This high vantage point gives the three building complex unobstructed panoramic views of the Rockies, Fish Creek Park and Calgary’s downtown skyline. From regal architecture to premium amenities to matchless interiors, there is simply no better address.

“It’s a condo that thinks it’s a luxury hotel,” says Perera Marketing Director Judy Poole in describing this high profile, upscale project. It is at the border of the Shawnee Slopes Golf Course and Fish Creek Park, yet remains extremely accessible as it is near major routes, just off Macleod Trail and right next to the Fish Creek/Lacombe LRT station.

It prides itself as the suburban southwest’s only premium, concrete high-rise residences, with all the urban glamour and amenities and none of the blight. “We’re easily accessible from the core but we’re far enough that you don’t have to worry about overcrowding and other ills of downtown developments,” she adds.

But what really sets Highbury apart is the astonishing array of exotic appointments and finishes that are usually only found in top boutique hotels — including gourmet kitchens with wide, Caesar stone quartz countertops and luxurious spa-like bathrooms — that give each unit a sheen of international chic sophistication.

The gleaming kitchens set the tone for each unit with its contemporary flat-panel cabinetry with soft closes, fabulous Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances, and chic glass pendant lighting over the island.

Highbury comprises a collection of three condominium towers, and will include a mixture of one to three bedroom-plus-den condominiums and street level townhomes for a total of 240 premium residences. “The townhomes are very distinctive and are two-storey units that have a unique discretionary land use as live-work spaces,” Poole says.

“Highbury is inspired by classical modernism, its architecture combines timeless, quality building materials with simple, contemporary forms to convey sophisticated elegance present a powerful, yet elegant representation of a modern-day castle on the hill,” she adds.

The three-building complex sits on a 2.6 acre site, but what is remarkable is that the residences only take up 42 per cent of the entire area, with the rest devoted to a beautifully designed, landscaped park complete with a rose garden, fountains and cobblestone walking paths. “The units are designed to give owners the grandest views of the city and the surroundings with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, huge patios and decks and lush landscaping that brings this all together,” Poole says.

Although Highbury is designed to appeal to empty nesters, snowbirds and retirees, its plans do fit the broad spectrum of lifestyles from first-time home buyers up. “Because it is situated near older, more established nieghbourhoods, we get buyers from areas like Millrise and Shawnessy who want to downsize and still remain near familiar stomping grounds. We even have buyers who bought one of the larger units for themselves and got another smaller unit for their kids so they can stay near each other.”

Besides the apartment style units and townhomes, Highbury also has penthouses and sub-penthouses, which are all top-of-the-line units with customized finishes. “They’re the best of the best, and we will be having a special sales launch for these units in the fall when we open our penthouse sales centre.  The interest in these has been extremely high, with a registration list of over 60 buyers.”

The Highbury’s smallest available unit is 711 square-feet and the largest is a penthouse well over 3,500 square-feet. Poole says prices range from $300,000 to $3.4 million. “They are very affordable considering the value we offer. I’ve lived in Lake Bonavista for 26 years and I bought a unit here myself.”

It’s ease of living in the truest sense, with guest suites and managers’ suites, workshops and hobby rooms in the first building and even a pet wash. “It’s a pet-friendly building. Many of our buyers are downsizers and we want to let them know they don’t have to give up their pets to move here,” she points out. To top it all off, Highbury has an enviable in-house concierge service to cater to the whims of its residents.

“New is a virtual golf room where residents and their guests can enjoy hitting the links any time of the year,” Poole says.

Every conceivable amenity is at hand, including a fitness facility with state-of-the-art gym, cardio and weight training equipment, a rejuvenating hot tub and steam room. There is a theatre with stadium seating, luxury guest suites, a stylish lounge, a stunning outdoor terrace for relaxing or entertaining, a hobby room, conference room and much more. There are also four levels of parking that run underneath the complex. CL

Fast Facts
Community:     Shawnee Slopes
Project:     Highbury
Developer:     Perera Development
Style:     Apartment and townhomes
Size:     Starts at 711 square-feet
Price:     Starts at the $300,000 range
Address:    14359 Macleod Trail S.W.
Hours:    Mon to Thurs 2 to 8 p.m. | Weekends and Holidays noon to 5 p.m.
Website:     http://www.highburyliving.com