Montage McKenzie Towne recently launched in the Carma community, offering a piece of Calgary’s hot real estate market without the worries of yard work attached to their home ownership, and a price tag sure to be music to buyers’ ears from the $200,000s.
Named for larger-than-life talents from Coltrane to Ellington, Montage floorplans offer scores of optional layouts designed so residents can fine-tune suites to suit their lifestyles.

 “You get your choice, whether you would rather have an island, or a huge open kitchen with a large pantry, for example,” says Rachelle Scarrow, marketing manager for Hawthorne Homes, Montage’s developer.

Other choices include one- or two-bedroom plans in single or double-storey living styles, which offer master ensuites, walk-in closets, loft spaces and loft-with-flex-space selections as ways to personalize the homes.

Bungalow models anchor the main level of the collection of stacked townhomes, while upper floors in the three-storey buildings will be comprised of dual-level digs. In all, 90 addresses are among offerings in two 36- and one 18-home structure respectively.

Meanwhile, detailed end gables, stone, window trim and projecting beam detailing punctuate the exterior to maintain the neo-traditional, Craftsman theme of the community and protect Montage buyers’ investments – all just a stone’s throw from High Street.

“This is a very pedestrian-friendly project. You can literally step out your door and be at the coffee shop in less than a block,” says Scarrow, adding established grocery and drug stores, shops, eateries and a pub add to the lure of the neo-traditional Carma community.

Far from pedestrian are the Montage townhomes, themselves. Poised to deliver all the bells and whistles a new homebuyer could wish for – including five appliances and in-suite laundry, as well as heated underground parking and structured wiring – Montage promises to be a sound investment for first-time buyers.

Two-storey addresses boast as many outdoor spaces to complement the well-appointed interiors. “Two balconies are a pretty unique feature,” says Scarrow, adding main-level residents also score a patio, while all owners enjoy their own front-door access.

While the stacked-townhome building form strays slightly from Hawthorne’s successful traditional Mosaic projects, Scarrow says she anticipates a huge response – especially if the lengthy registration list prior to this month’s launch is any indicator.

“It’s still going to appeal to our 25 to 34 demographic, but the nice thing with Montage is it opens up the market to even more buyers looking to get in and start building some equity.”

Townhouse plans range from 872 square foot one bedroom, to 944 square foot one bedroom and den to expansive 1,000 to 1,100 square foot two bedroom abodes – but with scores of combinations, virtually no two Montage digs will likely be identical.

“There are seven different upstairs configurations with one of the two-storey layouts,” says Scarrow, adding open-to-below choices are sure to appeal to those with lofty goals for their first home.

And while every Montage buyer nets the benefits of in-house laundry, two-storey homes also include the suite deal of second-floor laundry outside their bedrooms, adds Scarrow.

Condo fees take care of maintenance of common areas and take the guesswork out of monthly budgeting – heat and hot water are also included in monthly contributions. Indoor, heated parking comes with Montage ownership, as do storage lockers for owners, either in-house or underground, depending on the size of suites.

Condo shoppers can visit the sales centre (Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. and Fridays and weekends, noon to 5 p.m.), and even tour floor plans virtually via computer on-site. Meanwhile three show homes are slated to open before the end of the year, right around the time first Montage residents will cross thresholds to their McKenzie Towne addresses.  CL  

For more information or a map to the sales centre, visit http://www.hawthorne-homes.com and click on Montage McKenzie Towne under the Communities (Calgary) tab.