The community continues to rebuild as trendy boutiques and coffee shops begin to line more streets in the area. At the Rialto, contracted from Rivoalto (meaning deep stream), your lifestyle is luxury without compromise.

Calgary duo Lypstik & Funk Design Group, know exactly how to create a contemporary ambiance in a functional space.

“It’s all about the perception of a space and how you work within that area,” says Jennifer McMurray, the duo’s Funk. “The number one method is opening the space up. People don’t always need a lot more space, just the feeling of space.”

The once 14-, now 15-unit condominium has been completely restructured inside and out. The exterior of the building, once barren-looking and isolated from the Italian community, has been brought back to life thanks to Douglas Fir panelling imported from British Columbia.

“Basically the building’s outside was entirely refurbished. The outside’s original state needed a makeover,” says Doug McMurray, the duo’s Lypstik, who leads development and revitalization of the couple’s projects, while Jennifer is the interior design mastermind. “We wanted to update the appearance on the outside with a modern, yet simple décor, and that’s how we decided on the West Coast Contemporary theme.
Each suite, priced starting at $319,000, is modelled a little differently yet with the same theme in mind. There are ten one-bedroom suites at more than 500 square-feet; four two-bedroom suites, starting at over 600 square-feet; and a brand new 1,200-square-foot penthouse. On the inside the layout of the ’70s-era apartment has been modified with subtle tweaks in the design to create more space. In the show suite for example, the original wall that enclosed the kitchen has been removed.

“We took it out, opened it up and installed pot lights in the ceiling and added an island shaped the same as the ceiling above so it opens up the whole space and makes it functional as well as comfortable and updated,” says Jennifer. “The original wall was square, but we angled the door way into the bedroom in parallel with the island to open it up even more.”  Doug adds that the casings were a challenge because, in this design, it is imperative to make sure all angles are symmetrical in the space.

The entryways all sport decorative glass doors, the perfect accent to complement the common space when relaxing or entertaining, and open up the space with all of the natural light reflected through the windows and off of the doors. The windows invite natural light constantly. “It creates a better ambiance when you come out of the bedroom, and vice-versa. It opens up the area,” says Jennifer. “There are always different reasons for the design choices we make so that we can enhance the ambiance.”

With lots of closet space in the bedrooms, in-suite laundry, soaker tubs and glass vessel sinks in every suite, the Rialto’s theme is paralleled through its appliances and amenities as well. The suite’s continuity is impeccable and the contemporary colour palette of natural taupes, browns and blacks, allow for accent hues to be changed at any time, because of the neutral depths—making the Rialto translucent and functional.
“You don’t have to repaint every time the trends change, you can just modify the accent colours,” says Doug.

In the kitchen, the almost-black granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, Euro-style platinum-coloured cabinetry, exquisite smoke glass backsplash, built-in wine rack and natural hardwood flooring compliment the rest of the suite very nicely. Some suites are medium-coloured hardwood and all have their own unique flair, contributing to the community theme. From the penthouse, the view of the city skyline and Calgary Tower is breathtaking.

The bathroom, designed like a spa, is awash in beautiful jewel tile, an elegant glass sink, stainless toilet cover, and a natural travertine look. The jewel tile is also embedded into the face of the soaker bathtub.

Carpet in the common area is a deep obsidian, quite a dramatic effect with the lighter walls and contemporary door-side light fixtures. Only a few minutes from downtown and coffee shops and just a few blocks from Kensington and a quick drive to the airport, this development is truly in the heart of Calgary.

But the Rialto wasn’t always the Rialto. “Essentially we had to rebuild this frame—replace windows, heating and all basic infrastructure,” says Doug. “We had to design a new exterior to work with the old exterior and it was a matter of combining both to create a common medium.”

No longer an out-of-fashion, ’70s-designed building, the Rialto has come into its own as a sophisticated lifestyle choice.

“Today, people are moving into smaller spaces—they travel more, participate in more activities,” adds Christina Hagerty, Lypstik & Funk’s realtor. “People don’t want to be tied to domestic responsibilities, lifestyles are changing,” says Jennifer. “People need functional space, not more space.” 

For more information about the Rialto visit via http://www.calgarylofts.com