While most of us unenthusiastically slam the front door on the COVID pandemic, Melcor Developments adopts an optimistic attitude, opening more windows on the Airdrie housing market.
“Perhaps a positive result of COVID for smaller communities is that they are increasingly attractive to homebuyers looking to escape the crowded city and get more space for their money,” says Melcor Developments Calgary Land Division regional manager Alan Boucher. “Given all the COVID impacts, we have been very happy with sales activity.”
That silver-lining attitude has been illuminating Airdrie’s housing industry since breaking ground in 2005 with Melcor’s popular King’s Heights community which produced more than 1,850 homes and 192 multi-family units.
“Melcor (King’s Heights) is sold out and our builders have only a few lots remaining in the community,” says Boucher. “This provides the unique opportunity to build new in a well-established neighbourhood.”
Once again opening the front door on community growth, Melcor is building on the popularity of King’s Heights with their new development, Lanark Landing.
Located just south of their sister community, Lanark Landing currently sports 197 lots and will eventually provide homes for approximately 1,200 when fully built out. The first showhomes opened in the midst of the COVID shutdown, April 2020.
“We believe we were one of the first communities to have a complete set of virtual tours online. We promoted these tours by hosting virtual scavenger hunts where the answers could be found within the virtual tours,” says Boucher.
Lanark Landing uses five primary builders, including semi-detached and front-drive single family units from Homes by Avi. Pacesetter Homes, McKee Homes and Douglas Homes also provide laned single-family and townhomes all starting in the low-to-mid $300s. Castellano Custom Homes offer front-drive single-family units starting in the mid $400s.
Not just a subdivision of houses, Boucher says Melcor meticulously plans communities for a lifetime with emphasis on aging in place.
“This means there is a variety of product and price points available so no matter what age or stage in life you can stay in the community you plant your roots into,” Boucher adds.
Just like their sister community anchored by Kingsview Market Square, Lanark Landing will offer several amenities for active residents, as well as shopping and services. With the planned 40th Avenue interchange project, Lanark Landing will also be the most accessible community in Airdrie.
Apart from decorated roundabouts, parks on every block, regional pathways, lighting for nighttime strolls and a landscaped storm pond, a working waterwheel honouring the namesake community of New Lanark, Scotland, welcomes visitors to the community.
“There are also amphitheatres, picnic tables, a basketball court, a pump track, a four-season gathering space with shelter, community gardens and orchards and a community fire pit – so many ways to meet your neighbours!”
With almost 100 years of master community planning, Melcor pairs traditional designs with new, clean, modern architectural features which can be found through virtual tours at liveinlanark.com.
A massive appeal due to affordability, lower taxes and new work-from-home paradigm, Boucher says when completed Lanark Landing will be the perfect blend of amenities and close-knit community.
“Airdrie has always had a unique sense of tight community bond you typically find in a small town paired with every amenity you could imagine.”
