Choy, president of Matisse Homes Inc., says that the idea behind Chanté Clair was they “didn’t want to do a condo building like everyone else. They wanted to put in high-quality products and finishes, and do luxury condos, which is what they’ve done.”

Located at 1534 15 Avenue S.W., the three-and-a-half-storey concrete building has been completely redone from the inside out. As Choy puts it, “anything you can’t see (such as plumbing and electrical) has been redone.” The roof, only five years old, will also be replaced, just to ensure the quality and longevity of the project, adds Choy.

Inside these suites, the standard specifications make it readily apparent no shortcuts have been taken.

Two show suites, a one-bedroom plan and a two-bedroom plan, showcase the finishings, which include six appliances from Frigidaire, LG and Whirlpool; engineered hardwood floors; porcelain tiles; dual-flush toilets; Corinthian berber carpet with seven-pound underlay; custom cabinetry by Legacy Kitchens; granite countertops; built-in MDF shelving in each closet and a distinctive vessel sink in the bathroom.

“It all boils down to the quality – it really is bar none,” says Chris Belanger of the Premium Yield Sales Team at Keller Williams Realty South, and sales representative at Chanté Clair. “They haven’t gone with base finishings, they’ve upgraded everything and made it standard.”

In the two-bedroom show suite, visitors are welcomed by a large, open-concept kitchen and living room. The kitchen, with breakfast bar, laundry closet, built-in, granite-topped desk and tile flooring sits on the right, while the spacious living room with rich, hardwood flooring and balcony open up to the left. Straight ahead, a hallway leads from left to right, with a bedroom at each end and the main bathroom in the middle. The suite offers plenty of closet space, with storage built in to every possible nook.

Across the hall in the one-bedroom plan, visitors are invited into the front hall, with a funky, granite feature shelf topped by a mirror, along with a well-designed, space-saving storage area. Along the well-lit hall lie the bedroom, bathroom and laundry closet, and at the end the condo spills into an open-concept kitchen and living room. Here, the kitchen is again very well designed, maximizing on the space available.

Outside, the exterior finishes of Chanté Clair are being completely overhauled to match the quality of the suites. All windows have been replaced with argon-filled, low-e, metal-clad windows, while insulated garden doors have replaced all patio doors and the balconies are being refinished. All exterior wood has been metal-clad and fresh, new brick and vinyl siding has revitalized the building.

A new portico will be added to the front entrance, and two security cameras will overlook the back parking lot with 16 parking stalls – one for each suite. Prices for the one-bedroom suites start in the $230,000s, while two bedrooms are priced from the low $300,000s.

The common areas of the 16-unit Chanté Clair will be upgraded to reflect the calibre of the building, with new tile, mailboxes, intercom, showcased artwork and closed-circuit security camera in the front entrance, and brand-new hammered metal-look handrails on the stairs.

Chanté Clair has been attracting executives and professionals, who are “acknowledging the fine craftsmanship,” says Belanger. “We really haven’t had any negative comments.” 

The Chanté Clair show suites are open from 2 to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. For more information visit http://www.calgarycitycondos.ca