The opportunity to live in a villa-style bungalow or bi-level at the Landing at Rocky Ridge is swiftly becoming scarce. At the time of writing only two completed residences were still up for grabs, along with two villas still in construction and the plots for eight more potential homes lying ready.

What is the draw? Location, features, and affordability, say the developers.

"Built for discriminating, mature buyers who might or might not be snowbirds but who appreciate the finer things in their home, the villas will satisfy those who want it all," says Brian Cassidy, marketing and sales manager for The Swan Group Inc. "And, [for those] who subscribe to the all-important and oft-heard mantra of ‘lock it and leave it’."

Cassidy says that more than half of the owners of the already completed villas at The Landing head south to the sunnier climbs of Arizona, Mexico and California for all or part of the Calgary winter season.

The Villas at Rocky Ridge are a sister project to the condo apartments built on the same quiet, secure cul-de-sac in Calgary’s scenic northwest. Developers The Swan Group Inc. have been building homes in the city and Canmore for more than two decades, and have been a member of the Alberta New Home Warranty Program since March of 1991.

"Rocky Vista Gardens N.W. is one of the very last, and most beautifully situated, developable streets in the city’s northwest Rocky Ridge community," says Cassidy of the villa’s location. "..with exquisite, breathtaking views of our glorious Rocky Mountains both to the south and west of The Landing at Rocky Ridge – kiss the Buddhas ‘good morning’ and toast the sunset, ‘good night!’"

The location offers close proximity to LRT, shopping, restaurants and parks, not to mention panoramic mountain views.

Villas come in two styles: the bi-level units offer 1,318 and 1,337 square feet floor plans with two bedrooms and two baths on the upper level and a full, unfinished basement at the double garage level. Finished areas feature hardwood, ceramic and carpet and start at $469,900.

The bungalow floor plan offers a ‘superb master bedroom and ensuite bath’ with an additional 1,000 square feet of finished floor space on the walk-out basement level. Features include in-floor heating in both bedrooms and the spacious recreation room, a large island in the kitchen, as well as hardwood flooring, ceramic and carpet, with a double car garage. These units are priced at $659,900.

All units provide high vaulted ceilings on the upper level, 10-foot ceilings in the basements, and gourmet kitchens. This means: granite countertops; a full array of stainless steel appliances - including a bottom drawer freezer, dual-fuel stoves (natural gas range with electric oven) exterior-venting microwave/hood fan and dishwasher - and stained maple cabinets with full height backsplashes.

Maple handrails with wrought iron spindles compliment stairways and low maintenance decks, ideal for entertaining, are framed with aluminum handrails and tempered glass inserts. Exposed aggregate composes the driveways, walkways and steps owners will never need shovel.

Monthly condo fees, set at $241 per month, include all snow removal from the street to the front door as well as all seasonal landscaping and private garbage collection.

As mentioned, only one bungalow and one bi-level remain finished and ready for immediate possession, while one bungalow and one bi-level remain under construction. The developers will only take these properties to the drywall stage so purchasers may select their own colours, flooring and finishes "and still move in by the summer," says Cassidy.

In addition the land remains open for four more duplex bungalows (eight residences in total) "but then, that’s it for our land in Rocky Ridge," says Cassidy. "And that’s why buyers who are looking to downsize and join the ‘lock it and leave it’ generation should jump on these few remaining villa opportunities!"

For more information and images of The Villas at the Landing at Rocky Ridge visit their website.

"As another saying goes, ‘when they’re gone, they’re gone!’"