One of my favourite parts of being a realtor is when I am able to help my clients find their perfect dream home, in their perfect neighbourhood. This isn't always easy! Sometimes it can be challenging, as there aren't always properties on the market that tick every box a discerning buyer may have on their wish list. In these situations, I pride myself in being able to use my experience and "outside of the box" thinking to help find a prospective buyer a home that not only meets expectations, but potentially exceeds them. I recently was able to do just that with a gorgeous property in Bel-Aire, one of Calgary's most exclusive communities. Check out the story below to learn more. If you or someone you know are on the hunt for a "perfect for you" dream home and haven't been able to find the exact right fit, give me a call. We can discuss how I may be able to help!
Many folks don't know a lot about Bel-Aire - after all, it is one of Calgary's hidden gems and best kept secrets! Read on to learn a little more about what makes this exclusive community so well loved and sought after. I have also included a story about one of the builders and early residents of Bel-Aire and his impact not just on the community, but on Calgary's history, and future!
In market news, August brought slightly slower sales numbers, which is very typical for summer in Calgary. Prices have held relatively steady across all housing types and I expect we will see the market get busier as we head into fall. The market continues to be balanced in most parts of the city. Homes priced over $1 million have seen the greatest growth in sales, which I expect will continue for the next few months.
If you are thinking of listing your home, or are looking for insights into a specific community, drop me a line!
Baldwin Crescent, Bel-Aire
I am proud to have represented both the buyer and the seller in this recent exclusive off-market transaction, bringing together the right opportunity and the right client for this beautiful luxury home in one of Calgary's most exclusive and coveted communities.
This extraordinary residence in the heart of Bel-Aire sold for $4,450,000. This magnificent estate offers 7,700 sq ft of meticulously designed living space, with 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms - a home built for both grand entertaining and everyday luxury living. At the heart of the home lies a true chef's kitchen, appointed with stunning marble countertops, premium Miele appliances, and an showstopping 14-foot kitchen island - the perfect gathering place for family and guests alike. Situated on a rare 80' x 150' west-backing lot, the outdoor space is equally impressive, featuring a private hot tub, a sports court, and a custom-built-in BBQ - creating a true resort-style backyard retreat. This dream-home has so many wonderful features, and I know its new family will enjoy everything it has to offer.
Feature Community
The land where the beautiful southwest community of Bel-Aire now sits was annexed to the City of Calgary in 1954 and was established as a neighbourhood in 1960. Bel-Aire is named after the affluent-neighbourhood in the greater Los Angeles region, and was designed to be an exclusive small community of luxury estates.
Bel-Aire is located east of the Glenmore Reservoir and the Elbow River, west of the community of Meadowlark Park and north of the neighbourhood of Mayfair. The Calgary Country Club golf course makes up Bel-Aire's northern boundary. With easy access to downtown, Glenmore Trail and dozens of walking, nature and biking paths, Bel-Aire is a community that is the perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. Known for its luxurious estates, expansive lots, and breathtaking views of the Elbow River and the Glenmore Reservoir, it is safe to say there really isn't another neighbourhood like it in the city.
Long considered one of Calgary's best-kept secrets in terms of being a quiet, family-friendly affluent neighbourhood, it shares an active community association with nearby Mayfair. They offer events, activities and programs, and also advocate as needed for residents regarding city matters.
Sam Hashman was the quintessential self-made man, starting his own construction company around the age of 20 which eventually grew to be a highly successful real estate development firm. Sam Hashman's company developed and built many Calgary landmarks you'd be familiar with including the Westbrook and Marlborough Malls, the Planetarium (now Contemporary Calgary), Mount Royal College (now University) and Calgary Place, once Calgary's tallest building at 31 floors. While most of his construction projects were retail/commercial in nature, he also was involved in the building of a few of Calgary's new communities in the 1960s, most notably Bel-Aire. Annexed in the 1950s by the City of Calgary, construction of Bel-Aire began in 1960, marketed as an exclusive community of private estates. One of the first homes completed in Bel-Aire was Sam's - a sprawling home heavily influenced by California architecture - that still stands today.
From the very start, Bel-Aire has been a very quiet community. When construction ramped up in 1960, the Glenmore Causeway was not yet built, and very little had been developed south of 66th Ave (which would eventually become Glenmore Trai). The land was nestled in a tranquil corner of southwest Calgary, just east of the Glenmore Dam and south of the Britannia golf course. Set atop steep, prominent bluffs approximately 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 ft) above the Elbow River, Sam Hashman and his business partner Ted Riback recognized it was an ideal spot to build estate homes for affluent Calgary families.
Despite being one of Calgary's smallest, most peaceful communities, Bel-Aire happens to be the unlikely location of one of Calgary's craziest criminal capers. In 1972, Sam Hashman's 17-year-old daughter was kidnapped and held for over 14 hours by three "very courteous" kidnappers who demanded $500k for her safe return. Her mother was said to be the original target, however she was in Toronto with Sam and their other daughter when the kidnappers arrived. Sam was notified of the kidnapping through his secretary who had received the ransom call just moments before Sam called into the office for messages. On hearing the news, he quickly boarded a plane back to Calgary. Over the course of the ordeal, Sam Hashman had to complete a series of task-based demands from the kidnappers. Like something out of a movie, he was asked to visit several hotels and payphones, was made to change his clothes and don new ones left for him by the kidnappers, and was told to rent a car. Sam ultimately was then instructed to leave the car in a downtown parkade with the ransom money in the trunk. Eventually Sam's daughter Marlene was returned unharmed, and the ransom money was recovered. A 27-year-old Calgary stockbroker was among those charged for the crime. (You can read more about everything that happened here and here). Needless to say, nothing like this has happened again, and Bel-Aire continues to be a very safe, and quiet family community.
Sam Hashman left his mark on Calgary in many ways outside of real estate and being one of Bel-Aires first residents. He was one of the early owners of the Calgary Stampeders and participated in many other business ventures that helped Calgary grow and thrive. Sam Hashman was also one of 20 founding donors who each gave $5000 to create the Calgary Foundation - to address future needs they could not see, supporting people they had yet to meet - perhaps the greatest legacy one can leave.
