Guardian, The, by Hon Towers

I'd provide a web link, but at the time of writing The Guardian web site was not available. The sales office is on site on Twelfth Avenue and offers two full example suites. The main photo shows just the top of the building against a sunset and all three photos are from Hon Towers' marketing material.

After the receivership of John Torode's various condo projects in Victoria neighbourhood (also called Victoria Park on the MLS and Victoria Crossing by the local business association) due to the market downturn in 2008-9, Nicholas Hon of Jager Homes bought the westerly balance of the city block that houses the completed Arriva tower (433 Eleventh Avenue, SE). See my Condo Directory page about Arriva. His purchase included the historic small buildings that are leased and in part house the sales centre, and will not be part of the condominium corporation.

Mr. Hon told The Calgary Herald in March of 2010 that he plans to build out the block in a few years with two Hon Towers, with suites of smaller floor areas and more affordable than the existing luxury-class Arriva tower. In 2011 plans were grinding their way through city hall for two 44-storey residential towers with, indeed, smaller suites and more of them, requiring additional above-grade parking in addition to the in-ground garage left behind by the Torode development. These will be the tallest residential towers in the city.

In mid-2012 pre-sales appear to be close to allowing the start of construction of the first tower, The Guardian. Each of the identical towers is to have 321 suites including a few live-work townhouses for a total of 642 homes. The podium will also house retail space, several levels of offices and a large sixth-floor recreation centre. The podium and the northerly Guardian Condos will constitute phase one of Hon Towers. Because foundations and in-ground parking are already in place, construction should proceed quickly once it starts.

Appealing to younger home buyers, interior finishing at The Guardian are to be very sleek; almost minimalist. Kitchen cabinet doors have no "pulls" and dishwashers and 'fridges are disguised as cabinets, all as designed and built by an Italian firm. Suites and parking will be served by three high-speed elevators. Suite balconies are larger than I'm seeing in most other new-condo projects. Of course the building will be air conditioned. After completion of phase one The Guardian's condominium plan will be registered. Its exterior windows and doors will be common property for maintenance and eventual replacement; I should live so long! I have on file all original floor plans.