A crash course in Calgary bridges

Most Calgarians probably don't stop to think about the city's bridges every time they cross over them by car, by bike or on foot. However, many of these important structures have interesting backstories or architectural designs that make them special.

Calgary's luxury market showing staying power, say experts

A high-end fitness centre and kitchen to cater private events; a concierge service or tranquility room; a car wash and, yes, even a pet wash.

These are among the amenities today's buyers can expect with the purchase of a luxury condo in Calgary, a sector real estate experts say is showing some staying power despite soft economic conditions.

Urban planning experts offer tips on how to shop for your next neighbourhood

Is it a neighbourhood with a lake so you don't need a vacation cottage?

Or an upgraded, older neighbourhood with lots of housing choices?

Perhaps a community with a main street so "you don't have to jump in your car to get a quart of milk?"

When urban commentators weigh in on what homebuyers, first-time or otherwise, should be looking for when they chose a place to live the emphasis is on community amenities – or as Greg Morrow puts it, looking "outside the four walls" of the home, to the DNA of the neighbourhood.

Where will Calgary's newest hot spot emerge?

People are always on the lookout for the next big thing, and that search extends to the world of real estate.

When it comes to reading the proverbial crystal ball as to which community will emerge as Calgary's next inner-city hot spot, the author of the blog The Everyday Tourist, Richard White, suggests one look north.

"The northwest inner-city communities are becoming much more urban and desirable," says White, explaining the growth of these communities has coincided with the relatively recent expansion of facilities like the Alberta Children's Hospital, the Foothills Medical Centre, SAIT and the University of Calgary campus.

Calgarians drawn to more affordable alternative

After living in southwest communities of Midnapore and Evergreen for 27 years, transitioning to an apartment in Mission was an easy decision for Michelle Norman.

"Condo living was a very easy adjustment," she said. "I like the idea of being surrounded by a good mix of young and older residents as well as not having to worry about such things as yard work and snow removal."

Calgary distinctive in offering both metropolitan and acreage luxury

Calgary's housing market has evolved to include a luxury segment offering buyers just about anything their hearts desire, suggested a local industry expert.

"We have those individuals who want to experience the city life, so that's the downtown metropolitan living," said Mary-Ann Mears, managing broker with Sotheby's International Realty Canada.

A handful of early communities in the area helped Calgary grow to the city it is today

More than 130 years ago, Calgary consisted of a fort surrounded by prairie grasses, First Nations tribes and settlers making a fresh start in the new west.

Today, the city is home to more than one million people and represents the industry engine of Canada's thriving economy.

Still, many of the communities founded yesterday remain today. Here's a snapshot of just a few:

A new luxury condo development is headed for Mission.

The XII includes 14-storeys of suites each spanning an entire level, with the exception of two, two-level suites.

"Research led us to what we have today which is essentially 12 single-family homes that happen to be stacked on top of each other and we determined nothing like this existed in Calgary, just elsewhere like Vancouver, New York and other cities of equal stature to Calgary so we decided to provide that part of the opportunity," said Stanley Yasin, managing partner for The XII.

Mission resident Kourtney Rylands reflects on the year since flood waters ripped her home upside down

On June 20, 2013, Kourtney Rylands became a homeowner for the first time.

Hours later, her condo in Mission would be submerged in more than five feet of water.