Unity in Design: A Collaborative Build in Strathearn
On the edge of Strathearn, a neighbourhood rich in natural beauty with a prime central location, two new homes are taking shape—homes that reflect the best of what can be achieved when some of Edmonton’s top real estate professionals come together in true collaboration.
Located on the prestigious Strathearn Crescent, these homes offer sweeping views of the river valley and stand as a testament to the power of shared vision and expertise. What sets this project apart is that every key player—developer, home builder, realtor, and architectural and interior designer—has been in the room from the very beginning.
The first of these homes, The Aspen, begins construction this month. This home exemplifies what can be achieved when industry leaders come together with a commitment to quality, collaboration, and timeless design.
A Personal Connection
For developer Luke Manca, Strathearn is more than just a prime location—it’s home. Having grown up enjoying the views along Strathearn Drive and Crescent, Luke has deep personal ties to the area. A nostalgic individual, his memories of carefree childhood days spent riding bikes with his friends until nightfall inspired his desire to elevate the sense of community and connection in Strathearn.
Luke’s vision is about more than just building homes; it’s about contributing to the neighbourhood’s evolution with timeless, high-design properties that residents can be proud of. He’s passionate about creating homes that feel like they belong in the neighbourhood forever, not just in the moment.
This commitment to longevity and quality led him to assemble a top-notch team that he knew could deliver: the skilled builders at Marchand Houston, the highly respected visionaries at Design Two Group, the creative minds of Kresswell Interiors, and the industry experts at Holland & Associates Real Estate.
Quality Craftsmanship
Marchand Houston, the home builder behind the Strathearn project, shares Luke’s dedication to timeless, high-quality builds. Owners Josh Marchand and Blair Houston are carpenters first, a craft passed down through generations. Known for their hands-on approach and high-performance building techniques, they bring a level of craftsmanship to this project that ensures each home will not only be beautiful but will be built to stand the test of time.
Once complete, the Aspen will offer 3,432 sq. ft. of living space featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a home office, a finished basement with a gym, an upper-floor loft, and a rooftop patio.
When asked what excites him most about the Aspen, Blair of Marchand Houston doesn’t highlight the top-quality lumber, European-inspired windows, or the skilled team of trades they’ve assembled—though they are certainly noteworthy. Instead, he speaks of the stunning views from the Aspen’s future rooftop patio. He looks forward to standing atop the house, taking in those views over Edmonton, proud of the project his team has built.
In fact, regardless of who you ask—whether developer, designer, home builder, or realtor—the view from the Aspen always comes first.
Views That Inspire
Design Two Group was brought on to design the exterior architecture, floor plan, and landscaping for the Strathearn project, led by Partner and Head Designer Sebastian Mielczarek. Sebastian has approached the Aspen with his signature passion and creativity, honed through years spent in the fine arts before shifting into architectural design.
Design Two Group’s philosophy centers on creating spaces that evoke emotion, and with the Aspen, every aspect of the layout ties back to those breathtaking river valley views.
“The view is the catalyst for the design,” says Sebastian. “From everything—the way you sit on the couch, what you see from the staircase from different perspectives on each level, what you see from bed when you wake up in the morning—we’ve thought about all of that. We’ve really formed the home’s layout around the view.”
The Aspen’s design is meant to create a connection between the home and its surroundings, blending contemporary elements with subtle mid-century modern influence. The exterior features beautiful glazing that brings the indoors in, designed to truly just make you feel something.
“It has to hit the soul. It has to hit the heart—has to feel right,” says Sebastian in regards to the home’s design. “The Aspen is a statement. You can't drive by the house and not look at it. There's emotion there."
The Aspen’s open-concept layout is balanced with moments of harmony between each space, enhanced through collaboration with the interior design team at Kresswell Interiors.
"This project really defines collaborative efforts," says Sebastian. "This is a stunning street and we can do something really beautiful with this project, so let's bring in the best people right now and look at things holistically."
A Home for All Four Seasons
Kristina Eustace and Diana Tidswell, Partners and Interior Designers at Kresswell Interiors, are excited to bring their signature storytelling approach to the Aspen’s interior design. Known for pushing the boundaries and pioneering new trends, they tapped into their team’s extensive design expertise to create a space that feels warm and lived-in, despite being a brand-new build.
Contemporary but with a modern edge, the Aspen’s interior design draws inspiration from all four seasons, complementing Design Two Group’s goal of bringing the outdoors in. The duo has created distinct living spaces throughout the home, filled with soul and character, using natural materials with a lot of dynamic layering and texture.
“It’s a beautiful conversation between materials,” says Kristina, incorporating elements like real wood, brick, ceramic, concrete, and intricate tiling.
The Kresswell team hasn’t shied away from colour, using it in small doses to complement the home’s connection to the outdoors. “With a view like that, you want the design to really support it, so it’s all about immersing yourself in that natural landscape.”
As others on the project have noted, the collaboration among the entire team has been a major highlight for Kristina and Diana thus far.
“We've never had the architect, designer, realtor, builder, and developer all in one room like this. We've never seen that, and it's been phenomenal. We're all on the same page. We're tuned in. And we're here to collaborate with the sole goal of putting something out that we're proud of."
A New Chapter for Strathearn
As the advisor and listing agent for the two Strathearn projects, Holland & Associates Real Estate has been a part of this team from the beginning. Realtor Kerri-lyn Holland has leveraged her years of real estate experience and extensive knowledge of luxury properties in Edmonton’s mature communities to guide the team. Her insights have been instrumental in determining where to prioritize spending and identifying features that will resonate most with future homeowners in this neighbourhood.
Both the Aspen and its sister property will be listed for sale upon completion, making it essential for these homes to be not only architecturally stunning but also functional, livable spaces that buyers will be eager to call their own.
As we watch the Aspen take shape, it’s clear that this home—and the one to follow—will bring something entirely new to Strathearn. This talented group is working hand-in-hand to seamlessly integrate a sense of community, architectural vision, and design aesthetics into two thoughtfully crafted homes.
Stay tuned as we follow the progress of The Aspen and its introduction into the Strathearn community. The journey has just begun, and there is so much more to come.
Posted by Kerri-lyn Holland on
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