Cole Rayner is on the cusp of some exciting new beginnings.

A recent business graduate from Mount Royal University, this 23-year-old is looking forward to making the shift from the student lifestyle to upwardly mobile young adult, working in the field of corporate finance. He is also excited about his first home purchase, a two-bedroom condominium at the Gateway in Truman’s new community of West District on Calgary’s west side.

He was introduced to the Gateway in February last year by a friend who is a realtor.

“It all really happened faster than I thought it would. It was just something that popped up, but it seemed like a really good opportunity and investment,” says this motivated 23-year-old, who plans to attend law school after obtaining a few years of work experience in the corporate sector.

No stranger to hard work, Rayner financed his degree by working full-time as a general manager of a private and elite gym in the city’s southeast and saving his pennies by living at home with his parents. But he knew that with the completion of his business degree in December, it would be time to fly the nest.

“I didn’t really want to rent. I knew that I wanted to get into the market and have an asset. It just kind of grew from there,” he says.
He went to look at the Gateway and was impressed with its location, close to major connector routes, the mountains and Bow Trail, as well as by the thought put into the home’s layout with its ample outdoor space, taking full advantage of the mountain views.

“All of the finishes were also really high quality and I liked that. I didn’t have to upgrade anything,” he says. Designer integrated appliances, chevron-installed hard surface floors, quartz countertops, custom lighting and nine-foot ceilings are all standard.

Located close to 85th Street and Old Banff Coach Road, the Gateway is a collection of 216 one- and two-bedroom condominiums, along with a select number of penthouses, two-storey sky townhomes, and ground-level brownstones. The homes are spread over a pair of eight-storey concrete buildings with a vibrant podium level retail component with pubs, restaurants and boutique offerings.

Although Rayner was impressed on first sight, he spent more than a month doing diligence, researching the market, consulting with his parents and touring other properties.

“I went to lots of open houses and nothing really compared or caught my eye for the value,” he says.

In April, he signed the papers and put down the deposit (an early graduation present from his parents), negotiating and locking in a mortgage with the help of his aunt, who is a mortgage broker.
From a choice of more than 36 floor plans, he chose the 2A, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 730-square-foot home, located on the third floor. His home also has an 80-square-foot balcony with “epic” mountain views. One titled underground parking spot is also included.

The Gateway is the first of many residential offerings in the new master-planned community of West District.

“It’s modelled after some of Calgary’s favourite communities, like Marda Loop, Kensington, and Mission,” says Dilesh Sidhpura, client service specialist for the Gateway.

A European-style high street, 20-foot sidewalks, integrated bike paths, a central park and pond, along with infrastructure that promotes a pedestrian lifestyle add to the already strong amenity pool within the Westside.

The Gateway is currently under construction with occupancies expected in late 2019, which works perfectly for Rayner, who has already begun working on furniture spread sheets.

“It totalled out at $17,000, so I had to go back and rethink everything,” he says with a laugh.
After a rejig, he’s decided to go minimalist with the furnishings, keeping a top-of-the-line sound system at the list’s pinnacle, followed closely by both a barbecue and a stellar coffee maker.
“This is really exciting. I can’t wait to have friends over and cook up some pizzas, have a little wine. It will be great,” he says.

THE DETAILS

DEVELOPMENT: The Gateway is a collection of one and two bedroom condominiums, three-bedroom penthouses, three-bedroom split-level sky townhomes, and ground-level two- and three-bedroom brownstones, spread over a pair of eight-storey concrete buildings with a vibrant multi-use podium-level retail component.
COMMUNITY: West District
DEVELOPER: Truman
PRICE: Homes start at $299,000, plus GST.
SHOW SUITE AND PRESENTATION CENTRE: The presentation centre is located at 762 85th St. S.W. It is open Monday through Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Fridays.
INFORMATION: liveatgateway.com