“Every building has to be approached differently,” Darrow says of his work. “There’s no standard formula when you’re doing a restoration because every building has a different character and requires different attention in terms of what needs to be done. Each is its own entity.”

Denver Carrington has two projects underway in Calgary and a third in Red Deer: The Marilyn on 11th Avenue S.W., On The Park on 75th Avenue N.W. (in Bowness) and Valley-View – a 39-unit development within walking distance of downtown Red Deer. Calgary residents may remember Denver Carrington’s largest project, The Huntsman on 13th Avenue S.W.

Restorations in Calgary are somewhat of a rare breed these days, due mostly to the fact that property values on rental buildings in the city can make renovating an unattractive option.

From the buyer’s perspective, restored condos can be an enticing option for a couple of reasons: 1) Locations are either central or situated in neighbourhoods that are well connected via major routes and transit (or better still, surrounded by a host of self-sustaining amenities). And 2) Starting prices are typically below those of new midtown counterparts.
The Marilyn, located at 1633 11 Avenue S.W., is a prime example. Constructed in 1962, the building has stood the test of time. With its great mid-town location, roomy floor plans and solidly constructed interiors, it was a perfect candidate for restoration.

“We’ve kept much of the original interiors intact and stored them to new quality,” says Darrow of the development. “The ’60s are really in again as far as design goes. You see it in furniture, appliances, home décor. We wanted to keep that retro vibe.”

The second-storey show suite exemplifies how that was done. The solid wood kitchen cabinetry has been salvaged; stripped and re-stained to let the natural grain shine through. Behind it stands a fresh tile backsplash, highlighted by new laminate countertops. New 24-inch appliances have been installed as well, but buyers have the option to upgrade to 30-inch appliances if they so desire as part of a complete kitchen renovation.
“Anyone that prefers a modern look to retro will have the option to completely renovate their suite,” says Darrow. “You can design your kitchen to your own specifications, put in hardwood floors, replace the bathrooms, whatever you like.”

A new coat of neutral paint on the walls and stipple ceiling gives the show suite a fresh feel, while the original restored baseboards and casings keep the condo grounded in the ’60s era. There’s new flooring throughout: laminate in the foyer, kitchen and bath, and berber carpet in the living room and bedroom. New fixtures and lighting round out the refurbished package. Suites range from 493- to 611-square-feet for one-bedroom and junior one-bedroom units. Two-bedroom units are 864-square- feet. Three suites in the building are already sold, and with just 14 in total, the opportunity to buy may be fleeting.

If retro isn’t your style but refurbished fits your budget, you may want to look into the few remaining units at Denver Carrington’s On The Park project. At just four years old, the building is still modern. Touch-ups include new paint, flooring, granite countertops, kitchen and bathroom fixtures as well as new lighting. Three units remain vacant. Each is a two-bedroom floor plan with sizes ranging from 857- to 1,038-square-feet. 

Show suite hours at The Marilyn are 12-4 p.m. seven days a week.