Valuable land in the city centre provides several avenues for profit generation

Sharon van de Burgt and her family will move into their new, two-storey, 1,800-plus-square-foot, inner-city duplex before Christmas.

They will have new next-door neighbours in 2018 – and earnings to help pay for their home – with the sale of the other 2,000-square-foot unit, now listed at $865,000.

Fun facts and top attractions in Okotoks and surrounding areas

Chestermere is poised for western expansion

When you're one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, there's only one thing to do as an encore: grow some more.

Located just east of Calgary, Chestermere's rapid development placed the city fourth in Canada for growth over the past five years. Now, a comprehensive expansion plan is coming to fruition. The Waterbridge Master Area Structure Plan provided a long-range planning context for more than 2,400 acres along Chestermere's western border, and the city's population of 20,000 will expand as well – in fact, it is set to double.

Okotoks is the land of opportunity for developers and prospective residents alike

"An easy sell." That's how Okotoks' economic development specialist Alexandra Ross describes the process of attracting developers to the town.

"Okotoks has all the amenities of a big city, including its own Costco store, but it still has a small-town feel," said Ross.

Despite lack of liquidity, land remains a solid investment

At first glance, buying empty space might sound like the road to ruin. But for many investors, land has become a path to a balanced, and profitable, portfolio. While that doesn't mean it's for everyone, land is certainly worth a closer look from investors weighing their options.

Land as an investment can take many forms: institutional investment by life insurance companies and pension funds, farmers renting out land for revenue, active farmers purchasing land for future investment or expansion, and developers/investors buying for future residential or commercial development.

Waterfront living comes at a premium in the Calgary market

DaVinci Homes CEO Naheed Kazmi utters three magic words when describing the appeal of the 31-unit Riviera on the Bow in Parkdale, one of her company's most recent projects: "Location, location, location."

"Everybody wanted that location," she said, recalling when the company purchased the land in 2008 and how she has received many calls since over the years from would-be buyers.

Calgary's rivers have shaped the city's development since its inception

In 1875, members of the North West Mounted Police built a fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

Fort Calgary quickly attracted early settlers to the area, and a thriving little community started to grow – one that never strayed far from the rivers that would shape its development.

130 years of Calgary homes

From the first rustic homes that dotted our city's landscape in 1887, to the sprawling modern masterpieces of today, Calgary has seen its share of architectural styles over the years:

Airdrie's history is full of colourful people and interesting stories

When R.J. Hawkey arrived in the region of the Airdrie Station House along the Calgary to Edmonton railway, he became one of the first private land owners in the fledgling community.

Hawkey decided to build a school on some of his land, and set himself up as Airdrie's first teacher.

Historic West Hillhurst still embodies can-do spirit of its founders

Residents in the inner-city, northwest community of West Hillhurst cherish the values of yesteryear – community, connectedness, family friendly programming and volunteerism.

"There is such a great camaraderie here," said longtime resident Chris Koper. "There are so many older community members that love to tell stories that connect us to the past."