P
ortwood, Port Moody's long-awaited
master-planned community, has
officially broken ground, marking
the beginning of EDGAR Development's
ambitious $1.1 billion project. The
pedestrian-oriented community will be
set amid lush parkland, with nearly 70%
of the 23 acre project dedicated to green
space, including two parks, communal
outdoor gathering places, bike paths
and a 1.5 km walking trail. With plans to
complete construction over the next decade,
Portwood will consist of 20 buildings across
five new neighbourhoods, providing strata
and rental housing options for a vibrant
population of an estimated 4000 people.
It is the first community of its kind to
move forward in Port Moody since 2004, and
it is set to transform the city. The venture,
which will increase Port Moody's rental
housing supply by more than 50%, represents
one of the provincial government's biggest
investments into affordable housing outside
of Vancouver to date and is one of the
largest affordable housing contributions in
the city's history.
"It's been four years since we've
started imagining what this community
could and should look like," says Matthew
McClengahan, president at
EDGAR. "We're about to embark
on many years of not just
building homes but building a
community."
Umbra, the first phase of
this comprehensive community
to begin construction, is set
to be move-in ready for new
homeowners by early 2027,
along with a brand new
12,300-square-foot childcare
facility and a variety of
neighbourhood amenities. The six-storey
development, designed by Acton Ostry
Architects, will consist of 219 low-carbon
emission homes built around a spacious
communal courtyard that seamlessly blends
indoor and outdoor living. With three-
bedroom concrete townhouses on the first
two storeys, and one and two-bedroom
woodframe condos on the upper four levels,
this thoughtfully planned community
presents an incredible opportunity for
families and young professionals who, like
many, want to put down meaningful roots
but feel priced out of Vancouver. With
Umbra, homeowners will have the space to
thrive and grow.
Inside, each of the meticulously designed
units include full-sized appliances, roomy
Italian kitchens by Inform Projects, a
primary bedroom with ample room for
a king size bed, air conditioning and
a generously sized private deck where
residents can soak in their surroundings.
"We really challenged the designers and
architects with our ideas for this project,"
says McClenaghan, proudly. "They've done a
great job of putting together really thought-
ful, high-quality living spaces. Portwood
is a great example of what a responsible,
sustainable, comprehensive development
should look like with all types of housing
and amenities."
Umbra at Portwood
EDGAR Development's ambitious new master-plan
development is a place for community to thrive
BY SALLY MICHAEL WHITE
Learn more about Portwood at portwood.ca
Connect: @edgardevelopment | @EdgarDevelopment | @portwoodliving | @portwoodliving
S P O N S O R E D R E P O R T
Created by Canada Wide Media in partnership with EDGAR Development
