News
& Media
Press Release
September 21, 2018
West Campus Development Trust wins 2018 BILD Alberta New Community Development Award for University District
The growing, award-winning University District (U/D) community has reached an outstanding milestone. At the first annual Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Alberta Awards held in Jasper on September 14, developer West Campus Development Trust (the Trust) received the inaugural New Community Development award.
Its unique approach to urban community planning and marketing efforts set U/D apart among Alberta communities.
“While University District is taking shape as a truly people-first, sustainable, connected, completely urban multi-family community, it’s become more than that,” says James Robertson, president and CEO of West Campus Development Trust.
“Our feedback from partners, residents and prospective homebuyers describes U/D as thoughtful and inclusive. From the design of our public spaces and communal areas to the connected streets and pathways to the functionality of the retail street and community spaces, U/D raises the bar a little higher. As a result, we believe U/D is becoming an Alberta community unlike any other.”
The New Community Development award shines a spotlight on the work the Trust and its team has accomplished to share excitement with future residents — busy professionals, empty nesters, seniors and growing families — about U/D’s livable, vibrant community spirit, where people come first.
Out of the category’s provincial finalists, University District was the only one from Calgary. These awards recognize members who create attractive, exciting and innovative communities. Judges evaluated:
● Community vision
● Architectural features
● Signage and pageantry
● Marketability and success
West Campus Development Trust created clever, bold messaging and imagery for its marketing campaign, Northwest of Normal, with taglines like:
“For all walks of life, including that walk to work.”
“Spend time communing, not commuting.”
“Downsize without the downside.”
“We see and feel the excitement from Calgarians about our 200-acre mixed-use community and that energy helps us push the envelope even further within this sustainable development and in supporting PR and marketing communication campaigns,” says Maureen Henderson, director of marketing and communications at West Campus Development Trust.
“Like our development, our messages are uplifting, motivational and unique. The messaging resonates because it demonstrates how we value community, our residents’ health and the collective well-being. We appreciate the recognition of how the development is taking shape and the dialogue we spark with Calgarians about the sense of place being created here.
The Northwest of Normal campaign was also recognized during the annual Building Industry and Land Development Calgary Region (BILD CR) awards earlier in 2018 for its innovation and messaging to cater to a broad and diverse audience.
The Trust was awarded:
● Best Online Marketing Campaign of the Year
● Best Billboard
● Best Advertising Campaign of the Year
The Trust congratulates all finalists recognized at the BILD Alberta awards, including its builder partners Brookfield Residential and Homes by AVI for their incredible achievements.
About West Campus Development Trust
West Campus Development Trust (the Trust) is the community developer for Calgary’s University District. Setting a high standard for sustainable neighbourhood design, the Trust has created and led a progressive community Master Plan for 200 acres of land. With quality, design and expertise at the forefront, its team and 14-member board of directors are dedicated to creating the city’s premier urban residential community. True to fundamental values of transparency, collaboration and mindful progress, the Trust is creating a community for all Calgarians to experience and enjoy.
About University District
To the west of the University of Calgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold new vision for urban life in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the master planning and comprehensive engagement program forged strong respect between local stakeholders and the Trust. The neighbourhood applies the best ideas in city design and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities – weaving current aesthetic, technology and lifestyle options into the strong social fabric of the city. For more information about University District, visit its Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W., Calgary (just north of the Alberta Children’s Hospital) or go online: myuniversitydistrict.ca and visit Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, #UDLife.