Mantra

It's first class all the way at Mantra Condominiums, where 47 suites were completed in 2005 along a tree-lined section of 18th Avenue. The builder was Calgary's own Luxe Developments, which has since gone on to build Vu in Bridgeland, Qube townhouses in Bankview, and Exul in Renfrew.

Mantra has a concrete in-ground parkade with titled parking for every suite (one suite has two stalls), plus visitor parking. Above that are four floors of modern frame construction, including structural floor joists topped with gypcrete, and the in-floor heating is laid within that. Every suite has first-class finishing, so watch for real hardwood floors, knock-down ceilings, granite counters, fireplaces, two four-piece bathrooms for two-bed suites, in-suite laundries, just-under 10-foot ceilings, in-suite storage, and storage lockers as well. Every suite has a balcony or a patio and each has a natural-gas barbecue outlet. There's a social room on the main floor, reached by attractive modern hallways. The building's exterior presents well, especially the staggered corners with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Exterior windows and doors are common property at Mantra. I have the Condo Plan on file.