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New Homes

New Homes

Supplied An illustration shows the thoughtfully designed Cambridge model from Kensington Homes.

Imagine the possibilities

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 30, 2026

When people think about building a spacious bungalow, they often believe that 1,400 sq. ft. is the magic number.

After all, chances are a bungalow of that size is 200 to 300 sq. ft. larger than the one the homeowner grew up in. At the same time, it’s small enough to bring down construction costs — or is it?

The truth is, it doesn’t cost that much more to build a larger bungalow, say something in the 1,700 square foot range.

All you need is a slightly larger lot to accommodate it, and in most cases that’s outside the city, as lots outside city limits tend to be wider.

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New Homes

The five-acre infill site once occupied by the old Allard School will soon be home to 58 bungalow condos and 12 townhome condos.

Condo development breathing life into former school site

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Condo development breathing life into former school site

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 23, 2026

Patience almost always pays off.

Because, let’s face it, many of the best things in life are worth waiting for.

This is a mantra that Karma Developments’ Myles Kraut has been living for the last six-plus months, as work preparing the site of the old Allard School at 130 Allard Ave. for his new infill condo development in Westwood, Glendale Estates, proceeded at a painstakingly slow pace.

“Remediation of the school took much longer than expected,” he says. “But it’s finally complete. I’m happy to say that rough construction on Glendale Estates is well underway. The piles for the homes are all in, and we are now pouring foundations.”

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Saturday, May. 23, 2026

New Homes

Todd Lewys / Free Press Space and style abound in this stately great room at Oak Bluff Condos.

Style and substance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Style and substance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 16, 2026

If there’s one key to making the successful transition to being an empty-nester, it’s feeling like you’re not settling for less when you sell your longtime home.

And that means having to make few — if any — adjustments to adapt to the home you’re downsizing to.

That’s often easier said than done, because space and function are still high priority for empty-nesters.

After all, when you’ve lived in a 2,500-sq.-ft., two-storey single-family home for 25 years or more, the transition to a 900-sq.-ft., two-bedroom apartment-style condo can be rough.

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Saturday, May. 16, 2026

New Homes

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The two-storey, 2,069-sq.-ft. dwelling takes full advantage of its prime positioning, offering incredible style, functionality and gorgeous forest views.

West St. Paul two-storey’s wooded lot perfect site for family life

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

West St. Paul two-storey’s wooded lot perfect site for family life

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, May. 9, 2026

It’s an oft-repeated adage in real estate: location, location, location.

And while location plays a central role in determining the value and desirability of a property, there’s another factor that also contributes to a home’s allure: where it’s situated within a community.

The positioning of Hilton Homes’ new show home at 296 Masters Ave. in West St. Paul pays off in more than one way, says the sales representative for the 2,069-sq.-ft. home, Soren Frederiksen of Re/Max Executives Realty.

“I think the first thing to note about this home is that it’s on a corner lot that’s a very good size at 44-feet wide by 154 feet and 180 feet at different points,” he says. “Not only that, because of its positioning, there will also never be a home next to it on its right-hand side looking at it from the street.”

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Saturday, May. 9, 2026

New Homes

Panache Homes’ show home (left) at 557 Centennial St. (there’s also a similar design for sale next door) is filled with quality and style.

Brand-new two-storey great fit for older neighbourhood

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Brand-new two-storey great fit for older neighbourhood

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

As attractive as a brand-new infill home in an established area can be, it’s unwise to rush into buying.

That’s because one important detail needs to be carefully examined before signing the purchase agreement — how well was the build executed? This is a critical detail, as some infill homes are built on short time frames with sub-par structure and mediocre finishes to make for a quick sale.

Suffice it to say, such a hastily built dwelling is unlikely to age well. That can lead to unwanted maintenance costs and repairs within the first five to seven years of owning it — all after paying a premium price to live in a desirable neighbourhood.

Reid Boles says there are no such concerns with a sharp-looking two-storey home that was recently built at 557 Centennial St. in River Heights north.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026

New Homes

MHBA photo To ensure safety, all visits to residential construction sites should be co-ordinated by appointment only and with the full awareness of both the builder and site supervisor.

Stay safe around active construction sites

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Preview

Stay safe around active construction sites

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

With the arrival of spring weather, people have started enjoying more outdoor activities. This also means construction is about to become busier.

While we usually equate the spring season in Manitoba with road construction, it’s the busiest time for residential work as well. Home construction season doesn’t solely involve new dwellings going up in new communities. It also includes demolitions, infill construction, landscaping projects, driveway repairs and many other home-renovation tasks taking place either inside or outside of houses.

This means residential construction and its accompanying common hazards can be present in any neighbourhood. With more people understandably feeling the urge to get more active outdoors, now is a great time to remind people of all ages to keep an eye out for the potential hazards that can pop up.

Vehicles, equipment and materials used on construction sites can pose a hazard to workers, drivers and pedestrians on residential roadways while work is taking place. These hazards can include equipment backing onto roadways, as well as machinery and trailers parked on city streets.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026

New Homes

MHBA photo Beware this summer of contractors offering cash-only deals with a handshake ‘contract’ when considering home-renovation quotes.

Get it in writing from contractors this summer

Lanny McInnes 5 minute read Preview

Get it in writing from contractors this summer

Lanny McInnes 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

Now that winter weather appears to be behind us, Manitobans are turning their attention to preparing for spring yard work, gardening and planning on how best to enjoy the long and beautiful summer we all deserve.

Sometimes, that also means planning a summer renovation project for your home. Many homeowners are booking these summer projects with renovators now. But one thing to keep in mind when researching both your residential project and picking the right renovator to do it, is that when a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

There are some key points to remember when you are offered a “really great deal” on home renovations, especially cash-only deals where the person doing the work is being paid “under the table.” These deals usually mean no taxes are paid and no permits are taken out for the work to be done. Possessing no receipt and no contract also means there is no record of the work being done on a dwelling.

If your contractor cuts a few corners and uses substandard materials, you have no recourse because there was no formal agreement. If the workmanship is shoddy or the renovation work caused some damage to your home, there is no actual record of the work ever taking place.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

New Homes

Supplied The 2,083-sq.-ft., executive-style bungalow is packed with style, functionality and serenity.

Executive-style bungalow in Headingley offers style, serenity, livability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Executive-style bungalow in Headingley offers style, serenity, livability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

One of the best things about building in communities outside the city is that lots are more expansive than they are in town.

Not only does that provide more separation from neighbours, but it also allows for the construction of king-sized bungalows that are rarely built inside city limits.

Still, builders need to take full advantage of the opportunity by coming up with designs that make the most of all that extra space.

That’s what Irwin Homes’ design team set about doing when they were presented with a huge lot at 3 Woodland Lane in Headingley’s Forest Grove Estates.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

New Homes

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The efficiently designed Florence model proves a home need not be over 2,000 sq. ft. in size to offer the functionality families require.

Efficient elegance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Efficient elegance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

For some reason, many families looking for a new dwelling believe a home must be over 2,000 sq. ft. for it to possess the flexibility and livability they need to live life to the max.

That isn’t necessarily the case if a home is efficiently planned, says Rob Hutchison, the sales representative for A&S Homes’ new show home at 297 Granite Grove Rd. in Prairie Pointe.

“If a home is well-designed, you don’t need over 2,000 sq. ft. for it to meet the needs of a large family,” he says. “This home, the Florence, is a good example of that. Our design team took the base model, which is 1,869 sq. ft. and added 41 sq. ft. It’s a subtle tweak, but it really paid off. It made the home so much more family-friendly.”

As it turns out, several spaces were impacted in a very positive way by taking the home’s square footage up to 1,910 sq. ft.

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

New Homes

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Only two units are left in Esprit Condominiums, with both coming in at under $400,000.

Esprit de vie

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Esprit de vie

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

If there’s one thing families prize above all else when they’re looking to buy a new home, it’s affordability.

It’s easy to see why.

With the cost of a new entry-level home running between $500,000 and $600,000, home-buying budgets, suffice it to say, are being stretched to their outermost limits.

If possible, families desperately want to find a new residence that costs significantly less, as they need the extra money to put food on the table and clothe their kids.

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Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

New Homes

SUPPLIED The 1,610-sq.-ft. Oceanview lives much larger than its listed square footage and offers families a wonderful blend of style and functionality.

Revamped floor plan boosts Transcona two-storey’s livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Revamped floor plan boosts Transcona two-storey’s livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

One of the most important aspects of new-home design is very subtle, yet extremely important.

That aspect? Never being satisfied that a tried-and-true design is too good to be modified. In other words, there’s no room for complacency in designing new homes.

That’s because, as a builder, you can be assured other builders won’t be resting on their laurels in the pursuit of becoming the best in the industry. With that in mind, Kensington Homes’ design team took a hard look at one of their most popular designs, the Oceanview.

It didn’t take long to figure out how it could be improved, says Lilita Klavins, new-home sales representative for Kensington’s new show home at 408 Desrosiers Dr. in Transcona’s Canterbury Crossing.

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Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

New Homes

Offering over 2,700 sq. ft. of deftly designed living space, Casa Mia Living’s show home oozes style and quality.

Infill home’s exceptional livability comes down to deft design details

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Infill home’s exceptional livability comes down to deft design details

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

There are two types of infill home builds.

The first is one done quickly to maximize profit. That being the case, its build quality, floor plan and finishing standards often leave much to desire. Then there’s the second type: a home built with care and commitment to quality throughout.

Two new infill homes on Lindsay Street in River Heights North fall decidedly into the second category, says Val Miller of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate.

“This home is a step above everything else,” she says of the 1,668-sq.-ft., two-storey show home, which stands next door to its mirror image at 182 Lindsay St., which is also now for sale. “That’s because a lot of effort was put in to getting every detail right. Everything about this home is well thought out. The builder was very meticulous and detail-oriented.”

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Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

New Homes

The Skye design manages to pack in tons of style and livability.

Family-friendly two-storey has small footprint, loads of functionality

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Family-friendly two-storey has small footprint, loads of functionality

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

Over the past few years, builders have been constructing two-storey homes on smaller lots to make dwellings more affordable for prospective buyers.

It goes without saying that building a residence on a narrower lot is a challenging task.

That’s because the utmost precision is required to come up with a home that feels spacious and welcoming. Every detail of its design must be considered to maximize functionality and livability.

Broadview Homes’ 2026 Spring Parade of Homes show home at 168 Ruth Crossing is a shining example of a well-considered house design, says Lisa Castro of Coldwell Banker Preferred Real Estate.

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

New Homes

Todd Lewys / Free Press A fabulously family-friendly design, the 1,859-sq.-ft., two-storey Hazel is an efficient, elegant design from top to bottom.

Clever use of space elevates Prairie Pointe two-storey

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Clever use of space elevates Prairie Pointe two-storey

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

While a home’s square footage matters, what matters most is the efficiency of its layout.

When a home’s layout has been engineered to maximize its efficiency and utility, chances are it will feel that much more livable. At the same time, such dwellings will feel significantly bigger than the listed square footage.

That’s the case with the Hazel, Hilton Homes’ 2026 Spring Parade of Homes show home at 301 Granite Grove Rd. in Prairie Pointe, says the abode’s sales representative, Soren Frederiksen of Re/Max Executives Realty.

“This is one of our more popular plans,” he says of the two-storey, 1,859-sq.-ft. home. “I think that’s because it’s so thoughtfully designed. As is always the case, our design team’s main priority is functionality. Then, they put in the style once the floor plan is established. The use of space is excellent; it feels much larger than its listed square footage.”

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

New Homes

MHBA photo The MHBA will again be on site with its ‘Ask a Renovator’ booth at the Winnipeg Home and Garden Show next month, where professional renovators can provide you a free 15-minute consultation to help steer you in the right direction on a home project.

Home and garden show nearly ready to go

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Preview

Home and garden show nearly ready to go

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association’s 2026 Spring Parade of Homes is in full swing now, providing Manitobans looking to build their new dream home with a multitude of examples and choices of home designs, layouts and neighbourhoods to consider.

The Parade of Homes is also a great way to see what’s new and exciting in terms of home décor trends, finishes, fixtures and home technology being used in Manitoba’s best new show homes.

For those who may not be looking to build a new house but want to improve their existing residence through a renovation project, you’re only a few weeks away from an opportunity to hear from HGTV celebrities and local renovation experts at the upcoming 2026 Winnipeg Home and Garden Show, set for April 9-12 at the RBC Convention Centre.

The Winnipeg Home and Garden Show provides consumers the chance to visit hundreds of home and garden suppliers, all under one roof. This year’s show again features some of Canada’s most popular designers, gardeners and home-improvement specialists on The Main Stage presented by Home Network Canada.

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

New Homes

The stately 2,861-sq.-ft. luxury home — which backs onto a picturesque lake — is the epitome of practical luxury.

Subtle elegance, well-thought-out floor plan elevate Headingley abode

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Subtle elegance, well-thought-out floor plan elevate Headingley abode

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

In any business, innovation is the key to long-term success.

And that axiom applies even more to new-home builders.

The reason is simple: maintaining a constant commitment to innovation keeps residential design fresh while adding style and functionality.

However, there’s a catch. When it comes to new dwellings, innovation needs to be strategic and practical. If it isn’t, chances are good a home will lack practicality due to an overly elaborate design.

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Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

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