open later, 9894 or visit nueraliving.ca. calgaryherald.com/innercityliving 3 TRANSIT STOPS INTHE SPOTLIGHT GUYS ANDDDDOLOLLS PERFORMANCEEAATT OLYMPICCPPLLAZAZA // OLYMPIC PLAZA MINI-ADVENTUREINCULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, SHOPPING ANDRELAXATION AWAIT WORDS: SHAWN HOULT // IMAGES: CALGARY HERALD ARCHIVE For some, the C-Train is just a way to McDonough says for someone looking commute to work each day, but what many to explore the city and experience what of us forget is that just outside the sliding Calgary has to offer, one of the best doors at each stop sits a hub of activity: C-Train stops is Olympic Plaza. entertainment, shopping, parks, dining — all “I think Olympic Plaza is obviously one just waiting to be explored. of the heart-and-soul points of the city,” “It’s a choose-your-own-adventure he says. “It’s a pretty remarkable spot to kind of thing — turn this way and what have. Great urban centres have great adventure is going to happen,” says places where people can congregate and It also sits in the hub of Calgary’s arts And for those looking for shopping and Stewart McDonough, Tourism Calgary this is that kind of place.” community. dining, the area opens onto the western director of communications. Olympic Plaza hosts a number of events Glenbow Museum and Epcor Centre for end of Stephen Avenue. “Being able to have a C-Train, and being and festivals throughout the year, along the Pe rforming Arts are both adjacent to Rebecca Baylis commutes from able to hop on and end up in a place that with providing a great place to sit and Olympic Plaza, while the Art Gallery of downtown and rides the C-Train on a daily you’ve never been before — you never enjoy the city or do some skating in the Calgary and Art Central are only a couple basis. know what you’re going to have.” winter months. of blocks away. /6 ADVERTISING FEATURE puses nearby, as well as McMahon Stadium and the LRT. Children can also walk to the nearby elementary FAMILY-ORIENTED and junior high schools. MOUNT PLEASANT Confederation Park is also within walking distance and offers up HAS DOWNTOWN plenty of green space in which to play. And instead of opening your AMENITIES morning drapes to a great view of your neighbour’s living room, buyers ant a family but don’t in Mount Pleasant get to gaze at want to move to the mature trees and picturesque parks. Wburbs? Albi’s project in Mount Pleasant Albi Homes is offering the best is an attached home or duplex. The of both worlds — a safe and quaint exterior is done in a Craftsman community ideal for raising a fam- style and the homes are located on ily but in a prime location close to a corner lot, so the entrances are on downtown and all its sought-after adjacent sides of the home. amenities. The available two units are very Centrally located, Mount Pleasant spacious, at a little more than 1,800 is one of Calgary’s cosiest commu- square feet each. nities. It is situated between 16th Inside, the interiors are done in a Avenue (Trans-Canada Highway) transitional style, where traditional and the east side of Confederation meets modern fl air. With an elegant opments, they are designed with soaker tubs. ment of these homes. Park, making it close to downtown European feel, they are designed the kitchen being the heart of the “Albi Homes has been in business “All our homes come with a and central for easy access to the with function and practicality in home. for 28 years, specializing in luxury one-year full warranty and fi ve-year rest of the city. mind, while remaining very stylish. Spacious and designed for enter- homes in Calgary, so you can be structural warranty, which are not Within minutes of Mount Both homes are outfitted with taining, the Mount Pleasant kitch- assured these homes are built to common of all inner-city builders, Pleasant, a plethora of amenities European appliances (Miele and ens are perfect for those who love the highest standards of quality,” or resale homes.” is just outside your door, including Bertazzoni), high-end woodwork the culinary arts. says Justin Mauro, marketing and Units are priced in the $800,000s, restaurants, shops and theatres. and cabinets, beautiful natural stone As well, no Albi home is com- research co-ordinator. “As well, we and both are available in fall 2011. Parents with older children will countertops and gorgeous tile and plete without spa-like ensuites, design all our homes with lifestyle For more information, call appreciate having SAIT Polytechnic hardwood fl ooring. with full-tile showers and glass in mind, so functionality and style 403-203-1898 or visit and the University of Calgary cam- Like most Albi Homes’ devel- enclosures, dual vanities, granite and played a large part in the develop- www.albihomes.com. calgaryherald.com/innercityliving 4 TRANSIT STOPS INTHE SPOTLIGHT // OLYMPIC PLAZA... She says when she first moved to downtown Calgary from Ottawa in 2007, the C-Train played a large part in her getting to know the city, and even now she and her husband take almost weekly trips on the train to explore new areas.