Andrew Jaillet and Robert Parasynchuk grew up on the same north Edmonton block, where they showed an early knack for ambitious collaborations.
Like the time they shocked their industrial arts teacher by building an 8-foot boat, then took it out fishing on Alberta Beach. Having recently teamed up again to form NX Build, they’ve been reminiscing about their old times in Castle Downs and at Archbishop O’Leary High School.
“We always were doing this,” said Parasynchuk. “As kids we turned Andrew’s shed almost into a two-storey bungalow.”
The Edmonton duo’s latest and biggest joint venture is the 15-unit Blatchford Landing, one of two new multi-family developments announced this week at Blatchford. The modern townhomes are part of a condominium with four separate buildings, with 1,551-1,576-square feet for 2 to 3 bedroom units. Designed for affordability and functionality, units start in the low $400,000 range.
While Parasynchuk points out features like nine-foot ceilings and quartz countertops, the most unconventional feature is undoubtedly an attached double garage with a small sitting room and space for the heat pumps that tap into Blatchford’s district energy sharing system, which uses ambient heat found in the earth’s crust for all heating and cooling needs.
Parasynchuk said that the idea was inspired, in part, by the recognition that most people like having an attached garage and that basements tend to go underused.
“You’re parking in your basement,” Parasynchuk said. “Since most people don’t use their basements, we’re turning it into a high percentage space.”
NX Build might be new, but Parasynchuk and Jaillet aren’t new to building. Parasynchuk has spent the past two decades with a major home builder in the city, while Jaillet has focused more on managing industrial and commercial projects. They’ve built on their lifelong relationship, which they see as the foundation of a strong business relationship.
When the pandemic struck, they found themselves with time to think about rekindling the partnership first struck when they lived seven doors down from each other. They see Blatchford — close to downtown with an emphasis on sustainability — as their most ambitious project yet.
“We were always good friends,” Parasynchuk said. “Once the pandemic happened, we said let’s do this.”