As more poeple put down roots in Edmonton, there is growing demand for rental properties — especially ones with great transit access and amenities. Rohit Rental Living’s Stadium Yards is one notable development.
Stadium Yards began as a dream to revitalize an oft-forgotten bit of central Edmonton near the Stadium LRT station. Rohit had a vision for the land, with mixed commercial and residential buildings, where communities would come together and people from all over the world could find a place to call home.
“If you go to an event in one of the buildings, you just look around, it’s such a diverse group, all enjoying time with each other,” says Russell Dauk, executive vice president, income producing properties.
The development started with the Dauk Commons building, and the company recently added another purpose-built rental to the Stadium Yards.
Lewis Block, the newest building in the project, is named for Joseph Lewis, one of the earliest Black fur traders in Alberta. A public art installation representing Lewis, The Steersman, stands on the property. The name and sculpture honour the courage and entrepreneurial spirit of Lewis, and the journey that so many people who live in Lewis Block take — whether from Ukraine, Nigeria, Toronto or northern Alberta. People from all over the world strike out to build new lives in Edmonton, Dauk says. And they have found community at Lewis Block, whether they’re families, young professionals or students.
As Vice President, Asset Management, Income Producing Properties Emma Freeman puts it, Lewis Block offers the convenience and skylines of downtown living, at a much more affordable price, fostering a genuinely diverse community.
Lewis Block has the amenities of renters’ dreams, including a well-equipped fitness centre and picturesque rooftop patio with lawn games that offer a social sanctuary for residents and guests. Residents can also book private spaces with a barbecue and soaring skyline views.
Rohit has been hosting events for Dauk Commons residents since opening five years ago, and plans to bring the same popular programming to Lewis Block.
“We’ve done candle-making workshops. We’ve done pet photo shoots, really anything that we can do to get people out of their units and meeting one another. And the feedback on those events has been great,” says Freeman.
Fostering this level of community and care for the building and fellow residents has helped elevate Lewis Block and Dauk Commons from mere buildings to homes filled with warmth and camaraderie.
“As we say, it’s not just a rental, it’s a home. Rohit is most known locally as a homebuilder, and we apply that same level of finishing and detail in Lewis Block,” Freeman says. “So it really has more of a unique feel.”
Rohit hasn’t just selected default fixtures and finishes for the units and common areas in Lewis Block, or copy and paste floor plans — everything feels bespoke, from the furniture in the lobby to the flooring in the units.
But there’s more to this development than the interiors.
By developing the Stadium Yards area, Rohit has actively invested in building a vibrant neighbourhood.
“The streets are full of people,” Dauk says. “It’s got a nice atmosphere and street life that’s developing now.”
One highlight for both Freeman and Dauk is Felice Cafe, a gorgeous local cafe right in the Stadium Yards development. It’s quickly become a point of pride for the neighbourhood, and a popular spot for studying, work meetings and socializing.
The cafe is just one of the many amenities the residents rave about — they also appreciate the close proximity to Commonwealth Rec Centre, parks, the river valley and a grocery store, which makes this a walkable, liveable place to call home. And with Jasper Ave just a block south, restaurants and venues are never far away.
“So you don’t have some of the hassles that come with (living) downtown, but you’ve got some of the opportunities,” Dauk adds. “You can hop on the LRT and in two stations be in the middle of downtown at an Oilers game … but you also have the livability of the neighbourhood.”
With the opening of Dauk Commons and Lewis Block, Rohit has breathed new life into the Cromdale neighbourhood, and reimagined what’s possible for the area.
“This is a place where you can put down roots,” Dauk says.
Visit stadiumyards.com and explore Lewis Block.
This content was produced in partnership with the advertiser by Odvod Publishing for commercial purposes.
