Topping Out Traditions: INK by Battistella
INK is about to reach a huge project milestone with the construction of the highest point on the building! And to celebrate this momentous occasion, we are planning a topping-out ceremony complete with a pink tree.
Yes, that’s right…we’ll be attaching a pink evergreen tree to a beam at the top of INK! Why? Well, it’s easy to make an analogy between the growth of a tree and the raising of a building. But the ritual of attaching a tree to the highest beam is actually deeply "rooted" in history.
According to Wikipedia the practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to pre-Dark Age Scandinavia where folklore suggests a wide practice of placing a tree on top a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.
Others suggest the practice actually started in ancient Egypt when slaves placed a plant on top of a pyramid after it was completed to honour those who died during its construction.
In more recent history, a North American tale proposes that Indigenous people contracted to work on construction sites of early high-rise buildings believed no man-made structure should be taller than a tree and, for that reason, placed one on the building’s highest point.
No matter which is the correct account, the evergreen tree symbolizes strength, longevity, and revitalization - a fitting way to celebrate an important achievement in INK’s construction!
We will be celebrating with our interpretation of the ceremony on February 14th, at 9 am. Mark your calendars and join in on the action via Facebook Live.
Happy Construction Anniversary
It’s the one-year anniversary of INK’s groundbreaking. A lot has happened in the last 12 months with so much more planned for the next 12! Possessions are still on track for this fall so start getting excited.
Below is a floor-by-floor summary of construction and interior photos.
- Exterior: INK’s true colours are now showing. Which side is your fav?
- Parkade: The three levels of parking are nearing completion. Ducting for exhaust is being installed. Drywall and doors are going in.
- Main Floor: 80% of the mechanical system install is complete on this level.
- 2nd Floor: The most visually exciting floor so far (check out the photos)! Steel studs have been installed dividing rooms. Party walls are being installed between units. Tubs are in place because we wouldn’t be able to get them through the hallways and doors after the fact!
- 3rd Floor: Wall layouts are marked on the floor (drawn with chalked snap-lines) and steel stud frames will be installed shortly.
- 4th Floor: Windows are going in. That’ll help warm it up!
- 5th - 6th Floor: Rough-ins are in progress. Once the windows go in the level will be heated.
- 7th Floor: Fan coils (heating and cooling systems) are being installed.
- 8th - 9th Floor: The re-shore (supporting posts) have recently been removed.
- 10th - 11th Floor: Pipe rough-ins have been started.
- 12th Floor: Last week this level was tarped in and heat was blowing to help the recently poured 13th Floor cure.
- 13th Floor: The formwork flyers have been moved up to the 13th floor. Rebar is being assembled and concrete will be poured shortly creating level 14!
- 14th Floor: Coming soon!
More to come next month!
~Catherine
Battistella Developments
2018 Pantone of the Year: Punches of Purple!
The anticipation is finally over. Pantone has announced their 2018 colour of the year… DRUM ROLL… violet! Ultra Violet 18-3838 to be exact.
Now, I don’t know about you, but my sparkly, unicorn loving self is super excited! I can officially showcase my love of vibrant violet and be on point for once.
If you don’t plan on strutting your stuff in your ultra violet velvet suit jacket, another good way to celebrate the colour of the year is to use it in your home. You don't have to go full Monica Geller and paint your walls purple through. Update some of your fav accessories and you can enjoy little pops of purple throughout your suite. Here are some great ideas I found perusing Pinterest (aka my favourite pastime):
All the pictures are linked if you saw something you just can’t live without in 2018!
~Catherine
New Mortgage Rules are Coming
Starting in 2018, there will be a new minimum qualifying rate in place for homebuyers. Canada's banking regulator has announced they are applying a new “stress test” to home buyers who don't need mortgage insurance.
This means you’ll now have to qualify for a mortgage at a higher rate (of 4.89% or more!) even if you have a down payment exceeding 20%, proving you’ll be able to make your payments if interest rates continue to rise.
Many economists are estimating these changes will reduce the amount buyers will be able to afford by 15-20%. What does this mean for you? Well, if you currently qualify for a mortgage of $400,000, you may only qualify for $320,000 as of the new year.
This great video from the National Post explains the changes: “Will you pass the NEW mortgage stress test?”
But you don’t have to stress about it! If you buy a home now and have a firm mortgage approval in place before January 1, 2018, then the old rules still apply. Now is the time to pick your perfect pad at INK and we’ll help you get a pre-construction mortgage approval too!
Call or text 403 862 6421 or email renee@battistella.ca for more INK information.
INSIDE INK: November 2017 Construction Update
Last week we had the opportunity to visit the INK construction site. After our safety orientation and suiting up with hard hats, high-vis vests, and steel-toed boots Simon Battistella escorted us throughout the building.
We started on the 6th floor and walked through the site to the parkade. We made sure to take plenty of photos so keep scrolling to take part in the tour.
Until next time.
~Catherine
Placemaking in Calgary
I recently had a chance to re-watch one of my favourite TED talks by Amanda Burden, former New York City chief city planner, titled "How Public Spaces Make Cities Work". If you haven't seen it, and have 18 minutes to spare, I recommend you check it out.
In it she talks about some of the public spaces she helped shape in New York City, from tiny pocket parks to the world famous Highline, and how these spaces in their own special way, make life better for New Yorkers. The closing statement of her talk summarizes her argument on the importance of public space to city living very well:
"Public space can change how you live in a city, how you feel about a city, whether you choose one city over another, and public space is one of the most important reasons why you stay in a city. I believe that a successful city is like a fabulous party. People stay because they are having a great time.”
Building better lives is a great way to think about the idea of placemaking, one of the many great buzzwords in city building. Using Wikipedia's commonly accepted definition:
"Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces...Placemaking is both a process and a philosophy."
Essentially, it picks up where urban planning leaves off and focuses on the human interaction with space. As I am sure you can appreciate, by this definition, placemaking is part science and part art, therefore open to much debate and criticism. Like any great art piece, when done right, placemaking has the power to transform communities and therefore, in my opinion, the risk is worth the reward.
When we look at Calgary, we can see many great examples of placemaking, but I would argue none more notable than the East Village. Spanning from 3rd Street SE to the Elbow River and 9 Ave SE to the Bow River, this is truly a special nine-block area in downtown Calgary. From family-friendly tot lots to relaxing spaces to sit and enjoy the confluence of the rivers to an amazing urban island park, there is something for everyone, which is probably why it is always full of people.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the East Village, I strongly encourage you to come to spend an afternoon and experience what successful placemaking feels like. I promise you won’t be disappointed and I know it will help you fall a little more in love with our great city.
~Chris
Battistella Developments
INSIDE INK: September 2017 Construction Update
There’s no more looking down at the INK site (unless you're the crane operator reading this) because we are headed upwards!
Another exciting milestone has been reached at INK; the second floor has officially been constructed.
This level is a major structural element and known as a transfer slab (or if you prefer, a SUPER SLAB). The transfer slab creates a solid base, like a table-top, to transfer the weight and support the tower above.
There are some particular characteristics that make a transfer slab unique. At almost a meter thick it is more than 3x the depth of the rest of INK’s slabs. It took quite some time to prepare because the team had to load and secure 150 tonnes of steel rebar, which is also more than 3x the amount in a normal level. The concrete took all day on Saturday, September 16th to pour (approximately ten hours).
As you can see from the picture above, the shape of the tower is now visible and beginning to form. Scaffolding will be erected shortly to start constructing the third floor. Keep an eye on the sky!
~Catherine
YYC Alternative Market and Kick-Off Party!
We are sponsoring a spicy new event called the YYC Alternative Market on Sunday, September 24th.
Organized by Plain Jane Events and presented by X92.9, this is not your typical pop-up market full of Christmas crafts and peach jellies! YYC Alternative Market is a free event that showcases local and thriving entrepreneurs, artists, and exhibitors.
Here is just a taste of some of the cool companies that will be joining us at this unique underground event:
- Drops of Gratitude Gift Co.
- N.R.T. Fashions
- Moe-Shelley Sock Monkeys and Designs
- Bruce's Beez
- The Sweat Science
- Khaos Theory Leather
- Plus many more!
To kick off the market event the King Eddie will be host to a hometown concert on Saturday, September 23 at 7PM featuring the Vagrant Souls, Alberta folk-rock band The Frontiers, and fuzzed out power rockers The High Kicks.
Want to win free tickets to the Kick-Off Party concert? Check out and LIKE our Facebook page for details!
Hope to see you there,
~Catherine
Battistella Developments
INSIDE INK: August 2017 Construction Update
Now when you walk by the INK construction site, you can wave at the team. "Hi Team!"
We are currently working at street level and heading upwards.
Another big construction milestone achieved!
Check out how the unique zigzag shape of INK’s main floor is coming to life.
Since it is still a little tough to see exactly what is happening from street view I thought I would share a couple photos with you.
The black pipes in the photo below will be home to Enmax, Shaw, and Telus and will soon be encased in concrete.
Think Han Solo in Empire Strikes Back, except no one will be saving these pipes from an eternity of suspended animation.
Now for your first sneak peek into INK’s parkade! The posts shown in the photo below are called re-shore. Interesting fact, these posts typically stay in place until the slab above is cured to full strength after 28 days. However, 
since we continually pour new concrete levels above we leave the re-shore posts in place for extra support through the curing process. The posts stay in place 4-5 stories below the current pour because a little extra support never hurts.
Stay up to date with more photos on our Facebook page.
Want to hear about something specific happening on site? Let me know!
~Catherine
Meet Your Neighbour: Rath Bicycle
If you haven’t explored East Village by bicycle, then you haven't really enjoyed the full neighbourhood experience!
With the weekends of warm weather dwindling, now is the time to get out and take advantage. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry, we know just the person to help. Lori Rath, owner and operator, of Rath Bicycle is ready with her fleet of rental bikes to start your journey.
What began as a plan to save a couple vintage bikes, Lori and her family have developed their passion for restoring classic bikes into the business it is today. Growing organically by word of mouth since 2013, Rath Bicycles has graduated from their original home garage to a full-fledged shop in East Village.
Located in the westernmost pink container at EV Junction (don’t worry you can’t miss it), Rath Bicycle’s shop is set up to showcase what they know best; restoring, refinishing and refurbishing vintage rides. Their container shop is also stocked with bike essentials like locks and helmets and, most importantly for you, has a fleet of shiny new cruisers ready to roam!
Open Thursdays through Sundays (and holidays), come down to East Village and say hi to Lori. She is full of advice on the best spots to tour and, if you’re lucky, she might even spill the secret on where to get the 99 cent cones! Now that’s a sweet deal.
Parks, pathways, and local pubs are waiting for you to discover.
Hours - Mon-Wed: by appointment, Thurs-Fri: 12-8pm, Sat-Sun: 10-6pm, Holidays: 10-6pm
Rental Rates - $15 / 1 hour, $25 / 2 hour, $35 / 3 hour, $40 / day