I believe Streetside units will have condo fees, actually... My understanding is that NX Build and Streetside are both condo-style townhomes... But I am not willing to call Streetside a miss quite yet - we will see what happens once they have a showhome open. But I admit it is looking like a slow seller compared to other stuff in Blatchford right now.

My favourite part about your comment on Blatchford's location is that there IS a Walmart, BPs and Timmys all just a short drive away. And with the LRT connection, its just a 15ish minute walk! Your comment is spot-on all around though. Bravo!
Both Streetside and NX developments at Fane Mews/Road are Condo per Blatchford's map. NX units are three bedroom per their blueprints, and when we toured their show unit it was certainly presented that way. The show unit also had a pretty generous basement space that's not on the blueprints and connects directly to the underground parking. If the other half didn't have a legal secondary suite as an essential criteria, they would've been a very tempting option. Streetside is also doing some fee-simple options, but those are on the other side of Alpha Boulevard towards the lake, and are just in the stage of pouring foundations and such.

LRT connection is closer to 10 minutes or less for me, and I'm past these units. It's also not really hard to walk to the mall if I absolutely have to go there.
 
Street side doesn’t have yards? Are they the only attached garage units in blatchford? The other houses have yards and detached garages with basement or garage suites… makes sense why everything is selling well except this one. Street side is basically small expensive condos without condo fees. The sky is not falling, this was just a miss by the developer in a city of endlessly available cheap condos.

Edmonton must be the only place in Canada where people can think a central location with two train stations, beside a post secondary institution, short walk, bike, drive, train to ANOTHER university AND downtown, beside a grocery store, with huge park space with water feature, easy access to a crosstown freeway, is a bad location 😂. Imagine this development in a similar location in Calgary or Ottawa. It’s actually hilarious. But I guess for Bertans, urban living is a short drive to a Walmart, BPs, and a Timmy’s lol.

Another issue Edmonton has always had is how condescending people from the west end and south side are towards the north side. There is absolutely nothing wrong with blatchford location expect preconceptions. And the “social disorder” people have anecdotally witnessed in this area is no different than anywhere in the greater central area of Edmonton,
I mean, with all due respect, Regent Park in Toronto was brutal for decades. Strathcona/DTES in Vancouver is avoided by many. Radisson Heights in Calgary, or much of East Village still (but especially 10 years back) is central and still avoided by many. SO it's not new for central areas, with great amenities, to still be "undesirable" to many people.

I also think my main point is that blatchford actually isn't very "urban" yet.

If you actually want an urban experience, you're better off in a dozen other places. But then if you compare blatchford to other "new build suburbs" with high absorption needed for new construction...you see significantly less crime and disorder in those new areas than the are surrounding blatchford.

Spruce Ave (Total crime: 90% higher than national average, Violent crime: 48% higher than national average)
Prince Rupert (Total crime: 255% higher than national average, Violent crime: 166% higher than national average)
Prince Charles (Total crime: 90% higher than national average, Violent crime: 48% higher than national average)
Westwood (Total crime: 105% higher than national average, Violent crime: 60% higher than national average)

Compared to:

Westmount (Total crime: 56% higher than national average, Violent crime: 22% higher than national average)
Glenora (Total crime: 40% lower than national average, Violent crime: 53% lower than national average)
Strathearn (Total crime: 41% higher than national average, Violent crime: 10% higher than national average)
Bonnie Doon (Total crime: 43% higher than national average, Violent crime: 12% higher than national average)
North Glenora (Total crime: 29% higher than national average, Violent crime: 1% higher than national average)


So I do think this statement of yours is a bit untrue: "the “social disorder” people have anecdotally witnessed in this area is no different than anywhere in the greater central area of Edmonton"
 
Another issue Edmonton has always had is how condescending people from the west end and south side are towards the north side.
It has been this way for a century (or more). My dad grew up in Norwood in the 30s and 40s and has resented the south side his whole life (even though he has lived in Cincinnati for more than a decade) :D
 
It has been this way for a century (or more). My dad grew up in Norwood in the 30s and 40s and has resented the south side his whole life (even though he has lived in Cincinnati for more than a decade) :D
The legacy of the Rat Creek Rebellion weighs heavily. No la-dee-da Strathconian is taking my land office, dagnabbit.
 
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It has been this way for a century (or more). My dad grew up in Norwood in the 30s and 40s and has resented the south side his whole life (even though he has lived in Cincinnati for more than a decade) :D
Every city has less and more desirable areas. You can see this somewhat reflected in crime stats and probably also in neighbourhood income levels.

Usually there have to be trade offs to entice people to live in less desirable areas - convenience such as closer location to many things and lower prices are two of the most common.

It is possible to turn a less desirable area into a more desirable one over time, but it usually that involves the price being enticing initially. In this case the price is not that enticing.
 
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Here's hoping the next 2-3 years are gangbusters, include a few multi-fam with areas around the LRT station seeing action so as to hide the ridiculousness that it is out there all alone. I'd love to see a mid-range hotel near NAIT/Kingsway helping serve the area, along with some sort of destination attraction.
 
Here's hoping the next 2-3 years are gangbusters, include a few multi-fam with areas around the LRT station seeing action so as to hide the ridiculousness that it is out there all alone. I'd love to see a mid-range hotel near NAIT/Kingsway helping serve the area, along with some sort of destination attraction.

*** cough cough ***
 
The reminder of how land development actually works was definitely called for, especially that yes even greenfield development has a planning phase that can be years before building. The map of what's sold has a rather prominent surprise to me: a second 4-6 mixed use is sold.
 
Here's hoping the next 2-3 years are gangbusters, include a few multi-fam with areas around the LRT station seeing action so as to hide the ridiculousness that it is out there all alone. I'd love to see a mid-range hotel near NAIT/Kingsway helping serve the area, along with some sort of destination attraction.
I appreciate the way that this throws so much very deserved shade at the hotels that are already here.
 
Streetside has some lots facing the pond and here is what is being built for $480k - bungalow style townhomes. So one level with optional basement development. These are highest priced properties in Blatchford I think per sq/ft.

These are 905sqft units - 1 bdrm, 1.5 baths. Double garage.

  • Possessions starting Fall-2025
  • Fenced yards & landscaping included
  • Double detached garages
  • Optional basement development plans
  • Unobstructed pond views
  • NO condo fees
  • $479,998
Screenshot_20241219_101042_Word.jpg
Screenshot_20241219_101254_Word.jpg


The large rec space in the optional basements have no windows.
 
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'O there is a destination attraction -- the Aviation Museum. It just needs a large heaping of assistance from some level of either government or private industry. It has a huge inventory of of aircraft and a rather unique building for display options. It needs to be updated dramatically in terms of interactive displays, better graphics (static and motion activated), and a better awareness effort for public interface. There is a sizable chunk of land that is adjacent to the hangar where most of the displays are housed. A group like Beljan could make an offer to purchase, build out the land as a theme-related mixed use venture and promote the museum as part of an overall package. It is one of Edmonton's best development opportunities in my opinion.
 

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