The Aster neighbourhood has an area for two schools earmarked for the heart of the community, and the Edmonton Public School Board has identified a new construction priority for a K-9 school in its capital plan for 2025-28, reflecting just how fast this new neighbourhood has come online. (Many area high school students will attend the iconic new Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack School across 17 Street in the Meadows.)
Tucked inside the Henday in the southeast part of town, Aster is minutes from that roadway and its city-wide access. It is also bounded by 17 Street, 23 Avenue and Strathcona County.
One of the things making the new neighbourhood notable is the density of housing. “There are 45 units per hectare,” says Shane Gerein, the director of planning and acquisitions for Qualico Communities. “As housing prices escalate, new communities need to become denser, and we were one of the first to follow that. The neighbourhood is compact, so it’s not as financially draining for the city.”
Aster is close to Tamarack Common and Market at the Meadows, with access to a variety of area grocery stores and other services. In addition, it’s home to the Chai Bar and Indian Asian Hut specialty grocery store. As with other newer neighbourhoods, the developer has retained natural areas, ensuring the long-term health of the community, he says. — Mifi Purvis
“The pace of growth in Aster is tremendous,” Qualico’s Shane Gerein says. “We serviced the area in 2020, and lots started selling in 2021. They are selling as fast as we can build them.” He says that there are five builders at work, creating single family homes, duplexes and townhomes with attached garages in the rear or front.
Despite that the community is only halfway built, “it’s one of our most complete neighbourhoods, even at this point,” Gerein says. That is, the first homeowners have not been in want of neighbours. There are day homes in operation, a clinic and several other businesses. There is provision and planning for multi-family housing in a four-story walk-up as well the means for people to age within the neighbourhood.
Resident Vic Lillo has watched Aster go from a greenfield development to a bustling neighbourhood. “If you want to get excited about Edmonton,” he says, “get into a community like Aster.”
Where you live shapes how you live. From a serene, secluded space to a bustling hub, the choice you make will define your lifestyle. Your home is part of your personal narrative and each neighbourhood holds its own story. Each city is a collection of small worlds, and Edmonton is home to neighbourhoods that possess their own identities.
We have compiled a guide of some neighbourhoods that we thought were worth highlighting. Not just for their structure but for their philosophy. Some might be familiar to you — as they hold more than 50 years of history — and some are just starting to make a name for themselves.
Have we found the perfect neighbourhood for you?
