Tree-lined avenues, well-maintained medians, inviting entry features, they are the resonating images of suburban tranquility in Edmonton. But coming up with a vision that will resonate with homebuyers is a lot of hard work.

Land developers not only plan the amenities and assemble a trusted and reliable builder group to create a family-friendly community, but the vision is not complete without paying attention to the streetscape. After all, curb appeal is not just a buzzword, it’s what the land developers live for.

Key in determining how the community’s streets will appear are the architectural controls that developers use to determine the lasting look of the community. Developers say having these architectural controls can help protect and enhance property values of the community by ensuring that there is a cohesive look throughout the neighbourhood, without being repetitive or looking cookie cutter.

“We believe a good streetscape is more than just a visual impression – it’s the foundation for a vibrant, connected, and livable community,” says Nick Young, Land Development Director at Cantiro.

Leanne Ure, Senior Project Manager at Rohit Land Development, says a good streetscape “creates visual harmony through cohesive design, varied architecture, and thoughtful details like tree-lined streets and front yard landscaping.”

A good streetscape should align with the kind of lifestyle and values the community is intended to support, according to Tom Lumsden, Blatchford Redevelopment Manager. “So, what that looks like in Blatchford is sustainability, getting around without getting behind a wheel, planet-friendly living, and residents connecting with nature and each other.”

Elements of curb appeal

“A well-designed streetscape brings together architectural variety, greenery, thoughtful pedestrian access, and infrastructure elements like lighting and signage,” Young continues. “It creates a welcoming atmosphere that invites people to walk, connect, and take pride in where they live. All these attributes strengthen the sense of community and long-term value when choosing a Cantiro Community as home.”

Ure also points out that a good streetscape creates a sense of pride in the community. “At Rohit Communities, we believe beautiful streetscapes build pride in ownership and strengthen neighborhood connections,” Ure adds. “Every element matters – from seasonal plantings and address plaques to light standards and street blades – all working together to create vibrant, welcoming communities where residents feel proud to come home.”

The outside of your home – and the street that it sits on – is what most people see, Blatchford’s Lumsden says. “Naturally, you want them to look good. But beyond that, you also want them to be functional and support how you live and what’s important to you.”

Making an entrance

Entrance features are another aspect of the streetscape that developers pay attention to. “Entrance features are evolving in both form and function – they act as a community’s first impression,” Young says.

He acknowledges that while the grand, iconic entrance features of the past delivered a strong sense of arrival, they often came with significant maintenance challenges. “Today, we aim to strike a balance – creating entrance features that are visually impactful and aligned with the community’s identity, while also being thoughtfully designed for long-term sustainability and stewardship.”

Ure likewise stresses the importance of the entrance feature, likening it to the community’s “first smile” that sets the expectations for everything that follows.

“From Kinglet Gardens’ organic materials that reflect the surrounding wetlands to refined architectural details, these design choices announce you’ve entered a purposefully crafted community. They preview what residents and visitors can expect: thoughtful design, meaningful connection, and a true sense of home. Kinglet Gardens’ entrance earned recognition as the Sign Association of Canada’s 2023 Best Stand-Alone Sign winner.”

Lumsden says that in most new communities, the entrance features are designed around welcoming people who are coming in by vehicle. “In contrast, with its focus on supporting a vehicle-free lifestyle, Blatchford’s entrance features are designed to welcome pedestrians and cyclists.”

Blatchford also tries to acknowledge its unique history as Edmonton’s former airport. “These two elements combine to create an impressive pedestrian entrance feature. Called ‘Arrival Gate’, its design incorporates structural supports to reflect the kind of struts used in biplanes.”

Making curb appeal matter

Cantiro is one of Edmonton’s most prolific land developers and homebuilders, known for creating award-winning communities and developments that stand the test of time. At the heart of their approach is a commitment to designing environments that enrich daily life and foster a deep sense of belonging.

“Curb appeal goes far beyond the aesthetics of a single home – it’s about creating a welcoming, cohesive environment that enhances the everyday experience of residents,” says Young. “When a community looks and feels well cared for, it encourages pride of place, strengthens neighborhood connections, and contributes to overall well-being.”

In communities like Riverstead at Keswick in the southwest and Alces in the southeast, Cantiro has prioritized lasting curb appeal through timeless architectural design, lush landscaping, and streetscapes that invite people to slow down and enjoy their surroundings. “It’s about designing places where people feel good coming home, where families can thrive, and where the environment supports a high quality of life,” Young adds.

Cantiro’s communities have earned significant recognition, including back-to-back Best Community wins at the 2022 and 2023 BILD Edmonton Metro Awards for The Hills at Charlesworth. The community also received international acclaim with the 2020 RTPI Award for Planning Excellence for its sustainable design. Most recently, Alces was named a finalist for Best New Community in 2025.

Find out more at cantiro.ca.

The un-cookie-cutter developer

Rohit Land Development prides itself in creating unique and interesting streetscapes. “We do our best to stay away from the ‘cookie cutter’ label,” Ure says, and creating eye-catching avenues through their communities is how they distinguish themselves.

“Curb appeal directly impacts home value, ownership pride, and sense of community. A well-maintained streetscape creates positive first impressions and signals that residents care about their neighborhood. For buyers – especially families and first-time homeowners – it means joining an established community that feels welcoming from day one,” she says.

In their northwest community of Kinglet Gardens, Rohit’s architectural controls ensure quality through coordinated materials, color palettes, and varied elevations that create diversity without repetition. “We emphasize landscaping, strategic setbacks, and tree planting to establish rhythm and flow,” Ure says.

At the heart of Kinglet Gardens sits an award-winning playground and community garden designed to resemble a rose from above – garden plots form the head, connecting trails create the stem, and playground elements represent the leaves. A naturalized stormwater facility provides peaceful sitting areas, completing this thoughtfully integrated community space. Find out more about Kinglet Gardens at kingletgardens.com, and more about Rohit at rohitgroup.com.

Historic legacy

Blatchford is redeveloping the site of Edmonton’ former airport close to the downtown into a truly singular community. “The community’s architecture supports the community’s overall goals, including requiring builders to design their homes to support a highly walkable, people-first community,” Lumsden says.

Blatchford is designed for energy efficient homes that are placed in high density – three to four times the density of a traditional suburban community.

Designing an even more desirable streetscape is twice as important in a neighbourhood that’s centred on encouraging pedestrian traffic. Lumsden says the townhomes and other high-density multi-family homes offered here supports the creation of corridors and pathways that connect the homes to green space. “In fact, residents are actually never more than a few minutes away from a park or green space”

The homes in Blatchford have small setbacks, which means they’re built close to the street. “This helps to create a more engaging and active streetscape to make walking more enjoyable. The streets and public areas are designed to support community connection and a vibrant street life – there’s even pedestrian-only streets and homes designed to front onto parks and other green spaces,” he says.

“Homes also have porches or patios to encourage interaction with family, friends and neighbours. And in keeping with Blatchford’s planet-friendly focus, there are no front driveways or garages here. Instead, residents either park underground or behind their home.” Find out more at blatchfordedmonton.ca.