When most of Calgary is closing at half-past-six, the Marda Loop area is up and about, with the lights in the cafés and establishments along 33rd Avenue S.W. bright and welcoming. Bellacor’s infill duplexes, Verdun and Robie, located on a quiet street with a 50-year old apple tree out in front, are a welcome respite on this cold night.

Verdun and Robie are the high-end duplexes of Bellacor Homes, the newest division of the Unity Builders Group (UBG), a 22-year-old real estate management company that counts Greenboro, Today’s Homes, Elite and Alpine Homes among its homebuilding companies.   “Bellacor is UBG’s newest brand dedicated to inner-city homes,” says James Sharp, area manager for Bellacor Homes.

The concept of building infill duplexes has come of age, the exact opposite of urban sprawl. “It’s kind of a green lifestyle. You’re creating more density yet using less space in an area that’s closer to the city,” says Sharp. 

The 1,869-square-foot two-storey Verdun is built in French country-style, while the 1,884-square-foot two-storey Robie is a true craftsman-style unit that borrows some of the architectural features from the 1900s.

The black-and-white theme of the Verdun, which is dressed to the nines as a show home, is classic and timeless—hardwood floors, nine-foot ceilings and the possibilities of a den on the main floor appeal to many buyers. The Robie utilizes warm hardwoods along the main floor and ceramic tile in the upstairs bathrooms. Both have a side entrance for those winter days when a little mud room area is a necessity.  Full-height windows add to the homes’ “sunny disposition.”

Serious cooks can whip up a storm in the duplexes’ kitchens. High-quality maple cabinets with dovetailed drawers and silent-close doors, stainless steel GE appliances and garburators are just some of the features of both Verdun and Robie kitchens. “Our designers used the new GE Café dishwasher, where you can put two months worth of detergent that then (dispenses) the appropriate amount of detergent every time you run a cycle,” says Sharp.

Designed for those who want an ultra-low-maintenance lifestyle, both duplexes have exposed aggregate patios which require no staining, a cement composite siding and a fence made of pressure-treated lumber. A two-car garage is accessible through the alley. 

The use of stair riser lights, vaulted ceilings, and even a sunroof on the Verdun speaks of the extensive experience behind the building of the Bellacor duplexes. The home office on the second floor of the Verdun is the perfect “homework destination,” for those with young children or for those that work from home.

Both duplexes have a laundry room which can be closed off for privacy. A bar above the sink allows for still damp items to be hung immediately.  In the Verdun, two small bedrooms serve as the perfect retreat for young children. The shared second floor washrooms in both duplexes have full-height tile in the bathtub.

The master bedroom in the Verdun allows south-facing light in the morning. But it is the master ensuite in the duplexes that is a testament to the experience of Bellacor’s executive designers. “All our ensuites come with soaker tubs, a separate stand-up shower, his-and-hers sinks and a closed-in (toilet),” says Sharp. The master closet also has a window that lets in scores of natural light.

The nine-foot ceilings in the Verdun’s basement help open up the sub-main-floor space. A wet bar with a dishwasher and fridge and workout room suggest different takes on how one can use the area. “Inner-city living is attractive for those downsizing and for young couples looking to get married,” says Sharp. And there are the advantages of inner city-living­—being able to walk to shops and cafés, bike paths that connect all the way to downtown and access to a variety of parks and green spaces.