New Home Discovery

Manitoba’s Spring Parade of Homes has been a sure cure for winter’s cabin fever for the past 25 years. Slated this year for February 25 to March 19, 2023, the event has been the ‘go-to’ destination for new home discovery and insights into housing design and the latest décor innovations.

What’s on tap this season?

According to Lanny McInnes, President and CEO of the Manitoba Home Builders Association (MHBA), the group behind the event, there will be 120+ locations from Brandon to communities in and around Winnipeg.

“This year, Parade participants will find 28 builders showcasing their new home properties in 26 communities,” McInnes says, mentioning some of the locations that include La Salle, Niverville, St Adolphe, Stonewall and Oak Bluff. He notes that they are also seeing a real engagement from builders in southern Manitoba sites this year.

“This is the most inclusive grouping of new home displays in Canada. While this is a Made-in-Manitoba event, there is nowhere in the country that offers this size and extent,” he adds.

Look to Parade display homes for the latest in décor and design attributes. For example, new home plans now address the reality of remote working arrangements with dedicated home office setups. New home designs also show off properties with multiple kitchens that create ideal settings for entertaining and large multi-generational families.

According to McInnes, the Parade of Homes is one of the best ways to view a wide range of styles and housing options. The Parade is where you can see firsthand the recent advances in flooring, fittings and lighting, as well as view neighbourhoods' attributes.

“There is a display for every price point and every family need. For those looking to update existing properties, this is an ideal way to discover the latest design trends. For those in the market for a new home, The Parade is also the most convenient way to ‘kick tires’ and discuss designs and options with onsite professionals,” he says, adding that properties are also available to view privately on an appointment basis.

Just follow the flags. Locations are well marked, and the MHBA website, www.homebuilders.mb.ca, offers lots of information and direction to display homes. Hours for Winnipeg properties are Monday to Thursday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. In Brandon, properties are open Tuesday to Thursday, 5 PM to 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Highland Pointe is bringing new home excitement to Winnipeg's northern sector. Located off McPhillips just past Leila, Highland Pointe is a multi-phase new home community spearheaded by Ladco, one of Winnipeg's best-known and respected land developers. Ladco's history spans decades and includes popular developments such as Windsor Park, Royalwood, South Pointe and Garden Grove.

Highland Pointe offers everything from luxury lake walkouts to townhomes and duplexes.

"Just as in Prairie Pointe (Ladco's hugely successful south Winnipeg community that is currently in Stage 7), there will be a wide range of offerings to fit numerous price points and family needs," says Ladco's Vice-president of Development, David Borger, commenting that Highland Pointe represents a return to the North-end for the company following their Garden Grove project in the 1980s.

According to Borger, servicing on Highland Pointe's first phase of 220 lots began in 2021. "This is now complete, and we are moving to finish Phase 2 and its 300 lots," he says, noting that in 2023 they will launch Phases 3 and 4 with an additional 225 lots. When complete, Highland Pointe's 400 acres will be home to some 2,300 families.