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Pre-Leasing for Bridge has begun!

Pre-leasing for Bridge at Bridgeland’s 1 & 2 bedroom suites has begun, with move-ins scheduled to start in July 2022.

Tenants can choose from 285 modern suites, set atop main floor retail space that includes over 6,000 square feet of fitness amenities plus shops.

The bridge is pet-friendly living that’s surrounded by greenspace in one of Calgary’s greatest urban neighborhoods. Tenants will have access to amazing social spaces, a rooftop pet lounge, loads of local artwork throughout the building, and cutting-edge convenience -- including electronic parcel delivery and smart building technology.

Take a virtual tour at bridgeliving.ca or connect with a Bridge leasing specialist today to get on the priority registration list.

T: 403.333.5853
E: bridgeliving@mmgltd.com

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Construction of Bridge Reaches Final Stages

How is construction progressing?

The first few months of 2022 have brought construction of the Bridge into the final stages, working toward turnover and occupancy in July of 2022. The elevators are installed, and the person/material hoist has been removed from the exterior of the building. The exterior cladding is currently being installed and is expected to be complete in spring.

Suite and common area finishes are ongoing with drywall, taping, and sanding complete in all suites, and other finishes follow close behind. Commissioning of various mechanical and electrical systems is underway and will be ongoing up until completion.

What are the working hours?

A typical workday during this phase will be from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, though some days could extend to 8:00 PM.

Is there going to be a lot of noise and dust?

Exterior works will be limited to cladding and roofing which will have minimal noise impact. Noise will be limited to daytime activities going forward.

Who is the contact person for questions or concerns about construction at The Bridge?

We understand that the construction process can feel disruptive for people living nearby the site. Anyone with questions or concerns about how work is progressing at The Bridge is encouraged to reach out to Mike Bakgaard ITC Site Superintendent via email at mbakgaard@itc-group.com or Ron Jordan, ITC Senior Project Manager via email at RJordan@itc-group.com.

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Car-Free Living Can Save Calgarians $14,000/Year

Most folks on the prairies know the old saying that the cheapest thing about a horse is buying it. After that, the real expenses add up fast – recurring vet bills, feed prices, boarding and equipment costs can take the joy out of any ride.

For Albertans, that same wisdom applies to car ownership. Everyone loves the convenience that driving can offer, but over time the cost of car ownership can become a buzz kill - especially when you watch expenses rise and the car’s value depreciate with each passing kilometer.

Cost of Car Ownership

Take the example of a new standard compact car purchased for around $27,000. Depreciation of 25% during the first year takes a swift and deadly bite out of the car’s value, peeling an additional $7,000 off its new owner.

Then, after the first year, routine maintenance kicks in and tasks like replacing brake pads, fluids and oil changes are necessary to maintain warranty but can make annual expenses soar.

Cost of Car Ownership (Compact Car)
Purchase - New Vehicle	$27,705 (MSRP)

Year 1 Depreciation (25%)	$6,926
Insurance	$1,316/year
Fuel	$878/year
Maintenance	$1,450/year
Parking	$3,600/year
*Total*	(-$14,170)

Unavoidable fuel costs take another $1.17/litre out of the pocketbook. With most Alberta drivers logging 15,200km per year, that’s around $878 annually (based on 5L/100km). Older and larger vehicles can average far less efficiency than 56km/litre, making that cost burden climb much higher. Insurance and parking, especially for urban dwellers, can be sinkholes for hundreds of additional dollars each month.

Car-Free Reality

An increasing number of savvy Calgarians are making the switch to car-free lifestyles, for plenty of great reasons. For some, it’s frugal practicality or the desire to reduce emissions. Others simply want to shed some non-essential burdens in favour of a lighter lifestyle.

Flexible transportation options like car shares and on-demand car services are steadily growing to meet demand. Trends like work-from-home are quickly becoming a long-term way of life and urban Calgarians are choosing exciting new living spaces located in walkable, well-connected communities – all driving down the need to rely on a car.

Between shifting lifestyle preferences and the deterrent of vehicle costs, the old dream of owning a car is swiftly being replaced by the possibilities of carefree, car-free living.

JEMM Properties’ newest development, Bridge, is a car-free rental development under construction in the heart of urban Bridgeland. Bridge will offer residents cutting edge convenience that keeps the fun going, with electronic parcel delivery and smart building technology. Sign up to get connected with the latest news about Bridge.

Want to learn more about the cost of vehicle ownership? Check out these helpful sources:

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Watch Architects Maria & Rob answer twenty rapid-fire questions about design, community, and The Hive in Sunnyside

What’s more beautiful, Math or Architecture? What’s exciting about design in Calgary? What’s a Gear Wall? How much does it cost to ride the C-Train, anyway?

Maria Landry and Rob Gairns from Calgary-based LOLA Architecture take a walk past the future site of JEMM’s latest development, The Hive in Sunnyside, and answer twenty questions about the project and the community.

Watch the video here

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Bridge Gets Glass, Brick and Roofing

How is construction progressing?

Site works is wrapping up for the 2021 season, while exterior work is ongoing and will continue into early 2022. Windows will be completely installed by mid-November. Exterior brick work is well underway. Suite finishes are progressing through to Level 10.

What are the working hours?

A typical workday during this phase will be from 7AM to 5:30PM, though some days could extend to 8:00PM.

Is there going to be a lot of noise and dust?

As we approach winter our exterior works will be limited to cladding and roofing which will have minimal noise impact. Noise will be limited to daytime activities going forward.

Who is the contact person for questions or concerns about construction at The Bridge?

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What weighs more than 100,000 Dachshunds and just moved into The Bridge?

At just over 28,800 lbs (13,325 kgs), our new cooling tower takes first place as the heaviest single piece of equipment yet to be installed at The Bridge.

Over the summer months, our construction team at ITC Group welcomed additional large-scale equipment deliveries, including The Bridge’s generator and air handling unit.

These machines have big jobs ahead of them – they’ll support The Bridge’s mechanical and electrical systems in providing effective control of the environment inside the building. Each of The Bridge’s 285 units will have individually-set climates, including air conditioning. This will help people, and their pets, stay cool and comfortable all year round. To keep spaces healthy and reduce shared air, residents will have their own fresh air intake separate from their neighbors.

For added convenience, our tenants will be able to easily control the temperature in their apartments through their smartphones, thanks to our technology providers at 1Valet.

Learn more about Smart Building Technology

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Building Structure Completed and Finishing Work Begins

How is construction progressing?

The project is progressing on track with the concrete structure completed at the end of June. The finishing stages of the project are now well underway with windows installed to Level 8. Painting, trims and cabinets are being installed on Level 2 and 3.

What are the working hours?

A typical workday during this phase will be from 7AM to 5:30PM, though some days work could extend to 8:00PM.

Is there going to be a lot of noise and dust?

With the concrete complete, noise issues should be less of a challenge with remaining activities. Noise should be limited to daytime activities going forward.

Who is the contact person for questions or concerns about construction at The Bridge?

Photo credit: ITC Construction Group

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Top Five Reasons People Prefer Purpose-Built Rental

Amenity-rich, high rise purpose-built rentals are an evolving breed of properties popularized in the US and only now starting to emerge in Calgary. With a handful ready to call home or, like JEMM Properties’ The Bridge in Bridgeland nearing the end of construction, they are set to bring innovation and refreshing creativity to Calgary’s rental market.

What’s to love about purpose-built rental properties? Let’s count the ways:

Long Term Stability

Many renters have been burned by fickle landlords, making rental life feel risky, chaotic or transient. Who wants to get a mid-vacation text from a landlord saying he wants you out so he can move back in? Or what happens when the rental you’re in decides to flip to condos or worse, reverses a longstanding pet policy? In purpose-built rentals, the long-term stability is baked in and lets people settle in and live life – no gut punches.

Market research supports Canadian’s growing interest in PBRs, with PWC issuing a report signaling that demographic and economic trends are “moving the dial in favour of purpose-built rental housing in Canada”. The model is continuing to gain ground in major Canadian markets and it’s no surprise that heads are turning in Calgary, where condos have traditionally dominated the field.

Less Conflict

Trying to get a drippy tap dealt with by an absentee landlord or self-managed condo-board can be full of friction and wasted time. In PBRs, a philosophy of tenant care is part of the operating model which creates happy tenants and an additional upside of longer-term tenancies. With that in mind, PBRs are typically run by highly responsive management teams. Often, maintenance requests are received through digital portals, dedicated tenant-only Apps or by on-site managers who can quickly resolve maintenance issues by mobilizing a team of professional on-call service providers.

(Way) More Fun

With lifestyle being king for young professionals and downsizers alike, renting in a purpose-built building is a gateway to fun and freedom. PBRs, like The Bridge in Bridgeland, are well located in vibrant urban communities and weave in an engaging amenity plan within the design concept. Tenants, and often their pets, have indoor and outdoor space to meet and socialize. Many PBRs go a step farther with curated monthly calendars of on-site social events that bring in the best of the surrounding neighborhood with events like drop-in fitness classes, tasting parties or bike repair clinics.

PWC’s report further confirms that renters are looking for robust lifestyle as part of the rental experience, stating that “Amenities and services are also increasingly important in the rental market. While people may be willing to sacrifice size and home ownership, many want units that meet their lifestyle needs and preferences, such as more community-focused rental housing that offer opportunities for tenants to meet and interact with each other.”

Quality Finishes Make It Home

Professional property managers Mayfield Management Group Ltd provides on-site management for purpose-built rental properties and says that quality finishes are table stakes for today’s renters. “Look and feel matter,” says President AJ Silvinski. “Young renters want the same stainless steel and stone finishes they grew up with and downsizers want to keep up the quality they’ve earned and enjoyed over time.” Understanding these expectations means that purpose-built rentals are designed and finished with high quality materials that put the emphasis on durability and successfully hold their appeal over the long term.

Unlike condo developments, in purpose-built rentals the developer has an ownership mentality and that means they are thinking about owning this building for the long-haul. This motivates careful decisions during the design process to ensure the best quality construction, systems, efficiency, security, and overall quality for the life-cycle of the building to make people who live in these buildings happy for decades to come.

Innovation

Because PBR’s are human-centred, experiential living environments the opportunity for innovation is huge. Property developers work closely with designers, technology providers and property managers from the concept stage to ensure that the dedicated spaces and systems required to deliver forward-thinking amenities are in place.

When crafting an experience plan for The Bridge, JEMM and the project team looked for innovative solutions for day-to-day tenant needs like bike storage. The result was the design of totally custom secure storage system that conveniently accommodates two bikes per unit . They doubled-down on innovation by creating secure parcel delivery with refrigerated spaces for boxed food deliveries, wired every living space with smart-building technology and ensured tenants can link to security and control temperature remotely by using their smart phones. Tenants can take their pooch to the dog run on the 8^th floor roof-top when nature calls, without having to leave their secured building.

With these stable, hassle-free and fun rental options becoming available, purpose-built rentals are setting a brisk pace toward a more diverse and exciting rental landscape for Calgarians.

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JEMM Properties’ newest development, The Bridge, is purpose-built rental development under construction in the heart of Bridgeland. The Bridge will offer residents cutting edge convenience that keeps the fun going, with electronic parcel delivery and smart building technology. Sign up to receive FACET, our bi-monthly newsletter and get more info sent right to your inbox.

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What A Year It’s Been!

JEMM broke ground on The Bridge at Bridgeland, a 285-unit mixed-use rental development, on April 30^th, 2020. A year has passed, and we are looking back on some surprises as well as a few good lessons. Above all, we’ve been inspired by the unstoppable energy that makes Bridgeland one of our favourite communities to build in.

#1 – Ain’t Got Nothing if You Ain’t Got Health

With groundbreaking for The Bridge occurring just weeks into the Covid-19 pandemic, each of the past 365 days of construction have been accomplished under pandemic protocols. As a large-scale construction project, it was necessary that onsite teams change fluidly and safely based on the expertise required to execute each phase. Thanks to the measures put in place by our construction team at ITC Group, the dedicated & diligent cleaning staff, shift work and organized work flow the dozens of tradespeople that came to work at The Bridge each day got through the early days of the pandemic safely with no major shutdowns.

#2 - It Takes 870m³ of Concrete and 25 Tissues to Plug Seeping Groundwater

Nature dealt out a few of her own lessons over the past year, including a reminder of how unpredictable soil conditions can be close to the Bow River. During the site excavation phase, extensive ground water made its way into the open pit. This triggered the pour of an additional 870 cubic meters of concrete (the equivalent of about 75 cement trucks) to support the slab-on-grade and fully plug the water seams running through the site. The 25 tissues were for our CFO.

#3 – A Lot Can Happen in a Year

Any good construction schedule is built with a balance of flex and focus, and the Year One game plan for building The Bridge needed exactly that. With challenging site conditions, the pandemic threatening to impact our workforce and inevitable Calgary cold snaps no leap forward was taken for granted.

Construction Progress First 365 days

#4- Community Counts

Since we broke ground last April, Bridgeland has continued to attract more amazing Calgary entrepreneurs. This included the best-of-the-best in restaurants with the addition of Lil Empire, Una, Phil and Sebastian’s and some top ice cream shoppes, Made By Marcus and Village Ice Cream. The JEMM team can’t wait to taste our way through the next 365 days!

#5 – Teamwork Makes it Possible

This year has also offered a reminder of a great lesson for any business - you are only as good as your team. JEMM is thankful for the time and talent provided by our Calgary-based teams at ITC Group, Zeidler Architecture and O2 Planning + Design, as well as the many consultants and trade contractors that are involved with building The Bridge project.

As Year Two of construction on The Bridge kicks-off, we are looking forward to completing the building up to its 16^th floor plus the rooftop amenity spaces. Our site team will be joined by additional skilled trades who will start on interior finishes and technology features, getting us ready to welcome The Bridge’s first tenants in the summer of 2022.

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For more updates on The Bridge, check out the project page or sign up for FACET, JEMM’s bi-monthly newsletter.

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Predictions for Calgary's Urban Residential Rental Market

JEMM sat down for a socially distanced chat with Intelligence House Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Emmett Hartfield, to talk about what’s in store for Calgary’s residential rental market in 2021.

So, Emmett, did you bring your crystal ball?

Nope. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you can’t always predict what’s to come.

Does that mean that developers entering the rental market should brace for another bumpy year ahead?

Actually, so far so good. Absorption of new rental suites in Calgary has been respectable, especially for units priced below $2.75 per square foot. But the issue of the pandemic, lower inter-provincial migration and local job loss has meant that, at least for now, developers shouldn’t expect the uptake of 20+ units per month that we might have seen in the past.

For landlords, what challenges do you see for the coming year?

The phasing and timing of development impacts the optimal choice of product type. Near-term residential development should focus on mid or low-rise apartments and townhomes to capture the consumer market emerging from the pandemic. As always, it will be important for current landlords to manage their properties well and avoid turnover as best they can.

Covid made some urban renters question if they want to keep paying for amenities, like gyms and party rooms, that weren't usable during the pandemic. Was that an anomaly or will renters’ appetite for amenities change?

Covid definitely has made things difficult with regard to utilizing building amenities; however, our surveys generally show that amenities like security, storage and fitness areas still rank as high priority for tenants.

Developers like JEMM, who have chosen to build in a great urban neighbourhood like Bridgeland, can offer tenants their must-have amenities plus all the timeless benefits of skyline views, proximity to mass transit and tons of local commercial options.

Has the pandemic changed the way you market buildings to renters?

Yes, absolutely. For the foreseeable future, we won’t be hosting launch events or other high-touch tours or experiences, so we’ve had to find ways to get prospective renters excited about the opportunities available to them. We are heavily leveraging digital advertising and communication tools over print or guerilla marketing-type activities. Our leasing specialists have adapted unit tours to take place over Facetime or under very strict in-person conditions.

What opportunities does Intelligence House see on the horizon for developers like JEMM, who are underway with mid-rise purpose-built rental?

By late 2022, when JEMM is ready to launch The Bridge in Bridgeland, we hope to see that the residential leasing market has evolved from the slow-and-steady pace we expect to see in 2021 back to a state where it can regain and sustain its momentum.

If Calgary’s rental market had a theme song, what would it be?

“Baby Come Back” by Player. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4uSzrsOQr8]

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Intelligence House Ltd. is a highly successful data research, marketing and sales agency for residential development. In the first six years of operations, Intelligence House Ltd is now marketing and selling/leasing over $600 million in Multi-Family assets in Canada and the United States. With offices in Edmonton and Calgary, the research, marketing and sales/leasing divisions combine for over 35 employees and in 2017, the organization was listed as the 14th fastest growing company in Alberta by the Alberta Venture Fast Growth 50. www.intelligencehouse.ca.

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Photo credit: ITC Construction Group

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