Garden suites bringing gentle density to Edmonton's developing neighbourhoods

Some neighbourhoods in Edmonton are seeing a development in what planners call gentle density — and not just in the core. 

Gentle density refers to increasing the number of dwellings on a street with minimum impact to residents.

Investors and homebuyers are looking at adding single- or two-storey garden suites to their backyards in suburban areas. The suites can generate rental income, helping make home ownership more affordable.

In 2018, 59 garden suites were constructed in Edmonton, but only six of them — 10 per cent — were built outside the Anthony Henday ring road.

In 2022, 125 garden suites were built in the city, and 33 of them — 26 per cent — were outside the Henday.

In the Rosenthal community, west of the Henday and north of Whitemud Drive, Edmonton home builder Cantiro Homes is currently building 24 garden suites, in two rows of 12 behind new single-family homes.

The homes have legal basement suites, so each lot has three separate dwellings.

"The project in Rosenthal was really to see what we can do as far as density is concerned," said Gary Hoeft, general manager of Cantiro Homes.

"You're going to have a greater sense of socialization amongst your neighbours."

More density will benefit the community to advocate for more amenities and shared urban areas, Hoeft said.

"In subdivisions of old, that might not have come on as quick."

The cost to build a garden suite in Rosenthal with Cantiro is about $150,000 in addition to the cost of the main house.

Under the city's current zoning bylaw, residential properties in suburban areas can have either a basement suite or a garden suite, but not both.

Cantiro had to get special approval from the city for its Rosenthal project.