Community Spotlight: River Heights and Riversong
River Heights and Riversong as are some of the newest in the Town of Cochrane, and two of the first to set foot in the annexed land on the south side of the Bow River. This beautiful neighbourhood offers Cochrane home buyers a variety of housing types, from retirement villas, acreages and modern homes constructed in the Prairie and Arts and Crafts style.
River Heights is off of Highway 22 south of Highway 1A before you head over the bridge. Bow Valley High School is in this neighbourhood. New home developers still building in the Riversong area say that spring has brought budding optimism into the community and more people are coming to look at show homes in the neighbourhood.
Tamani Communities, the developer of Riversong, was featured in a recent interview with CREB Now, a newsletter published by the Calgary Real Estate Board. Vice-president Cam Hart told CREB's reporter that he believes the market so far in 2017 is looking more positive than it has the previous two years.
The parade of show homes in Riversong features six show homes from two builders and includes four detached homes and two suites that showcase a townhome project from Jayman Built called The Rise. Hart says this development in Riversong is in a "once-in-a-lifetime" location as the community backs directly onto the riverfront.
As the economy starts its slow recovery back, traffic to River Heights and the Riversong offering is increasing. Buyers in Riversong are coming from within Cochrane, as residents are moving up within the community or from north west Calgary. Many buyers are young couples thinking of starting a family or young families. Construction in the neighbourhood began in 2008 and continue into its ninth year. There are also a good selection of resale homes in the neighbourhood.
Riversong Home Prices
The average price of a residential home in Riversong as of April 15, 2017 is $442,000 and homes on average offer 1,600 square feet of living space. Townhomes start from $249,000 and some of the larger move-up homes with front-drive garages on the resale market are in the low $800,000s.
The community is set to be completed by 2021 at which time there will be 1,700 homes on the 320-acre community built on two-quarter sections.
The biggest selling feature of River Heights and Riversong in particular is the natural surroundings with native trees and the ability to walk along the river.
There is a 100-acre acre in the centre of the neighbourhood that has been left untouched. There are 4km of walking trails that have been created in this natural reserve. Two playgrounds have been constructed and a couple of windmills have been erected that provide power for the lights in the area. There are wonderful views of the Bow River Valley, plus views west to the mountains. A pedestrian bridge has been erected so walkers and cyclists can get into town and over to the Spray Lakes Family Recreation Centre.
Built Away from the Flood Plain
It's important for Cochrane home buyers to note that during the floods of 2013, there was no damage or high water in Riversong. The Riviera section of the community closest to the river was completely untouched.
Calgary is a 15-minute drive south along Highway 22 and then east on the Trans-Canada.