North Edmonton’s Flourishing Community New showhomes open in Village at Griesbach

Life may be idyllic and unhurried amidst the park-like setting of the Village at Griesbach, but dynamic growth continues. This historic community that honours Edmonton’s military past recently unveiled a new showhome parade with a variety of home styles that emphasize its vision as a residential development of the future.

The ambitious redevelopment of this former military base just outside Edmonton’s city centre has always had connectivity at its heart. A true vision of a modern village lifestyle — neighbourly, vibrant, and sustainable.

Canada Lands Co. (CLC), a crown corporation tasked with converting underused federal land, has successfully transformed Village at Griesbach into a prosperous, vibrant community. With the opening of its latest showhome parade featuring five unique homes, Village at Griesbach continues its strong growth.

Even with last year’s challenges, the demand in Griesbach simply has not stopped with more than 80 lots sold and turned into dream homes this year, says Georgette L’Hirondelle, Marketing Manager for CLC in Village at Griesbach.

The new showhomes along Greenaway Ave. NW include three front-drive single-family homes from Coventry Homes, Concept Homes, and Pacesetter Homes as well as two laned homes by Homes by Avi and Impact Homes. They all present new designs that bring to life the vision of Village at Griesbach.

“An exciting attraction to this parade is that the new laned homes feature designed garage suites, so you can see what the experience of having an income suite atop your garage would be like,” she adds. It’s a home style that adds to the already comprehensive list of residential options in the Village that includes condos, townhomes and single-family laned homes, as well as front-drive homes.

“Every builder in the community who builds laned homes has a garage suite option,” L’Hirondelle says. Garage suites — also known as nanny suites, garden suites, or in-law suites — are an ideal option as they offer additional privacy, a better quality of living for the suite, and they have a charming appearance and further attract multigenerational families.

Village at Griesbach is really an infill-minded community, considering that it is Edmonton’s largest infill development. “As such, there are plenty of lots available where you can build an income suite, including garage suites or basement suites,” L’Hirondelle says. “There are several lots in Griesbach that are available to build basement suites, some are even zoned to allow for both basement suites and garage suites together!”

CLC says they are focused on making Village at Griesbach an innovative and progressive urban village built with community in mind. “The design ensures access to daily conveniences and amenities within the community. Creating a balance within the urban village is the kilometres of interconnected walkable tree-lined trails, winding through the numerous parks and lakes,” L’Hirondelle says.

It is a community for everyone with a wide range of home styles fitting every budget, with most single-family homes starting in the mid-$400,000s. It also has something for everyone when it comes to amenities, as 23 percent of its land is dedicated to the preservation or creation of parks, lakes, green spaces, recreation fields or lifestyle amenities.

It’s latest, Maple Leaf Pond, is beginning development and promises to be a place where neighbours would love to congregate and create the strong bonds of community that the whole of Village at Griesbach is intended to be.

This water feature will have fantastic seating and will be surrounded by walking trails, L’Hirondelle says. “In the winter, the pond will become an outdoor skating rink where there will be a place for people to change into skates and enjoy the outdoors. There will also be heated seating in the winter!”

Village at Griesbach also pays tribute to the land’s military heritage. Streets and parks have been named after military heroes and battles in which local military units participated. As well, statues have been erected to commemorate the former base’s namesake, Major-General William Griesbach and his wife, Janet. It has won industry acclaim and was named Best Community in the 2019 BILD Alberta Awards as well as many other builder award ceremonies, including the 2021 CHBA Nationals.

Village at Griesbach is located 12 minutes to downtown, but residents need not go too far to eat out or shop. The community’s own commercial centre has become a busy hub of activity in the neighbourhood with a list of popular shops, eateries, and services.

L’Hirondelle says there is more to look forward to in 2022, as Village at Griesbach will be partnering with Alveole for a sustainability initiative. “In spring, we will have multiple honeybee hives in Griesbach. These bees will be protected and allowed to make honey and pollinate the area, which is fantastic for Griesbach as well as the bees. We’re also planning our usual community events, and new phases and developments will constantly be happening.”

Located in North Central Edmonton, Village at Griesbach began development in 2003, but still has a lot of room for growth. “There is a large area that remains to be developed throughout the community, which will eventually see 13,000 people living in about 4,700 homes,” L’Hirondelle says.

For more information, visit villageatgriesbach.com.