Blatchford's latest project 'Pilot' breaks ground next week

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Edmonton’s Blatchford community is about to have its latest and largest development (by unit) project break ground next week.

Pilot, which will be located at 7035 and 7065 Fanes Rd., is the name of the latest development in Blatchford, scheduled to start work next Thursday. The development is a project of Stratosphere Properties out of Vancouver and Launch Properties (a recent division of Launch Homes) from Sherwood Park, and will add 90 rental units to the city’s stock upon completion. Bucking the current Blatchford trend of dragged-out timelines, Pilot aims to be built by late next year.

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Kris Beyer, president and founder of Launch Homes, said that the project will be done by December 2025 if there’s a late winter this year, with spring 2026 as the outside timeline should the weather not co-operate.

“The goal is basically to get as many foundations in before the freeze up in order for us to hit our aggressive timelines for completion,” said Beyer.

Pilot, as the name suggests, takes significant inspiration from Blatchford’s former standing as a prominent airport and Canada’s first licensed airfield. Beyer summed up the nature of the new development in his speech to the roughly 30 people in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Pilot is not just a development. It’s a vision for the future. It’s about creating a space where history and modern-day life coexist, where the stories of the past inspiring the innovations of tomorrow.”

Blatchford was conceived by the City of Edmonton in 2010 and has been subject to no shortage of criticism regarding its speed of construction, lack of residents and complicated building requirements emphasizing sustainability that some have feared would scare off investors. Like the planes that once flew from the same land, the carbon neutral goal throughout the community was a lofty goal.

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President and CEO of Stratosphere, Aaron Guo, explained that it was the added challenge of sustainable building that attracted Stratosphere to the project.

“It’s like a role model for the rest of the community. And, realistically, it’s a beacon of what the best that Edmonton has to offer,” said Guo.

All of Pilot’s units will be energized by a combination of geothermal and solar heating to support Blatchford’s principles of carbon neutrality.

Tom Lumsden, development manager for Blatchford, thanked Beyer and Guo for being part of the community’s journey.

“This project is yet another sign that Blatchford is growing,” said Lumsden.

With Pilot, councillors Andrew Knack and Keren Tang for wards Nakota Isga and Karhiio, respectively, echoed Lumsden’s comment, adding that the upcoming project is evidence that Blatchford is “rounding the corner.”

“Just this year alone, they’ve sold more land which will produce more units than all of the units currently done,” said Knack.

“I think this is a really critical milestone. So, I’m very excited for the team and I’m excited to see people move in,” said Tang.

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The 90-unit project will be primarily market rentals, at roughly $2,000 per month for two bedrooms and $1,400 per month for one bedrooms. However, Guo said 10 per cent of the properties will be reserved for affordable housing in accordance with the CMHC’s metric.

Furthering its commitment to the historical attachment to the land, Pilot will be giving first priority for the affordable residences to active and inactive members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Also as part of its commitment to Blatchford’s history, Guo said they will be adding an amenity space that includes a plaque outlining the various chapters of Blatchford’s heritage.

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