Élan: Dream brings Beaumont’s French-inspired connection to your doorstep

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “elan” as having “vigorous spirit or enthusiasm” and the new community of Élan in Beaumont certainly embodies this characteristic as it brings new, stylishly affordable opportunities for new home living to this vibrant small town.

With its rich Francophone heritage, Beaumont is the perfect setting for a community like Élan. But don’t let its small-town nature fool you, as Beaumont is one of the fastest growing communities in Alberta, and Élan brings the joy and energy of people-first home designs to the milieu.

“Élan is the culmination of over half a decade of active engagement with the local community,” says Jonathan Chan, general manager of Dream’s Edmonton Land division, the developers behind Élan.

“Beaumont has such a strong identity, and it was important to us to live up to the potential of that and not just bring more Edmonton to communities outside its borders,” says Chan. “Everything from the emphasis on inviting porches to the quality of the public spaces is purpose-built for bringing residents together. We wanted to get it right.”

Close to everything

Conveniently located just below Edmonton’s south border, Beaumont is close to the international airport in Leduc, employment hubs in Nisku, and everything else you would need close to home. This compelling mix of a suburban pace of life with urban accessibility has made it a favourite among new homebuyers looking for a place to set roots in.

The 2021 Statistics Canada Census reports Beaumont’s population at 20,888, a 19.7 per cent increase over last federal census result of 17,457 in 2016. Élan now provides ample opportunities for these newcomers to find a new home in any size.
Officially designated a city, Beaumont has successfully preserved their rich spirit and a touch of French charm in the architecture, except in their homes. That’s where Élan comes in, says Jen McDonald, Dream Marketing Manager – Alberta.
“Dream is driven to build communities that truly benefit its residents’ lives,” McDonald says. “People are seeking a sense of belonging,” and Élan achieves this with porch-front living, human-oriented architecture, and incredible parks in the community.

“Inspiring and accessible public spaces encourage residents to stay and mingle,” she adds. “And in a town that already boasts its own charm and appeal, it’s win-win.”

Inspired design

Élan checks all the boxes that these buyers are looking for with stylishly affordable homes from its founding builders that include Crystal Creek Homes, Homes by Avi, and Morrison Homes. Available are semi-detached (duplex), laned, and front-drive garage homes.

“Élan’s streets will be filled with a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic array of homes,” McDonald says. “Styles stay true to Beaumont’s unique prairie-meets-French-Canadian spin and include Prairie, Farmhouse, Craftsman, French Country, and novel Quaint Quebecois architectures.”

Homes vary in width and detailing along a single street to help avoid a cookie-cutter look - allowing simple, timeless styles to breath and more complex architectures to truly shine. But, as in all other Dream communities, the cohesive vision for Élan is about connections.

Porch-front living

Key is the porch-front ideal that Dream has instituted for many of its communities. Having front porches with big front windows and front yards, brings out the neighbourliness of the streetscape, and a friendlier outlook for the whole community.
“Élan is driven to bring that close-knit community feel right to your front door,” she says. “Re-introducing the benefits of porch-front living, offering a variety of architecturally unique homes, and creating incredible parks and greenspaces are the foundations of Élan’s vision. Nearly every home in Elan is steps from a community amenity, whether it’s a pathway, park, playground, sports courts, or more.”

To heighten the sense of connectivity, Élan’s central Parc Réunis at the heart of the community offers incredible, imaginative wood-built playgrounds designed to offer physical challenge and beneficial play.

Park benches and picnic tables empower people to linger and enjoy being out in the community under the shade of the pergolas. Sports courts and outdoor exercise equipment give adults more to do while kids run around and play. And on hotter summer days, venture over to Beaumont’s Four Seasons Park, just a 6-minute drive away, and take in an afternoon at the splash park.

“Dream set out to bring something to Beaumont that celebrates its roots and small-town charm in a more authentic, character-rich way. Something that makes people want to live there because of the lifestyle, not just because of the better home value,” McDonald says.

Dream in Edmonton

Dream, of course, has a long history of developing some of the most livable communities in the Edmonton area. These include Tamarack, a 620-acre community with 67 acres of greenspace; Laurel, a master-planned community centrally located in southeast Edmonton surrounded by four major shopping centres, the Grey Nuns Hospital and Mill Woods Golf Course; and Maple Crest, a tranquil neighbourhood featuring water side paths, parks, and social connection opportunities.

Dream knows it has something special in Beaumont. “Beaumont offers an escape to the hustle and bustle of city life, where you can slow down and make the most of every moment. Exceptional trails, parks, and recreation facilities plus a charming downtown with shops, restaurants and breweries offer places for people to connect, have fun, and contribute to the positive impact in their local community,” McDonald says.