The evolution of Edmonton’s laned homes

Laned homes have been the darling of the new homebuyer set for almost as long as there has been a new homebuilding industry. This type of home usually has a porch or veranda facing the street, or big front windows with unencumbered view of the front yard. It also has a parking pad or detached garage with rear lane access, and it has always been the preferred first home for many.

Traditional designs have typically been utilitarian with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths with an open concept main floor and a basement development option. But lately, there has been a noticeable change in the design.

Over the last decade or so, it was rare to see laned homes larger than 1,500 square-feet in Edmonton. But today, as lifestyle needs of buyers continue to evolve, laned homes have gotten bigger, offering more living space than ever before, many coming with options for spice kitchens, and main floor bedrooms, and more.

We spoke with a few local homebuilders to explain the laned homes’ continued allure and its new, lifestyle designs.

Changing with the times

Tara Van Horn, Director Marketing & Design for Coventry Homes, and Impact Homes says laned homes offer much in terms of curb appeal but changing needs have led to new design innovations.

“Laned homes continue to evolve with the needs of those buying them. Impact Homes now offers laned homes ranging from 1,361 to 2,145 square feet and offers a multitude of optional layouts to meet the needs of home buyers,” she tells Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide.

She adds that laned homes are often still the more affordable option compared to front attached garage homes, and having the variety of sizes and plans caters to the needs of many home buyers. “The smaller square footage homes are great for first time home buyers while the larger plans are a great option for those wanting to upsize or even downsize from a front attached home.”

Excel Homes Marketing Manager Kristina Plank says laned homes remain to be “Goldilocks homes, “because they aren’t too big, or too small, they’re just right. “They have huge curb appeal, suited to a lot of lifestyles, providing lots of great living space – with the potential for more if you develop the basement,”

Excel Homes

Excel Homes offers four models of laned homes in Edmonton currently, ranging from 1,226 to 1,636 square-feet. They can be found in the communities of Vita Crystallina in the northwest, and Edgemont in the southwest.
“Our top selling laned model in Edmonton is the Sienna – a 1,636-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths,” Plank says.

The Sienna is a bright, open, and fully loaded laned home designed with families in mind. The main floor offers flexibility and a great place to entertain with a central kitchen and plenty of seating in the great room. A main floor flex room provides the perfect space for a home office, or it can be turned into an extra bedroom. The second floor has an inviting bonus room and laundry, which separates the additional bedrooms from the spacious master suite. An optional developed basement can accommodate a full legal suite, or simply more room for fun and games with the family! It starts from the high $400,000s.

“The Sienna laned show home in Vita Crystallina is very popular among younger families and growing families. It offers a ton of flexibility and affordability,” she adds.

She also says that, despite the rising interest rates, today might still be the right time to buy. “Interest rates aren’t the only thing rising; building supplies and labour costs also continue to increase. The advantage of buying now is price protection – you lock in your price, and you are safe from future cost increases.”

For more information, visit excelhomes.ca.

Impact Homes

Impact homes specializes in laned homes that reflect both the needs for today and tomorrow, and their commitment to excellence in every aspect of their business has made them a top choice for discerning homeowners looking for quality, value, and lifestyle.

Serving the Greater Edmonton Area, including Fort Saskatchewan, Ardrossan, St. Albert, and Spruce Grove, Impact Homes offers a wide range of laned home floor plans, styles, and features to choose from, and can also customize designs to suit a specific lifestyle. “Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, or a growing family we have a laned home that suits your lifestyle and budget. As a family owned and run business, Impact Homes is a company that cares about you and your dream home,” Van Horn says.

She explains that the friendly façade it presents from the curb is a big reason why laned homes continue to appeal to homebuyers. But it is their relative affordability is its most important distinction.

“Laned homes offer homebuyers the space and privacy of a single-family home at a much more affordable price-point. Though laned homes are typically pricier than multi-family homes, buyers understand the value that the additional space and privacy adds and feel the cost is worth the investment,” she adds.

Impact’s Trireme laned home model continues to be its best-seller. At 1,651 sq. ft. with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, it has an innate flexibility that buyers love.

“It comes with over seven different pre-drawn optional layouts, with endless opportunity to customize even further. From a rear kitchen layout to centre kitchen, bonus room to two master bedrooms, this plan is versatile enough to suit many different lifestyles and preferences,” Van Horn says.

To help new homebuyers determine what plans and optional layouts suit their lifestyle best, Impact homes recently launched a new website. “Homebuyers can now visit www.impacthomes.ca to use the new Interactive Customization feature to design their laned home to suit their lifestyle. From the floorplan to the exterior and interior finishes. It’s a great way to help fist time homebuyers to visualize the plan and finishes of their next home.”

Impact Homes currently has a great promotion running. “Build any Impact Homes presale model and get the detached garage built for free! Restrictions do apply, so please visit your local Area Sales Manager for the details.

Find out more at impacthomes.ca.