Hygge in Alberta: Slokker Homes brings cosiness to Canadians

Originally Published in the Calgary Herald

The high quality of the townhouses, condos and other dwellings that Slokker Homes builds is subtle, yet hugely beneficial to buyers. In some cases, the benefits become evident on move-in day. 

One example: many buyers eventually discover that their condo fees remain substantially lower than those of rival condo developments. “That’s because we tend to overbuild our building envelopes (i.e. all building components) above and beyond what codes require,” says Slokker Homes president Peter Paauw. “That way, we avoid the all-too-common occurrence of envelopes having to be redone and condo fees rising as a result.”

Slokker Homes has a history of ensuring that their building materials and techniques are up-to date. “Years ago, we switched to a very resilient plastic instead of the standard cast iron pipes, which, after eight years, develop pinholes and other problems and require maintenance – and more costs for homeowners,” Paauw says, adding that the circulation lines come with a 30-year warranty.

First townhouses built by Slokker Homes.

A long history of high-quality builds

Slokker’s forward-thinking approach to construction comes with an impressive tradition of old-world craftsmanship dating back to 1935. Founded in the Netherlands, this family-run company built its first townhome and later expanded into the U.S. before establishing in Ontario in the 1970s.

Since expanding further west to Alberta in 2007, Slokker has established 11 neighbourhoods in the province, from green field estates in Edmonton to infill communities in Airdrie: Over 2,500 homes in total, each exhibiting the high-quality attributes that not only make them visually attractive but also efficient and resilient.

As Slokker Homes focuses on developing residences in its latest community, Aspen Village, Paauw takes time to discuss the company's history and its operating philosophy that ensured its success over the generations. 

"Our founder, Aad Slokker Sr., who is not 91 and still building homes in Switzerland, was always inspired to create quality homes in the mid-market sector," he says. 

Slokker’s early projects following WW II were small townhouses in the Netherlands, and because there was huge demand for social and private housing, he developed a reputation for catering to both. He eventually formed three divisions: construction, brown field revitalization, and new development.

Kitchen and Living Room Area In A Home Built By Slokker Homes

Continuing a legacy of detailed construction

Slokker applied his services to the massive wave of residential development in Canada and the U.S. in the 1970s, and by the time the company reached out to Paauw in 2007 to preside over building homes in Alberta, the Slokker name was inextricably linked to quality. “I too came to Canada from the Netherlands in 2004, and back home, everyone in the construction trades had a huge respect for Aad Slokker,” Paauw says.

Trained as an industrial engineer with his own considerable experience in home building, Paauw was well-suited to continue the Slokker tradition. “We’re not afraid of challenging designs, and we build communities on terrain that other developers shy away from,” he says, citing as a case in point Aspen, whose grading variants (in some cases by as much as 15 metres) offer spectacular views for homeowners but require considerable infrastructure and construction skills.

As for the diversity of homes provided by Slokker, Paauw describes their appearance as ‘modern European,’ and whether it’s a townhome, condo or another type of residence, everything is designed to create a sense of ‘hygge’ – the Danish concept of warmth and cosiness. “It’s what we strive to inspire in every home we build,” Paauw says.

Aspen Spring a Community by Slokker Homes

Aspen Village

Slokker Homes is gearing up for a busy 2025: Aspen Spring has three distinct communities, Wolfberry, Juniper and Aurora, with homes scheduled for groundbreaking early in the new year. Aspen is marketed as a community that combines natural tranquility with vibrant city life.

“We have many other projects on the go, including a boutique heritage model infill project of 74 units in Okotoks,” Paauw says, adding that now is a particularly good time to be active in Alberta. “Our economy is on the upswing and many people are relocating to this province because it’s such a fantastic and affordable place to live.”

In its very low-key but effective way, Slokker will continue to surprise and delight homeowners long after they’ve settled into their new dwellings. “We definitely take Dutch pride in ensuring that clients are taken care of over the long haul,” Paauw says. “Even if people might not know our story, they know our name — and that’s good enough for us.”

Learn more about Slokker Homes here