The newest addition to the community is the svelte Loren condominium by Bordeaux Developments. With its unique architecture The Loren in Parkdale will further enhance this quiet community’s status and itself become a prideful landmark along Calgary’s Bow River corridor.

The Loren seamlessly fuses contemporary, modern and classic design. The exterior cladding will blend into Parkdale yet create an unprecedented statement for the area.  The acrylic stucco accented with cedar and contrasted by elongated windows and staggered glass balconies will dress the exterior.  The ground level will boast private garden patios supplemented with low maintenance, architecturally designed and landscaped, common area privacy gardens. Always take note of complexes with extreme high maintenance  landscaping. Are poplar trees strangling the water systems? Are trees being removed and replaced?

Upon entry you will be graciously met with 700 square feet of lobby space suggestive of a fashion runway’s spring collection.  Your first sampling of the flair and design of the future and the uniqueness of The Loren will be dressed out before you. High quality finishings in the lobby and common property support long term controlled condominium fees.  The lesser the quality in high use areas the sooner your condominium board will have to deal with replacement versus maintenance.

The Loren is “Intelligent” in both design and function.  The interiors exhibit spatial brilliance with sizes ranging from 805 square feet up to 1378 and offer single, two storey and lofted penthouses. Airy nine foot ceilings trump levels one and two with some lofted penthouse ceilings soaring upward as high as 19 feet. Corridors will measure out at almost five feet. Tedium will not be associated with The Loren community. Each plan will consist of one bedroom, two bedroom and two bedroom plus den homes and each individual plan is different. Pay heed as this is definitely an uncommon trait in condominium development. Uniqeness in functional construction and design is an excellent resale feature as opposed to you nudging your personal budget to create a look that is different than your neighbours.

The décor options consist of imported 12 x 24 porcelain tile, granite countertops and high quality carpeting. Neutral, tan and dark colour palettes will punctuate and classify each individually selected residence. Gas stoves in each unit along with a wine refrigerator beg the talents of a seasoned epicurean.

Bordeaux Developments manifests its confidence and integrity throughout the project.  SMART wiring with CAT 5E, satellite for all units, independent unit heating, air conditioning systems and electrical metering.  Unquestionably, individual owner cost control has been addressed. The common areas are ample and complimentary but not financially cumbersome with unpredictable amenity costs. Condominium contributions are budgeted at 35 cents to 44 cents per square foot with energy costs dictating the margin. Satellite systems are generally an item that requires your condominium board’s approval and it is not often approved. In-suite climate control speaks for itself.  You are not paying for your neighbours excessive useage of utilities.

The complex has 20 units and 28 parking stalls.  The stalls are owned or titled but additional stalls will be available for purchase and each unit also has an assigned storage space. We have all come to recognize that parking must be taken very seriously in inner city neighbourhoods due to the rapid pace of construction taking up what we thought was a parking lot just last week.

The Loren has been carefully designed with your peace of mind at the forefront. Sound attenuation is accomplished with a concrete elevator shaft and stairways with superior sound proofing between common walls and floors. We must pay close attention to the various methods of sound proofing as not having an adequate silencing system may not allow you to bring in your grande piano or base guitar or install hardwood floors.  By-laws would dictate complex by complex based on the construction materials used to achieve sound attenuation.

Prices range from $$228,860 up to $415,520 plus GST.  Pricing is not subject to guess work but in fact Bordeaux Developments has price firmly established for the risk aversive consumer. Not all contracts are created equal and understanding them is critical to a satisfactory long term real estate experience. CL


Paulette Marsollier  is a realtor with 21 years of  real estate experience with Sutton Group – Canwest located centrally at 2632 Parkdale Blvd. N.W. She has specialized in condominium marketing and education for the past 18 years. Paulette is a Professional Member of the Canadian Condominium Institute and serves on the Board of Directors of a Strata Council in B.C. The Condo Classroom was created in 2003 to facilitate a broader consumer knowledge base of condominium hybrids, construction and contracts and classes are held on a regular basis.  For further information please go to http://www.condosplus.ca or call 239.5464.