Esker Park opens show homes in historic landscape

Building upon its community development successes at Midtown in Airdrie, and in Calgary at Aspen Springs Estates, Aspen Acres Manor and the Enclave at the Hamptons, Shane Communities has launched its latest community development — Esker Park.

Located  in Calgary’s northwest, just north of 144th Avenue N.W., this intimate boutique community of 350 homes stands out for its cohesiveness and connection to the history of the land. Esker Park is named after a geologic formation, an esker — the long ridge formed by the sediment of a retreating glacier or ice sheet.

“There are glacier erratics in this area that trace all the way back to Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper,” says Chelsey Tattrie, marketing manager for Shane Homes Group of Companies. “We love that tie in to nature and history. Adding “Park” felt like the perfect complement, because at the heart of Esker Park is a central park where neighbours will gather, connect and build community. And, honestly, what excites us just as much is our tagline: Sculpted for Life. It captures both the natural story of the land and the way we’re shaping this community for people to live, grow and thrive.”

Although Shane Communities is no stranger to community making, it is shaping this one a little bit differently. Megan Bach, development manager for Shane Communities, refers to Esker Park as Shane Communities’ first “super community” as Shane Group of Companies is doing it all — both development and home design and build with Shane Homes as the exclusive builder.

“Esker Park is designed to be a neighbourhood that has community and heart at the centre of it. It has natural amenities and park fronting lots, with pathways and accessibility connecting every home,” says Bach.

At its core will be the central park featuring gathering spaces, play areas and seating. A naturalized environmental reserve will span the north end of the community. Walking paths will wind throughout the community connecting spaces and people.

Tattrie notes that because of the community’s insular design “there shouldn’t be any through traffic. The only people driving through are your neighbours, which gives a real sense of privacy and safety.”

Home designs in the community span the spectrum: front-drive garage homes, laned single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes. Architecture comprises several diverse styles including Arts and Crafts, Prairie, Transitional and Modern Farmhouse. Buyers can choose colours, materials and door finishes to personalize the look.

Six show homes are open for viewing, including two front-drive models (Katalina and Saffron II), two laned homes (Wilano II and Valencia) and two paired homes (Delta II and Cascade). Each home exudes its own design esthetic — the four-bedroom, 2,091-sq.-ft. Katalina offers a main floor flex room that can be used as a bedroom, music room or lounging space and its design takes inspiration from the 1970s with warm and organic elements woven throughout, while the Saffron II is perfect for multi-generational families, with spice kitchen, main floor bedroom and full bathroom and a secondary primary suite and ensuite on the second floor.

Light and breezy, the three-bedroom, 1,944-sq.-ft. Valencia laned home model has a cottage feel and plenty of space, including a main floor bedroom option, while the slightly smaller Vilano II, at 1,716 sq. ft., features a spacious open concept plan.

“The design is a moody modern look with some very fun and unique kids’ room themes,” says Tricha Hamstra, interior design manager at Shane Homes.

Dramatic and sleek, the Delta II paired home feels open and bright says Hamstra. At 1,696 sq. ft., it offers plenty of living space, plus a two-bedroom legal suite in the lower level. Coming in at close to the same square footage (1,644 sq. ft.), the Cascade is spacious and functional.

“It’s definitely a favourite model,” says Hamstra.

Duplex prices start in the $599,000s. The welcome centre and show home parade is located at 1616 Drystone Way N.W.   Show homes are open Monday through Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. and weekends and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.