Acres of Work

With a multitude of projects underway in Okotoks, Chestermere and south Calgary, Anthem United is set up for a busy year

The name may be new, but the passion for creating communities remains as ingrained as ever.

Just last month, United Communities completed the process of changing its name to Anthem United, which reflects its corporate relationship with the Vancouver-based developer, investment and management company, Anthem.

Founded some 83 years ago as United Management, this is only the second time the company has changed its name. In the 1990s, the rebrand to United Communities came about when the company's focus shifted to greenfield development, says Steve LePan, marketing director for Anthem United.

"The Anthem United name and new look is the natural progression of a company that understands building great spaces is their most important achievement," said LePan.

And this is going to be a busy year for Anthem United in and around Calgary.

As the northwest community of Nolan Hill is selling its final phase, Anthem United has other developments being readied to fill the gap, including about 500 acres in south Calgary. Also booked for the start of development work are D'Arcy and Wedderburn on the north side of Okotoks, and Chelsea on the west side of Chestermere.

The first community to feel the weight of heavy equipment will be the 280-acre D'Arcy community which is bounded on the north by the Okotoks town boundary, on the south by Sandstone Gate, on the east by Northridge Drive, and on the west by the D'Arcy Ranch golf course.

"The outline plan and land use for this highly-anticipated community were both approved in February, and servicing is expected to get under way in May," said LePan, adding that building permits for the first phase of 146 lots will be released in about a year.

The first phase of the 280-acre development will have laned homes with optional rear detached garages on 32-foot lots, and side-by-side duplexes with rear detached garages.

The Anthem United name and new look is the natural progression of a company that understands building great spaces is their most important achievement.

In just two months, more than 300 people have registered their interest online in considering D'Arcy for their first or moveup home, says LePan.

"While there has been a lot of local interest in D'Arcy, we expect just as much interest from couples starting out, young families, and empty-nesters from Calgary."

There are projected to be approximately 2,000 homes in D'Arcy spread across several phases over seven to 10 years. The development will include townhomes, semi-detached, single-family with rear-detached garages, and estate homes. No pricing has been announced, nor has the builder group, says LePan.

"A commercial district, Gateway Village, will offer a range of retail and other shopping experiences, including a high street, as well as a mix of office and multi-family residential," said LePan.

Coming sooner, also on Okotoks' north side, but on the opposite side of Northridge Drive from D'Arcy, will be the community of Wedderburn.

Plans for the land between 338th Avenue and Banister Gate also include a mix of housing types and an 11-hectare area that will provide for a mix of commercial and residential uses. The lands will largely contain low to medium-density residential development, says LePan.

While work moves ahead on D'Arcy and planning continues for Wedderburn, the 316-acre development of Chelsea in Chestermere will be getting under way, following outline plan and land-use approvals by Chestermere city council.

"What we expect to see in the way of housing is everything from townhomes to estate properties," said LePan, adding that show homes are likely in 2018.

Part of the 500-acre parcel Anthem United has in south Calgary is south of the existing Silverado community.

"Our Belmont community will signal the start of some real growth in this part of the city," he said.

Tagged: Anthem United | Calgary Real Estate | D'Arcy | Surrounding Areas