Stunning south: New communities are taking shape

Article content

A swath of scenic land on the edge of southeast Calgary is proving to be a tantalizing spot for new communities.

The area between Seton Boulevard S.E. and the Bow River, on the doorstep of Foothills County, is teaming with neighbourhoods under construction or soon to be. With escarpment views over the river valley, the Rockies looming large to the west and quick access to major roadways, this exciting new section of the southeast is one of the fastest growing areas of the city.

Article content

Starting one of the most recent communities, Edmonton-based Rohit Communities broke ground this spring on Heartwood, its first project south of the capital region.

Heartwood, located east of Seton on 52nd Street S.E., is a 200-acre community that will feature all housing types. Rohit has won multiple awards for its master-planned communities and has brought another Edmonton company, Bedrock Homes, along for the ride.

“Bedrock is a joint venture partner and a home builder in Heartwood,” said Rohit executive vice-president Luciano Salvador, who was part of the shovels-in-the-ground crew at the May 16 groundbreaking.

Rohit acquired the land in early 2023 and moved quickly through the planning and approval process. Heartwood will have ponds, pathways and a playground ready when the first show homes open next summer. There will be single-family homes built along the ponds, some with triple-car garages, and a selection of zero lot line homes, duplexes, townhomes and apartments throughout the community.

Salvador, who has overseen the creation of Edmonton communities such as Arbours of Keswick, Woodhaven Edgemont, Kinglet Gardens and Ridgecrest at Glenridding Ravine, is noticeably confident in the Calgary market, calling the city a first-choice destination.

Article content

Article content

“It’s a landing spot for everyone in Canada, joining the ranks of Toronto and Vancouver. However, when competing against those larger markets, the affordability is there,” he said.

In addition to Bedrock and Rohit Homes, Jayman Built, Genesis Builders and Trico Homes complete the builder group, chosen because of their commitment to Calgary, their craftsmanship, attention to detail and innovative approaches to sustainable living, Salvador notes. Rohit has laid out new architectural styles for the community, including Nordic, Alpine, Stone and Urban Timber themes.

New and Notable

There are three new communities south of 212th Avenue S.E. that have been approved as part of the Ricardo Ranch Area Structure Plan. Seton Ridge by Brookfield Residential, Logan Landing by Genesis Land and Nostalgia by Jayman Built will be built on either side of an east/west escarpment and each will have access to the Bow River.

Construction in Logan Landing is well in hand with nine show homes expected to open this fall. The first phase fronts onto 212th Avenue S.E., which has direct access to Deerfoot Trail. There are 265 lots for a mix of front-drive, semi-detached homes and street townhomes. The builder group of Genesis Builds, Cedarglen Homes, Sterling Homes and Partners Development Group is pre-selling product in advance of show homes. There’s a 10-acre school site and estate lots in future phases along with a village core commercial area right along the escarpment.

Article content

Brendan McCashin, vice-president of land development, said connectivity was a huge focus as Genesis went through the design of Logan Landing.

“Pathways along the river, along the escarpment top and north will connect to the amenities of Seton Urban District, so people can walk or bike wherever they choose,” he said.

With a green corridor running through the area and access to the Bow River, where wetlands and a blue heron rookery have been identified for protection, Genesis is implementing several environmentally sensitive building practices. Every home must be EV and solar ready. Public light fixtures will be downcast following dark sky principles.

“We’re utilizing a natural landscape strategy to reduce our reliance on potable water and irrigation with robust tree and landscape planting to enhance that urban ecology,” McCashin said. “Logan Landing will integrate the natural environment with a great urban lifestyle and amenities.”

Seton Ridge, immediately south of Seton proper, is on track for a spring or fall 2025 grand opening. The new Brookfield community is on 333 acres and will have a mix of front-drive and laned single-family homes, duplexes and later on, street townhomes. Brookfield Residential, Morrison Homes and Excel Homes are the builders. Like Logan Landing, there’s one school site and within the decade, residents will have access to the river. With a plethora of services in nearby Seton Urban District, Seton Ridge will not have a commercial area and residents will have access to the new Seton Homeowner’s Association amenity once completed.

Article content

Seton itself is approximately 50 per cent built out with a bevy of multi-family projects currently underway. A few of those developments are Brightside Townhomes by Brookfield Residential, Seton West by Logel Homes and Colours of Seton by Trico Homes.

“Seton is a bustling area filled with endless opportunities for residents. From its proximity to the South Health Campus to vibrant shopping, entertainment and recreational options, it’s the epitome of modern living,” said Jimmy Leong, Trico area sales manager. “As a builder, we see Seton as an ideal location for buyers due to its dynamic atmosphere and promising growth potential.”

Home on the Range … View

Rangeview by Section 23, not to be confused with Rangeview by Genstar Development Corp. to the south, continues to creep across the prairie east of 72nd Street S.E. The neighbourhood names are the same, but each developer has a different vision for their community.

Section 23 launched its 320-acre portion of Rangeview, adjacent to the south boundary of Mahogany, as Alberta’s first garden-to-table community. It’s built following the agricultural urbanism movement, which integrates local food systems in the design and programming of the community. A community greenhouse and celebrations around food are the prevailing attraction to new home buyers, along with group how-to classes about planting, nurturing and harvesting produce. The community was chosen by Building Industry and Land Development, Calgary Region (BILDCR) as a finalist for 2023’s Best New Community.

Article content

Just across the field, Genstar’s Rangeview, another 320-acre residential development, was named BILDCR’s 2023 Best New Community. It’s a safe, inclusive “vision zero” inspired community, a planning concept that Kelly Westblom, senior development manager at Genstar, was determined to implement in Calgary. Elements of vision zero include separation of vehicular and pedestrian or bike traffic.

“Rangeview is the first community I’ve planned from the outset of the project to where we are today. I had two kids during this process and with that came some personal reflection on how we’re planning land,” she said. “Most new communities have young kids. As a mom, the idea of putting bike lanes on the street with nothing but a painted line separating bikes and cars seemed ridiculous.”

Rangeview streets have curb extensions and extra boulevards separating all forms of traffic, with more than 4,500 trees lining wider pathways.

Excel Homes, Homes by Avi, Cardel Homes and Truman Homes are building the 2,100 homes in the community. Phase 5 launched this spring and features a street with pond-backing lots on either side. The community will have 2,100 homes at final build out.

Article content