Similarly, Heartland Homes recognizes the need for its customers to be able to see all they have to offer at every price point and have therefore built a row of four show homes at their New Brighton location ready for the touring.

Heartland Homes’ area sales manager Jennifer Davies says because people are becoming more price- conscious, the show homes range from the most simple and inexpensive models, to those packed with beautiful upgrades.

“What happened in the past was builders upgraded every show home,” Davies says. “(But) we wanted to make it easy for people to see what they will be getting when they move into their home with no surprises.”

Not only is there a home for everyone, New Brighton is also surrounded by communities that offer something for all residents.

Due east of McKenzie Towne, New Brighton is a town within a city. In nearby McKenzie Towne, big box shopping centres neighbour quaint shops, European-style pubs and one-of-a-kind restaurants. New Brighton fills the gap with a community hall complete with beach volleyball, an ice-skating rink and a water park. A recreation centre similar to other city-run facilities such as the Southland Leisure Centre is planned for the northwest corner of the community.

Davies says an active lifestyle is a perfect fit in New Brighton.

“It really appeals to people who want to enhance their health, so the amenities really appeal to them,” she adds.

Sean Coghlan moved into one of Heartland’s New Brighton spec homes last month. The twenty-something self-employed bachelor bought the builders’ most popular model—The Belvedere II.

“I liked the attention to details that they (implemented) that they (weren’t obliged to),” Coghlan says. “I liked the curved staircase, the archway (adjoining) the kitchen and sunken living room and the open floor plan.”

He moved from his nearby condo in search of more room for himself, his business and his friends.
“It is a great house for entertaining for a young lad like myself,” he noted.

Davies says the Belvedere II is similar to the infills being built in and around downtown Calgary.

“The Belvedere might appeal to those who want to live downtown, but can’t because they (either) can’t find a home, can’t afford it or they have children and don’t want to live too close to downtown,” she says.

The Belvedere II show home showcases the builder’s flair for innovative design, featuring a second-floor catwalk, and boasting a unique relationship between the kitchen the sunken living room and, of course, the staircase. It is also a showpiece for the fine finishings that are available through upgrades. The flooring, countertops and almost anything else that can be upgraded has been. The Belvedere II starts at $342,000, but Davies said most people have “pumped up” their home and are paying between $350,000  and $370,000 for an upgraded version.

Next door, the Windsor’s only upgrades are hardwood flooring and a fireplace that divides the living room from the kitchen.

“The Windsor has been our overall number one best seller for several years,” Davies says. “It appeals to people who have price in mind and want a functional home.”

At 1,331 square-feet, the Windsor starts at $317,000 with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. And like many of Heartland Homes’ models, the Windsor can be reconfigured; it can also be built with two bedrooms and two bathrooms instead.
“It is a very punchy home for great value,” Davies says.

Heartland’s show home parade also features a bungalow model that starts at $310,000 and includes a developed basement that is the ultimate in privacy for $336,000.

“This house is for starters, empty nesters and those with kids on their way out who want to have their own space,” says Davies.

Last, but not least, is Davies’ personal favourite, the Aberhart II, a two-storey, 1,442-square-foot home that has been upgraded with a modern design.

To take a walk through Heartland’s parade in New Brighton, turn Deerfoot Trail to McKenzie Town Boulevard and take a right at the New Brighton Community Centre.