Page 5 - 03_April-2025

CONTENTS
32
38
36
BEST NEW COMMUNITIES
32 FILL IT BAAK UP
You know Barry Johns’ work with
downtown’s MacEwan University.
Now, the renowned architect
is focused on changing how we
think of infill development with
his new Baakfil concept.
by SCOTT MESSENGER
36 GRIESBACH REGROWN
The former military community
has gone through many changes,
but its new northeast develop-
ment may be its greenest yet.
by AREEHA MAHAL
38 BEARING THE BURDEN
A diversified tax plan and new
business district spreads the
financial burden across different
sectors of St. Albert, keeping
things affordable and people
closer to home.
by STEVEN SANDOR
46 BOOMING BEAUMONT
One of the Edmonton area’s
best-kept secrets is out — and
developers are working with
city council to make sure it’s
ready for the influx of new
Beaumontians.
by CAROLINE BARLOTT
48 IF YOU BUILD IT…
A new ballpark will bring
collegiate baseball, a new
amphitheatre and a new condo
building to Spruce Grove.
by SCOTT MESSENGER
50 KEEPING THE HEART
IN THE HOME
Housing affordability affects
people of all ages and incomes,
but Strathcona County’s
new strategy will ease the
financial pain.
by CAROLINE BARLOTT
BEHIND THE COVER
Aaron Pedersen photographed Barry Johns in his studio.
We hired Tiiu Vuorensola to be the mustache wrangler.
63
13  BY THE NUMBERS
The gap between supply
and demand is shrinking
in our real estate market —
but a prefabricated solution
is building.
by CORY SCHACHTEL
18  HERE’S JOHNNY
A century is a long time for
any business to operate, but
these siblings couldn’t stand
to part with their inherited
family store — and Namao is
better for it.
by LAUREN KALINOWSKI
22  DATE-NIGHT
Follow Edify’s flavourful
flowchart to find out
where your relationship is
at — and what food goes
along with it.
by OMAR MOUALLEM
26  BEN’S BACK
Just when Ben Staley
thought he was out of the
restaurant business, the
CEO of one of Edmonton’s
best hospitality groups
brought him back in.
by BREANNA MROCZEK
56
COMING TOGETHER
AT THE SEAMS
How a TV docuseries
inspired Jessica Halabi to
weave childhood memories
with her Lebanese culture
to create her most personal
dress yet.
by AREEHA MAHAL
63
 WIGMORE’S
WILD WORLD
Edmonton born-and-
raised actor Jennifer
Wigmore is back — on
screens big and small —
and working to ensure
young actors know their
rights. And in this month's
A Very Short Story, a
busker bonds with a
mysterious old man over
their shared lost loves.
5