THE STERLING GROUP, New Way Homes, Crossley Homes, Coco Homes and Baywest Homes are all building in the move-up community, which is part of the larger, 375-acre Crystal Ridge, this time adding land backing onto a nine-hole golf-course to the master-planned neighbourhood’s lengthy amenity list. A lake, boasting a fishing pier and boat docks, and multi-use beachhouse, is already complete for the use of Crystal Ridge residents exclusively, for annual lake fees of $250 per household.

“The golf course and the lake are big draws to the community – especially the lake and beach house – because it’s exclusively for the use of Crystal (Shores and Green) residents,” says Alix Halpen, marketing director for United Communities. “It’s also a year-round facility, with skating in the winter and summer programs as well.”

Buyers are also lured by the water conservation requirements of the community. Like United’s neighbouring Drake Landing, residents of Crystal Green net water-efficient homes, including low-flow showerheads and toilets, well-insulated pipes, water barrels for gardens, front-loading clothes washers and dryers, and Energy Star dishwashers in with every home purchase – measures sure to save residents some green on their bills.

The program is the result of the Town of Okotoks’ sustainable community plan, devised in 1998 to lighten the load on the Sheep River, the town’s only natural water supply. Also part of the initiative will be capping the town’s population at 25,000 to 30,000, to maintain the area as a sustainable community well into the future.

Show homes are certainly not short of flow or style in this water-conscious neighbourhood, with five unique gems backing onto golf course and teeing up plenty of ideas for would-be Crystal Ridge residents to craft into their own dream abodes.

Baywest’s Sarasota offers 2,205 square feet of luxurious living, including a master suite poised to pamper weary parents at day’s end, or provide a retreat to kick back within away from careers and kids.

A two-storey foyer greets visitors and hints at the grandeur within. Dark hardwood dons the floors, while a spindled staircase leads the eye inside, and to no shortage of entertaining space.

Guests will surely feast their eyes on a formal dining room at left, poised to accommodate out-of-towners and the household alike over the holiday season.

The kitchen sizzles in style and offers plenty of space for baking, while meals are deliciously savoured at the central bi-level eating bar or expansive rear eating nook that’s raised the roof – and the main floor’s ceiling height – on everyday dining.

The grand great room is close by for after-dinner relaxation, complete with a cosy fireplace sure to be a welcome appointment over the chilly winter months. The space offers plenty of mingling room for spending time with family and friends, or for hosting soirees for no occasion.

Upstairs, kids net a haunt of their own in a “Studyette” crafted in to the space between bedrooms, as well as scores of cabinets to house school books, computer accessories or board games to pull out and play in their well-sized bedrooms.

Meanwhile, parents will reap some privacy from junior household members, in their own regal retreat that includes a step-up reading area dolled up in hardwood, and an ensuite awash in luxury. Here a separate loo, walk-in closet poised for tough wardrobe decisions just steps from the ensuite, V-shaped vanity with a pair of sinks, and a corner tub and oversize shower may make the room tough  to leave.

Crossley’s Carlton exudes innovation and living space for the growing family or empty-nesters looking to house grown children in comfort. The only bi-level on the parade, this gem delivers 1,781 square feet, plus an additional 500 square feet with basement development.

Visitors will be floored by a handsome tile in alternating colours, which lend the well-sized entrance a southwestern air. A bench crafted in to the design offers a seat to remove shoes, with room for cold-weather accessories
underneath.

Up a few steps is a casual eating area with a country kitchen feel, complete with a three-way fireplace it shares with the great room, uniquely out of sight at the rear of the home. A den and full bathroom at this level provide the opportunity for a home office, or central bedroom for keeping an eye on younger children.
The kitchen is located in the rear of the home, tucked to the right of the generous great room, but by no means a room designed to take a back seat to other spaces.

Alder cabinets are contrasted against black appliances beneath a vaulted ceiling in the culinary hub is perfect. A counter-height island for baking preparation or sitting down to a quick snack.

Perhaps the best-kept secret in this country abode is the ultra-private master retreat above the garage. The height of luxury is made possible via a vaulted ceiling, ensuite bath boasting a makeup desk attached to the vanity, deep jetted tub, oversized shower and walk-in closet spanning the entire width of the spa-like space.

Downstairs, teens and kids visiting with children of their own will appreciate some autonomy. Two bedrooms, a full bath, massive entertainment haven with built-in media storage, and wet bar complete the space.

Coco Homes’ 2,263-square-foot Glencoe is next on the impressive parade, and a truly traditional family home, complete with generous bedrooms for the growing brood.

An inlay in the home’s foyer juxtaposes tile and granite against site-finished maple hardwood, greeting guests with flair. An up-front den is poised for a home business or finishing up loose ends, overlooking a charming verandah and just steps from the powder room.

Inside, antique cabinetry and granite tile countertops serve up a kitchen sized for entertaining in formal style. A raised eating bar provides a more casual meal haunt, while a grand eating nook is sure to be home to many elegant dinner parties beneath an ornate ceiling. Meanwhile, the right vintage is never far away thanks to a built-in wine rack extended from the kitchen’s eating bar and topped in sleek granite.

The great room is palatial, boasting two-storey height and a fireplace with detailing extending from floor to ceiling, creating a true focal point for the space.

Kids will delight in a more casual haven of their own upstairs, a way led by a handsome iron-and-maple spindled rail. Teens will welcome the space for entertaining friends, while younger household members can easily stretch out with toys or games within earshot of adults downstairs.

Busy households will appreciate upstairs laundry, close to bedrooms where clothes originate, and saving legs and backs in the absence of trips up and down stairs on wash day. Meanwhile, children can take pride in well-sized rooms of their own and a bathroom they won’t have to share with Mom and Dad.

Parents are pampered in a suite that includes space aplenty for furniture placement and an adjoining bath with all the bells and whistles beneath a vaulted ceiling.

Next on the parade is a Sterling example of a modern family address with a slight retro air, the Hudson II. Upon entering the 2,557-square-foot beauty from the covered porch, visitors and residents alike are sure to find their niche – with scores of spaces to display art in this address.

A flex room to the left of the foyer provides a welcome office for hard-working moms and dads or computer room for the whole gang’s use. A formal dining room, through an elegant arch to the right is among a slew of seating options come mealtime, and spacious enough to accommodate dinner bashes in comfort.

The culinary hub is tucked out of sight from the front door, and serves up a super-sized central island with built-in wine storage, scores of maple cabinets with a hazelnut stain and counterspace for the whole crew to pitch in with meals. Nearby, a sunny nook is close to the action and the perfect location for relishing casual fare.

Curling up by the fire after a moonlit skate on the lake or tobogganing trip on cold nights is a real must, and just steps away from the kitchen/nook area in the great room.

Open risers to the second level lend the home some retro appeal and stir curiosity about stylish spaces awaiting upstairs.

Four bedrooms and a bonus room with a second fireplace deliver welcome elbow room aplenty for the growing family unit. Most noteworthy is the master retreat, which includes a massive sleeping chamber, separate retreat for reading, and an ensuite worthy of an upscale hotel – complete with a corner soaker tub, make-up desk, double shower and walk-in closet rivalling some bedrooms in size.

New Way Homes is last, but certainly not least, on the show home parade, offering up its 2,177-square-foot Laredo and a wealth of design possibilities for would-be Crystal Green residents.

A front office overlooks a charming covered porch and is removed from the rest of the main-level’s living spaces and distractions that can hinder productive work.

Meanwhile, a mud room and walk-through pantry straight to the kitchen is the ideal path from packed cars after a trip to Costco. The culinary area itself will delight resident chefs who need plenty of space to create, and includes a butcher block crafted into the island and cabinets to house their tools of the trade and favourite gadgets.

As pretty as they are practical, Shaker-inspired cupboards stained a cherry hue blend well with the ebony woodwork on the great room’s fireplace, and old-fashioned staircase to the second floor.

The breakfast nook is flanked on three sides by floor to ceiling rock detail and windows, sure to create a truly unique dining experience.

Upstairs everyone has space that’s uniquely theirs, whether in the pair of kid’s digs – respectively decorated for an adrenaline-loving boy with adventurous hobbies, and a girl who will welcome a built-in desk for homework or as a vanity to display more feminine accessories.

A second desk makes the most of the space between the children’s rooms with space enough for a computer or for sprawling out with textbooks and class notes. Also gracing the second level is a laundry room sure to make keeping the household in clean clothes less of a dirty job.

Parents can leave everyday stresses behind in a master suite located at the opposite end from junior residents. Boasting space to house a king-size bed, an adjoining ensuite bath which dons a deep soaker tub dolled up with floor-to-ceiling tile detail, dual sinks, a separate shower and a walk-in closet that may inspire a shopping trip to fill.

Crystal Green homesites, the lion’s share overlooking the golf course, are currently priced from $115,000 to $145,000, and offer 46 to 48-foot front widths. Homes in the area start at about the $275,000 mark including lot and GST, but vary from builder to builder.

To get to show homes, take Deerfoot Trail south to Hwy. 2A (Okotoks exit), head south and follow to Crystal Ridge. Exit opposite the D’Arcy Ranch golf course, on Milligan Drive and look for the signs to United’s Crystal Green in Crystal Ridge. Hours are Monday through Thursday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m.