Legacy Community Profile
Legacy is a master-planned southeast Calgary community in Ward 12, with development beginning around 2013–2014 by Shane Homes, Cedarglen Homes, and other builders. From roughly 2,766 dwellings in 2019, the community has grown to an estimated 5,500–6,500 homes housing more than 15,000 residents. The Legacy Village shopping district, the community YMCA, and proximity to Spruce Meadows have made it one of the fastest-growing communities in the city’s south end.
Homes in Legacy were built predominantly between 2013 and 2022, giving most properties basements in the 1,100–1,350 sq ft range with 9–9.5 ft unfinished ceiling heights. Many builders offered optional rough-in plumbing for basement suites, making legal suite conversions particularly straightforward on these lots. Detached homes currently range from $450,000 to $650,000 on MLS, with strong equity appreciation driven by continued neighbourhood buildout.
Rental demand in Legacy is supported by the YMCA employment hub, Spruce Meadows events staff, and workers commuting to the south industrial corridor via Macleod Trail. Legal suites here consistently attract tenants quickly given the relative shortage of rental inventory compared to population growth.
Legal Suite ROI in Legacy
- Suite construction cost: $58,000–$74,000 (OAF fixed-price, permit-included)
- Estimated monthly rental income: $1,400–$1,800
- SSIP grant (if eligible): up to $10,000 cash back from the City of Calgary
- Typical payback period: 4–6 years
- Added property value: $60,000–$90,000 (based on Calgary MLS comparables)
Why Legacy Homeowners Choose OAF
Fixed-price commitment. Your quote is your final invoice — no change orders for soil conditions, no surprises when the inspector arrives. Legacy’s consistent builder-grade construction means we’ve priced these projects accurately dozens of times.
Experience with SE newer-build homes. Legacy’s 2013–2022 homes share similar framing, mechanical rough-ins, and foundation details. We know exactly what we’re walking into before the first nail goes in.
Permit-complete delivery. We pull and manage every permit — development, building, electrical, and plumbing — so you never deal with the City of Calgary directly.
SSIP guidance. If your Legacy home is your primary residence, it almost certainly qualifies for the Secondary Suite Incentive Program. We prepare your application and walk you through the City’s requirements.
Services Available in Legacy
Lifestyle Basement Development
Transform your unfinished Legacy basement into a home theatre, fitness studio, kids’ playroom, or wet-bar lounge. With 9–9.5 ft ceilings standard in most Legacy homes, there’s excellent headroom for a premium finished space. Typical cost range: $55,000–$82,000 (fixed-price, permit-included)
Legal Secondary Suite
Legacy’s zoning and newer construction make it one of Calgary’s best communities for legal suite development. Rough-in plumbing, suite-ready exterior side entrances, and consistent floor plans mean lower surprises and faster timelines. Typical cost range: $58,000–$74,000 (fixed-price, permit-included)
Garage Development
Many Legacy homes have attached double garages with unfinished loft space or detached garage potential. We build heated, insulated garages that protect your vehicles year-round and add tangible resale value.
Legacy Construction Considerations
Soil and site: Legacy sits on clay loam with generally good drainage — a typical southeast Calgary profile that excavates cleanly. Compaction is reliable, though site-specific surveys are always recommended to confirm depth to utilities and any localized fill areas from the original grading.
Ceiling height: The majority of Legacy homes have 9–9.5 ft unfinished basement ceilings, yielding approximately 8–8.5 ft of finished height after mechanical drops and drywall — comfortably above the City’s 6.5 ft legal suite minimum.
City of Calgary permits: SE quadrant permit packages (development + building + electrical + plumbing) typically take 6–10 weeks from submission to approval. We submit complete packages the first time to avoid delays.
Common Challenges We Solve
- Rough-in location variability: Even within the same builder’s floor plan, rough-in drain locations shift by lot. We survey every rough-in before finalizing your suite layout to eliminate replumbing costs.
- Side entrance grading: Legal suites require a separate, code-compliant exterior entrance. On some Legacy lots, the existing grade requires minor landscaping work to achieve proper drainage away from the entrance — we scope this in your quote upfront.
- Mechanical room positioning: Furnace and HRV placement in newer Legacy homes varies. We route the finished space around mechanical rooms efficiently, maximizing your usable square footage.
Pricing Guide: Legacy Basement Development
| Scope | Typical Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle (1,000 sq ft) | $55,000–$68,000 | Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, HVAC, permits |
| Lifestyle (1,200+ sq ft) | $68,000–$82,000 | As above + wet bar or 3-piece bath |
| Legal Suite (800 sq ft) | $58,000–$68,000 | Full suite, separate entrance, kitchen, bath, laundry, permits |
| Legal Suite (900+ sq ft) | $68,000–$74,000 | As above + premium finishes |
All prices are fixed-price. The number in your quote is the number on your final invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions — Legacy
Does Legacy zoning allow secondary suites? Yes. Legacy falls under R-1 and R-G zoning districts that permit secondary suites by right in most cases. We confirm your specific address zoning before beginning design work.
What rental income can I expect from a Legacy suite? Current comparable suites in Legacy and neighbouring Walden are renting between $1,400 and $1,800 per month for an 800–950 sq ft suite with a separate entrance. Two-bedroom configurations can reach the upper end of that range.
Does my Legacy home qualify for the SSIP $10,000 grant? If Legacy is your primary residence and the suite meets Alberta Building Code requirements, you qualify. We’ve completed the SSIP application process for dozens of SE clients and handle all the City documentation.
How long does a Legacy legal suite take from start to finish? From signed agreement to handing you the keys: 14–18 weeks for a legal suite, 8–12 weeks for a lifestyle development. The City permit review accounts for 6–10 weeks of that window.
My Legacy home has an optional rough-in — does that lower the cost? Yes, meaningfully. A builder-supplied rough-in eliminates the cost of core drilling and can save $2,000–$4,000 on plumbing scope. We’ll assess your rough-in during the initial site visit and credit the savings in your quote.