McKenzie Towne, by Carma, was designed to be a self-sufficient, family-friendly community that feels and looks like the towns of yesteryear. In the centre of it all is the town square and hall, where residents can gather for sports, meetings or special occasions. The community is further divided into the villages of Inverness, Prestwick and Elgin, each of which have their own style and price range. Heartland Homes is currently building semi-detached homes in the $160,000s in Elgin Village, and have two very different showhomes on display.

Heartland Homes offers many different architectural styles and floor plans for their homes, all of which are modeled on classic styles and offer maximum flexibility for buyers. The show homes are in the Tudor 3 style, with vinyl siding in shades of grey and cheerful peaked windows and deep red doors. An inviting front porch is perfect for visits with friends or just whiling the afternoons away. The first home, the Rosa model, is just over 1,100 square feet, perfect for a family buying their first home. Decorated in a contemporary black and white style with brown animal-print accents, it features an open entrance flooded with natural light from the front windows and a gas fireplace framed by black tile and topped with a combination mantle and plant shelf. In the kitchen, the same black tile is used for the backsplash, further enhancing the open, flowing feel. This is also accomplished by the cork flooring which runs through the main floor, accented by hardwood nosings on the stairs leading to the basement, and the low-hanging lights over the dining area and the kitchen island. The kitchen, with its pre-finished oak cupboards, has plenty of storage and counter space.

The Rosa model comes with six different upper floor options, and the show home presents the 3-bedroom version. One of the two rear-facing bedrooms has been cleverly converted into a family room/office by removing the closet door and adding a desk, television and couch, an ideal solution for homeowners that don’t need all three bedrooms. The main bath has a deep soaker tub and oak cabinets in the same style as those in the kitchen, while the ensuite contains a corner shower. The front-facing master bedroom is spacious and bright, thanks to two full windows, and has a large sliding-door closet.

Another floor plan offers a larger master bedroom and a walk-in closet in place of the ensuite, with people who need storage space more than a second bathroom in mind.

The second show home, also just over 1,100 square feet, is built on the Aster model. Decorated in soft shades of grey, brown and cream, the great room features one wall completely covered in mirrors, which vastly increases the perception of size and the amount of natural light. The dark hardwood floor runs through the entire main floor, which is designed so that each area transitions into the next, also making the home feel larger. A recessed nook with shelves offers space for photos, plants or other ornaments in the great room, an attractive touch that gives the home the impression of being custom built.

The great room blends into the dining area, which is lit by low-hanging chrome and glass lights and offers enough room for six to dine comfortably. A marble tile backsplash in the kitchen gives the room an added touch of class and sophistication, as do the frosted glass fronts on the white cabinets and the stainless steel appliances. An island in the middle of the room comes complete with the same marble tile accents and a raised eating bar. The kitchen also contains a small pantry. A rear entrance off the kitchen includes a mudroom with shelving for shoes and backpacks, coat hooks and a padded bench.

A curved staircase leads upstairs, where an innovative floor plan offers two master bedroom suites, both complete with ensuites and walk-in closets. Each ensuite contains a soaker tub and full vanity, and this is Heartland Homes’ most popular upper floor option, where singles or roommates can share space comfortably and equally while maintaining their privacy. The upper floor is carpeted with an attractive cream-coloured pattern, while the bathrooms have tile floors and the same marble tile accents as in the kitchen. The home also comes with an optional rear deck.

Semi-detached houses like those built by Heartland Homes, while smaller than single homes, use space more efficiently, a growing concern in sprawl-friendly Calgary. Their location in McKenzie Towne, directly off Deerfoot Trail, offers a convenient route into downtown and the rest of the city. They are a practical option for first-time buyers or those who do not need a great deal of space who want the freedom of ownership without the burden of condo fees   NHS

For more information visit http://www.heartland-homes.com