They’re attractive addresses to be sure, but certainly not an ideal choice for everyone. Where’s the 30+ crowd with an affinity for lower density urban living to turn?

If you happen to fall into that particular demographic, you’d be well advised to set your sights on neighbourhoods that lay north of Memorial Drive: The Bridges, Renfrew and Crescent Heights specifically. “These are the new, up and coming neighbourhoods in town,” says Chris Wein, VP Sales and Marketing at Assured Developments. “The locations are ideal – very central, within walking distance of downtown. They’re mature areas with big trees and quiet streets and they’ll be anchored by The Bridges’ new urban village, so it will be a really lively, vibrant area to live in.”

Assured is launching a distinctive new development in each of these northwest neighbourhoods in early 2007: Akoya in The Bridges Phase II, The Galleries at Renfrew, and Vox in Crescent Heights. Each project has its own unique flair and appeal, but all offer an amazing opportunity for exceptional urban living.

Akoya will be a jewel in The Bridges’ crown. The name, literally translated, means Perfect Pearl – a moniker purposefully chosen by Assured’s marketing team. “It will definitely be a landmark in the area,” Wein says of the development.

Located on the southwest corner of the community adjacent to the park, Akoya is an eight storey, 122-unit development offering three different but equally enticing home options: City Homes (two-storey, brownstone-style residences with private, front door access to the street; Sky lofts (two-storey, open concept condos with impressive 18-foot ceilings); and spacious apartment-style condos.

“Each of these homes has its own unique selling features,” says Wein. “The city homes are very metropolitan – the kind of thing you see in classic New York neighbourhoods or the Yorkville area of Toronto. The interaction with the street gives them a very urban feel. The ceilings in the sky lofts make them incredibly dramatic, while the condos offer the most selection in terms of layout.”

Homes in Akoya range from 600 to 2,000 square feet. Buyers will be able to choose between two interior design packages and will have the option to upgrade their selections with three spec levels – although many buyers may not see the need. “The base spec is stunning,” says Wein. “This is by no means an entry-level building.”

Akoya will be a LEED Certified building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Every effort will be made to minimize the environmental impact of the project as well as make it sustainable in the long term. High efficiency heating and cooling systems as well as state-of-the-art water conservation systems are among the many environmentally responsible additions to the project.

Just north of The Bridges is the community of Renfrew – a well established neighbourhood in the beginning stages of revitalization. Like Altadore before it, Renfrew is experiencing a major influx of in-fill development. The Galleries is among the first multi-family developments in Renfrew, comprising a remarkable grouping of 16 three-storey townhomes. “We wanted to offer buyers a viable option to duplexes in the area,” Wein says. “These homes are very upscale. They’re not your father’s Oldsmobile type of townhome. They truly are unlike anything Calgary has seen.”

The concept behind the development is reflected in the name. With expansive interior walls, extensive use of glass and modern, creative lighting, the homes at The Galleries are individual works of art. “This is the third Galleries project we’ve done in the city,” Wein says. “They’re all designed to look like art galleries, and we intentionally placed each of them in areas that have an artsy, bohemian feel.”

The Galleries at Renfrew is arranged in an inward facing square around a central garden courtyard. Each two bedroom townhome has its own underground garage and is stylishly affixed with hardwood flooring, stone detail and integrated European cabinetry. The art motif of the development will be taken one step further with the commissioning of an original work of art from an ACAD graduate to be placed in the courtyard for all residents to enjoy. Homes at The Galleries offer between 1,500 and 1,800 square feet of living space.

Last, but certainly not least, Vox in Crescent Heights brings landscape-integrated architectural design (reminiscent of properties in San Francisco) to northwest Calgary. This 81-unit development will fill an empty, sloping lot at the edge of Holly Park toward Edmonton Trail. Each building is terraced with the natural grade of the land, offering a spectacular, unencumbered line of sight. “There are incredible views to the south and east from this vantage point that will never be compromised,” says Wein. “You can see for miles, including the river valley and zoo. There are downtown views as well, which will become even more impressive with the revitalization of the East Village.”

Homes at Vox are apartment style condos ranging between 600 and 1,500 square feet with an interior design theme that Wein describes as, “Zen inspired”. “There’s definitely an Asian feel to this project,” he says. “We incorporated a lot of clean lines and simple, elegant fixtures. The word Vox is Latin for Voice, and we really believe this development speaks for itself.”

Watch for the Grand Opening of Assured Developments’ Urban Discovery Centre early next year, where each of these new projects will be showcased. In the mean time, priority registrations are being taken on-line at http://www.assuredhomes.com   CL