IT TOOK ONLY A SPLIT SECOND TO KNOW THIS WAS THE HOME
It was time to split from the split.
The split level Laura and Shaun Melvyn were in had served them well, but with a growing young family, leaving their old Sherwood Park home behind made sense.
“We wanted to stay in Sherwood Park, so we were looking at houses that were just a little bit bigger and more the two-storey (type) as opposed to that four-level split,” said Laura, noting their previous home had multiple levels and with their two young boys it wasn't working right. “The space just was laid out a little bit different, so there was like multiple living rooms and we found that some of the space, we just weren't using. We wanted something where we could use all the space for our family.”
That would lead them to one of Sherwood Park's newest neighbourhood's, Cambrian. First announced in 2022 and with its first lots launched last year, this master-planned development from Rohit Communities is located north of Yellowhead Trail and east of Range Road 231.
“We looked at a few different houses with our (real estate) agent, and these houses in Cambrian were one of the first she brought up to us,” said Laura. “But for us we weren't sure that we could afford something in Sherwood Park that was brand new, so we looked at it a few times and then ultimately we decided to move into it as it was what we were looking for.”
What they were looking for turned out to be Cambrian's Sydney show home offering, from Rohit Homes.
The Sydney model, said Jag Mehta, vice-president, Rohit Homes Edmonton, is one of Rohit Homes' most popular models.
“Our Sydney model embodies the essence of our brand — both in form and function,” said Mehta. “Within this model, you'll find elements essential for families planning to spend the next 25 years in their home.”
The Sydney varies from 2,043 sq. ft in the Cambrian show home version to 2,210 sq. ft depending on the configuration chosen. The show home features a generously sized open-to-above area flooding the space with natural light, an open kitchen designed to capitalize on that natural light (that seamlessly blends into an inviting entertainment space), a versatile den, which is easily transformable into a mother-in-law suite for extended family members, and second-floor laundry.
While the more traditional two-storey layout spoke to Laura and Shaun, so did the open concept main floor as well as a bonus space on the top floor. But for Laura it was the upstairs laundry that quite possibly sealed the deal.
“One of the biggest things was laundry on the top floor — in a four-level split our bedrooms were on the top floor and our laundry was on the bottom floor ( but at the other end of the house) so laundry on the same level is like a luxury,” she said.
While the Melvyns didn't buy the show home version, they purchased a spec home configuration of the same model — that move was based on timing as they had to sell their split level home first.
“We were happy with the way this one (the spec home) was done, it's different from the show home,” said Shaun. “We could have built one ourselves but we didn't want to wait longer.”
It also meant their Sydney would not have the open-to-above space. Instead it's closed off, enabling a fourth bedroom on the upper level, which was important to them.
Another attractive feature, they added, is not only will there be three playgrounds in the community, perfect for their two boys, but that one has already been built. “It's something that we could start using right away with our children,” said Laura.
BEST NEW COMMUNITY
The Melvyns moved into their Cambrian home right before this past Christmas. Now they live in greater Edmonton's best new community.
Cambrian took that honour in mid-March as the Canadian Home Builders' Association-Edmonton Region held its annual Awards of Excellence in Housing gala.
“Since its inception, Cambrian has seen steady growth, marked by several key developments,” said Scott Rudman, senior project manager, Rohit Communities, Edmonton. “The initial phase of the community witnessed the installation of its first playground (with a parkour theme), a significant milestone. In 2023, we've successfully launched over 200 lots, with a long-term vision to accommodate approximately 4,500 residents.”
The community boasts open spaces and trails along Oldman Creek, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, said Rudman, and has diverse housing options including estate homes, townhomes and duplexes.
A dog park will open this summer and future expansion plans include introducing ravine lots, which Rudman said are a rare offering in the Sherwood Park area.
Cambrian is also a short distance away from both the Emerald Hills Shopping Centre as well as the Millennium Place recreation centre.