With a booming real estate market that sees new homes regularly priced over $450,000—paired with a lot of people immigrating to our city—it can be hard for first-time buyers to find an affordable solution that also meets all of their needs.

Heartland Homes has a solution with Eden in McKenzie Towne, a duplex development in Elgin Village. Many will prefer Eden to a downtown condo because of access to McKenzie Towne’s amenities, including parks and schools.

“It has all the benefits of a detached single-family home, things like a private back yard, room for a future garage and deck,” says Doug Owens, Heartland Homes’ business manager. “The only difference is that one wall is shared with your neighbour.”

Better yet, owners pay no condo fees. “It offers a price point option for people wanting to enter Calgary’s housing market, but looking for an option other than a detached single-family home,” says Kate Lario, Heartland Homes’ marketing manager. “The Eden homes are designed to be lived in. They are smaller which allows them to be a price point product, but have very well laid-out spaces and floor plan options so that they live much larger than they actually are.”

Heartland Homes now has two show homes for viewing at their sales centre (585 McKenzie Towne Drive S.E.). Both are built with the exterior Tudor 3 design, but with different interior floor plans. The first, the Rosa, demonstrates Eden’s standard features, carefully chosen to reflect the lifestyles of singles, couples and families. “The Eden product is ideal for younger couples or singles,” says Lario.

“There are floor plan options that accommodate a variety of living situations with options for families, singles, couples, or individuals wishing purchase alone and then have a roommate to help out with payments,” she adds. Scattered throughout the home are many mirrors of varying sizes, which increase the amount of natural light and serve to make the rooms look larger, a functional and ornamental decorating tip.

The main floor is open, with the great room at the front. The dark hardwood floor, one of the home’s few upgrades, flows seamlessly into the kitchen, and contrasts nicely with the lighter walls and fixtures. The kitchen features pre-finished oak cabinets, a tile back-­splash, a small centre island and a space dedicated for an eating area. A sliding door offers access to the back yard.

Upstairs the Rosa shows one of several upstairs floor plans, the three-bedroom with master ensuite. The other two bedrooms make ideal children’s rooms or an office, and the home shows one of each, plus a full bath.

Next door, the Caragana is geared at singles or roommates, with an edgier, darker design palette and sophisticated décor. This model also serves to showcase some of the many upgrades available to buyers.
As with the Rosa model, the great room is at the front of the house. In this plan, a half-wall partially separates it from the kitchen, and also doubles as a breakfast bar when stools are added. A tile-framed gas fireplace graces one wall, with room above for either a flat-screen TV or artwork.

The kitchen backsplash tile mirrors that around the fire-place, unifying the two adjacent rooms. Likewise, the cabinets are the same dark chocolate hue as the hardwood. One unique feature of the design is the optional bay window, complete with benches below for use at the eating area—making extra room in the kitchen and creating a sense of customization normally found in far more expensive homes. Off the kitchen is a convenient mudroom leading to the back entrance.

Upstairs, the Caragana demonstrates the double-master bedroom option, each boasting its own full ensuite and walk-in closet—also a good layout for roommates, as each person has personal space.
Heartland Homes also offers a third Eden model, the Aster. All three are available with a variety of upper-floor layouts to suit buyers’ needs.
Meanwhile, Eden residents get further personalization, thanks to seven European-style exterior styles, from classic Greek elevations to English Cottage. Square footage ranges from 1,116 to 1,152, and prices start in the low $300,000s. 

Photos by Joanne Chang