Streetscapes create identity, livability in communities

Tree-lined avenues, well-maintained medians, inviting entry features, they are the resonating images of suburban tranquility in Edmonton, and it all starts on the drawing boards.

Land developers not only plan the amenities and assemble a trusted and reliable the builder group to create a family-friendly community, but the vision is not complete without paying attention to the streetscape.

Key in determining how the community’s streets will appear are the architectural controls that developers use to determine the lasting look of the community, creating curb appeal for individual homes that bring a cohesive look throughout. No one house feels out of place, but each home can still be unique and personalized for the homeowner.

Experts say having these architectural controls also help protect and enhance property values of the community. Having these guidelines in a community ensures that there is a cohesive look throughout the neighbourhood, without being repetitive or looking cookie cutter.

We spoke to a few of Edmonton’s most recognizable community developers who have some experience in bringing about notable streetscapes worth checking out.

Award-winning streetscapes

Cantiro is one of the most prolific and successful land developers and homebuilders in the Edmonton area with award-winning communities and multi-family developments that have withstood the test of time. Key to their success is the ability to create environments that reflect the lifestyles not only of their buyers but of their surroundings.

“We strive to create environments for amazing lives to happen, a community that is architecturally pleasing and viewed as a desirable place to live for residents and those looking to buy a home in a Cantiro community,” says Senior Development Manager, Nick Young. “A welcoming streetscape invites residents to get outside for walks or bike rides and enjoy their surroundings while taking in everything their Cantiro community has to offer.”

Young knows what he speaks of. Cantiro has had more than its fair share of industry acclaim at the 2023 CHBA Awards of Excellence. They took home CHBA - Builder of the Year - Large Volume, Builder of the Year - Multi-Family, Industry Leadership, and Best Community for The Hills at Charlesworth.

All its communities display this regard for shared, livable spaces framed with the connective tissue of their elegant streetscapes.

The Hills at Charlesworth won Best Community for the second year straight, and the vision for its streetscape, landscaping, pedestrian walkways, its award-winning Sustainability Plaza, and focus on low-impact development have played a key role in its overall vision.In The Hills at Charlesworth, homes feature Prairie, Craftsman Alpine, and Brownstone styles, but each come with a modern twist on these classic designs, including dark colors for finishings with contrasting trim. “This allows individuals to build a home that reflects their unique style, while ensuring a cohesive streetscape. It’s overall vision has been so well-received by buyers that it is now on its final phase of development,” Young says. Go to HillsatCharlesworth.ca for more information.

ONE at Keswick in southwest Edmonton features contemporary home designs and desirable lifestyle amenities that include community commercial, tree-lined paths, ravine trails, large parks, and natural green space with pristine water features. It is also in its final phases. Learn more at ONEatKeswick.ca

While the dynamic community of Greenbury stands out with its New York-inspired brownstones and diverse streetscapes. “We pride ourselves on incorporating green practices into every aspect of community life. Greenbury makes sustainability a priority by incorporating wind power, bioswales, and natural wetlands with beautiful brownstone architecture.” Learn more at Greenbury.ca

Find out more about Cantiro Communities at cantiro.ca.

Master-planned for life

Qualico Communities has over 20 community currently under various stages of development in and around the Edmonton area, so it is safe to say that they know what they are doing when it comes to sculpting streetscapes and creating curb appeal.
“A good streetscape is one where the homes have their own unique design, and yet blend with other homes on the street. It is also important to ensure similar styles and colours are not repeated too often to ensure a varied and visually appealing look to the community,” says Emily Stamper, Marketing Coordinator at Qualico Communities Edmonton.

“Curb appeal is important because it gives the first impression of your home. The curb appeal of all homes in a community contribute to the overall look of the community and helps to convey that it is an inviting place to live,” Stamper says.
She points out as well that architectural and landscaping requirements are important as the use of different styles contributes to the overall look and feel of the community. Their communities of Cy Becker in the northeast and The Uplands at Riverview to the west are great examples of how Qualico has brought their streetscape visions to life.

This is also the promise for their new community of Marquis in Northeast Edmonton, as its design also encompasses Qualico’s core beliefs in creating timeless places for people to live. She says it one of their “style specific” neighbourhoods. “Farmhouse (both Traditional and Urban), Prairie (also in Traditional and Modern) and Contemporary are the available styles which will create a specific look to the community,” she says.

“In Marquis, we are enhancing the street design in a number of ways. From fencing to landscaping, it is designed to incorporate the urban rustic theme of the community with the use of wood and steel elements. One feature within the park is the picnic shelter where the design was inspired by grain bins to acknowledge the history of the area.” Find out more at liveinmarquis.com.

The un-cookie-cutter developer

Rohit Land Development prides itself in creating unique and interesting streetscapes. “We do our best to stay away from the ‘cookie cutter’ label that has become synonymous with new development,” says Kelsey Siemens, Sales Manager at Rohit Land Development.

“Our team develops architectural guidelines for the community featuring different home styles and colours for each community. The streetscape is varied and interesting due to repetition rules that dictate which rooflines and roof pitches can be next to each other, house and trim colours, and which styles can be built next to each other.”

Siemens says they encourage their builders to put different models next to each other to ensure differences in elevations and varied wall planes along the street.

But she says that what sets their communities apart is the careful not only to what each individual home looks like, but also the lot and surrounding areas.

“The landscaping requirements for each lot are higher than the minimum standards set out by the City of Edmonton to ensure that the community looks amazing from the day our first residents move in. As the developer, we also take care in ensuring that common areas and boulevards are landscaped before the first showhomes open,” she says.

“In Arbours of Keswick, we introduced the Streetscape product to our communities, which is a single-family home that features the garage recessed into the house, so the front porch is viewable from the street. This creates an inviting streetscape, hence the name ‘Streetscape’.”

The addition of the “Big Home Concept” front-back duplex models across many of Rohit’s communities, including Cambrian, their latest development in Sherwood Park, also helps add variety and vitality to the curb.

“One duplex has a front attached garage, and the other half has a rear detached garage. From the front, this gives the illusion of a street of grand estate homes. Again, these yards are all enhanced with additional landscaping requirements’ she says.
But Rohit is always working on ways to improve the look of their communities, and new ways to express creativity.

“We are very excited about two new home styles that we have coming up in our new St. Albert community,Chèrot. The community is inspired by the French countryside, so we will be introducing the French Farmhouse and French Country Modern styles. These styles are defined by steeply sloped roofs, high contrasting trim and house colours, vertical siding, stone details and louver accents,” Siemens says.

For more about Rohit Land Development’s communities, go to rohitgroup.com.