About 100 years ago, the walls in this Churchill Exchange Building loft were used for one of the most advanced telephone exchanges in the country. Today, they hold beautiful works of art that bring Alberta’s Rocky Mountains into the very heart of the city.

The design of this luxury condo started when the owners hosted Architect Michael Shugarman for the best tea he’s ever had in his life. It ended at the 52nd floor of The Legends tower with natural marble tile, rift-cut oak furniture and a view that lets you see the weather coming.

Not many 26-year-olds will spend most their early 20s turning an older home into a living, mid-century-modern time capsule, complete with swag lights, retro furniture and a rotary phone. But this is no ordinary 26-year-old, and this is no ordinary home.

This infill Ritchie home doubles as the builder’s head office, and the owner loves meeting friendly neighbourhood looky-loos outside. But for BE Home Tour ticketholders, you can go right in to see the wood-burning fireplace, textured kitchen backsplash and fan, and stunning round-edged, white oak staircase.

Where some see an empty mechanical room, Vivian Manasc saw untapped design potential. She then turned this space atop the Cambridge Building into one of the city’s coolest lofts — complete with huge, fibreglass curtain walls, a wrap-around patio and seating to spare. She hopes her home will inspire others to come to the city’s core and help downtown grow as well as her rooftop garden.