CHAIRMAN & CO-FOUNDER
JAY WESTMAN
Inspired by the beauty of the land, the success of Westman Village and the excitement of a North American community tour, we began our journey to Nostalgia Townlet.
Rooted in the foundation of five integrated lifestyles, from affordable rentals to high-end condos, to senior’s living with memory care — all located in one vibrant, connected community known as Westman Village. Anchored by an amenity-rich lifestyle centre and surrounded by boutique commercial streetscapes, with underground parking, solar energy infrastructure and destination restaurants — it was a masterclass in blending luxury with accessibility. This experience and success gave us proof of concept and the confidence to bring Nostalgia Townlet to life.
A seven-day Visioning Quest across North America helped shape our next evolution: Nostalgia. With my business partner, Dick Van Grieken and I, and a dream team of architects, designers and planners, we visited leading-edge communities across Toronto, Georgia, Florida, Utah and Oregon — soaking in ideas like terminating vistas, geothermal systems, boutique bakeries and vibrant public realms. The mission? To dream without limits. Ideas like clock towers, hovercraft access, hotels, wellness services and even private schools were all placed on the table as part of a community that could blend utility with beauty, and sustainability with timeless design.
Upon return, we began shaping Nostalgia Townlet — an evolution of Westman Village’s concept scaled up to an entire community. All centered around a European-inspired town centre, with public plazas, boutique retailers, walkable streets and a sense of vibrancy often only felt in European towns. We dreamt of a place where live music and dancing would break out in the streets. We partnered with NORR Architects and later brought in creative minds like Peter Hribar to refine our architectural vision: classic brick, European flair and modern hospitality. Design inspiration came from Amsterdam, Paris and even Africa, resulting in a blend of old-world elegance and contemporary sophistication — creating a place where everyone knows your name, just like the small towns of generations past. But that is not all; homes for every stage of life possible from affordable rentals to high-end condominiums, to the introduction of wide homes with 2 & 3-car garages, nanny/in-law suites, legal suites, dual homes, townhomes from family to executive — all with the highest end exterior architectural features in the market today.
Sustainability remains our cornerstone, with a practical and high-impact environmental strategy. Every home will feature solar panels; multi-level buildings will use geo-exchange systems where practical and the community’s centrepiece, the Nautilus Pond, will demonstrate how aesthetics and ecology can coexist. We’re engaging with leaders from ATCO, Enmax, and the University of Calgary to explore hydrogen, district energy and further innovation — positioning Nostalgia Townlet as a community that looks back with charm, and forward with purpose.
The inspiration for The Nostalgia Club began in the most personal of ways — through family. My daughter Nicole and her husband Chris invited me to tour their new membership at The Winter Club in northwest Calgary. I was immediately struck by the richness of the environment — every corner thoughtfully designed, every program filled with purpose, especially those designed for children and families. It was during that visit that I met Kevin Boyles, the General Manager, whose deep knowledge of private clubs across North America sparked a series of meaningful conversations. As our vision unfolded, Kevin shared his insights, connected us to a broader network and even briefed his Board of Directors about our evolving idea for a new kind of club — The Nostalgia Club.
Realizing we needed a broader perspective to shape our ambition, we asked Kevin to organize a five-day research expedition across North America. Alongside my business partner, Dick Van Grieken and our family’s next generation, Kris Van Grieken and Nicole Westman-Jones, a hand-picked team of architects, designers and planners joined the journey. We toured eleven of the most respected and innovative private clubs, culminating at Calgary’s own iconic Glencoe Club. What we discovered was invaluable insight into how great clubs operate, how they build enduring culture and how inter-club reciprocity across North America enriches member experience. This journey was instrumental in defining what The Nostalgia Club could — and should — be.
With the guidance of NORR Architects and the creative expertise of Peter Hribar, a leader in restaurant and hospitality design, we began shaping a club experience unlike any other. Our planning was meticulous — compiling best-in-class amenities, diverse dining venues, thoughtful programming and standout features including an NHL-sized rink. Every element has been crafted with the intention of creating a world-class destination for connection, wellness, celebration and legacy.
To take on a private athletic and social club of this magnitude, excellence isn’t a goal — it’s a baseline. The Nostalgia Club will redefine global standards not only in design and amenities, but for the feeling it evokes and the experience it delivers. This isn’t a club — it’s a way of life, a return to values and a place where every detail is deliberate. Memberships will be intentionally curated, because you don’t merely want to be considered the best-of-the-best, you want to be known as the only one who does what you do: the one and only. When something is this exceptional, you don’t just join it — you put your name on it.
A seven-day Visioning Quest across North America helped shape our next evolution: Nostalgia. With my business partner, Dick Van Grieken and I, and a dream team of architects, designers and planners, we visited leading-edge communities across Toronto, Georgia, Florida, Utah and Oregon — soaking in ideas like terminating vistas, geothermal systems, boutique bakeries and vibrant public realms. The mission? To dream without limits. Ideas like clock towers, hovercraft access, hotels, wellness services and even private schools were all placed on the table as part of a community that could blend utility with beauty, and sustainability with timeless design.
Upon return, we began shaping Nostalgia Townlet — an evolution of Westman Village’s concept scaled up to an entire community. All centered around a European-inspired town centre, with public plazas, boutique retailers, walkable streets and a sense of vibrancy often only felt in European towns. We dreamt of a place where live music and dancing would break out in the streets. We partnered with NORR Architects and later brought in creative minds like Peter Hribar to refine our architectural vision: classic brick, European flair and modern hospitality. Design inspiration came from Amsterdam, Paris and even Africa, resulting in a blend of old-world elegance and contemporary sophistication — creating a place where everyone knows your name, just like the small towns of generations past. But that is not all; homes for every stage of life possible from affordable rentals to high-end condominiums, to the introduction of wide homes with 2 & 3-car garages, nanny/in-law suites, legal suites, dual homes, townhomes from family to executive — all with the highest end exterior architectural features in the market today.
Sustainability remains our cornerstone, with a practical and high-impact environmental strategy. Every home will feature solar panels; multi-level buildings will use geo-exchange systems where practical and the community’s centrepiece, the Nautilus Pond, will demonstrate how aesthetics and ecology can coexist. We’re engaging with leaders from ATCO, Enmax, and the University of Calgary to explore hydrogen, district energy and further innovation — positioning Nostalgia Townlet as a community that looks back with charm, and forward with purpose.
The inspiration for The Nostalgia Club began in the most personal of ways — through family. My daughter Nicole and her husband Chris invited me to tour their new membership at The Winter Club in northwest Calgary. I was immediately struck by the richness of the environment — every corner thoughtfully designed, every program filled with purpose, especially those designed for children and families. It was during that visit that I met Kevin Boyles, the General Manager, whose deep knowledge of private clubs across North America sparked a series of meaningful conversations. As our vision unfolded, Kevin shared his insights, connected us to a broader network and even briefed his Board of Directors about our evolving idea for a new kind of club — The Nostalgia Club.
Realizing we needed a broader perspective to shape our ambition, we asked Kevin to organize a five-day research expedition across North America. Alongside my business partner, Dick Van Grieken and our family’s next generation, Kris Van Grieken and Nicole Westman-Jones, a hand-picked team of architects, designers and planners joined the journey. We toured eleven of the most respected and innovative private clubs, culminating at Calgary’s own iconic Glencoe Club. What we discovered was invaluable insight into how great clubs operate, how they build enduring culture and how inter-club reciprocity across North America enriches member experience. This journey was instrumental in defining what The Nostalgia Club could — and should — be.
With the guidance of NORR Architects and the creative expertise of Peter Hribar, a leader in restaurant and hospitality design, we began shaping a club experience unlike any other. Our planning was meticulous — compiling best-in-class amenities, diverse dining venues, thoughtful programming and standout features including an NHL-sized rink. Every element has been crafted with the intention of creating a world-class destination for connection, wellness, celebration and legacy.
To take on a private athletic and social club of this magnitude, excellence isn’t a goal — it’s a baseline. The Nostalgia Club will redefine global standards not only in design and amenities, but for the feeling it evokes and the experience it delivers. This isn’t a club — it’s a way of life, a return to values and a place where every detail is deliberate. Memberships will be intentionally curated, because you don’t merely want to be considered the best-of-the-best, you want to be known as the only one who does what you do: the one and only. When something is this exceptional, you don’t just join it — you put your name on it.