Raising the value of livability in St. Albert

A balanced lifestyle that blends the ideals of live-work-play is what today’s communities strive for, and the city of St. Albert seems to hold the key.

St. Albert has been designated as a city since 1977, but it is still a small town at heart even as it continues to grow.

In 2019, St. Albert was ranked as the top community in all of Alberta by Maclean’s magazine (and 23rd nationwide), scoring in the top 25 per cent of all cities in four of the 10 categories: wealth and economy, affordability, amenities, and culture. Moneysense magazine also named it as the Best Place to Raise Kids in Alberta in 2017. High praise for a pioneer community founded in the mid 1800s that really hasn’t strayed far from its farming roots.

The city actively promotes the leisurely lifestyle it offers and its “Make the Move to St. Albert” campaign presents a convincing argument.

“Calling St. Albert home will be one of the best decisions you will ever make,” the city-run website says. “Located minutes to the northwest of Edmonton, St. Albert affords residents an outstanding quality of life where they can enjoy a secure, small-town feel, without losing access to everything you could need from a major metropolitan region.”

St. Albert offers well-planned neighbourhoods, exceptional community services, and an abundant mix of cultural and recreational opportunities for the nearly 70,000 residents that call it home

And the opportunities to own a new home here are some of the best in the whole province with plenty of new communities providing a variety of new home options.

Among the new communities in St. Albert are Rohit Land Development’s Cherot, Nouveau from Strata Developments, Erin Ridge North by Alves Development, and Riverside by Genstar.

New communities

Chérot is being designed with diversity of product offerings as one of its keys. The varying densities that will be offered and are expected to provide an enhanced degree of choice in the St. Albert market for prospective buyers.

Chérot also features a revised plan for school and park layouts for the area, with a focus on open space parks and path connectivity throughout the area. Finally, Chérot will serve as the home for St. Albert’s future Community Amenities Campus, which will include amenities such as a new Recreation Center.

The 245-acre community in northwest St. Albert will have single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes. Builders are Victory Homes, San Rufo Homes, Rohit Communities, Kimberley Homes, Blackstone Homes, Bedrock Homes.

Nouveau is a neighbourhood with a modern, urban feel that still holds a ton of small-town charm.It will feature a mix of affordable single family laned and front attached garage single family homes, and townhomes in the first stage. Homes are from Coventry Homes, Jayman BUILT, and Pacesetter Homes.

Erin Ridge North is a quiet community, tucked away from noise and traffic while also having quick access to all the amenities a busy family needs. It is a beautifully designed community with plenty of greenspaces, pond views and tranquil trails. Builders include Alves Development itself, Alquinn Homes, Dynasty Builders, Klair Custom Homes, Mutti Homes, Romaya Homes, Veneto Homes.

Riverside by Genstar is made for exploring. Here, you’ll have access to 145 acres of lush forest, extensive parklands and walking trails all outside your front door. Take a morning jog through the mature White Spruce Forest. Enjoy an evening stroll along the Sturgeon River and watch the sunset over the water. Canoe down the Sturgeon River into Big Lake, in neighbouring Lois Hole Provincial Park -it’s perfect for recreation-minded buyers. Townhomes, paired, laned, front-garage drive, and bungalow villas are available.

Things to see and do

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 St. Albert Botanic Park is also a sight to behold. It is a top tourist destination in the city. Located on Sturgeon Road, it features five acres of beautifully landscaped, themed gardens that provide the setting for displays and trials of roses, lilacs, daylilies, Asiatic lilies, peonies, and lilacs to name a few, as well as vegetables and annuals.

St. Albert also has a growing reputation as a foodie destination. The blossoming restaurant scene offers plenty of options from nearly every corner of the globe. Nello’s Cucina Italiana keeps the tradition of fine Italian cuisine alive in St. Albert. Fresh, traditional Italian ingredients are used for its unforgettable appetizers, pastas, entrées, and dessert. Their Pasticcio is a particular favourite, five pastas baked in an over with Parmigiano and Mozazrella.

The Perron District is the heart of St. Albert. 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.