Lake living
Lac Ste. Anne oasis beckons 45 minutes from downtown core.
Year-round residence available at The Estates at Waters Edge,
“It’s easy to get to the middle of the action.” Michael Arndt , Waters Edge Developments
Head west for a leisurely drive, beyond the industrial yards along the Yellowhead Highway, through rolling parkland and past sprawling acreages on Highway 43, until you reach the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hamlet of Gunn, Alberta. Hang a left at the ramshackle Esso station and you soon arrive at The Estates at Waters Edge, a lakefront oasis tucked amid the birch trees on the northeast shore of Lac Ste. Anne.
Much more than a spot for Edmonton-area weekend warriors, The Estates at Waters Edge offers a permanent housing option 45 minutes from the downtown core. In fact, 70 per cent of the development’s singlefamily homes are permanent residences, delivering year-round enjoyment and the stability of a growing community.
Showcasing Lac Ste. Anne’s natural beauty, the development features 133 lots — approximately 50 currently have homes on them — and employs a tiered approach on the sloping lakeside.
“All of the lots are southfacing, offering a view of the lake,” said Michael Arndt, development manager at Waters Edge Developments. “The homes closer to the lake have a bungalow style, while the two-storey homes are elevated to maintain that lake view.”
The gated development provides safety and security, but there isn’t anything cookiecutter about its homes. Home designs are intended to fit a variety of budgets and lifestyles, accommodating everything from young families to empty nesters.
Staying within architectural and landscaping guidelines, owners can decide to purchase an undeveloped lot and construct a home with their preferred builder. Or they can work with the Waters Edge architecture team, customizing each home to fit both its specific lot and owner preferences.
Waters Edge homes range from 1,150 to more than 2,500 square feet. Layouts and room sizes are customizable, yards are fully landscaped, and owners have the choice of an attached or detached garage.
“We really try to differentiate ourselves and provide flexible options, working with the homebuilder to give them what they want,” Arndt said. “For instance, if someone wants bigger closets we can alter the plans to provide that. As long as the square footage isn’t increased, people can customize how they want.”
Cordial without being cramped, sophisticated without being stuffy, The Estates at Waters Edge delivers a space where homeowners can enjoy the best aspects of cottage country without the isolation. A beachfront park provides picnic space and a private boat launch makes water excursions easy. In addition, the clubhouse features a kitchen, dining area and games room, allowing plenty of space to gather friends and family.
“Whether people want to build a home higher up, overseeing the entire development, or right on the waterfront, it’s easy to get to the middle of the action,” Arndt said. “Everything is close by and convenient to access.”
Recreation opportunities abound, regardless of the season. Summer activities include water sports and fishing, and walking trails throughout the development gives residents a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the natural surroundings. A swimming pool is also in the works, offering an algae-free spot to work on your backstroke.
Winter provides an opportunity for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. The development features an outdoor NHL-sized ice rink during the winter months, complete with a skate change and warm-up facility.
The Estates at Waters Edge also has an on-site storage yard for motorhomes, campers, snowmobiles and offroad vehicles. That means roads and yards are free of recreational vehicles, limiting clutter.
The development is attracting people from across the province and beyond. Arndt estimates that 75 per cent of buyers are from the Edmonton area, including Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park, with buyers ranging from Calgary to Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Lot prices start in the low $100,000s. Two-bedroom homes with fully landscaped lots start in the low $300,000s. Visit watersedgeestates.ca for more information.