Creating the connections to community

Communities are all about connection – a connection to nature, a connection between neighbours, a connection to the world around it. Developers have taken pains to create this kind of relationship between homebuyers and the communities they design and bringing in more and better amenities is one way of connecting life to the community lifestyle.

New communities in and around Edmonton boast some of the most positive, life-affirming amenities that make a modern lifestyle possible, allowing plenty of opportunities for a work-home balance. For many, it’s not just the building of parks and pathways, but adding a design component that differentiates it from other communities. Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide spoke with a few local developers to see what new amenities they have for a complete, contemporary lifestyle.

Blatchford

Blatchford sits on 536 acres of prime land in the heart of Edmonton. It used to be the site of the province’s first airport and is now being redeveloped into a modern community for 30,000 residents based on a sustainable lifestyle.

“Blatchford will play an important role in the City of Edmonton’s overall vision for infill development. It will be a key hub for the City’s goal of reaching 50 percent growth through infill,” Lumsden says.” By creating an energy efficient, high-density neighbourhood right in the city core, Blatchford will play a key role as Edmonton plans for another million residents in the coming decades.”

Blatchford will be made up of two primarily residential spaces on the east and west side of the site, along with a town centre that will be packed full of life, an 80-acre central park, plenty of additional green space and a civic plaza. With all your daily needs in easy reach, Blatchford will almost be a city within a city.

“Blatchford combines the best of urban living with local neighbourhood charm,” says Lumsden. “This master planned community will connect homes with shops, great parks, walkable streets and community amenities. By combining the best of ‘people-first’ design principles with leading sustainability practices, Blatchford will offer home buyers a truly unique lifestyle experience not available anywhere else in our city.”

For more on Blatchford, visit blatchfordedmonton.ca.

Cantiro

Cantiro is one of Edmonton’s biggest land developers and homebuilders, it is also one of its most awarded. It just came home with more awards at the Canadian Home Builders Association’s 2022 Awards of Excellence in Housing, including Best Community for The Hills at Charlesworth, and Multi-Family Builder of the Year – the second time it has snagged this particular award.

It obviously knows how to come up with not only great home designs but community designs as well that resound with the public.

“The vision for our communities aligns with our company purpose where we work to create environments for amazing lives to happen,” says Senior Development Manager, Nick Young.

“We thoughtfully select housing types, architecture and amenities that are welcoming and appealing to those living there as well as those looking to buy a home or visiting the community.”

Their new infill development in Castlebrook in northwest Edmonton is a good example.

“Cantiro consulted with the area counselor and neighbours within this existing community. We took into consideration the existing architecture to ensure the new development will complement and enhance the community,” says Carlin Gurjar, Senior Development Manager and lead for Castlebrook.

Here are a few of their most notable communities and how their designs serve to connect residents:

ONE at Keswick

ONE at Keswick features a highly unique architectural vision through its modern twists on prairie, contemporary and farmhouse designs.

“The community also has popular lifestyle amenities for residents such as schools, shopping, entertainment, walking and biking trails, large parks and green spaces with a naturalized stormwater pond – all located near the North Saskatchewan River Valley ravine.”

Cantiro is hosting a Show Home Grand Opening event on Saturday, June 18th from 12-4PM. Featuring five brand-new front-drive and rear lane single family show homes from three builders including Bedrock Homes, Cantiro Homes and Landmark Homes. Visit ONEatKeswick.ca to learn more.

The Hills at Charlesworth

The sustainable design of the community seen throughout all of the amenities and greenspace provides a unique position for The Hills at Charlesworth at the forefront of environmental impact. It in fact won at the prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute International Award for Planning Excellence in 2020 for its Sustainability Plaza. “With nominees from all around the globe, it’s elating to be recognized among the world’s best in sustainable development and planning excellence.”

With year-around outdoor activities to take part in such as disc golf, skating or gardening, the Sustainability Plaza creates a central gathering place for residents and their families.

Visit HillsAtCharlesworth.ca to learn more.

Castlebrook

A new infill community is coming to North Edmonton! Cantiro is hosting a Grand opening event for Cantiro Homes at Castlebrook and the Family Flow 24 show home on Saturday, June 25 from 12-4PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour this brand-new show home and take part in outdoor games and activities including a food truck.
With only 97 homes, its opportunity to own a new home in this exclusive infill community.

Homes are now selling with quick possessions available. Visit cantiro.ca/Castlebrook to learn more.

Go to Cantiro.ca to find out more about these comunities.

Village at Griesbach

Village at Griesbach is a major redevelopment effort going on close to downtown, converting what was then the CFB Edmonton (Canadian Forces Base). Developed by the Canada Lands Company (CLC), the “Village” is ideally located 12 minutes from city centre at the intersection of 97 Street and 137 Avenue.

Its innovative “urban village” design is one of the world’s best examples of this development concept which places the health and happiness of people over the transportation efficiency of automobiles.

“Village at Griesbach works to create a vibrant community by contributing to the creation of revitalization with mature neighbourhoods through community development,” says Georgette L’Hirondelle, CLC Marketing Manager, Real Estate. “The amenities are used year-round for recreation, entertainment, gathering with friends, and relaxing.”

The Village has dedicated over 23 percent of its land to the preservation or creation of parks, lakes, green spaces, recreation fields or lifestyle amenities, L’Hirondelle, says. “This represents the highest allocation in Edmonton and is far above the normal 10 percent allocation in most developments. Continued land investment in the community is the key to success and long-term enjoyment found within the active resident’s group.”

Central Hill Park with its scenic views of the Edmonton skyline, and the community gardens are some of the highest valued amenities in the community. “The fact that the community gardens are fully in bloom each summer with a waitlist is a testament to the thoughtful community design,” she adds.

And there is more coming to be proud of, as CLC began construction on one of the community’s newest amenities, Maple Leaf Pond. “The newest park will include a lake shaped into a Maple Leaf, sitting, trails, picnic areas and a skating rink in the winter.”

Visit villageatgriesbach.com for more.