Building a Better Highrise

Bird’s Eye View of Park Point overlooking Central Memorial Park

Newest venture looks to redefine luxury living in Canadian markets

One of the most revered real estate development groups in western Canada, Qualex-Landmark™ group has formed valuable partnerships to create truly one-of-a-kind properties. Most recently, the group has been working on Park Point, a high-rise, mixed-use condominium tower in a premier downtown Calgary, Alberta location across from Central Memorial Park, one of Canada’s oldest urban parks.
“Since we stepped foot in Calgary, Qualex-Landmark™ has always been known as pioneers in residential high-rise condo development”, says Parham Mahboubi, Vice President of Planning and Marketing. “We have always tried to be at the forefront of innovation and design, yet still remain within the financial reach of most homebuyers.”
Park Point’s unprecedented amenities and walkable neighborhood will make the high-rise one of the most sought-after locations to live in Calgary. When the project is completed in 2018, it will include 289 upscale condo units and 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities and ground-level retail space.
Qualex-Landmark™ has created an “A-team” to accomplish its goal of creating the perfect place to live in Calgary. IBI Group is heading up and is responsible for the architectural building design component, while Durante Kreuk landscape architects is developing the landscape design aspects. Trepp Design Inc. is behind the interior design and Axiom Builders is the main contractor.
According to the lead architect, Tony Wai of IBI Group, “Park Point features a sophisticated sculptural expression and contemporary style. Its elegant double-height lobby and distinctive canopy creates a bold, yet gracious arrival. Strong vertical architecture is created as select floor plates grow in size as they ascend the building, inspiring a color enhancing and stepped effect, adding to the prestige nature of the address.”

Overcoming an Adverse Economic Climate

During the planning stages for Park Point, Qualex-Landmark™ realized it would need to develop a high-rise that offered much more than just luxury condominiums and beautiful aesthetics to sell units. With units that ranged in price from $263,000 (CAD) to more than $1 million each, the property needed a little more to persuade potential residents to purchase.
“Following the sales launch of Park Point in February 2015, we entered the real estate market at the beginning of Calgary’s economic downturn, when oil prices were starting to drop,” Mahboubi says. “With job losses and tighter budgets, homebuyers were becoming much more careful and thorough when it came to researching and purchasing a condo.”
To combat any potential concerns homebuyers might have, Qualex-Landmark™ worked to ensure Park Point would keep condo fees comparatively low, while offering all of the amenities buyers would expect. Qualex-Landmark™ identified an array of upscale “must-have” suite features for buyers, along with well-appointed yet practical amenities to provide further enticement. These include outdoor areas for lounging, socializing and exercising, such as an outdoor barbecue, yoga, and Pilates studios, an indoor social lounge club, saunas and shower facilities, an outdoor fire pit and an expansive rooftop Zen terrace with a water feature.

The ground-level retail space is another important aspect of the development, as it allows the property to fit in seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood. In fact, Qualex-Landmark™ chose to build Park Point in Calgary’s Beltline community because it is located in a well-known area of the city that provides just about every variety of amenity and service imaginable within walking distance. The high-rise will also offer great views of Central Memorial Park and the mountains in the distance.
“Aside from what will be one of the most centralized real estate opportunities in the city, the exceptional, protected panoramic views of Calgary and Central Memorial Park makes Park Point the best-of-class location for investing in an active lifestyle in the rapidly evolving city centre,” says Mohammed Esfahani, President of Qualex-Landmark™.

Park Point has a 96 percent Walk Score rating, which the team at Qualex-Landmark™ believes will greatly increase the building’s attractiveness to potential buyers. “Downtown living is becoming increasingly popular due to walkability and the convenience of access to amenities,” Esfahani says.

Dedication to Green Living

Although parking is available for residents, architects on the project aim to minimize Park Point’s carbon footprint. “By densifying this area and bringing people to live [downtown], it’s already promoting a healthier lifestyle, with less reliance on the personal automobile-encouraging more walking, public transit or biking,” Wai says.

To further encourage a healthy living, the high-rise will have ample bicycle storage for residents who choose an alternative form of transportation. And as an added bonus, residents get the satisfaction of living in a truly green building right downtown. “There are also green roofs, landscaped rooftop gardens and street-level patios, improving air quality, reducing storm water runoffs, while creating a rich, aesthetically pleasing environment for people to live in,” Wai says.

Esfahani says that understand the needs of urban residents continues to be the company’s top priority. “Unparalleled location, great floor plans, fantastic amenities, outstanding design and breathtaking views are the top factors needed to create a superior project,” he says.

Design Develop Construct Journal

Fall 2016, page 123