And right now, LIDO is one of the hottest condo properties around with over 70 per cent of the eight-storey all-concrete mid-rise now sold. In fact, Ijmal Haider, Battistella’s sales and marketing manager, says the sales centre has been abuzz with activity. “We may be sold out by spring, so interested buyers have to act fast, there are a few choice units still available.”

LIDO picks up exactly where Battistella’s sold-out PIXEL condo right next door, left off, but with their bigger suites; two-bedroom units start at 908 square-feet — they have really captured their target market. 

“People just love the spacious design of the floor plans and the top-end finishings that come standard,” he tells Condo Living. But it is still its terrific location in the heart of Kensington that is its biggest advantage.

The new LIDO is going up right on 10th Street and 2nd Avenue N.W., exactly where the eponymous diner was located. It is right in the middle of the vibrant village life that the area is known for, surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and one-of-a-kind boutique stores.

LIDO will add its own unique flavour to the surroundings with this mixed-use, transit-oriented-development, which will have commercial units along the street level. Haider says they haven’t picked anyone yet but stresses that they will be “boutique, one-of-a-kind stores that fit the character of and add vibrancy to the community.”

LIDO offers one-, two- and three-bedroom units, most range from 780 to 1,500 square-feet and come with one parking stall. “These are the biggest suites that Battistella has ever designed,” Haider says. Smaller one-bedroom units are also offered from 430 to 500 square-feet. 

Regardless the size, all the suites reinforce the theme of comfortable living for the building, which after all is what the Italian meaning of the name can be taken to mean. The name is also a way of honouring the Italian heritage of the Battistella family — one of the few Calgary-based family-run condo developers in the city.

“Being a local developer is definitely something that is important to our clients and sets us apart from the competition,” Haider says. “Battistella has been building for over 30 years in the inner-city. We only build one project at a time, and have never had to stop or cancel a building because of the economy.”

LIDO is a stellar addition to their exemplary line-up of developments. Its three mid-century modern interior designs put a warm twist to the modern, sophisticated look.

“Each suite is designed around the LIDO lifestyle, including nine-foot ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows,” Haider says. 

Interested parties can get a feel of LIDO’s richly sophisticated palette in Battistella’s recently opened, newly renovated show suite on Kensington Road.

LIDO’s one-bedrooms start in the $280,000s; two-bedrooms start in the $520,000s; while the remaining three-bedrooms are from the $900,000s.

The rooftop patio is the only shared amenity at LIDO to keep condo fees down. “It’s a great feature to have and helps build camaraderie among neighbours, and it is the only common amenity you will need here, as everything else can be easily found in and around Kensington,” he adds.