Living, learning, earning — the appeal of a master-planned community

Modern living requires modern approaches to the communities in which we live. As society’s priorities and needs evolve, so too must the neighbourhoods in which we live and work. Increasingly, developments called ‘master-planned communities’ are gaining popularity.

In contrast to a newly built subdivision, an intentionally planned residential development often feels more like a self-contained small city, with commercial, recreational, educational and leisure facilities all within close proximity to residential options. Taking up anywhere from 2,500 to 10,000 acres of land with 100 homes or upwards of 50,000 units, a master-planned community is designed to incorporate residential properties and commercial enterprises into a unified whole. For a homebuyer, a master-planned community has many advantages.

Amenities, convenience, location

One advantage of living in a master-planned community is the array of curated and convenient amenities. Developers and city planners work together to plan the ease of movement for road and foot traffic as well as access to shared transit to allow residents further access to where they need and want to go. Valued amenities can include parks, lakes, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses and more. A distinctive and intentional mix of restaurants and shops offer residents everything they need, steps away from their homes. A successful master-planned community will adapt to changing demographics, preferences and purchasing power, with the experienced developers zeroing in on the low-cost/high-value amenities residents want most. An example of this type of master-planned community is Squamish-based Redbridge by Kingswood Properties. Now sold out, Kingswood focused on a holistic, healthy well-being approach to living. With more than 20,000 sq. ft. of resort-style amenities, the community features indoor and outdoor facilities geared towards active lifestyles, the environment, and the health of residents.

A sound investment

When selecting a home to purchase, most homebuyers are not just looking at the neighbourhood, curb appeal, and construction quality. They also want to know whether the value of the property will remain stable or increase in the future in case they decide to sell. Buying into a master-planned community is considered a strong investment. The large-scale projects have often outperformed individual condominium developments built in urban cores, both in terms of sales volume and in appreciation rates. Shared amenities mean a reduced up-front investment for a homebuyer, as access to more amenities can lead to less need for extra space within the home. The ability to build multiple towers on large land plots for thousands of residents drives retail and commercial space demand, which in turn drives residential demand. With a master-planned community, a developer can acquire a large plot of land and slowly build the community over time, which would lead to increased demand and value of the homes.

There is perhaps no greater appeal to a neighbourhood for a homeowner than feeling part of a community. The ability to work, play and live inside one area creates deeper bonds to other residents and to the community as a whole. A master-planned community can optimize a living situation to create a desirable residential experience with a symbiotic commercial draw. This makes the homes a smart investment for both buyers who wish to find a home and investors who wish to realize future appreciation.