STAYCATION CENTRAL
Laurier Heights luxury home designed for entertaining the family
They weren't filming an episode of television's Million Dollar Listing at the recent unveiling of a highend home in Laurier Heights, but they could have been.
The west end property, at 3,408 square feet (but a massive 6,094 sq. ft if you include the finished basement), lists for $3.895 million. Built by Alair Homes, it overlooks the river valley and downtown can easily be seen at a distance on the walkout rooftop.
There are finishes you won't find in another home in this city — or even in other parts of Western Canada — and for those who are into jump shots or reverse layups there's an indoor basketball court on the home's lower level with an adjacent seating and lounge zone.
It's the type of property you'd expect a Josh Altman or Fredrik Eklund to be pitching to buyers if you're into the Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles show thing — and if you think that's a reach for this city, even the real-estate handout for the home states: “It is LA luxury in YEG.”
Realtor Kerri-lyn Holland of Holland and Associates, which is marketing the home at 8516 134th St. N.W., said the luxury home market in Edmonton is experiencing a boom.
“The luxury market in Edmonton has definitely taken off over the last 24 months,” said Holland, pointing to no homes selling for more than $3 million in 2019, yet so far this year she said five homes have sold above the $3-million mark.
Further, she said homes valued at more than $1 million are outpacing their sales of the previous 12 months.
Lower mortgage rates, fewer vacations — she said her clients might previously have taken six or more expensive trips a year and are reallocating these funds into home purchases — and COVID stir-craziness are some of the reasons behind the higher luxury sales. One potential buyer for the Laurier Heights property likes the fact that the basketball court, which could do double or triple duty as a pickleball or tennis court, gives them an option to keep their kids occupied especially in these times where rec centres have been shut down due to COVID concerns.
“I do feel what's fuelling the luxury market is buyers are investing more into their homes,” said Holland. “All those luxury features they used to get in a hotel now they can have them in their own home.”
The Laurier Heights home, which has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half bathrooms, as well as an oversized triple-car garage, also comes with an elevator.
But it's some of the finishes that have Lauren Kyle, principal designer of Kyle and Co. Design Studio, thrilled with the results.
Kyle points to the Neolith countertops, which are scratch, scuff and temperature resistant — and stunning to look at — as one of the home's many selling points.
“We partnered with a stone manufacturer out of Spain,” said Kyle. “All the countertops and backsplash are Neolith. They're produced in a zero carbon environment, are 100 per cent recyclable and made out of 100 per cent natural material. It's their first in Western Canada.”
Kyle also points to the Neolith Zaha Stone, which pays tribute to internationally acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid, used in the lower level and is a contemporary reinterpretation of Iranian Grey Stone.
“There is a huge emphasis on lifestyle in this home by featuring a blend of luxury living with active lifestyle through incorporating a basement gym and fitness room,” said Graeme Bell, regional partner of Alair Homes. “Unique features of herringbone hardwood inlaid with bronze trim and a limestone fireplace surround help to create a luxury palette.”
Every room was designed to have a view of the river valley, adds Bell. “There was also a huge focus on bringing unique details to the design to introduce new elements of luxury that have a more global perspective on design than what we're used to seeing in Edmonton.”