Garden Towers, Downtown Calgary SW apartments for rent

City vacancy rate tightens By Marty Hope, Calgary Herald January 13, 2012 2:14 PM

2012-01-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

Growing migration and job creation tightened up Calgary’s rental market in 2011, says a survey.

The apartment vacancy rate in Calgary decreased to 1.9 per cent, down from 3.6 per cent in the previous year, says the most recent rental market survey by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

“Increased migration flows, supported by improving economic conditions and a return to robust job creation and lower unemployment, had increased demand for rental accommodations,” says senior market analyst Richard Cho of CMHC.

Most rental market zones in Calgary saw apartment vacancy rates decline in 2011 from the previous year, while others remained relatively stable.

The downtown zone had the lowest vacancy rate at one per cent in October, declining from 2.8 per cent a year earlier.

Meanwhile, other centres outside the city limits had one of the highest vacancy rates at 3.6 per cent.

For all bedroom types, the vacancy rate in 2011 declined from the previous year. Vacancies in October ranged from 1.8 per cent for one-bedroom units to 3.3 per cent for units with three or more bedrooms.

Despite the reduction in vacancies, the average rent in Calgary remained relatively stable.

Following a 2.6 per cent reduction from October 2009 to October 2010, rents for all apartment units in Calgary increased 1.8 per cent this October.

Bachelor suites and two-bedroom units had the strongest year-over-year gain in same-sample rents, both up 1.9 per cent from October 2010.

Overall, the average two-bedroom rent in the Calgary area was $1,084 this October, up from $1,069 in October 2010.

Downtown had the highest average two-bedroom monthly rent, reaching $1,214 in October 2011, while it was $1,173 during the same month last year.

The lowest average two-bedroom rent was in the southeast at $947 per month, while in outlying communities such as Airdrie it was $944.

These two zones also had among the lowest average two-bedroom rent in the October 2010 survey.

The vacancy rate for rental condo apartments remained relatively unchanged from the previous year at 5.7 per cent in 2011.

“Although overall rental demand has been supported by improving economic conditions, factors such as heightened condominium supply and tenants moving into homeownership have kept the vacancy rate among condominium rentals from moving lower,” says Cho.

The average condo rent in CMHC’s October survey was $1,378 per month, up from $1,355 in 2010.

In the other secondary rental market, the number of renter households reached 54,878 in October compared to 53,312 in the same month in 2010.

mhope@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

vacancy

2011-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

The Calgary rental market continues to strengthen with vacancy rates in October at 1% compared to last year's 2.8%.

Facebook page

2011-11-30T15:23:00.001-08:00

Start interacting with other tenants through our facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1800801548

Alberta forecast to be only province with increase in housing starts

2011-11-22T09:59:00.001-08:00

CALGARY — Alberta will be the only province next year to buck the national trend for housing starts across the country.

According to an October 2011 Housing Forecast report released Tuesday by Altus Group, only Alberta is expected to see an increase in housing starts in 2012.

Subdued economic growth will take the “sizzle” out of Canadian housing starts in 2012 and deteriorating global economic conditions leading to lower Canadian growth expectations will constrain housing demand across the country, said the report.

“Based on recent data, the Canadian housing sector is performing at a very high level, with elevated housing starts, steady prices, and steady resale markets. Interest rates are also no longer expected to increase over the next year,” said Peter Norman, chief economist, Altus Group. “But at the same time a number of risk factors are emerging, especially deteriorating economic conditions and tighter mortgage rules. Canadians can expect lower levels of housing construction in most areas of the country next year.”

But the report said Alberta has seen job conditions and interprovincial migration rise sharply this year at the expense of Ontario and British Columbia, positively affecting housing demand next year.

Alberta will see housing starts in 2012 rise to 27,800 units from 24,881 this year. In 2010, there were 27,088 housing starts in the province.

Across Canada, housing starts will hit 192,000 units this year and dip to 181,600 units in 2012. There were 189,930 starts in 2010.

The Altus Group report said only Calgary and Edmonton, among major markets in Canada, will see a rise in housing starts next year. Calgary will jump to 9,400 units from 8,400 in 2011 while Edmonton will see a rise to 9,400 units as well from 8,900 this year.

In 2010, Calgary had 9,300 housing starts while Edmonton had 10,000.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Expanding economy to drive demand for housing in Calgary region: CMHC

2011-11-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

Demand for housing in the Calgary region is expected to increase next year as the economy expands, creating jobs and attracting more people here, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

MLS residential sales this year are expected to end the year at 22,200 units, an increase of 5.7 per cent from 20,996 in 2010, says the CMHC in its latest housing market outlook. released Friday.

Sales in the Calgary census metropolitan area in 2012 are anticipated to rise another 2.3 per cent to 22,700 units.

With elevated listings relative to sales, average price growth has been modest in 2011, says the CMHC report.

The average price for 2011 is forecast to be $402,000, up 0.8 per cent from 2010.

“As the supply in the resale market moves lower and conditions become more balanced, stronger price growth is expected next year. In 2012, the average price is anticipated to rise 2.2 per cent to $411,000,” it said.

Total housing starts in the Calgary CMA are on pace to decrease this year before rising next year.

“After a lower level of activity this year, new construction in 2012 is anticipated to rise as job creation, stronger net migration, and low mortgage rates support the housing market,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for the CMHC.

Total housing starts next year are forecast to increase 11 per cent to 9,400 units, with gains in both the single-detached and multi-family markets.

Single-detached starts are forecast to reach 5,000 units this year, down 14 per cent from 5,782 units in 2010.

“Builders will encounter less competition from the resale market next year as listings moderate,” said Cho.

Single-detached starts are forecast to increase 10 per cent from 5,000 units in 2011 to 5,500 units in 2012. Following a 126 per cent gain in 2010, housing starts in the multi-family market, which include semi-detached units, rows, and apartments, have moderated this year, with some segments busier than others.

In 2011, multi-family starts are forecast to total 3,500 units, up 0.6 per cent from 3,480 units in 2010. Multi-family starts are projected to rise 11.4 per cent to 3,900 units in 2012.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

The daycare in Garden Towers

2011-09-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

You can learn more about the independently owned and managed day care at http://www.littletreasuresinc.net/

Canada's most expensive city

2011-07-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/toronto-surpasses-vancouver-most-expensive-city-canada-173337541.html

Check out the trend in Calgary's rental rates & vacancy.

2011-07-11T13:55:00.001-07:00

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Rental+rates+drop+four+year/5077476/story.html

Canada Post

2011-06-27T11:18:00.001-07:00

You can expect mail in your post box tommorrow...wonderful news!

Canada bank rate hike

2011-05-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Markets appear to be of the opinion that the rate will be kept the same tomorrow which is good news for the housing market.

Interesting article in the Globe & Mail.

2011-04-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

GEORGE ATHANASSAKOS

Signs point to a severe housing correction in Canada

GEORGE ATHANASSAKOS | Columnist profile | E-mail

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Published Sunday, Apr. 10, 2011 7:32PM EDT

Last updated Monday, Apr. 11, 2011 10:16AM

The resilience of the Canadian housing market has confounded experts. While other property markets around the world have plunged, real estate prices in this country continue to reach new heights.

If the Canadian housing market does falter, the impact on the economy will be profound. Consumer spending and housing investment will feel the pain, and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp., which provides mortgage loan insurance, will face substantial losses.

Some believe that low interest rates, solid banks, a growing economy, abundant natural resources and a relatively conservative mortgage market (at least compared to the United States) will all continue to support Canadian housing prices. Optimists argue that the runup in Canadian home prices has been based on strong demand from homeowners, while construction in the U.S. ran well ahead of actual demand and was fuelled by speculators.

But there’s another side to this debate. I believe that Canada’s high house prices in relation to incomes, combined with record household debt levels and overinvestment in residential construction, will cause a severe correction in the real estate market.

Home prices are simply way out of line, especially when viewed in relation to household income. The ratio of house prices to income has historically averaged about 3.5 in Canada. It now stands at about 5.5. It is difficult to see how income growth in the future can bring this ratio close to the historical average within any reasonable period – so it follows that house prices will have to decline.

Signs of stress are already evident, especially when you look at household debt levels. In recent years, the gap between house prices and income has been bridged through borrowing. The average Canadian family debt hit $100,000 in 2010. About 17,400 households are behind in their mortgage payments, representing an increase of nearly 50 per cent since the start of the last recession.

No Soft Landing Here

The current consensus is that Canada’s real estate market has achieved a “soft” landing and that prices will flat line but not decline substantially over the next several years. I disagree. The housing market in Canada is already in bubble territory. Average house prices have doubled in the last 10 years, while rents have risen by only about 30 per cent. The ratio of house prices to rent is now higher in Canada than in any other developed country.

An even more powerful indicator also points to a severe housing correction in Canada. Residential housing investment as a percentage of GDP was 6.48 per cent in 2009, down slightly from 6.76 per cent in 2008, after peaking at 7.13 per cent in 2007. The previous peaks were at 7.26 per cent in 1976 and 7.18 per cent in 1989 – and we know what happened to the housing market in Canada in the early 1980s and early 1990s. After residential housing investment as a percentage of GDP peaked in the previous two cycles, the housing market crashed within a few years.

I believe we are running out of time. By way of a comparison, this ratio peaked at about 6.1 per cent in the U.S. in the mid-2000s at the height of its housing bubble, and toward the end of the 1980s in Japan, when that country was nearing the end of its own property boom. Both countries experienced sharp declines in housing prices soon afterward. (I should mention that the ratio stands at 6.0 per cent in China at the end of 2010 – no wonder there is talk of a bubble in the Chinese housing market.)

Canada is past the point of no return. What has propped up the housing market in Canada and delayed the correction is artificial demand from Asian investors. While it is not clear when this demand will dry up, it eventually will. Once it does, watch out.

The ratio of residential investment to GDP has provided a powerful leading indicator of housing corrections around the world and in Canada during past cycles. The question is, why would it not work this time around? I am willing to listen.

Great weather for the weekend.

2011-04-08T16:19:00.001-07:00

They are promising us great weather for the weekend. Lets go out and enjoy it.....

Japan's tsunami and its impact on our economy

2011-03-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

All commodity prices have fallen, the stock market continues to slide and there has been a rush to US treasuries which are regarded as risk averse. The Australian currency which was performing the most strongly vs the US$ has experienced the sharpest correction. These are short term moves and will correct as Japan moves to build the affected regions. The human tragedy unfolding is quite another story and it is heartbreaking to watch the scenes of devastation. A nuclear meltown will compound their problems.

I think we are all looking at those scenes on our screens and are in awe of nature's power. Those of us who live on the West coast are going to experience a similar earthquake in the next 100 years and it is truly chilling to wonder if we would cope with the grace and resilience of the Japanese people.

The nuclear threat that has been evident in Fukushima power plant is certainly going to be a boost for our gas and oil exports as demand for conventional energy will soar and countries regard a nuclear option as an unacceptable risk.

Let us hope for a miracle at Fukushima. It is not looking good as I write this post.

Downtown office activity is a positive sign for the local economy

2011-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

CALGARY - Record leasing activity in the downtown office market in 2010 means job growth isn't far behind, says a commercial real estate expert.

John Savard, vice-president of CITI Commercial Real Estate Services, said absorption of office space in the central business district hit 2.6 million square feet last year - four times the 10-year average of 640,000 square feet.

He said the average tenant occupies about 300 square feet per employee therefore the downtown area will employ an additional 8,667 jobs are a result of the leasing activity.

"When groups take on space, it means there's planned hiring," said Savard. "You don't take on office space without a plan to hire people."

He said the demand in office space has been fuelled by the heavy oil industry, service companies and engineering firms.

Calgary's downtown office vacancy rate dipped to a low of 0.5 per cent in 2006 but then climbed to 15.7 per cent in 2009, said Savard. It ended 2010 at 14.4 per cent.

CITI is projecting the downtown vacancy rate to be 14 per cent this year and 12 per cent in 2012 despite the addition of the massive Bow tower project, and its 1.7 million square feet, and Eighth Avenue Place, and its one million square feet, to the office inventory.

Savard said the job growth stemming from the leasing activity will have a spinoff effect as more amenities will be needed for them and more positions will therefore be created as well.

The amount of occupied office space in the city's core hit a peak of 33.6 million square feet in 2007, said Savard, and it's projected to climb to 35.7 million square feet in 2012 - above the amount when Calgary experienced its economic boom.

"How could anyone have anticipated four times the historical absorption of space (last year)?" said Savard. "And all of that with severely depressed gas prices."

He said the demand for jobs will impact net migration with more people moving to the city which will also create more demand in Calgary's housing market.

According to Statistics Canada, Calgary's unemployment rate was 6.0 per cent in January, the same as the previous month. The Calgary census metropolitan area saw an increase of 3,200 jobs from December but the number of people employed remained 4,000 below the level of January 2010.

Moving to Calgary?

2011-01-31T12:16:00.000-08:00

If you are moving to Calgary from somewhere else in Canada or perhaps from an international destination it may help you to know that you can rent furniture packages for a short time (until you can go shopping!) so that you have an apartment in Calgary ready for you to move into on your arrival..

Our rents include heat, water & power. All you need to do is speak to Telus about your internet, cable and telephone.

Suite life under review by Mike Grondin, Weal Writer

2011-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

An alliance of Calgary students’ associations is asking city hall to review the current legislation regarding secondary suites.

SAITSA president Courtney Garlough said the Calgary Student Caucus sent a letter last Thursday to the Calgary councillors asking the council to make secondary suites a priority, and stating that the rules need to be revised.
“In a city like Calgary, where there are so many post-secondary institutes and a lack of affordable housing, I think it’s definitely time that the situation is re-evaluated,” said Garlough.
In Calgary’s costly rental market, illegal secondary suites are a cheaper option for both tenants and homeowners alike. However, some of these basement, garage and attic dwelling spaces are unregulated for proper living.
“There needs to be a higher level of standards to ensure the safety of everybody, and we need to make access to inspections a little easier,” said Garlough.
During a Jan. 11 visit to SAIT campus, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said a revision of regulations for secondary suites is underway, and will be presented to council in the months to come.
“One thing I’m really, really keen on is legalizing secondary suites across the city, so that the tenants who live in those suites have certain protections and safety,” said Nenshi.
“The problem we have right now is that these suites operate outside of the regulatory environment,” Nenshi said. “Under my proposal, we would have the ability to make these homes safe.”
He said the main goal is to ensure each living space in the city meets the Alberta Building Code’s safety requirements, as well as giving residents the ability to seek assistance and options when it comes to where they live.
“If someone complains that a building is unsafe, the only mechanism we have is to shut the suite down,” he said. “My proposal will give us the ability to work with landlords and residents so that people are living properly.”
Garlough said it needs to be easier for everyone – not just students – to find affordable housing.

Rental Total Declines Calgary Herald January 15, 2011

2011-01-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

The number of rental apartments in Calgary declined for the seventh consecutive year in 2010, says a federal agency.

There were 35,512 units in the city, down from 36,174 units in 2009, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Conversions of rental units to condos, combined with fewer newly completed rental buildings, have been the main contributors to the decline "for the last number of years," says senior market analyst Richard Cho of CMHC.

While apartment condo conversions declined for three consecutive years after reaching a peak in 2007, condo conversions have continued to surpass apartment rental completions.

In the first 10 months of 2010, 241 apartment rental units were completed.

However, 238 of those units were earmarked for social housing and were thus not added to the traditional rental stock. The remaining three units were purpose-built for the rental market.

Sign of recovery seen in rising rent Calgary vacancy rates to decline as economy gains strength By Marty Hope, Calgary Herald January 15, 2011

2011-01-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

It's a sign of a recovering economy: the Calgary rental housing sector is gaining traction, says a federal agency.

Rent is going up slightly and vacancies are tightening, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

After seeing a decline of $30 in the average monthly rent for two-bedroom apartments last fall, Calgarians will likely see an increase of $31 per month by this fall, it says.

In its rental market survey of more than 35,000 apartments in October, CMHC found two-bedroom apartments were fetching $1,069 per month on average, down from $1,099 in 2009.

By this fall, the forecast is for an increase to $1,100 per month.

The results of the 2010 survey show that Calgary's two-bedroom rent of $1,069 per month is the third highest in Canada behind Vancouver at $1,195 per month and Toronto's $1,123 per month.

There will likely be fewer vacant apartments this fall, says senior market analyst Richard Cho of CMHC.

The citywide vacancy rate is forecast to settle at about 3.6 per cent -- about the same as 2010, but well below 2009's 5.3 per cent.

"Of the 35,512 privately owned apartments surveyed, we found the number of vacant units decreased from 1,935 in 2009 to 1,291 in 2010," says Cho, adding the figure will remain fairly constant this year.

David McIlveen, director of community developments for Boardwalk Rental Communities, expects 2011 to be "flat" in terms of vacancy and rental costs.

Boardwalk is the largest private landlord in the city, with an estimated 5,000 rental units in Calgary. Only the City of Calgary controls more rental units.

"Our vacancy rate will stay the same as 2010 at about three per cent and rent rates won't go up or down by much," says McIlveen, adding boardwalk's rent citywide averages $977 per month.

Among Calgary tenants is Kim Leriger, who considers herself a career renter.

"I have been renting for 15 years, 10 of those with Boardwalk," says the single mom.

Along with 10-year-old Nicolas, she has an apartment in northeast Calgary. "I like the lifestyle," she says.

Prior to finding rental accommodation in Calgary, Leriger rented in Airdrie and Banff.

Why not buy? "As an extremely busy single mom, I don't really have the time to do the things needed if I owned a home."

Gerry Baxter, executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association has his own unofficial vacancy numbers for 2010.

"Based on what I hear from our members, I would still peg the vacancy rate at around five per cent or so," he says.

"I expect to see some downward moderation in the vacancy rate for this year while rents will remain relatively stable. If there are rent increases, I expect them to be small."

The sector began to notice an easing in the marketplace about midway through 2010 that "seemed tied to the economic recovery" that was beginning to take hold, says Baxter.

But just as quickly, the recovery sputtered with the arrival of autumn.

"I believe that overall, the market improved slightly in the second half and has plateaued -- and I'm cautiously optimistic that this year will be better than 2010," says Baxter.

Boardwalk's McIlveen says that in 2010 vacancy rates and rent rates declined in response to economic conditions and supply and demand.

"In fact, our market rent -- what a tenant pays for a new one-year lease -- has come down a couple of hundred dollars per month," he says.

Although the decline in in-migration has had an impact, McIlveen says the biggest factor affecting Boardwalk has been the "one-off investor who can't sell their condo and puts it into the rental pool."

Cho says rental demand this year will be sustained as the economy gradually improves.

"Improvements in labour market conditions and recent gains in provincial net migration have contributed to higher rental demand," he says. "In addition, with rental rates moderating from the previous year and real estate prices in Calgary easing since the spring, the motivation for tenants to move into homeowner-ship has moderated."

CMHC reports the average two-bedroom rent declined for the second consecutive year as vacancy rates, although moving lower, remained elevated by historical standards.

"However, the decline has been enough to remove some incentives from the market that tenants enjoyed prior to the October survey.

Since the 2009 fall survey, landlords and property owners have adjusted monthly rents and offered various incentives to attract tenants," says Cho.

In addition to the vacancy rate, CMHC also has what it calls an "availability rate." A rental unit is considered available if the existing tenant has given notice of a move and a new tenant has not signed a lease, or the unit is vacant.

The availability this past October was pegged at 5.8 per cent compared with 7.5 per cent in 2009.

McIlveen uses the term turnover rate which he says gives a better picture of what is happening in the marketplace.

"Most tenants are a little more transient and we have turnover rate of 40 to 50 per cent per year. That would suggest that there are as many as 1,500 units available for rent over the course of the year that are never considered vacant," he says.

DID YOU KNOW?

As was the case among rental apartment units, demand for townhouse units also improved in 2010, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. In its October rental market survey, CMHC found the overall vacancy rate for townhouse units decreased from 4.7 per cent in October 2009 to 3.7 in 2010. The North Hill area had the lowest overall vacancy rate at 2.4 per cent and the southeast had the highest at 5.7 per cent. Of the 10 zones surveyed, there were two zones that did not report a year-over-year decline in the vacancy rate. Vacancies in the southeast remained unchanged at 5.7 per cent, while the vacancy rate in the northeast increased 0.3 per cent to 4.6. Zones that experienced the largest change in vacancies were North Hill and southwest, declining by 7.4 and 4.4 percentage points from the previous year, respectively.

Calgary job growth to improve in 2011 Unemployment rate to fall By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald

2010-11-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

CALGARY - Job growth is expected to gradually strengthen into 2011 as economic activity improves, says a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

In its Housing Market Outlook, the CMHC said changes to the provincial royalty framework and sustained energy prices are expected to attract more investment and support employment growth.

In 2011, employment is forecast to rise 1.8 per cent in the Calgary region.

"Calgary's unemployment rate peaked at 7.6 per cent in May 2010, reaching its highest level since 1996," said the housing market outlook.

"With the economy steadily improving and employment rising, the unemployment rate is forecast to average seven per cent in 2010 and decline to 6.4 per cent in 2011."

Net migration for the Calgary census metropolitan area is forecast to rise from 14,000 in 2010 to 15,000 in 2011.

In its report, the CMHC predicts MLS sales in the Calgary CMA to increase by 2.0 per cent next year to 20,700 units while the average sale price will rise by 0.5 per cent to $401,000.

When the market peaked in 2007, there were 32,176 MLS sales for an average price of $414,066.

The agency is forecasting single-detached starts to rise by 3.4 per cent in 2011 to 6,100 units while multi-family starts will fall by 2.2 per cent to 8,900.

In 2007, there were 7,777 single-detached starts in the Calgary region and 5,728 multi starts.

"In 2011, new construction will increase at a modest rate as the economy gradually improves, supporting growth in employment and net migration," said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for the CMHC.

"Housing market conditions will improve in 2011, but the gains may be a bit subdued in the early months of the year as the market transitions from buyers to balanced levels and competition from the resale market continues to moderate. The pace of sales in will be more reflective of the trends in the primary drivers of housing demand such as employment and wage growth as well as net migration. These factors are expected to continue improving as economic activity expands."

Calgary's rental apartment vacancy rate is forecast to decline from 5.3 per cent in October 2009 to 4.9 per cent this year. With improving economic conditions next year, the vacancy rate is expected to fall to four per cent in 2011, said the CMHC.

The average rent in Calgary is expected to decline as vacancy rates remain elevated. In October, the average two-bedroom room was estimated at $1,090 per month, nine dollars lower than the previous year. The CMHC said fewer incentives will be offered in the market as demand continues to improve. With vacancies declining in 2011, and fewer incentives being offered, the average two-bedroom rent will rise to $1,100 per month by October 2011, it said.

The CMHC is presenting its forecast today in Calgary at the Housing Outlook Conference.

A Provincial Outlook report by the Conference Board of Canada, released today, says Alberta's economy will enter another period of prolonged growth starting in 2011. The province is expected to create nearly 60,000 new jobs next year, which-when combined with steady growth in wages and salaries-will keep consumer spending solid.

"The tighter labour market also means that Alberta will re-emerge as a destination of choice for Canadians searching for jobs, allowing net interprovincial migration to regain some of the momentum it lost over the recession," said the conference board.

Boosted by a swift rebound in the drilling industry, real GDP in Alberta is expected to advance by 3.6 per cent in 2010, it predicted, adding that economic growth in the province would be 2.8 per cent in 2011.

The conference board said labour markets will continue to tighten as the economy is expected to generate 66,000 new jobs in 2012.

"The combination of strength in the service sector and strong growth in goods production - led by the energy sector - will push real GDP up 4.1 per cent in 2012."

Tax Breaks to increase rental housing - this sounds like a good idea.

2010-10-06T13:03:00.001-07:00

Tax breaks needed to create more rental housing, says study
Report blames tax changes and lack of social housing programs for current problems
Shane Bigham Sep 21, 2010 17:51:51 PM

CALGARY (NEWS1130) - Tax breaks and incentives for landlords. That's how you stimulate the development of new rental housing units, according to a new study from the University of Calgary.

In part, the study blames tax changes in the 80s and the shutdown of social housing programs by the federal government in the 90s for the affordability problem seen in Vancouver and in major markets across the country.

Co-author Marion Steele says tax breaks for landlords would stimulate development of new rental units.

"A program like this has been in effect in the U.S. for almost 25 years. All of their affordable housing, virtually, comes from that program," she says.

She says only federal politicians can make implement a similar program.

Meanwhile, a new report released by the Carnegie Community Action Project suggests it's almost impossible for people on welfare to afford housing in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Wendy Pedersen with the project says the amount of affordable hotel rooms for those on social assistance has gone down dramatically.

"This year only 12 per cent of those privately-owned hotel rooms are renting for what people on welfare and seniors on pensions can afford," she says.

The group says only 29 per cent of hotel rooms are affordable. It wants more social housing designated for the Downtown Eastside.

Calgary leads top cities for investment

2010-08-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

When investing in real estate, sometimes it’s necessary to look beyond your own backyard. The Real Estate Investment Network ( REIN), a national organization of investors, has compiled what it says are the top 10 Canadian cities in which to invest. Don Campbell, president of REIN, says the results are based on factors such as planned transportation improvements, or if the area’s average income, population and job growth are increasing faster than provincial averages.

1. Calgary

Calgary is “ poised to out perform the average by a wide margin,” says Campbell, making it the top-ranked city. After two years of declining average resale housing prices, the CMHC has predicted they will increase year-over-year in 2010. The REIN report credits the downturn to a muchneeded correction, and that it was “ economically impossible for the [ Calgary] market to continue at the pace at which it was heading.” But now that it is coming out of the recession, along with economies elsewhere, Calgary’s strengths in producing food, fuel and fertilizer will boost its growth.

2. Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Ont.

REIN refers to Canada’s Technology Triangle as the “ economic Alberta of Ontario.” That means KWC is not only seen as the economic engine of the new Ontario economy, but also that it “ will outperform all other major regions in Eastern Canada,” Campbell says.

3. Edmonton

Edmonton sits near the top of the report’s list because of its future potential. Calling it a “ perennial overachieving market,” REIN says the city is a “ growing market, [ with] an increasing population, and a forward-looking leadership.” It will also be the main benefactor of energy development in Western Canada, resulting in a “ very affordable, strong rental market with strong in-migration from across Canada.”

4. Surrey

B. C.’ s second-largest city is growing so fast it could become even bigger than Vancouver. “ Just a decade ago, it was known as the punch line to many a joke,” Campbell says. But with two border crossings to the United States, links to five major highways, deep sea docks and four railways, Surrey is a prime location to do business, he says.

5. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

The TransLink and Gateway Project infrastructure improvements have made these B. C. towns the “ most accessible regions in the Lower Mainland,” the report says. They’ve come a long way, Campbell says. The unofficial motto of Maple Ridge used to be “ You can’t get there from here.” As a result of poor infrastructure in the past, property values have been historically low in this area. But with the improvements, it’s predicted an additional 400 business will move into the area, REIN says. 6. Hamilton, Ont. 7. St. Albert, Alta. 8. Barrie & Orillia, Ont. 9. Red Deer, Alta. 10. Winnipeg

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Family centric Calgary Stampede

2010-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Calgary Stampede this year is family centric. To this end they are trying to keep prices reasonable.Ticket prices are $14 for those between the ages of 13-64 and $7 for those between 7-12. If you are under 6 years of age admission is free. Ticket prices do include a number of free activities and exhibits.

There are also options to get free tickets. On family days(July 14) you can get in between 6-9 am free. Some 12 pack of Coca Colas include coupons with a free kids ticket

We are ready to party for the Calgary Stampede....

2010-07-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

http://calgarystampede.com/

Its party time in Calgary with the Calgary Stampede. We are joining in on the action with an Annual Stampede Pancake Breakfast on July 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Come and join us - it promises to be a lot of fun!

Send us any pictures you take so that we can all enjoy them....

Our experience is completely different....

2010-06-28T15:21:00.001-07:00

We are buckling the trend in Calgary...we have no vacancies and have a waiting list. We are obviously doing a good job keeping our tenants happy. Thanks to all the staff and tenants at Garden Towers for making our building a special case in Calgary.

Apartment rental rates dropping, vacancies rising, in Calgary: CMHC

2010-06-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

CALGARY - The average rental apartment vacancy rate in Calgary has risen from a year ago but rent has also declined, according to the spring Rental Market Survey released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

The agency said Calgary’s vacancy rate went from 4.3 per cent in April 2009 to 5.3 per cent in April of this year.

At the same time, average rent for a two-bedroom apartment fell to $1,082 from $1,106.

Nationally, the survey of Canada’s 35 major centres, saw the vacancy rate increase slightly to 2.9 per cent from 2.7 per cent.

“Rental construction and competition from the condominium market added upward pressure on vacancy rates and historically low mortgage rates attracted renter households towards home ownership over the last year,” said Bob Dugan, chief economist at CMHC, said in a news released.

Results of this survey reveal that, in April 2010, the centres with the lowest vacancy rates were Quebec City (0.4 per cent), Regina (0.8 per cent), Winnipeg (1.0 per cent), and St. John’s (1.1 per cent). At a provincial level, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador posted the lowest vacancy rates at 1.0 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively.

The centres with the highest vacancy rates were Windsor (12.4 per cent), Peterborough and Abbotsford (6.6 per cent each). The provincial vacancy rate was on the rise in Alberta at 6.0 per cent this April, versus 4.6 per cent in April 2009.

The highest average monthly rents for two-bedroom apartments in new and existing structures were in Vancouver ($1,150), Toronto ($1,134), Calgary ($1,082), and Ottawa ($1,061). These four centres had average rents at or above $1,000 per month, although Victoria and Edmonton were very close, at $999 and $994, respectively. The lowest average monthly rents for two-bedroom apartments in new and existing structures were in Saguenay ($522), Trois-Rivieres ($531), and Sherbrooke ($556).
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

National Geographic's top 10 things you can do to help save the ocean

2010-06-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

- Reduce your carbon footprint and energy consumption by switching to fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs instead of the elevator and use a fan or put on a sweater instead of relying on the thermostat

- Make educated seafood choices before shopping or dining out

- Avoid purchasing plastic products and instead try a reusable water bottle, non-disposable containers and a cloth tote for shopping

- Help upkeep the beach by cleaning up after yourself and participate in local beach cleanups (such as Surfriders or Junior Surfriders)

- Don't buy items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories and shark products that contribute to the deterioration of those populations

- Be an ocean-friendly pet owner by reading pet food labels, not flushing cat litter down the toilet and avoid the release of aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water

- Support organizations that help protect the ocean either financially or by volunteering

- Practice responsible boating, kayaking and canoeing actions by never throwing anything overboard, and do some research on the marine life that surrounds you. Try to find an eco-friendly option for a leisure cruise

- Learn as much as you can about marine life and the major issues it faces today and share that knowledge with those around you
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Ready, Set, Grow

2010-06-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Calgary is not only a good place to live, but one that is positioned to grow, especially the downtown core, says an inner-city real estate expert.

"It's a clean, new and safe downtown," says Calvin Buss, president of Buss Marketing.

These opportunities for lifestyle and economic growth will attract people to the city and, in particular, to inner-city living:

-Calgary has the second highest number of head offices in Canada;

-It has the highest amount of commercial office space per capita in North America;

-It has the largest pathway system on the continent, including along two rivers that run through the heart of the city;

-The largest percentage of a workforce on the continent (29 per cent) works in the downtown core;

-The city has one of the youngest populations. In 2006 Calgarians had the second lowest median age in Canada -- 35.4 years. Only Saskatoon's was lower at 35.1, according to Statistics Canada;

-The downtown core is diverse with not only retail and office space in abundance, but more housing, parks such as Prince's Island, the zoo, the Saddledome, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as the two rivers and a rapid transit system that runs through the heart of the city.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Unbelievable exhibit opening soon.

2010-04-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.calgaryherald.com/interactive/bodyworks/index.html

Calgary winter snow warning

2010-04-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Environment Canada has warned Calgarians to expect 10 to 20 cms of snow by thursday evening.

Calgary GDP to zoom ahead in 2011 By Lisa Schmidt, Calgary Herald; with files from Canwest News Service April 8, 2010

2010-04-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Calgary's economy is on the rebound and set to outpace the rest of the country next year, a new forecast says.

In its spring outlook, the Conference Board of Canada predicts the city will post 2.8 per cent economic growth this year, down from an earlier forecast of three per cent.

Stronger construction and services activity is expected to help the city recover from last year's downturn in the energy sector, the report said.

The latest forecast puts Calgary in the middle of the pack among the 13 major Canadian cities this year. But in 2010 the city will jump to the head of the pack with 4.4 per cent growth as a recovery in the oilpatch takes a firmer hold.

The outlook is more optimistic than other recent forecasts, including one from Calgary Economic Development, which expects a much slower pace of growth of 0.8 per cent to 1.2 per cent.

The conference board report also said the Olympic flame will continue to contribute to the healthy glow in Vancouver's economy through the rest of this year, with the boost from the Winter Games helping it outpace all other Canadian cities in terms of economic growth.

The Olympics pumped an estimated $600 million into the West Coast city's economy, the Conference Board said in its latest metropolitan outlook, which forecasts growth for 13 Canadian cities.

"The Olympic Games provided a big, even if temporary, boost to retail trade, arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodation and food services in Vancouver," Mario Lefebvre, the Conference Board's director of municipal studies, said in a statement.

"All in all, the Olympics injected about $600 million into the Vancouver economy, lifting growth by about 0.8 percentage points," said Lefebvre.

"On top of that, demand for new homes in Vancouver began to recover at the end of last year, and that momentum has carried over into the first couple months of 2010."

Halifax, the only city in the board's survey to have posted GDP growth amid the economic downturn last year, will move to the middle of the pack this year, with growth of 2.5 per cent, as larger cities benefit more from a recovery in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and -- in 2010, at least -- continued federal stimulus spending, the board said.

Toronto and Hamilton, hit particularly hard by the recession, will take second and third place, respectively, behind Vancouver. The board forecasts 3.7 per cent growth in Toronto and 3.3 per cent in Hamilton.

Victoria is in fourth place with expected growth of 3.2 per cent in 2010 based on renewed demand in the services sector, increased consumer spending and recovery in construction and manufacturing.

Edmonton rounds out the top five for 2010, with construction growth leading it to a 2.9 per cent increase in GDP this year.

The board warns that Ottawa-Gatineau's 2.8 per cent growth this year -- which puts its ranking at seventh -- will slow two per cent in 2011 as federal government spending restraint takes hold.

The Conference Board predicts the national capital region will lose 10,000 government jobs over the next three years, contributing to a last-place ranking among the cities.

lschmidt@theherald.canwest.com

- - -

On The Road To Recovery In 2010

Forecast GDP growth:

Vancouver 4.0%

Toronto 3.7%

Hamilton 3.3%

Victoria 3.2%

Edmonton 2.9%

Saskatoon 2.8%

Calgary 2.8%

Montreal 2.3%

Winnipeg 2.2%

Regina 2.0%

Source: Conference Board Of Canada
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/Calgary+zoom+ahead+2011/2777036/story.html#ixzz0ke3l6g59

The charms of Calgary And the gloom in Toronto

2010-03-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mar 18th 2010 | CALGARY AND TORONTO | From The Economist print edition

TIME was when the decision over where to put a new Canadian capital-markets regulator would have been automatic. Toronto, Canada’s most populous city and the capital of Ontario, the most populous province, has long been the country’s business and financial centre. The biggest banks are there, as is the stock exchange. Legions of lawyers, accountants and bankers flock daily to the towers surrounding King and Bay streets. And yet the Canadian government is in two minds over the home for the new authority, and may end up splitting it between several cities—partly to placate provincial regulators jealous of their purviews.

This hesitation has brought grumbles from politicians in Ontario. But it is tacit recognition that economic and political power in Canada are slowly shifting westward, and in particular to Calgary, the main business centre in Alberta, a province with a large oil and gas industry.

Toronto still has the top spot. Greater Toronto has 5.6m people, or almost five times as many as Calgary. It is home to more corporate headquarters than any other Canadian city. Of the 20 biggest companies in Canada, ten are based in the Toronto area. But six are now in Calgary. All are oil and gas firms, whose towers form the city’s dramatic skyline, set against the backdrop of the Rocky mountains.

And Calgary has the momentum. The new housing developments that surround the city and stretch to the foothills are evidence that Alberta is sucking in people and investment from the rest of Canada. Between 1999 and 2007, while head-office employment grew by 14.1% in Toronto, it soared by 64.6% in Calgary, according to a report by the OECD, a research body. Alberta’s economy swiftly brushed off the recession. Its leaders dismiss hostility from greens to the tar sands that are the source of much of its hydrocarbons. If Americans do not want their oil, then Alberta will build a pipeline to the west coast and sell it to China, they say.

Dave Bronconnier, Calgary’s mayor, laughs off the idea that his city might soon supplant Toronto. But he admits that he has tried to woo one of Canada’s big five banks to come and set up its headquarters. He is also courting branch offices of banks from China, the Middle East and South Korea. Office rents are higher in Calgary than in many other cities, though they have fallen sharply since 2008. But low business taxes and the lack of a provincial sales tax make overall operating costs lower than in Ontario. The city wants to become a global centre for energy companies. Its rivals are Houston, Dallas and Dubai, rather than Toronto, says Mr Bronconnier.

This boosterism is in sharp contrast to the downbeat mood back east. Despite the strength of the banks, Toronto and Ontario—the home of Canadian carmaking—have fared badly in the recession. In an editorial earlier this month the Toronto Star, the city’s biggest newspaper, bemoaned growing social inequality, worsening gridlock, a deteriorating transport system and rising taxes. “There’s a nagging but entirely justified sense that Toronto has lost its way,” the paper concluded.

Ontarians as a whole are feeling uneasy. In a recent poll taken in the province for the Mowat Centre, a think-tank, half of respondents felt that Ontario’s influence in national affairs is waning and about the same number thought the province is not treated with the respect it deserves. A generation ago Toronto benefited from an influx of businesses from Montreal fleeing the threat of Quebec separatism. That threat has receded, but federal politicians are ever-sensitive to the French-speaking province’s demands. Alberta’s politicians are becoming increasingly bolshy as their economic muscle grows.

And Ontario? Torontonians were long used “to assuming that they are the centre of the universe,” as Joe Martin, a business historian at the University of Toronto, puts it. They are awakening to a world in which their planet, though still the biggest in the Canadian firmament, is being eclipsed.

Whistler, Calgary to host bobsled, skeleton World Cup events next season By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

2010-03-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Canada's two Winter Games cities will play host to the World Cup bobsled and skeleton circuit next season.

The announcement was made in Vancouver Wednesday by B.C. Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong and Alberta Tourism Minister Cindy Ady.

The provinces of B.C. and Alberta have committed the funds for the two events, under a joint Olympic legacy agreement they signed in 2009.

The agreement was meant to ensure the two provinces' investments in their respective sliding centres would be used to attract international competitions and tourism dollars to the area.

The first event will take place Nov. 22 to Nov. 25 in Whistler, and the second Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 in Calgary.

Both provinces say they're looking for other events that could potentially make use of Olympic venues, such as biathlon and cross-country world cups, and they hope to have a report on those opportunities finished in May.

Calgary to create 'emerald necklace' in Beltline By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald

2010-01-26T13:54:00.001-08:00

CALGARY - The city will begin laying a "green ribbon" down the Beltline this year, as it launches a project to turn a quiet residential street into a heritage promenade and cycling route.

The 13th Avenue Greenway, long touted as a key component in the makeovers for the Beltline, Sunalta and Victoria Park, will ultimately become a tree-lined link between the Elbow River and pathways that reach the Bow River.

City officials are dubbing it part of the "emerald necklace" of Calgary, a term used for similar routes in Seattle and Boston.

"It kind of provides a recreational loop through the centre city," said Julie Radke, a city transportation engineer.

"It can be a tourist attraction or for local users. It's meant to draw people in."

Work begins this spring on the first phase, between 1st Street S.E. and 4th Street S.W. -- an already green stretch that includes the renovated Central Memorial and Haultain parks, as well as a few parking lots.

The extra trees, new multiuser pathways, benches and other road and utilities works on those blocks are estimated to cost $5 million, coming from existing provincial grants to Calgary.

The work will eliminate 45 parking stalls on the north side of 13th Avenue.

Radke said residents and nearby businesses have been enthusiastic about the project, and haven't protested the loss of parking.

Since 11th and 12th avenues serve as major one-way car corridors, a higher-quality walkable route is needed in the inner-city area, said David Low of the Victoria Park Business Revitalization Zone.

"We don't have an east-west pedestrian-oriented walkway, so that's going to be a huge benefit to the area and everybody for getting around," he said.

In 2007, council approved a series of redevelopment levies in the Beltline to help pay for neighbourhood upgrades, including one for the "greenway" at $260 per metre of development facing onto the street.

This initial phase will be completed by 2012. The other phases, in Sunalta, Connaught and near the Stampede, will be constructed as money becomes available, Radke said. This means the project could span a decade or longer.

The greenway is also meant to tie together a number of heritage buildings along 13th Avenue, including the Lougheed House, Central Memorial Library and some sandstone school buildings.

It will boost property values along the street, predicted Ald. John Mar, who represents all neighbourhoods along the planned greenway.

"It increases the livability of the streetscape," he said.

Report ranks Calgary in top six cities in Canada

2010-01-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

A new report by the Conference Board of Canada suggests Calgary is an 'A' class city with a winning combination of factors to attract new migrants.
At least that was the case in 2006.
The study ranked the attractiveness of 50 different cities and put Calgary in the top six, along with Waterloo, Ottawa, Vancouver, St. John's, Newfoundland and Richmond Hill.
Because the rankings are based on data from 2006, Calgary performed exceptionally well on the economic benchmarks but also ranked first in innovation and second for housing.
The Alberta capital, Edmonton, was ranked as a 'B' class city.
The 'D' class includes four Ontario and four Quebec communities, as well as Saint John, New Brunswick.
The study looked at things like health, economy, environment, innovation and housing as benchmarks for attracting migrants.

CHQR Newsroom

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T20:21:00.001-08:00

Welcome to 2010

Its Christmas time again!

2009-12-17T15:53:00.001-08:00

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for pictures of your suite

2009-12-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

We are going to upload as many pictures as we can get for tenant's apartments in Garden Towers to our blog. If you would like to have your apartment's picture added please contact Carrie at 403-262-9711

8 Street SW CTrain Station - grand opening

2009-12-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

This is just a quick note to let you know that the long awaited 8 Street S.W. CTrain Station will open for service on Friday, December 18, 2009.

We’ll be holding a public event at the new station (between 7 Street SW and 8 Street SW) from 7-9:30am on December 18 to celebrate. Come on down to join in the festivities! Holiday goodies will be provided, and we’ll also be collecting food donations for the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank.

In an effort to promote the event ahead of time, we would like to display the (attached) poster in the lobby of each of your buildings as a reminder to your tenants to stop by the event and bring a food bank donation. Posters are 11 x17 and would be attached with double-sided tape. Please let me know by Friday December 4 if we have your permission to hang the posters. Please also provide locations where we may hang the posters.

Let me know if you have any questions, and please pass this invitation on to your tenants!

Thanks,

Julie Yepishina-Geller
Communications Specialist
The City of Calgary - Transportation Infrastructure
T: 403.268.5840 F: 403.268.4799
Julie.Yepishina-Geller@calgary.ca

Little Treasures Daycare, Garden Towers-Calgary rental apartment building

2009-11-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

A new daycare/preschool is opening in Garden Towers. Registrations are underway. Ages: 3 months to 6 years. Hours 6.30 am to 6.00 pm. Subsidy available. Snacks provided. Bi-weekly rates. For more information contact: tamaraford20@hotmail.com

Arts & Crafts Fair, November 18th, 2009

2009-11-27T15:00:00.001-08:00

Sale on Nov. 18th 4-7 pm

2009-10-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

Are you coming to the craft and bake sale at Westview Heights. If you want to participate please sign in with Carrie at the office. It should be fun!

Higher gas prices coming our way

2009-10-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Maintenance problems at Shell's Scotford refinery will result in gasoline shortages in Western Canada. As a result we may expect to see steep price climbs at the pump.

Tenant weather advisory.

2009-10-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Please keep your windows closed otherwise your pipes may freeze.

Calgary is going to be COLD!

2009-10-08T12:13:00.001-07:00

Temperatures tonight are going to drop to -10C and the high tomorrow is -4C. Garden Tower residents unpack your winter clothes or freeze!

Calgary's upcoming weather

2009-10-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Long Term Forecast
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
weather weather weather weather
High 2 °C -4 °C -2 °C 0 °C
Low -9 °C -10 °C -11 °C -13 °C
P.O.P 20 % 30 % 20 % 30 %
courtesy:Calgary Herald.

Dalai Lama is in Calgary

2009-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Have any of the Garden Towers tenants seen the Dalai Lama on his visit to Calgary? We would love to hear your experiences.

Garden Towers, Halloween pictures from our young residents.

2009-09-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

New floor installed in Rec. Room- Painting Underway- Pool Table To Be Re-Felted Soon!

2009-09-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

Copper Risers And New Shut Off Valves On The 20th Floor, West Side.

2009-09-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Top 10 lowest gas prices in Calgary

2009-09-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Price Station Address City Time

84.9 Gas Plus 204 11 Ave SE & 1 St S Calgary - Downtown Sep 26,4:03 PM

85.9 Tsuu T'ina Gas Stop 11 Bullhead Rd near 37 St SW Calgary - SW Sep 26,1:45 PM

86.9 Gas Plus 2364 20 Ave NE & 23 St NE Calgary - NE Sep 26,10:00 AM

86.9 Sunrise Gas 2748 32 St NE & 26 Ave NE Calgary - NE Sep 26,8:31 AM

86.9 Gas Plus 6336 Bowness Rd & 63 St Calgary - NW Sep 26,7:45 AM

86.9 Gas Plus 3307 3 Ave NW near 33 St NW Calgary - NW Sep 26,7:45 AM

86.9 Gas Plus 3540 52 St SE & 34 Ave SE Calgary - SE Sep 25,9:35 PM

86.9 Gas Plus 4004 26 St SE & Dover Ridge Dr Calgary - SE Sep 25,3:41 PM

87.9 Shell 1136 137 Ave SE & Deer Point Rd SE Calgary - SE Sep 26,9:24 AM

87.9 Can Pro 2464 23 Ave NE & Barlow Tr Calgary - NE Sep 26,7:52 AM

Thanks to cbc.ca.

A new store opening in the neighbourhood...

2009-09-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Holidays on the Hill, formerly Ho Ho Ho Inc.,
is pleased to inform you we are now in an exciting new location,
212 - 7th Ave. S.W., just steps away from our former store.
With over 8,000 sq. feet, we are now Canada’s LARGEST Hallowe’en/
Christmas store and rest assured, our selection will blow you away!
Doors oficially open Friday, September 25th, at 12 noon,
so be sure to come down and have coffee with us while viewing our store.
Our official Grand Opening will be
Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday, October 4th, 10am - 6pm each day.
* refreshments for all ages, and let’s not forget the desserts!
** grand opening specials
*** tons of door prizes
**** If you park at the Bow Parkade October 3rd or 4th, we will reimburse your
parking with a purchase of $50.00 or more. Be sure to bring down your receipt.
Please RSVP by October 2nd, with how many friends, family and holiday
lovers you want to bring... note, buses don’t t in the Bow Parkade.
When in the Bow Parkade, take the elevator to street level, once at 7th Ave.,
turn left and we are just 100 feet down towards 1st Street, you can’t miss us!
See you soon!

Edmonton vs Calgary

2009-09-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Curtis Glencross scored two goals in Calgary's 5-3 win over Edmonton in preseason action at Rexall Place.

Calgary is enjoying an Indian Summer

2009-09-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

Environment Canada says that Calgarians will have temperatures rise to 34 degrees today. It will be sunshine all the way through to the weekend. The temperature will start dropping only on Sunday(the sunshine will remain).

Its time for picnic baskets!

Calgary softens growth plan in hopes of quieting critics By Jason Markusoff and Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald September 22, 2009

2009-09-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

City hall is aiming to pacify critics of its 60-year growth plan by erasing river crossings from the future Calgary map and softening language around car use and a less sprawling city.

Ahead of a crucial council hearing Monday, city officials modified Plan It Calgary in hopes of tamping down criticism from home builders and developers, as well as some aldermen who agreed the strategy called for radical change to the city's development.

But initial reaction suggests the conflict hasn't yet subsided, potentially leading to a tense council debate over Calgary's future.

The planning department is still drawing industry ire by rejecting calls to do away with Plan It's long-range targets, including one stating that half of future population growth should occur in already-developed areas, rather than mostly in new suburbs.

"No matter what kind of language there is, the numbers are still in the document," said Michael Flynn of the Urban Development Institute-Calgary after seeing the new version on Monday.

The industry has warned targets are market interference and will limit home builders' ability to provide as many single-family homes as buyers want.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier said Plan It has good principles but is flexible enough not to damage the free market.

"It's time to keep a healthy development industry, provide lots of consumer choice, but set the direction with more complete communities and more compact (communities)," he said.

As for the biggest problem residents raised at Plan It's marathon public hearing in June, city staff eliminated proposals for transit-only bridges over Bow River at Edworthy Park and the Elbow at Sandy Beach.

Plan It still states Calgary may need such crossings for buses, pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles sometime in the future, but no longer suggests where they will go.

"We'd be pleased that the plan has taken out specific references to river crossing, within an urban park," said Fred Fenwick, president of the Edworthy Park Heritage Society, who has yet to seen the new document, which will be made public later this week.

The revised version also calls for a tunnel to access Calgary International Airport after the Barlow Trail access closes, but the inclusion doesn't force council to commit to the project and its estimated price tag of up to $500 million.

While most of the main development and density targets remain-- albeit with clear statements they'll be applied broadly, not to individual applications--city staff did grant one clear concession to suburban home builders.

Earlier versions mandated that new suburbs that aren't yet planned out must have 70 residents per hectare, much more densely packed than most new Calgary communities. The new version changed that to 70 residents or employees at local businesses.

"It's to give developers more flexibility-- more jobs, less people, or more people, less jobs," said David Watson, the city's general manager of planning.

The city chose not to erase the targets altogether because of failings of 1995's Go Plan--a blueprint that also tried to ease the trend of Calgary spreading across more surrounding green space. Watson said the city must set a clear direction, but also monitor targets and revise them when the city sees major change, such as the recent economic boom.

According to a city-commissioned study, Calgary could spend $11.2 billion less on roads, fire stations and other infrastructure in the next six decades if it builds the compact city that Plan It envisions, rather than sprawling outward as it has for decades.

Ald. Ric McIver, a key critic of Plan It, said he's still concerned with the proposed pace of change.

"I think we're only fighting about whether it's evolution or revolution, and I'm an evolution believer," McIver said. "I know you can get there faster, but the faster you get there, the more people you hurt along the way."

He cautioned that with stated targets, there's the risk of city planners trying to bring 60 years' change in only five.

Aldermen proposed more than 70 amendments to Plan It, ranging from tweaks to major overhauls.

Ald. John Mar is sure council will want an explanation on which amendments made it into the document and which didn't--and why.

"If not, why not? They should be included so council as a whole can debate the merits on a case-by-case basis," he said, adding he knows some of his requests--including a detailed map of growth in the inner city and how it will affect traffic--weren't done.

The city has spent $6.3 million on consultations, promotion and the creation of Plan It.

A lovely idea....tree planting as a memorial...

2009-09-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

In 1996, McInnis&Holloway Funeral Homes, began planting trees as a way to honour Calgarians whose funerals they had handled. Their efforts have produced 3 parks. They have planted more than 12,000 trees in Fish Creek Park, 4,200 in Nose Creek Valley and 2,220 in Lafarge Meadows. A wonderful idea that has created a beautiful environment, that we can all enjoy, as well as offering solace to the families of loved ones.

Discovering Calgary

2009-09-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

According to the City of Calgary's website "Today, approximately 660 km of pathways connect along the Bow & Elbow Rivers, Fish Creek Provincial Park, Nose Creek, West Nose Creek, the Western Irrigation District Canal and the perimeter of Glenmore Reservoir. With approximately another 290 km of on-street bikeways, The City of Calgary boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America."

Have you ever considered exploring Calgary using the system of pathways created by our city's planners. The map below details out these pathways for those of us intrepid enough to explore them.

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_780_234_0_43/http%3B/content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Living/eMaps/Pathways+and+Bikeways/Bike+and+Pathway+Map.htm

911 system problem not a failure according to the city.

2009-09-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

An apparent failure of the city's 911 emergency communications system Monday was not really a failure at all, an investigation of the incident has found.

The 911 system was believed to have failed for about 30 minutes early Monday morning as several calls for emergency services were coming in. But while the system appeared to fail, it really didn't, said public safety communications manager Curtis Brochu.

"As a result of our investigation we have a better understanding of the chain of events which transpired and which initially appeared to us as an outage of the 911 system," Brochu said Thursday. "In fact, we’ve now determined 911 did not fail. Calls were still being received but through a backup system which provided a reduced amount of information."

The 911 system has worked at full capacity since the incident Monday morning, the city said, adding callers who contacted 911 for emergency response received the necessary services during the incident.

"The initial cause of the issue was a temporary loss of power to one work station after a circuit breaker tripped. A combination of design, technology and human processes of restoring power to the workstation inadvertently caused activation of the backup phone system," the city said in a news release.

"The city has taken action to prevent this issue from occurring again."
CBC NEWS

New marketing campaign looks to lure you back to downtown Calgary By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald, September 8, 2009

2009-09-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Downtown Calgary is launching an aggressive marketing campaign to showcase dining, fashion, entertainment and lifestyle in the core.

The weeklong series of events is intended to help people discover what the city's hub has to offer -- an area that has been affected by the level of new construction taking place and some parking challenges.

Maggie Schofield, executive director of the Calgary Downtown Association, said the downtown remains undiscovered for many people.

"We really wanted to get the whole feeling of the uniqueness of downtown Calgary. It is a very urban place. It's very cosmopolitan. It's emerging and it's changing with the developments that are going on.

"There's a lot of things that if you're not down here every day, you wouldn't have a clue what was going on," she said.

From today through Friday, Stylocity will feature shows of fashion, food, art, accessories and entertainment. A list of events can be found on the Calgary Downtown Association website at www.downtowncalgary.com.The downtown is undergoing some huge changes. The 58-storey Bow tower is under construction and will eventually house EnCana Corp. Another highrise tower, called Eighth Avenue Place, is under construction at the old Penny Lane site. The Core (Calgary Eaton Centre-TD Square) shopping centre is undergoing a multimillion redevelopment that will bring in new retailers, create an urban streetscape at the top level and be enclosed by an expansive skylight linking three city blocks.

Holt Renfrew will be opening a flagship store next month downtown. Fashion Central is also opening soon with new retailers.

"We have a captive audience downtown," said Schofield. "We've got the workers . . . But certainly people have sometimes been confused about what's here and how to get here and how to manoeuvre it. That can be a challenge. Even from a pedestrian perspective, sometimes getting from one place to the other is complex -- more so than it perhaps need to be.

"The positive side of construction is that it's still happening. Several people have said 'is there really a recession on in Calgary' because they see the cranes, they see things happening . . . I think a lot of people are perhaps confused or not very well informed as to how to get here and what's here when they get here."

David Neill, president of Encorp Management Inc., said the company's Fashion Central project across from the downtown Bay is opening with retailer Murale on Oct. 1.A number of other stores are opening in early to mid-November.

The company also runs the Art Central building across the street from the Bow tower construction. On Thursday night, there's an art walk event at Art Central, while on Friday afternoon, there's a tour of Fashion Central.

"There's been such negative publicity about parking. That has affected people coming to the core. I think that negative publicity is unfounded," said Neill.

"There's lots of parking downtown and it's very cheap at the end of the day and on the weekends. There's tons of it. And there's a lot being built as well, of course. You've got EnCana(Bow tower)with 700 public spaces coming up and the big one (parkade)where the courthouse was. So there's a lot coming.

"In fact, I think it's easier to find a space here than it is (in) Toronto or Montreal."

Richard White, former executive director of the Calgary Downtown Association and a Calgary-based writer who has written on art, architecture and urban culture for more than 20 years, said renovations to existing buildings are probably more disruptive than new construction because retailers and businesses are moving around.

"And, of course, all the construction sites take out on-street parking, they take out a lane of traffic. People do tend to just say, 'I'll come back when it's finished.' They just find someplace else," said White, who is also director of strategic initiatives at Riddell Kurczaba Architecture.

Caralyn Macdonald, marketing and communication manager with the Calgary Downtown Association, said the purpose of the Stylocity campaign is to give all Calgarians an opportunity to see everything that's fashionable downtown--fashion, dining, entertainment, arts and culture.

"We picked the name Stylocity just for something different, because we're creating a new sense of being, a new style, and to take ownership of the downtown," she said.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Flames step up plans for new arena Ready to seek proposals By Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald

2009-09-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

CALGARY- The Calgary Flames are moving forward with plans to build a new home away from the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Team president and CEO Ken King said Wednesday that although there's no firm deadline in place, the National Hockey League team wants to break ground on a new arena "as soon as we can."

"We have had several architectural looks created for our new building," King said. "We have been in contact and consultation with several major architectural and construction firms in Calgary and have been working on them.

"Requests for proposals will be going out in the next three or four months.

"We have had informal discussions, and I want to stress, informal discussions at all government levels, that's the provincial government, the federal government and the city."

The announcement follows news the Flames' provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, have agreements to purchase land on two sites as possible locations for a new downtown arena to replace Rexall Place, which was built circa 1974.

When the Saddledome opened in 1983, the $100-million facility with the famous saddle-shaped roof was considered state-of-the-art. But it's now the sixth-oldest in the league.

The Flames have said they want a new arena to allow the team to compete financially with other leading franchises. Although the team's lease on the Saddledome expires in 2014, King said it can be extended on a short-term basis depending how quickly the arena is built.

"It would be difficult to imagine, if you dropped the flag today, that you could do it in much more than 36 months. And we're not dropping the flag today," said King, who is working with a rough target of three to five years to complete the project.

"The fact of the matter is, you don't want to stick yourself in a deadline position," King added. "There are lots of issues surrounding a new building, including development permits and the final acquisition of the land."

The Flames have identified two potential sites. At least one is on the Stampede grounds.

King wouldn't reveal the other location. Sources told the Herald last December one option is to tear down the Big Four Building along Macleod Trail, near the Erlton-Stampede LRT stop. That concept could see the LRT line lowered so it runs right into the new building, providing easier access for patrons. The other site being considered is at the north end of the Stampede grounds, along 12th Avenue S. E. and Olympic Way.

"While we've identified the two sites and we believe them to be suitable and available and we've talked to the city, there's much, much more work to be done," said King, who added that a land agreement is not yet in place.

FOB System

2009-08-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

The new FOB system has received an overwhelmingly positive response. At Garden Towers we value the safety of our residents and the FOB system which is personalized to each resident keeps the building secure.

FOB system

2009-08-14T15:01:00.001-07:00

Please let us have your feedback?

Calgary summer

2009-08-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoy a lazy day by cooling off in the pool.

Key Fob system

2009-06-25T08:48:00.001-07:00

The building now has a key fob system in place. This offers residents additional security.

U of C's downtown campus to be in our area of SW Calgary

2009-06-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

U of C announces Downtown Campus site

The University of Calgary has finalized the site of its new Downtown Campus, which will welcome its first students in September 2010. The new site, located at 906 8th Avenue S.W., in the western end of the core, will house students in a variety of programs.

“The Downtown Campus will quickly become the intellectual and cultural centre, and meeting place of Calgary,” said Harvey Weingarten, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary. “It will offer students new and exciting experiences, deepen our engagement with the community, and free up space on our main campus.”

The University’s Board of Governors approved the project and site on Wednesday. The new facility will be fully funded and operated within a special funding envelope provided by the Province of Alberta. The University will lease the entire building and will control all the space in it. The building provides 127,000 square feet of flexible space.

The Downtown Campus will significantly expand the University’s capacity to offer students experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the area of community service learning, which connects students directly with local businesses and non-profit organizations. Final decisions on which programs will be located in the Downtown Campus will be made early this year. It is anticipated that the downtown site will house programs such as the U of C’s Continuing Education, executive education and professional development programs, and other initiatives where a downtown presence would enhance the teaching and learning experience for students and community members. The new building, which will be gutted and renovated to LEED standards, will be flexible to ensure various groups are able to access and benefit from the downtown location.

“Students tell us they’re looking for a very high quality solid classroom experience coupled with experiences in experiential learning, working with community groups, social groups and the business community,” says Weingarten. “This is exactly the kind of facility they need to round out their education—to make it relevant, contemporary and useful.”

The selection of the site was made following an extensive due diligence process that identified possible downtown locations. The 8th Avenue location was selected for several reasons, including its proximity to the LRT, the flexibility of the space, the ability for the University to create a significant store-front presence, and the timely availability of the space.

The new Downtown Campus builds on the U of C’s existing slate of programs and initiatives operating in the heart of Calgary. To date, the Faculties of nursing, social work, fine arts, environmental design and the Schulich School of Engineering, among others, offer students the opportunity to participate in community-based learning activities. Pilot projects have included partnerships with the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope and the Children’s Village.

“Every student potentially has some part of their program where a connection with the community adds value to their undergraduate experience,” said Weingarten.

Garage Sale

2009-05-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Garden Towers is having a garage sale for all the tenants on June 20th. Drop into the office for more details.

Pool open

2009-05-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy swimming come and use the pool.

Garden Towers Gazette

2009-04-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Have you read this month's Gazette? Get a copy for news on the building and community events.

The recreation room may be booked for your private functions.

All Public Areas (Stairs, Halls, Elevators, Lobby, Rec. Floor, Garbage Room, Etc.) Are NON-SMOKING, As Per Calgary By-Laws. Violators Can Face Fines Or Even Eviction.

Ultra-High Speed Internet Services and High Definition TV Reception are now fully integrated into this building.Please Contact A Telus Representative At 403-310-2255

Waiting list for prospective tenants.

2009-03-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Send us an email with all your pertinent details and the month you are interested in renting from and the type of unit you would like and we will contact you when we have something available on a first come first serve basis.

Dramatic sunsets captured from Garden Towers

2009-02-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Calgary- recognised as one of the world's most livable cities

2009-02-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

"When it comes to the good life, Canada’s cities are among the best. And that’s official. According to the 2008 Mercer Quality of Living Survey, Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and Calgary are among the world’s top 25 most livable cities."

"Oil may have made Calgary affluent, but cowboy hats and boots are everyday wear and the steak is some of the best you will ever eat (www.tourismcalgary.com). Learn about the Blackfoot tribe at the Glenbow Museum and check out cowhide, lizard or python boots made on the premises at Alberta Boot. The highlight of the year is the Calgary Stampede (July 3-12, www.calgarystampede.com), with rodeo fun ranging from bull riding and steer wrestling to chuckwagon races and more. "
(extracted from "Canada: An insider's guide to city breaks and resorts, by Paul Wade, Feb 9, 2009". Published in www.telegraph.co.uk)

Garden Towers video, Calgary rental apartments.

2009-02-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

Corporates needing rental apartments in downtown Calgary

2009-02-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

If you work for a company in downtown Calgary that has a lot of visitors consider renting an apartment vs a hotel room. You get to control the quality of the apartment as well as keep costs low. Send an email to info@garden-towers.com with any questions you may have.

Be aware of online rental scams in Calgary

2009-01-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

This article has been copied from the cbc.ca site for easy viewing. The link to the article is below.

Calgary police are reminding anyone searching the internet for an apartment to watch out for online scams.

In most cases, a person posing as a landlord says he or she is out of the country and requires a deposit on the rental. Once the money is paid, usually through a money transfer, the new tenant discovers there isn't actually a rental.

The scam isn't a new one, but police said it's recently become more prolific and harder to spot because fraudsters are cutting and pasting text from real ads and using real photos. The only thing that is different is the contact information.

Nicole Hryciuk, 18, still hasn't found an apartment after a two-month search. Hryciuk said about half the places she's contacted online are scams.

"They'll say they are on a missionary trip. We had one, he was a 'neurologist from Oregon'. And they're not around, but this is the house you can drive by it. You send the deposit, they'll send you the keys."

CBC News inquired about six rentals advertised online in Calgary and received two emails back requesting up-front deposits. One included a Nigerian phone number, and the man who answered the phone said he was American renting an apartment in Calgary.

Acting Sgt. Kathy MacDonald said she hears a lot about rental scams and said people should check out who they're dealing with.

"Google the name of the people or the phone numbers they give you or the addresses and see what comes up," she said.

"Limit the amount of personal information that you put in your signature line, like your phone number or your fax number. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

MacDonald also said watch out for anyone who wants to do business using an untraceable money transfer.
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/01/19/cgy-rental-scam.html

Calgary public Library's early literacy program

2009-01-16T18:03:00.000-08:00

Help your child foster an appreciation for books through the early literacy program, Growing Readers For Life, which is available to families through the Calgary Public library.

The program highlights six pre-reading skills a child can start learning from birth and revolves around parents and children though a series of steps: I Like Books, I See Words, I Hear Words, I Know Letters, I Know Words and I Can Tell A Story.

Year of the Ox

2009-01-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

Chinese Calgarians are preparing to celebrate their New Year on January 26th. It will be the Year of the Ox. A year in which success is possible through fortitude and hard work. Join the New Year celebrations across Calgary.

$100 for successful tenant referrals

2009-01-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

Garden Tower apartments are offering $100 (thank you) for every successful tenant who is referred to them and accepted for a 6 months + lease.

The premise is that they know their tenants and are happy with them so their friends are likely to be equally desirable.

"Kids at work" a new preschool at Garden Towers

2009-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

Families living in downtown Calgary with small children will be thrilled to hear that there is a new preschool opening up at Garden Towers, the Calgary rental apartment building at 909-7th Avenue SW, Calgary. Please contact Gretchen Roxas at kidsatwork.daycare@gmail.com or call 403-547-5785 or fax 403-547-5795 for more information.

New to renting an apartment in Calgary

2009-01-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

If you are new to Calgary then this is some advise that may prove helpful.

The website linked to this blog called www.calgaryhealthregion.ca helps you find a doctor in your area who is accepting new patients.

If you work crazy hours and want a dry cleaner that makes your life easy by picking up and dropping your dry cleaning try Tower cleaners (also linked to this blog)

If you want to carpool in downtown Calgary there is a great site that makes it easy. Its www.carpool.ca. Also linked to this blog.

If you cut loose on weekends. Then the website www.downtowncalgary.ca (also linked to this blog - sorry for being so repetitious) tells you where the action is..depending on your tastes (we won't go there!)

Views from downtown Calgary apartments

2009-01-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

Renters in downtown Calgary are so much luckier than those living in other cities.

We get to live in a clean, friendly and sunny city.

We also do not have to spend a colossal amount to get panoramic views.

I posted some pictures I took from the Westview Heights apartment building.

The views encompass the mountains, Bow River and nearby parks.

You can see the snow capped mountains in the background.

The city is growing so quickly.

Renting in downtown Calgary made easy

2009-01-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

Thank God for websites and cell phones. Renting in downtown Calgary has never been easier.

My checklist, for finding an apartment, reads: views, easy shopping and lots of sun. As long as these exist I am one happy customer.

The layouts on websites makes it easy (before you fall in love with the place) to check if your furniture is likely to work.

Being at the heart of the action is important especially if you have a demanding job.

The key is to find a place that works for you.

Apart from a nifty apartment (that fits my criteria) it has to have friendly management. A tall list but I am happy to say one that can be met based on my admittedly biased research:)