“If the traffic is bad, it might add another minute or two to my commute.  I may have to phone Susan to tell her I’ll be late!” he chuckles. “Someone told me to buy winter tires after we moved to Calgary—they were getting heavy!”

This is the second unit they have owned in The Estate, neighbouring The Ranchmen’s Club and across the street from the historic Lougheed House. Their first was on the seventh floor, purchased in 2002.  “It was the only one for sale at the time in The Estate,” says Susan of the 22nd-floor-unit they acquired in late 2005, which today bears little resemblance to its possession-day state. “We bought it, took possession in February 2006, renovated it from its original 1980s condition, and then eight months later moved in.”  Prominent Calgary designer, Douglas Cridland, his associate Rochelle Hunter and K&W Audio assisted in making their one-bedroom-plus den condominium contemporary and state-of-the-art.

Entering the stylish 2,000-square-foot suite, the level of planning and detail behind its design is clear. The open plan features integrated living and dining spaces, juxtaposed with privacy in the den and bedroom, the result of totally gutting the original layout and finishing.

“Douglas and Rochelle created the new floor plan with Rochelle then designing the built-in features including the desk unit, as well as most of the custom furniture and lighting.”  The den is the ultimate multi-tasker, holding roles from office and guest room to a private retreat, complete with its own full bath.  Sepele wood, reminiscent of mahogany, was used to craft the functional, yet beautiful desk and Murphy bed surround. Art work, created by the couple’s eldest son, is featured on many of the walls throughout the suite, and even in some of the common areas in The Estate. The kitchen features a massive island made of Caesar stone. Stainless steel appliances by Sub-Zero and Thermador are complemented by the sepele cabinets and the striking, no-fuss stainless steel subway tile backsplash.  Though not heated—save in the master ensuite, for really toasty tootsies in the morning—the limestone floors feel warm underfoot throughout the culinary hub.

Also on the agenda were electronic and media elements OO7 himself would envy.

“We wanted everything to be at the cutting edge, the forefront of technology and home theatre.” The team at K&W introduced Susan and Greg to Crestron, a fully-automated system which allows the pair to easily access any of four televisions (two of which emerge from custom cabinetry in the great room and master bedroom), a multitude of window blinds, music, including an iPod connection, as well as a spectrum of lighting options—a bright idea for those on different schedules. “There are wall-mounted controls on either side of the bed and at the touch of a button, Greg has lighting suited to what he needs in the morning,” says Susan.

When they have company, they use the “Night” button to illuminate guests’ route through common areas without being too bright.  “When we leave to go out at night, for example, just before we close the door, we press ‘Good-bye’ and all the lights go out.  It saves us from going room to room to shut everything off.”  The home has nine wall controls and four remotes.  “K&W suggested a computer monitor access, but I just love the remotes.”

Originally from the Vancouver area, work in oil and gas brought Greg to Calgary. “I was commuting for seven years, living in the Executive Suites, while Susan and our two sons continued to live in our 7,000-square-foot-home on three acres.”

In 1999, the decision was made for Susan to make the move from the family home.

“Our youngest son and his family stayed on in a newer home on the since-subdivided property in B.C. They love the acreage life,” she explains. “There are deer and the odd bear walks through the yard; there are two lakes within a 15-minute drive.”

Their eldest also followed the call of Calgary, and with his own young family, opted for the condo lifestyle as his parents had, living near the Elbow River, and enjoying many parks close by.

“We had large backyards for the boys to play in … I would spend a lot of time fertilizing and cutting the grass, not getting a lot of satisfaction from it.  The yard looked good, but I had no one to show it off to. The boys were here and there.  I started to think:  ‘Maybe I don’t really need this big house’,” muses Greg. Susan adds: “And he was only at the house on the weekends.”

So in 1999, they rented a penthouse in The Huntsman, bringing furniture from their home in B.C., but leaving the car behind. “We wanted to see if we could live in a condo,” says Susan.

Greg began to walk to and from work, and started to feel bettering the process. “We enjoyed walking to get our groceries, to get a haircut, to the doctor, as well as to the many restaurants in the downtown area. I noticed, too, in the early 1990s, there were hardly any cars on the roads at 6:30 p.m. No one seemed to live downtown.”

“Since 1999, we’ve seen people moving into the city. We were told that the majority of people that are moving into the centre of the city are from Toronto and Vancouver,” adds Susan.

It was their hunt for “a condo with a view” that first brought the pair to The Estates. “I looked at Eau Claire as well as some of the newer ones, but the older properties have more square-feet of living space,” says Susan.
“I started my own company after retiring, and my kids told me it was time I got a car,” says Greg, who parks it in one of their two underground stalls.

One of their companies, Criterion Residences, has a portfolio of high-end executive furnished suites in Vancouver and Calgary, boasting beautifully-finished suites for executives—some of which house traditional pieces from their homes in Anmore and Huntsman rental unit. “Our sons take care of this business,” says Greg.

Brand new custom contemporary furniture seemed a better fit for their modern revamp that’s as striking as its surroundings. “It’s beautiful at night up here,” says Susan of their 270-degree view of Stampede Park to the east, the Rocky Mountains and Nose Hill to the north and west, and the ever-changing city skyline.

“I love coming home,” says Greg. “I don’t have to do anything; I can just sit down.”  Father and son have their favourite chairs in the dining area and enjoy looking out at the city together. “Change keeps you vibrant. Living downtown keeps you vibrant.”