PROPERTY BACKGROUND
The Village at Griesbach is located on the 252-hectare (623-acre) site of the former Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. The property was acquired from the Department of National Defence in 2003.
The former military site has been transformed into one of Edmonton’s most recognized master-planned communities. The Village at Griesbach has been developed using smart growth and new urbanism principles, with a focus on walkability, family-friendly design, parks, open spaces, sustainability and commemoration of the site’s military history. Streets, parks and monuments recognize local military heroes, battles and the former base’s namesake, Major-General William Griesbach, and his wife, Janet.
The community includes a mix of housing types, commercial areas, schools and community amenities. It is home to a large central park, four lakes that also function as stormwater management facilities, walking trails, a two-acre community garden and extensive green space. A portion of the community received LEED-ND Gold Certification, the first project in Edmonton to receive this international neighbourhood design designation. The Village at Griesbach is a leader in affordable housing in Edmonton, with approximately 16% of all existing homes (approximately 800 units) within Griesbach designated affordable.
CURRENT STATUS
The northeast corner lands, approximately 64 hectares (158 acres), represent the final portion of the Village at Griesbach to be developed. Planning for this area was launched in 2022. The City of Edmonton approved the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan in February 2024. The northeast corner plan supports a complete community with 2,500 units and a mix of housing types, including rental and affordable housing, connected by open spaces, pathways, community amenities and commercial uses.
As part of the overall plan Build Canada Homes is advancing two Housing Development projects within the northeast corner. Together, the two parcels are expected to deliver approximately 355 new homes as part of the broader redevelopment of the community.
The two parcels total approximately 3 hectares (7 acres). The first parcel is approximately 1 hectare (2 acres) and is expected to include about 55 row housing units. The second parcel is approximately 2 hectares (5 acres) and is expected to include about 300 multi-family homes in buildings of up to approximately six storeys.
The Housing Development parcels build on the long-term planning and community-building work at Griesbach, while supporting Build Canada Homes’ mandate to accelerate housing delivery on federal lands. At least 40% of the homes delivered through the Build Canada Homes Housing Development approach are expected to be below-market.
Through its Housing Development approach, Build Canada Homes will use these parcels to help deliver more homes faster, including below-market homes, while exploring modern methods of construction, which may include technologies such as prefabrication, modular construction or mass timber, to support faster delivery timelines, improve productivity, and increase consistency in outcomes.
A Request for Qualifications to identify a qualified design-builder for the Village at Griesbach parcels was launched in November 2025 and has now closed. Selected proponents have been invited to participate in a Request for Proposals process, which will be completed in August 2026. Site work is underway, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026 and 2027.
