Living in Cornerstone: A Home Buyer’s Guide

Cornerstone is a newer master-planned community in northeast Calgary. It sits inside Stoney Trail, on both sides of Country Hills Boulevard, and its developer describes it as Calgary’s largest community, at more than 1,100 acres. About 2,500 homes have been built so far, and a lot more are on the way. I get asked about Cornerstone all the time, so here is what I tell buyers before they book a showing.

Why people move to Cornerstone

Brand-new homes inside the city. You get new construction, new-home warranties and modern floor plans without moving out of Calgary. In the 2021 municipal census Cornerstone had 6,190 residents in 1,795 homes, and it has grown a lot since then.

Easy road access. Stoney Trail runs along the north edge, Country Hills Boulevard runs through the middle, and Deerfoot Trail is reached by Country Hills. The community has five main access points, which helps at rush hour. The airport area, CrossIron Mills and Peter Lougheed Hospital are all a short drive away.

Shopping close by. Highstreet at Cornerstone already has a Chalo! FreshCo grocery store and a Shoppers Drug Mart. The community plan also includes a larger hub with retail, offices and apartments, plus two future LRT plazas. Those are long-term plans, so treat them as a bonus, not a promise.

Room to play. About 95 acres are set aside for parks and roughly 180 acres are natural wetlands. There are more than 14 km of pathways, playgrounds, a cricket pitch and a seasonal community rink, with more regional parks and a dog park planned.

A diverse, welcoming community. Around 61% of Cornerstone residents in 2021 were immigrants, and you will hear many languages on the pathways and at the grocery store.

Schools in Cornerstone

This is the most important thing to understand: Cornerstone is still waiting for its own schools. Here is where things stand:

• Public (Calgary Board of Education): a new Cornerstone High School (Grades 10–12) was announced by the CBE in February 2025, and the developer lists it as funded for construction with a 2029 target. A public elementary school (K–5) and a middle school (Grades 6–9) are in design, targeted for 2029–2030.
• Until then, students are bused. In June 2025 the CBE named James Short Memorial School (K–3) and G.W. Skene School (Grades 4–6) as overflow schools for new Cornerstone registrations, because closer schools were full.
• Catholic (Calgary Catholic School District): a Catholic K–9 school site is in design, with no opening date yet. Check the CCSD school finder for current designations.

School boundaries and overflow schools change often in new communities, so always confirm the designated school for a specific address with the school board before you buy.

What kinds of homes can you buy?

Cornerstone has almost every type of new home: condos, townhomes, duplexes, laned homes (with a back lane and rear garage or parking pad) and front-drive detached homes. Builders listed by the community include Anthem, Jayman BUILT, Morrison Homes and Shane Homes. You will also find resale homes, which can be a good deal if you want to skip the wait for construction.

Laned homes and duplexes are popular with first-time buyers because the price is usually lower than a front-garage home. If you are thinking about a basement suite, check the City of Calgary rules and permits before you count on rental income.

Tips before you buy in Cornerstone

• Plan for school busing. If you have kids, ask how long the bus ride is today and what changes when the new schools open.
• Ask about the homeowners association. Cornerstone has an HOA that maintains community amenities, so confirm the annual fee and what it covers.
• Check what is planned next to the lot. Future school sites, commercial areas and apartment sites can change the view, traffic and parking around a home.
• Compare with nearby communities. If you would rather be in an established area with a CTrain station, also look at Saddle Ridge. For other newer communities close by, see Redstone and Skyview Ranch.

Thinking about Cornerstone? Let’s talk.

I help buyers and sellers across Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Cochrane and Okotoks, in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. Tell me what you are looking for in Cornerstone, and I will send you homes that match your budget, including new builds and quick possessions.

Frequently asked questions