Buying a home is an exciting time. You likely have a vision for exactly what you’re looking for — a desirable neighbourhood, a specific home type and maybe even specific features like large windows or high ceilings. Luckily, Calgary has a wide variety of home builders and specialists that can help you find the right fit.
Whether you’re seeking luxury at an affordable price point, a place to live with nature at your doorstep or you’re just looking for everything to know before you buy, this guide offers insight for homebuyers. Hear from a mortgage specialist, learn about an interior design service, and, of course, read about the range of communities and home types in the city that proves there’s no place like home.
Luxury in the City Centre
Broadway on 17th by Vesta Properties raises the bar with high-end features at an accessible price.
Luxury for homebuyers is about more than just stone countertops — it’s a blend of location, access to amenities and high-quality builds made with thoughtfully sourced materials.
“Luxury is ease of living,” says AJ van der Linden, Alberta sales director.
Vesta Properties’ newest development checks all the boxes for contemporary luxury, all while maintaining an entry-level price. Broadway on 17th is a three-tower, high-rise, master-planned community set to be completed by 2030, with prices starting in the $290,000s.
Amenities for all
Broadway on 17th will feature outdoor rooftop areas, community gardens and an off-leash dog park. Wellness amenities include a gym, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, yoga and spin studio, and crystal salt recovery room. Daycare in the building, co-op working spaces and boardrooms also aim to meet the needs of residents at all stages of life. “It’s a full-service, fully engaged community that should address everybody from first-time homebuyers, to young parents, to retirees,” says van der Linden.
At street level, commercial spaces will welcome coffee shops, a wine bar and a boutique grocer. Within this master-planned three-tower community, Vesta Properties is partnering with a popular local restaurant group, known for city favourites, to open an elevated restaurant. And a private sky bar on one of the towers’ 46th floor will be available to Broadway on 17th’s residents.
Location luxury
Sitting at the cross-section of 17th Avenue and 4th Street, Broadway on 17th is at the heart of Calgary’s city centre. On 4th Street, galleries like Masters Gallery and Loch Gallery, along with street festivals, energize the area with arts and culture, while markets, bars, shops and restaurants line bustling 17th Avenue.
“The luxury component is also the location,” says van der Linden. “Everything around you is within a couple of blocks — you’re in the epicentre of the entertainment district and the arts district.”
The central location appeals to young people looking for city centre proximity, as well as aging buyers who want walkable amenities.
Quality suites
Broadway on 17th prioritizes high-end materials in each suite. Nine-foot ceilings and large windows invite in the city’s blue skies, illuminating premium appliances and thoughtful finishes like locally-sourced custom cabinetry, stone countertops and backsplashes. “Every square inch of our homes has been designed to maximize the space, maximize the views and make life easier,” says van der Linden.
Starting from the $290,000s, the price tag on Broadway on 17th remains under the city’s average price for an apartment. The development is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2030, with pre-sales currently available in two payments of five per cent over 12 months, with secured insured deposits. “There’s no mortgage for four years,” says van der Linden. “We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for homeowners to get into the market, or to move up in the market.”
The residential towers will offer studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums, sub-penthouse and penthouse residences, letting buyers with a range of home needs benefit from Broadway on 17th’s amenity-rich community in the heart of the Beltline.
To learn more, visit broadwayon17.com
Green All Around
Shawnee Park by Cardel Homes makes life a breeze, both inside and out.
Built on the last developable land bordering Fish Creek Park, Shawnee Park by Cardel Homes lets residents live with nature at their doorstep. With nearly 600 mature trees lining the neighbourhood — and plans to plant thousands more — over three kilometres of pathways and 25 per cent of the community dedicated to green space, Shawnee Park is perfect for buyers looking to live an active, outdoor lifestyle.
Connect to nature
You literally can’t live closer to Fish Creek Park than Shawnee Park. Phase three homes, coming in late 2026, will back right onto the park, while other areas of the community are just a quick walk away. Beyond the nearby 3,000+ acres of green space offered by Fish Creek, the community of Shawnee Park itself has 33 acres of green space, with natural features such as a 20-metre greenbelt, a Central Park and plans to add 3,000 new trees to keep natural beauty at the forefront of the community.
In Shawnee Park, it’s easy to get moving. Find pickleball and basketball courts — converting to an ice rink in winter — a gazebo with picnic tables and a wetland in the West Park and walkways and bike paths throughout the nature-focused community.
Just outside of the community, loads of amenities and easy access to major routes await. Located in Calgary’s Shawnee Slopes, the community is in an established area. Schools, shopping centres and medical services are nearby, not to mention the Fish Creek–Lacombe LRT station is right next to the neighbourhood to get you around without a car.
“You get all the benefits of a close-in-proximity location, but with more home, more yard and more value compared to traditional inner-city neighbourhoods,” says Jessica Mix, marketing manager at Cardel Homes. “Shawnee Park is a rare opportunity to own a new home in an established southwest community.”
Find your dream home
When you’re not out soaking up the sun and among the trees, Cardel Homes ensures the inside of your home is just as relaxing and comforting, thanks to its meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality. The homebuilder delivers luxury homes with innovative design, rich exterior finishes and fully landscaped yards, including decks and irrigation.
Cardel is now selling phase 11 front-garage homes starting in the $880s and limited courtyard homes, with park amenity and greenbelt lots also available. Located in phase 10, The Birch offers a limited opportunity to own a luxury paired home design. This three-bed, two-and-a-half-bath, three-storey home includes elevated features such as premium architecture, quartz countertops, a large front balcony, full yard landscaping and more.
“The Birch strikes a great balance of luxury, comfort and convenience, and this design is located on a quiet, private street, in close proximity to the West Park,” says Mix. “Amenity lots available in phase 11 back onto one of the Shawnee Park greenbelts, pathways and mature trees, not directly onto neighbours.”
Witness Cardel’s quality builds and personalization options with a visit to the Birch or one of the many other show homes currently open.
To learn more, visit cardelhomes.com/alberta/shawnee-park
Your Ideal Home In Your Ideal Community
Crystal Creek Homes offers a range of thoughtfully designed home options, helping buyers find the perfect fit in the Calgary communities they love.
With over 20 years of expertise and 150+ builds annually across Alberta, Crystal Creek Homes has expanded its portfolio over the past five years to include a significantly wider range of home types, built in Calgary’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
Homebuyers often have a strong sense of where they want to live, usually driven by access to schools, amenities, lifestyle or proximity to nature. As location continues to be a driving preference, Crystal Creek’s variety of product types in high-demand communities addresses a wide range of customers.
“Our goal is to offer a variety of product types across different communities throughout Calgary, giving buyers more choice and helping them find a home that fits their lifestyle in a location they love,” says Justin Bobier, president of Crystal Creek Homes.
Crystal Creek’s home styles include condos, townhomes, estate homes, villas, laned homes and more. The single-family division continues to build in sought-after communities like Aspen and Heritage Crossing, while luxury townhomes in University District support a lock-and-leave lifestyle within a master-planned community. Downsizers can enjoy Pine Creek Villas at Heritage Pointe, and in Taza Park, a community located along Weaselhead Flats and the Glenmore Reservoir, Crystal Creek offers both villas and condos, attracting downsizers and first-time homebuyers alike.
While retaining its quality and care, Crystal Creek has grown into a builder with experience and product diversity. Its range of builds makes it possible to have it all — the type of home best suited to your needs, in your ideal community.
To learn more, visit crystalcreekhomes.ca
Lake Community Living, Your Way
Baywest Homes’ collaborative buying experience meets the unique needs of today’s homebuyers.
For many, the appeal of a lake community lies in the perfect balance of comfort, connection and natural beauty. Calgarians drawn to this lifestyle seek neighbourhoods that offer four-season recreation, strong community ties and everyday convenience.
“Lake communities provide an opportunity to deliver homes that align with a lifestyle centred around connection, recreation and everyday convenience — something that strongly resonates with our buyers,” says Sarah Harman, Baywest Homes’ marketing manager.
With more than 40 years of experience building semi-estate and estate homes in Calgary, Baywest continues to focus on award-winning lake communities such as Mahogany and Harmony.
Baywest understands that building your dream home goes far beyond selecting finishes. Included in every Baywest semi-estate and estate home is its Concierge Interior Design Service, which offers an unmatched, highly collaborative selection process. The same professional interior designers who bring Baywest’s show homes to life work one-on-one with homeowners, guiding every decision with confidence and care. Through visits to trusted trade partners, homeowners personally select flooring, tile, cabinetry, wall colours and more — ensuring each home is thoughtfully designed, expertly curated and uniquely their own.
Recognized for award-winning design and outstanding customer service, Baywest delivers homes that elevate everyday living. Baywest’s show homes in the sought-after neighbourhoods of Harmony and Mahogany invite homebuyers to explore how exceptional design, attention to detail and thoughtful lake community living come together.
To learn more, visit baywesthomes.com
3 Things to Know About Mortgage Renewals
An ATB mortgage advisor shares a few things to keep in mind if you have a mortgage renewal around the corner.
During the pandemic, mortgage interest rates were at an all-time low. In fact, they were so low that some homeowners chose to break their mortgages to get new, lower interest rates. That means many are facing renewals this year. While the current higher rates may be anxiety-inducing for some, ATB mortgage specialist Justine Shoemaker explains that mortgage renewals are a period of opportunity.
“Talking mortgages isn’t always exciting, so some people might not really realize that they have options when it comes up for renewal. They may just think, ‘Well, my payments are going up because my rates are going up, and let’s just hope for the best.’ But they do actually have options available,” says Shoemaker.
Here, she shares what to do and consider when approaching a renewal.
Think ahead
Four months before your term expires, your lender will give you notice, giving you the time and versatility to compare your options and make the best decision for your current position. An earlier decision allows you to get the best rate possible, since lenders like ATB give you flexibility in that four-month window.
“With ATB, you can lock in that rate,” says Shoemaker. “If rates happen to go down, then you know you can renegotiate that renewal rate to a lower rate. But if they go up, you’ve already signed and are able to get that initial amount.”
Consider all possibilities
At renewal time, you can make significant changes without penalties. For those who can, this is a time when you’re free to make a significant payment towards the balance. If it’s in your best interest, you can switch from a variable to a fixed rate (or vice versa) or change lenders. Be mindful that switching lenders may involve costs like appraisals or legal fees, so ensure the interest savings outweigh the setup costs. Some lenders, like ATB, may cover some of the costs to switch your mortgage.
Take the time to assess your current goals
Shoemaker explains that an approaching mortgage renewal often forces people to think about their current household expenses, future plans and what they can afford.
“It tends to trigger a lot of questions like, ‘Are we staying here another five years? Do we need to renovate the kitchen? Let’s look into legal suites,’’’ she says. “Reviewing finances and seeing what makes sense is a milestone in people’s lives.”
Questions to consider include: Am I looking to downsize or buy a second investment home? It’s worth considering unlocking equity in your home, if so. How will new rates affect my monthly budget, and do I want to make big renovations? Have I been wanting to add solar panels or upgrade the landscaping? Perhaps refinancing is a good option if that’s the case.
If you’re not sure of the best choice to meet your goals, advice from a mortgage specialist can offer peace of mind about the best option for you.
Renewal vs. Refinancing
Mortgage renewal entails staying with your current mortgage (with potential changes), while refinancing replaces it entirely to access equity or restructure your loan. Having access to equity is a great option for those looking to make costly renovations which may increase the value of their home, including adding a secondary suite, solar panels and landscaping. It can also help with purchases outside of your home, such as buying a secondary home or making investments elsewhere.
To learn more about your best option or meet with a mortgage specialist, visit atb.com
Download ATB’s mortgage renewal guide at atb.com/mortgagerenewalguide
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.