At the Top of the Game

In 1978, Calgary developer and businessman Jack Singer founded United Management Ltd. Two decades later, the company was succeeded by United Communities, which is led by president Don Douglas. After developing many residential communities—as well as commercial and corporate complexes—United Communities LP eventually found its niche in residential land development and is known today for its green, family-friendly communities among some of Canada’s most scenic locales. “Through innovative and attractive architectural controls; master-planned, environmentally friendly communities; and with amenities that create lifestyles, United ensures that its communities are places people want to live,” says Chris Kolozetti, executive vice president and COO of the company. United Communities gains popularity among home builders for offering a variety of housing types at many different price points, as well as providing on-time delivery, which is critical with Canada’s short construction season. Today, the company has developed more than 22,000 building lots in 44 communities, and boasts a 10 percent market share in its principal markets of Calgary and Edmonton.

1978: a business is born

United Management is founded by Jack Singer.

1993: shifting gears

After several years of developing new communities, shopping centres, office buildings, and multifamily projects throughout Alberta, Arizona, and Texas, United Management begins to divest itself of its nonland assets and operations, establishing land development—primarily in Calgary and Edmonton—as its core business. United Communities has since continued focusing on residential land development with projects in the greater Calgary and Edmonton regions; Kimberley, British Columbia; and in Sacramento, California. “The company prides itself on developing sought-after, livable, new communities that individuals and families are proud to call home,” Kolozetti says.

1998: new beginnings

United Inc. (the successor to United Management Ltd.) goes public with an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). United commences development of Crystal Ridge in Okotoks (15 minutes south of Calgary), a major amenity community with both a man-made lake and golf course.

1999: a calgary community shines

United acquires and commences development of its flagship Discovery Ridge Community in Calgary, which is adjacent to the 300-acre Griffith Woods Natural Environment Park, one of the most desirable and sought-after communities in Calgary.

2000: the takeover & record numbers

After three years as a public company trading on the TSX, the company goes private with $70 million in assets. The company is purchased from the Singer family and public shareholders by United Communities LP, led by United’s longtime president, Don Douglas.

2003: heading south

United enters the United States with its initial project in Sacramento, California.

2006: here comes the sun

United partners with the Town of Okotoks, Sterling Homes, ATCO Gas, and Natural Resources Canada to begin an award-winning phase in its Drake Landing community. The phase is comprised of 52 solar-heated homes with a central, underground geothermal-energy-storage system. United also creates the PEER program, an industry-leading indoor and outdoor water-conservation program, for its communities, encompassing low-flow water fixtures, xeriscaping, and the provision of rain barrels for irrigation for each home.

2009: an environmental achievement

United commences its Big Lake community, which marks the first low-impact development community for both the company and Edmonton.

2011: looking ahead

United launches its new home-building operation in Sacramento. The company plans to continue creating residential developments that inspire and set a mould for the towns in which they are built. “United’s goal is to continue to grow and to create value for its stakeholders, and in the process provide its customers with continually improving communities that are responsive to their needs,” Kolozetti says.

The company also commences or maintains work on many other projects, including Sage Hill, Drake Landing, Crystal Ridge, Silverado, the Ranch, Forest Crowne, and Nolan Hill. “United is proud to have been a part of building and shaping the cities and towns in which it operates,” Kolozetti says. “[We] look forward to continuing to provide communities in which residents and their families grow and thrive.”