Chérot brings European charm to St. Albert

St. Albert had long been one of the most sought-after residential destinations in Alberta, with the balanced lifestyle it offers of big city amenities with a small-town feel. Now, the new amenity-rich community of Chérot brings an elevated European flair for new home buyers.

With an emphasis on elevated architecture and design, Chérot brings a little bit of Parisienne flavour to the prairies. Pronounced like “merlot,” the community, just like a fine wine, can only get better with age.

Chérot’s community design is inspired by timeless European character and charm, says Marty Pawlina, Division Marketing Manager for Rohit Land Development, the developers of Chérot.

“From the thoughtful details found in the unique architecture and design only found in Chérot, to the parks, landscaping and playground, living in Chérot will give you the charm of France,” he tells Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide. “We put just a little bit more – un petite more – of a more cohesive design in its vision.”

Jim Killoh, Senior Project Manager at Rohit Land Development, adds that a lot more thought was given to making it a community of shared experiences, as the developer donated to the city more than 25 acres of land in the 245-acre community. This land will be used partly for the creation of a future multi-use recreation centre that is destined to become the social, cultural and recreational hub of Chérot and all surrounding communities.

“Chérot is our first development in St. Albert, and we wanted to make it special. There will also be a 10-acre future school site and a high school site in the future,” he says. “The proposed recreation centre will be the first in this area of St. Albert.”

Like all Rohit communities, Chérot will have its in-community amenities like its paths and a playground ready to use before even its first residents move in. It will be a veritable Paris of the Prairies complete with its very own Eiffel Tower – a uniquely designed playground structure at the heart of the community. “We’re very excited for kids to play here,” Pawlina says.

But even beyond just the amenities are what it will offer buyers options for new home buyers. “We are introducing products like townhomes and Zero Lot Lines – which are less common to find in St. Albert – to give new home buyers the opportunity to own a beautiful home in one of Alberta’s best cities, including buyers who grew up in St. Albert and want to purchase a brand new home with elevated design and architecture.”

Chérot is being designed with a variety of housing types. The varying forms that will be offered and are expected to provide an enhanced degree of choice in the St. Albert market for prospective buyers. The first phase will have five different types of housing, Killoh says, including three types of single-family detached homes. It will also have duplex, townhomes and front-drive garage homes.

Builders are Bedrock Homes, Blackstone Homes, Kimberley Homes, Rohit Communities, Victory Homes, and San Rufo Homes. The latter two will be building townhomes. Killoh says there will be front-attached garage and rear-attached garage homes that offer looks and convenience. “We will have some premium lots backing on the pond.”

“These award-winning builders came together to help shape our shared vision for this special community,” Pawlina says. Variations of the French Farmhouse and French Country Modern are used to amazing effect and create cohesive, stunning streetscapes.

“The dramatic rooflines less common in the Edmonton area can be found here. We also will have uniform black doors, including garage doors, and black front window frames, that will create a more elegant, timeless look for the community. Custom designed address plaques, and generous use of stone and brick detail add to the flair.”

Chérot means “darling” in French, but the name of the community goes beyond that. It is actually named after Emile and Celestine Cherot, a French couple who married in France immigrated to the area in 1911 and became famous for the market vegetables they grew on 45 acres of land on the green belt along St. Albert and Edmonton.

Every detail of the community has been elegantly woven together. “The names of the community’s streets are from famous French places, like Cannes Cove and Chelles Wynd, or Chanter Avenue along the future school site which translates to ‘sing.’”

Its unbeatable location also makes it easily accessible for commuting to Edmonton. “We’re just off Ray Gibbon Drive and close to Anthony Henday Drive, so commuting to Edmonton is a breeze,” Pawlina says.

Killoh adds that living in St. Albert itself may be the best decision you can make, and that its balanced allure of big city convenience and small-town charm makes it a very desirable place to set down roots in. “It has a reputation as a safe city, with generous open spaces and trails,” he says. It recently ranked second among the happiest cities in Alberta in a 2023 real estate marketing survey.

St. Albert is also famous for its connection to nature, in fact, the capital region’s only provincial park, the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, is right at its doorstep. It is located along the western edge of St. Albert and Edmonton and Big Lake is its defining feature, taking up 59 per cent of the park’s total area. It is recognized globally as significant birding area for its abundant and diverse bird population.

The Perron District is the heart of St. Albert and a growing foodie destination. This flourishing centre showcases the best of the city through businesses, culture, art and natural surroundings. Head downtown and enjoy the nearly 50 independent shops, cafes and restaurants that this lively district has to offer.

From the unique home architecture, streetscape, and parks to its Eiffel Tower in the playground, Chérot is a community inspired by timeless design from France, Pawlina says. “A destination for families looking for beautiful homes in a community with a bit extra – un petit more – as we say.”

Showhomes will open in the fall. Find out more at cherot.ca.