BREWSTER RANCH EVOLVES INTO EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
Breakfast on the terrace in one of the world’s most beautiful settings, the Bow River at the doorstep, panoramic views of the mountains, all within a gated, secure community in the midst of a four-season playground — that’s just a taste of what a recently launched Kananaskis development offers its residents.
Located on lands homesteaded by John Brewster in the late 1800s, the Brewster Kananaskis Ranch Development (BKRD) project is situated on the edge of Kananaskis Country, just off of Highway 1X, along the banks of the Bow River and near to the base of Mount Yamnuska.
“We really envision this as a place for people to recreate and enjoy the valley, continuing the Brewster family tradition of sharing this very special place,” says Janet Brewster- Stanton, development partner on the project, while noting that much thought and care has gone into the planning. “It’s been in the works for a long time.”
Much like a charming antique shop, this 3.8-hectare (9.8-acre) parcel of land brims with historical treasures that speak to Alberta’s rich history. The ranch has a storied history, with its beginnings in the late 1880s as a dairy farm, then evolving into an outfitting and out-trip ranch and then, under the direction of Missy Bagley Brewster, Janet’s great-grandmother, a working guest ranch. The 150-year-old Craftsman-style main guest lodge, built in 1922, still sits proudly on the development. The home has been lovingly restored to its former glory (the main floor alone is more than 4,500 square feet), original wood floors buffed and gleaming and rock fireplace taking centre stage in the great room, and will be the amenities centre for the residents of BKRD.
“It’s really important for me to move the ranch forward, so that it continues to evolve into a place where we can share our traditions,” says Brewster- Stanton, who is a fifth-generation Brewster family member.
To create the vision, Brewster- Stanton has partnered with Bow Valley developer and former Canmore councillor Shane Jonker, who is no stranger to creating outstanding mountain developments. He worked in tandem with Frank Kernick, developer of Spring Creek in Canmore, and contractor Wade Downer to develop River’s Bend in Dead Man’s Flats.
Developed to retain the integrity and history of the land, BKRD is an exclusive single-family development featuring 22 homesites, all with panoramic mountain views and access to the Bow River. Lot sizes range from 8,211 sq. ft upwards to 14,472 sq. ft.
“It’s structured as a bare land condominium development in order to create a private, gated community with separate services,” says Jonker.
The property is zoned as yearround resort accommodation, which Jonker says translates to meaning four-season homes, with no restrictions on residency. He says that what makes the zoning special is the fact that “residents can rent home out as short-term or long-term destination spaces, which is something that you can’t do anywhere else in the Bow Valley.”
Architectural controls are in place to ensure that the final built form is esthetically pleasing and to protect the integrity of the location. Owners can use architects, designers and builders of their choice, although Jonker says that if an owner wants to work with one of the development’s builder team that is great, too. Custom-designed homes will span iterations of Alpine and modern Alpine architecture.
“We encourage timber and stone and earth tones so that colours blend into the environment,” says Jonker, adding that fencing will be post and rail throughout the development, in keeping with the
We really envision this as a place for people to recreate and enjoy the valley, continuing the Brewster family tradition of sharing this very special place.
mountain ranch feel of BKRD.
There will be opportunities for walkout designs; many lots are located along the Bow River and with a height limit of 13 metres, residents will certainly be able to add up to three storeys, allowing for captivating views of the mountain peaks to the west of the valley.
The area will retain plenty of natural green space with trails carved through down to the river.
“It’s really a huge attraction being on the edge of the Bow,” says Jonker, who cites kayaking and canoeing at the top of the list of outdoor recreation attractions. Residents will also have quick access to the amenities in Canmore and Banff, including schools, restaurants and shops, not to mention Canmore’s Nordic Centre and the nearby ski resorts.
Jonker expects the services to be in and completed by this fall, with land titles deliverable by the end of the year.
Homesites start at $585,000.