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Kathy McCormick, Calgary Herald: It seems gentlemen — or people in general — don’t necessarily prefer blonds.

Just ask Simon Battistella, partner in Battistella Developments.

He says buyers love the company’s latest project, which is called Brunette.

“We’ve already sold 14 of the 20 units in our latest condominium complex in Bridgeland — and the buyers have been everyone from empty nesters to women in the 25-to-35-year age group,” he says.

Like Veronica, the sophisticated brunette that’s the object of comic book character Archie’s eye, Brunette by Battistella is sophisticated, sleek and made for today.

“It has the look of a Battistella condo,” says Battistella.

“It’s modern, yet funky, with its orange balcony decks and architecture that’s punched up.”

A flair for style is what differentiates a Battistella development from others on the market — something that’s welcomed by today’s young buyers who are looking for projects with an edge, but who also want a solid investment, he says.

“We are known for our quality construction, too,” says Battistella. “This development, for example, is being constructed with BuiltGreen technology.”

BuiltGreen is a program that promotes the construction of eco-friendly and sustainable housing. It was brought to Canada and refined through the Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Calgary Region.

It not only incorporates testing through the federal Ener-Guide for New Houses, but includes environmental stewardship, such as water conservation and waste recycling.

“We use such things as motion-sensor lights in common areas to conserve energy,” says Battistella. “The exterior is Hardie Board siding, which is a cement siding that has a more vibrant, long-lasting colour, and is low maintenance and fire retardant.”

The location was prime, he says. “We love the inner city and this neighbourhood is very nice, with a lot of amenities close by.”

That was one factor that convinced Shanna and David Fairhurst to buy in Brunette.

The young couple, who have a three-month old daughter, are currently living in a rental unit in Ramsay in the inner city.

“We came from Vancouver, so we are used to living in smaller spaces, and we enjoy that condo lifestyle,” says Shanna. “We like not having a yard and we enjoy the urban lifestyle.”

Ironically, though Bridgeland is close to the city centre in northeast Calgary, proximity to work wasn’t a factor because both Shanna and David don’t work downtown.

However, “we enjoy the river pathways and the restaurants and shops and services that are so close,” says Shanna.

The condominium is right behind Diner Deluxe, a favourite spot for breakfasts and brunches in the area. Other shops and services are along Edmonton Trail and further downhill along Centre Avenue N.E.

The apartment units are priced from $289,000 (for one-bedroom units, including GST) and from $349,000 (for two-bedroom stacked townhomes with GST)

“They were affordable for us,” she says.

Because the building sits on a hill overlooking the city, “there are great views.”

The couple intends to make use of the common large deck on top of the second floor of the four-storey building. The Fairhursts bought a two-bedroom, 950-square-foot unit.

“It’s really an open layout, and we like entertaining, so that was appealing to us,” says Shanna. “There are only 20 units in the building and the cool thing is that they are all townhomes, which are beautiful, or corner suites, which is what we bought.”

Units have features such as flat-panel, soft-closing cabinets, quartz countertops and heated, underground parking.

Ceilings are nine-feet tall and some are vaulted to 15 feet. Options include a stainless-steel appliance package and hardwood and cork flooring.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Project: Brunette by Battistella. The 20-unit four-storey consists of all two-storey townhomes or corner units and comes with heated, underground parking.

Builder/developer: Battistella Developments.

Area: Bridgeland in the northeast inner city at 805 4 St. N.E.

Prices: One-bedroom units are priced from $289,000 (including GST) and two-bedroom units from $349,000.

Hours: Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m., and Fridays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE BUYERS

Shanna and David Fairhurst

Ages: 27 and 34.

Background: The young couple is originally from Vancouver, where they owned a condo unit of just 500 square feet. Now renting in Ramsay, they have just had a baby and want a bigger place of their own. The y bought a unit in Brunette by Battistella Developments. “We are used to living in smaller spaces and we are comfortable with a condo. We like the lifestyle,” says Shanna. “We were impressed with Battistella — we looked at their other developments, Chocolate and Colours by Battistella (both highrise towers in the Beltline area) and found out they were moving into Bridgeland. “Brunette is affordable for us, and it’s a great area, close to the river path and with great city views.”

Builder/developer: Battistella Developments.

Possession date: About one month.

VISION HONOURED

Battistella Developments was started by Giovanni and Jacqueline Battistella in 1980, focusing on creating architecturally-designed homes in the inner city.

One of Calgary’s first builders to focus on infill homes in such areas, its vision and leadership was recognized in 1986 with a Governor General’s Award.

Now run by the couple’s two sons, Paul and Simon, the company has made its name in funky, quality condominiums in the inner city that have punch. Some of the latest include Orange lofts in East Village, Chocolate and Colours by Battistella in the Beltline.

The newest development now under construction is Brunette in the northeast inner-city community of Bridgeland.

The developer is in the first stages of another development slated for the Hillhurst area.

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