New design ideas take hold in Edmonton’s new homes

by PEPPER RODRIGUEZ

Coventry Homes

Necessity is the mother of invention. No saying can be more trite, nor more true - especially in Edmonton’s new home industry after last year’s challenges. Homebuilders have come up with fresh, innovative ways to answer the needs of homebuyers who – after the lockdowns of the last two years – found the designs of their old homes lacking and did not necessarily meet the demands of the new situation.

This gave rise to a host of new ideas including more adaptable designs for home offices and dens – and not just in single-family homes - as work-from-home situations become the rule rather than the exception. The way we thought of living spaces changed too, now not just basement developments are offered as an option, but third floor and rooftop patio options too. Side-entrances for private access to lower-level developments have become a popular option among single-family homes and even townhomes and other multi-family models saw changes to floorplans that underline connectivity and function.

Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide had sought to shine a light on these new designs available in the new home market in every type of home from condo apartments, townhomes, duplexes, laned homes and front-drive garage homes.

We thought we’d recap what we found out and set the stage for new home stories for the coming months.

APARTMENT CONDOS

There are plenty of reasons why one might want to buy an apartment condo, but there is one particular feature that makes it a great choice – it is the instant lifestyle that you can get here. Whether it’s in a downtown tower, an innercity mid-rise or a transit-oriented four-storey condo in the

suburbs, the appeal of single-level apartment style living is very much the lifestyle it provides.

For the traditional four-storey condos, there is Connaught at Griesbach, which offers a connected lifestyle in the heart of Village at Griesbach. Ideally situated in Northwest Edmonton, The Connaught at Griesbach is only minutes away from downtown and major transit, connecting residents to every activity they need.

Carrington Communties has been one of the biggest condo developers in Edmonton and they offer some of the most affordable, efficient and stylish apartment condos in the city.

“Carrington builds condos for every stage of life. Condo living is very appealing to first-time buyers, they get the independence and security of owning a home, without the worry of maintenance like snow removal and landscaping. Many of our locations are a quick walk or drive to major commercial amenities and transit, and include underground parking and other building amenities like a fitness centre,” says Carrington Communities marketing manager, Courtney Provencal

TOWNHOMES

Shared walls may be the only common trait in townhomes, as there are a lot of styles to choose from. 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. They are the most versatile housing option in the Edmonton market now, and the shared lifestyle it offers may be the best answer for many new home buyers.

Almost all new communities in Edmonton and area offer townhomes because of their affordability, but affordable doesn’t mean cheap, says Cantiro’s Kim Tieu.

Cantiro

“Cantiro Townhomes don’t sacrifice style for affordability.” She says their townhomes fit the lifestyle of their biggest demographic, young professionals, and Cantiro’s ONE at Keswick in southwest Edmonton is a perfect example of the stylishly affordable townhomes they offer.

DUPLEX HOMES

Side-by-side home, a semi-detached home, paired home, a twin home. It seems the duplex has as many names as the ability it has in making homeownership dreams come true. Duplexes continue to be a best-seller for homebuilders as they are seen as an attractive alternative to condos or townhomes, and many are readily available in Edmonton’s best communities.

Coventry Homes offers a wide range of duplex models. Coventry Homes even has four-bedroom options, corner kitchens with walk-in pantries and developable basements for optimum living space.

LANED HOMES

The laned homes have often been referred to as the Goldilocks of homes. They’re not too small, they’re not too big – they are just right. No wonder it’s the home type that many first-time homebuyers, young families and even those with changing lifestyles choose.

Laned homes are detached single-family homes with rear detached parking behind it that back onto a laneway and they are suddenly red hot in Edmonton’s surging new home market.

Tara Van Horn, Marketing & Design Manager at Coventry Homes, says she isn’t surprised one bit by the popularity of the laned homes. “They’re more spacious and private than townhomes and duplexes, so you have no shared walls which greatly reduces noise transfer. Buyers also get tend to get a bigger backyard and a more beautiful exterior façade that isn’t covered by a garage door.” Coventry’s sister company Impact Homes has a great line of laned homes to check out.

FRONT-DRIVE GARAGE HOMES

The front-drive garage home, or FDG home for short, is at the pinnacle of the homebuying cycle. It is the home most everyone who has lived in an apartment suite, a duplex or a townhome, aspire to live in eventually. Especially when they have children, and they see their families grow.

FDG homes come in many forms. In Edmonton, they are mostly two storey homes usually with threebedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a basement development option. And of course, a garage to fit two cars – or more.

Recently, three-storey models that include rooftop living spaces have become popular too. FDG homes can be as luxurious or as functional as buyers want. But the main thing they offer is convenience.

Excel Homes launched its new Archer Series in Edmonton which includes a more affordable model series that helps families get into the housing market. Available in Cavanagh, The Orchards, Keswick Landing and Citadel, these models range from 1,200-1,444 sq. ft., with three beds, and two-and-a-half baths.

Excel Homes