East West Partners, with financial partner Morgan Stanley Real Estate, who are the new owner of eco-resort at Three Sisters Mountain Village, Alberta, Western Canada, has announced that it intends to submit a revised Area Structure Plan to the Town of Canmore that will dramatically reduce future development at the resort community. The move, it is believed, will enhance the local environment for people and wildlife alike.
Roger Lessman, managing partner for East West Partners’ Canmore-based operations, said: “We realise it’s unusual for a development company to seek less development but we are being responsive to what we are hearing from the Canmore public. Less development will help create a resort community that fits what people hope for when they come to Canmore. They want to enjoy the wilderness, outdoor recreation and a small-town environment. This is a case where less is more.”
Presently, approved plans allow 3,500 units to be built – with 1,200 homes already constructed and a further 500 in construction or design stage – which the developer aims to reduce by more than half. Properties for sale at the eco-friendly resort, located at the entrance to the Rockies, are priced from CAD$580,000 (£290,000).
Three Sisters provides stylish living in high quality built and specified properties. The timber frame and rendered properties (with detailing stone work) – are a mix of condominiums (apartments for sale), townhouses and detached – provide the latest in mod cons, such as Miele and Gaggenau kitchens, combined with luxury furnishing and an increasing awareness for environmental considerations.
Wilderness Homes, which is one of several housebuilders constructing at the resort, builds using 90 pr cent local materials, including timber and stone. Sheep’s wool is used for insulation; aluminium, instead of plastic for guttering. Its commitment to the environment has seen it awarded a Gold award by Built Green organisation. The contemporary luxuriously finished three-storey townhouses at Wilderness Ridge are priced from €1.6m (£800,000); apartments from US$636,000 (£318,000).
Across the way, another award-winning housebuilder Alpine Homes has just put the finishing touches to 87 properties at Timberline Lodges. The luxury condos are highly specified and eco-considerate too. Water conservation is practised through half-flush toilets and landscaping is undertaken only with native, drought tolerant plants. Prices start from US$569,900 (£285,000).
Nearby on the large (1,800 acre) resort, housebuilder Assured Developments is constructing 24 townhouses and 42 apartments at Paintbrush Ridge. The sumptuous three-storey townhouses have picture windows, framed by local timber, which afford spectacular mountains and valley views to flood into the living rooms. Townhouses start from €944,900 (£472,500); one-bedroom apartments from US$403,900 (£201,750).
The town of Canmore itself is pleasantly low-rise and low key. Coffee shops and bistros, such as the Grizzly Paw (this is brown and black bear country) – make aprés ski (the Nordic [cross-country] ski centre is international standard) a relaxed experience. Fine dining can be enjoyed too, notably at The Trough restaurant in downtown, which comprises only several blocks.
Shari Bishop Bowes, PR and marketing manager, said: “Canmore is a ‘go with the flow’ sort of a place. Other winter resorts such as Whistler [500 miles distant] are more ‘keep up’ kind of resorts. Each has their attractions, but many people tell us they like Canmore’s authenticity, year-round outdoor facilities and leisure opportunities. And the fact that it’s so close to Calgary International Airport is a great draw too.”
