The community of New Brighton has created an ‘English Country’ haven in southeast Calgary, just east of Mckenzie Towne. The Carma “e-community” includes tons of great amenities, from the New Brighton Club with its two multi-purpose rooms and a 20-acre park with 12-acre feature pond, to basketball and volleyball courts and hockey and skating rinks.

New Brighton Drive circles the community, offering views of the park at different points. The homes in New Brighton are distinguished and cozy looking, thanks to details such as window boxes, archways, stone detailing and carriage-style garage doors. There are currently two showhome parades to peruse – the first with eight homes by Beattie, Cardel, Cedarglen and Morrison, and a new six-home parade by Heartland Homes. The Heartland parade features a variety of starter homes and options for downsizing, with unique details in each house to make it feel like home.

“New Brighton has a very English cottage feeling,” says Heartland Homes sales representative Thelma Ryan. “The exterior of our homes will even feature little flower boxes.”

With prices starting in the $170,000s, including home, lot and GST, there is something for everyone among these six homes. Five are two-storey homes. The 1271 square foot Emerson can be customized with two or three bedrooms, or two bedrooms plus loft on the second floor. The 1459 square foot Bronte features either three bedrooms or dual master bedrooms on the second floor, as do the 1321 square foot Parker and the 1358 square foot Windsor floorplans. The Belvedere model is a standout among the two-storey homes, with unique architectural details throughout and many options for customization. The two-bedroom Torrisdale, the sole bungalow in the parade, is spacious, with a fully developed basement adding two bedrooms and 741 square feet to its 1026 square feet on the main floor.

The Emerson is bright and modern, finished in cool colours and metallic accents. The entrance is open to the dining area through a wall cut-out, and to the great room over a low wall. The large number of windows on the main floor adds to the brightness, as do the maple flooring throughout and the pearwood cabinets and metallic tile backsplash in the kitchen.

The kitchen features an island with extra workspace as well as a corner pantry, and display shelving, which sits atop the side entrance coat closet. The side entrance is located down a couple of steps from the main level, along a hallway with the open closet, the guest bathroom, and the basement door.

On the second level of the home, a modern shag carpet pampers tired feet, as the carpeted stairs lead up to a loft area and a wide hallway, which offers space for the children to work or play in. In the Emerson showhome, the second bedroom is located at the back of the home beside the loft, with the master suite at the front of the home. The master bedroom features a walk-in closet with distinctive vaulted ceiling, a linen closet and a separate entrance to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom.

Down the way, the Torrisdale showhome is a sophisticated bungalow with plenty of built-in extras. A tiled entranceway, with mirrored closet and feature shelving, serves as an introduction to the distinguished home. From here, two steps lead up to the main floor, where dark laminate floors and an elegant, open kitchen set the tone for the house.

The master suite is located at the front of the home, just off the entrance. In this model, the master suite includes an ensuite bathroom, while the other option includes access from the master bedroom to the main bathroom, with a private powder room in between. The master suite also features a full-length closet with sliding door.

The Torrisdale’s kitchen boasts a corner pantry, eating bar and classic, stylish fixtures, with the eating bar overlooking the dining area and great room. The open-concept main floor is opened up even more by the vaulted ceiling and kitchen skylight. Also on the main floor is a second bedroom, in this case used as a den, located next to the half bathroom.

At the back of the home, stairs lead from the back entrance to a fully finished basement, featuring two more bedrooms, a full bathroom and a comfortable seating room with an upgraded gas fireplace.

The Belvedere show home steals the show, however. It is obvious as you walk in that this home is unique. The great room occupies the front of the main floor, and is on a lower level along with the foyer. The tiled entrance gives way to the oak hardwood floors of the great room, where a slate tiled fireplace with wood mantle is the centre of attention. Stairs on either side of the great room lead up to kitchen, beneath a wide archway.

The kitchen dominates this main gathering area of the home. The long island with dual sinks and eating bar cuts through the centre, while directly above, a bridge-style hallway creates an eye-catching feature. The dining nook is at the back of the home, with a guest bathroom tucked away near the back entrance.

From the kitchen, a curved staircase with stepped feature shelving leads up to the bridge. The bridge overlooks the stairs to one side and gives a great view of the kitchen from the other, affording a good look at the above-cabinet display shelving in the kitchen. At the front of the second floor, the master bedroom’s luxurious ensuite boasts a soaker tub with separate shower and vanity, all outlined in slate tiles, as well as tiled floors. The master suite also includes a walk-in closet.

At the back of the home, a loft area overlooks the staircase and acts as an office, with built-in desk and shelving. Next to this, the guest suite includes an ensuite bathroom with tiled floors and bathtub. Other options to customize this home allow buyers to include a children’s suite, eliminating the loft and adding a walk-in closet to what is the guest suite in the showhome; or to include a main bathroom with either two bedrooms or a second bedroom and loft, in addition to the master suite.

The Heartland Homes parade in New Brighton is located along New Brighton Garden, and is open from 2 to 8 pm, Monday to Thursday, and from noon until 5 pm, Fridays, weekends, and holidays.