Townhomes are a lot of things for a lot of people, but its inherent affordability is what makes it one of the hottest selling types of homes right now.

For one thing, townhomes are offered in a wide variety of styles that work for different kinds of lifestyles. They may be stacked on top of each other; or sitting side-by-side in a row; they can offer single-level living or a three-storey lifestyle; they can have condo fees and there are those that don’t.

But the best thing about them is the unbeatable affordability.

Townhome buyers love the fact that they can get a two- or three-bedroom (increasingly, even four bedrooms) home for a lower price than is typical for a duplex or laned home, with the extra advantage of a low-maintenance lifestyle. Some also come with attached garages, which is a big bonus.

There is a wealth of new townhome developments in many of the newest communities in and around Edmonton, so location is not a problem. We spoke to a couple of award-winning townhome developers – Cantiro and StreetSide- to find out why they are so appealing to today’s buyers.

Why buy a townhome

Cantiro says townhomes offer the perfect balance between space and style, with all the comforts of a single-family home and the low-maintenance lifestyle of condo living. And in their case – no condo fees.

“They’re ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers, and anyone seeking modern design and affordability in vibrant, connected communities,” says Gary Hoeft, General Manager, Cantiro Homes.

Cantiro added to its multiple accolades by winning Builder of the Year – Large Volume at this year’s BILD Edmonton Metro Awards of Excellence (AOE), so buyers recognize that the Cantiro brand is a name that can be relied on.

StreetSide, which also won at BILD EM’s AOE awards as Multi-Family Builder of the Year, is similarly well-established brand for multi-family living in Alberta.

“Buyers should consider townhomes for their lower maintenance, often smaller footprint and their long-term affordability in comparison to single-family homes,” says StreetSide Sales and Marketing Director, Vanessa Freeman.

“A townhome is a great investment as many first-time buyers opt for this style of home as well as those on a tighter budget. With housing affordability at the forefront of every housing conversation, townhomes offer an option with a strong resale potential that are desirable to live in. Towns also offer a sense of community with shared spaces and amenities.”

Types of townhomes

Cantiro offers a variety of townhome styles to meet diverse buyer needs. Their Metro Collection Townhomes are three-storey, rear-attached garage homes with no condo fees, available in Alces (SE Edmonton), Riverstead (SW Edmonton), and Greenbury Park(Spruce Grove). “In addition, we offer two-storey townhomes with detached garages in Riverside in St. Albert,” Hoeft says.

All Cantiro townhomes, including the Metro Collection and Riverside townhomes, are fee-simple, meaning they do not have condo fees. “In this scenario the individual owns the land and the building outright. They have complete ownership rights and can make decisions about it without the need for approval from a condominium association.”

StreetSide has a similarly wide range of townhomes on offer. “We offer two-storey, three-storey bungalow townhomes and back-to-back townhomes,” Freeman says. “Offering multiple styles of townhomes as well as ownership formats allows us to really help homeowners with budgets from $265 to $400k.”

StreetSide also has no-condo fee townhomes to give owners full control off their property, and greater flexibility on how they choose to live and use their property.

“Eliminating condo fees is often desirable as it creates a lower monthly cost and allows buyers to qualify for more with their lender,” Freeman says. “Townhomes without condo fees also have a higher resale value as well as there has shown to be a long-term demand for this ownership style. We have seen that this style of townhome is always the quickest to sell out, but it does come at a bit of a higher price point ($350k) than a maintenance-free or bare land condo format.”

Cantiro townhomes

“A great townhome is more than just layout—it’s about how it supports your lifestyle,” Hoeft says. Buyers should look for quality construction, efficient design, and lasting value. He points out that what sets Cantiro apart is their attention to the small but meaningful details, such as: 9-foot main floor ceilings, sound diffusing common walls, triple-pane windows, LED lighting, Energy Star HRV exhaust systems, and stylish interiors with quartz countertops and soft-close cabinetry among many other design touches; and award-winning design and customer care.

“We’re incredibly proud that this commitment to quality and innovation has been recognized not only with our recent Builder of the Year – Large Volume award, but also with multiple accolades for our Metro models. These honours reinforce our passion for building homes that make a meaningful difference in our homeowners’ lives.”

Their Metro Fit 14, winner of Best Townhome $300K–$350K also at this year’s awards, exemplifies smart, stylish, and functional design. With a rear-attached garage, flex/gaming room, dual primary suites, and tech space, it’s crafted for modern urban living.

Buyers can personalize their Fit 14 with one of our three curated interior design packages—Linen, Slate, or Sand—for effortless style and cohesion. Thoughtful touches like upstairs laundry, stain-resistant carpet, and ample storage make everyday living simple and stress-free.

Cantiro offers townhomes in four locations across the Edmonton Metro Region. “We have multiple show homes available to tour, showcasing the different floorplans and finish packages available across all of our locations.” Check them out at cantiro.ca/metro-townhomes.

StreetSide townhomes

Winning this year’s AOE Builder of the Year-Multi-Family award is nothing new for StreetSide, in fact this is the second straight year they have won the award, and third time since 2017.

Freeman says the awards is a good way to mark their accomplishments, but the true measure of their success has always been through the satisfaction of their proud homeowners.

“It shapes everything we do, from how we design and build our homes to the value-added services we offer. We believe the best recognition we can receive is a customer experience that homeowners will rave about.”

Fast becoming a favourite is StreetSide’s newest three-storey model, the Madelyn, which was a winner at the BILD EM Awards last month.

This home sits at 1,433 sq. ft. and offers three bedrooms plus a den. The open concept main floor is perfect for entertaining with a massive chef-inspired kitchen that offers island seating and an optional buffet in the dining room to extend that space. This kitchen easily rivals that of a kitchen in a 2000+ sq ft single family home. It also offers a unique jack-and-jill bathroom upstairs for the additional bedrooms to share with double sinks, making it perfect for families. Madelyn is currently available in Easton in Spruce Grove, Kinglet in NW Edmonton, and Secord in West Edmonton.

StreetSide is available in 30+ communities in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. “Currently, we have 10 show homes open to view the array of different housing options we offer.,” Freeman says.

Although their buyer demographic is varied from first time homebuyers all the way to downsizers, Freeman believes townhomes are for everyone and every stage of life. “We also have a strong investor interest in this product as it’s a price conscious option that rents quickly.”

Prices start at $265k for StreetSide’s back-to-back townhomes. Find out more at streetsideedmonton.com.