Now, as Mattamy makes its debut in Alberta, it brings this sex appeal out West with the community of Windsong in Airdrie and their row of show homes that opened in February lending a whole new meaning to family-friendly homes.

One of the biggest positives about Mattamy is that they are both the home builder and the land developer, which gives them a great deal of latitude in coming up with their home designs.

“The reason why it took so long for us to establish ourselves in the West was the lack of available land, and once we saw our opportunity here in Airdrie we jumped on it,” says Troy van Haastrecht, President of Mattamy’s Ottawa and Western Canadian divisions. The company is also working on two more projects in Calgary.

Developing their own land gives the builder the freedom to come up with designs that are drawn directly from customer feedback. “Our designs are based on what customers tell us they want in their homes,” van Haastrecht tells New Home Living. The result is their WideLot trademark homes, which is simply a different way to look at space. Instead of building a long, rectangular home with a garage dominating the front, the WideLot allows the home to open up, presenting a wider profile to the street.

“What we did with WideLot is tuck the garage into the design of the home giving room to front porches and windows that create a more friendly and welcoming appearance from the street,” van Haastrecht says. “And because of the square design, we eliminate a lot of wasted space that goes on hallways, making the homes seem bigger than their actual size from the inside.”

One case in point is the Windrush, Mattamy’s 2,210-square-foot split level beauty, which conveys a warm friendliness with its big front windows, and has an abundance of charming curbside appeal with its wide, upper level front balcony over the two-car garage.

It is a big enough size for a young family and provides plenty of space for entertaining. The entire main floor is almost one continuous open space that incorporates the kitchen, dining and living room, making it ideal for hosting big parties. Elegant hardwood flooring and granite countertops in this particular show home maximize the Windrush’s stately appeal.

The foyer is not only a nice welcoming space but also provides a good staging area with plenty of room for taking off and putting on coats and shoes. One set of stairs leads up to the main floor and another to the garage access and the basement. If you’re a sports-loving family then this extra bit of storage space is ideal for hockey equipment and golf bags.

The great room—a level up from the main floor - is fantastic for entertaining in all seasons. A fireplace with up-to-the-ceiling designer stonework facing looks like a cozy spot during cold days, and the room’s direct access to the balcony makes it an even livelier spot for the warmer months.

The show home has three bedrooms upstairs but the Windrush is flexible enough to fit four. An alcove at the top of the stairs makes for a terrific computer/study nook. The front bedroom is a lot bigger than most secondary bedrooms at 10-feet and eight inches by 11-feet and four inches, vaulted ceilings and big windows will make it the dream room for any child, or even a lavish guest room. The third bedroom is even slightly bigger. The three-piece main bath is in between the two rooms. The  master bedroom (or “owner’s retreat” as Mattamy calls it) offers tremendous space at 17-feet and six inches by 12-feet, that leaves plenty of room even with a king-sized bed. The walk-in closet comes with built-in shelving with chrome wire racks. The attached ensuite is a study in luxury with a giant soaker tub with a romantic fireplace in one end. His-and-hers vanities and an oversized glass shower stall complete the feeling of a relaxing spa setting.

The Windrush, located at 907 Windsong Drive, is very competitively priced, starting at $369,000. The affordability of Mattamy’s homes and the unique design perspective may explain the big crowds that have visited the show homes since their opening, and the dozen or so sales that have been made in the few days that followed. “We are truly humbled by the support we have received from the community,” van Haastrecht says.  NL

Show home hours are Monday to Thursday 12 noon to 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday and holidays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or, for more information, visit http://www.mattamyhomes.com/alberta