LIVING AT NATURE’S DOOR
Hawk’s Ridge at Big Lake intertwines its urban environment with trails and boardwalks of the park on its edge.
Nestled on Edmonton’s western edge, Hawks Ridge at Big Lake has become a big draw.
With Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park as a backdrop, Hawks Ridge is now home to approximately 130 families, and that number is growing.
“People that live here love walking around and connecting with nature,” said Jill Curtis, marketing manager for project developer Walton Development and Management, referring to the pathways that are part of the community as well as Big Lake, the provincial park’s predominant feature. “They’re also close to everything, but it feels like they’ve left the city.”
Since Stage 1 launched in the fall of 2012, buyers have come from various parts of the greater Edmonton region. Lao Reinhardt, area manager for Morrison Homes, one of the Hawks Ridge builders, notes that interest has mainly come from those in St. Albert and the northwestern portion of the city. She said these buyers include newly married couples, families, pet lovers and retired people.
Walton introduced Stage 2A last October, featuring 158 lots, and the response has been strong. Meanwhile, show homes from new Hawks Ridge builders are also in the works. Akash Homes has a semi-estate home set to open in June, while other builders will be offering front garage duplexes and townhomes later this year to complement the selection of front garage, rear-laned, and semi-estate homes that are already available.
Despite Hawks Ridge being located near Parkland County and St. Albert, Curtis notes that existing residents have easily made it to downtown in under half an hour. Edmonton Transit provides peak hour bus service, while Yellowhead Trail and the Anthony Henday are within easy access.
Shopping, services and other amenities are a short drive to west Edmonton, although that will change in the not-too-distant future when Hawks Ridge Plaza will be built. While it still may be some time away — no shovels have gone into the ground yet — there’s a good chance the centre will house a convenience store and gas bar, possibly a daycare, and other mixed commercial uses. WHERE: Hawks Ridge’s borders include Big Lake’s south shore, 215 Street NW (Winterburn Road NW) and 231 Street NW (City of Edmonton boundary). ONE REASON TO LOOK AT HAWKS RIDGE: Nature. The development’s location puts it right next to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park and Big Lake, which makes up about 59 per cent of the park’s total area. The lake is eight kilometres long and three kilometres wide at its widest point. NEW SHOW HOMES COMING ONLINE: Akash Homes is currently completing a front garage semi-estate home that is planned to open in June. Connect Homes is expected to open front-attached duplexes later this year, while Truman Homes will be offering a selection of townhomes.
EXISTING SHOW HOMES: Six frontgarage show homes from Hopewell Residential, Montorio Homes, Morrison Homes and ReidBuilt Homes can be found on Hawks Ridge Boulevard. Two rear-laned show homes from Hopewell are located on Merlin Landing and open for touring as well. A PEEK INTO AN EXISTING SHOW HOME: The Vasi 2 from Hopewell evokes a bold bistro design where layers of pattern, colour and lighting speak to both traditional and modern sensibilities. Unique tile work and quartz countertops highlight the home’s dream kitchen. Add to that inspired colour distinctive to each room, plus carefully considered niches that provide function and utility, and the result is a home that’s bold and beautiful with trendy urban touches. The Vasi 2 starts at $522,000 and comes in variations that range from 2,472 to 2,515 square feet. TWO LASTING IMPRESSIONS: The chance to be so close to nature — it’s almost literally on your doorstep — combines with the ability to live in an urban environment. Pair this with architectural styles that focus on Arts & Crafts and Mountain Vernacular designs, and homes featuring darker-hued siding, and the result is a community that is a definitely cut above. THE DEVELOPER: Walton Development and Management is the developer behind major residential developments in both Edmonton and Calgary, including Henley Heights at Secord and Woodhaven-Edgemont in Edmonton’s west end, McConachie in the northeast, and VITA at Crystallina Nera in the city’s northeast. PRICES: Homes from Hopewell start in the $350s. Front attached garage homes start in the $460s, while semi-estate homes begin in the $650s and are available from the following builders: Akash, Hopewell, Montorio, Morrison and ReidBuilt. VIEWING HOURS: Show home hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The show homes are closed on Fridays. FIND OUT MORE: Check out Hawks Ridge’s website at www.hawksridge.ca