On the surface, it sounds like a no-brainer. Who'd skip the chance to buy into the sweetest real-estate opportunity west of Shangri-La?

But go ahead, be skeptical.

Dig deeper into the "where," the "what" and the "why" of a new, 162-suite tower of elegant condos called Emerald Stone.

When your research is complete, you'll find an upside you can ride straight to the penthouse.

Daniel Stewart, VP of Maverick Real Estate Corporation, comes quickly to the point: "What we're selling here boils down to three things: location, design and price."



So start your investigation with the "where."

In two words, it's uptown.

Emerald Stone is soon to rise from one of Calgary's optimal urban locations – one block north of Mount Royal Village, at 8th Street and 15th Avenue S.W. That's just around the corner from the heart of the action on 17th Avenue.

Residents of Emerald Stone will live only a few paces from the hottest boutiques, clubs and restaurants in Southern Alberta. And forget about paying parking fees at work. You can stroll to your downtown office from Emerald Stone in about 10 minutes.

"The perfect location for urban professionals who want to walk to work while sticking close to the uptown action," Mr. Stewart summed up.

As for the "what," let's get specific.

By completion in early 2004, this deluxe condo tower will stand 22 storeys high, providing occupants with majestic,
360-degree views of the city from the 16th floor and up.

A look to the west will reveal an unimpeded view of snow-topped mountains. Turn southward and gaze upon the Mount Royal green belt. A northward glance leads the eye to a breathtaking cityscape, then beyond to the Bow Valley.

The nuts and bolts of the project are tightly in place. The Emerald Stone is to be developed by ProCura Real Estate Services, the respected Calgary outfit that has engineered numerous local projects, including the sold-out Residences of Mount Royal.

The Emerald Stone floor plan includes a variety of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites as well as two-bedroom corner suites on every level.

But for the ultimate in luxury urban living space, press #22 in the lobby elevator. Like cherries topping a sundae, two sumptious penthouse suites will grace the uppermost floor.

Concrete construction means residents of Emerald Stone can rely on total privacy and freedom from street sounds and noise pollution.

From ground floor to penthouse, the developer pledges to combine the utmost in stylish design with quality standard specs, including nine-foot ceilings, dataports and work stations. As an extra perk, those who buy an Emerald Stone suite are welcome to add those unique personal touches that turn a suite into a home.

As Daniel Stewart acknowledged: "Purchasers like to have choices, so we're putting a customizing package together. They'll be able to customize their new home the way they want."

Speaking of creative extras, how'd you like to walk home from work and tune up your golf swing? Emerald Stone's exercise room is to feature a golf-training video simulator, a putting green and billiard table.

Better, the screen is readily convertible for business
presentations and/or conventional video viewing.

The "why" of the matter should be fairly clear. Add "affordability" to the mix and your investigation is complete.

With suites ranging in price from the $140,000s to under $300,000, and penthouse suites at about $800,000, the cost of Emerald Stone compares more than favourably with downtown highrises and neighbourhood wood-frame homes alike. And today's low-flying interest rates make a deluxe tower suite an ideal purchase for urban professionals, first-time buyers, and empty-nesters ready for a lifestyle change.

Meanwhile, as an interesting aside, several Vancouver, Edmonton and U.S.-based corporations have expressed
interest in Emerald Stone.

They see it as the perfect extended-stay accommodation for employees who routinely travel to Calgary. It makes better economic |sense, they reason, than repeatedly covering the cost of hotels.

A full-scale model of Emerald Stone will be on view throughout the CondoExpo at the Round Up Centre, Sept. 21-22.

Ground-breaking ceremonies are slated for October, and intrigued purchasers have already begun lining up to add their names to the reservation list.

Why? By now, you really shouldn't have to ask.

For information, call 403.802.5888. Outside Calgary, call 1.877.249.5831.

Send e-mail inquries to: liveuptown@emeraldstone.ca.
Or access the project website, www.emeraldstone.ca, starting Friday, Sept. 20.