Sky Ranch, a new master-planned residential community north of Cochrane in Rocky View County just outside of Calgary, is expected to be fully built out within five years as demand for housing in the Calgary region continues to grow, according to developer JL Developments. 

The 118-acre project includes 646 residential lots ranging from semi-estate and single-family homes to semi-detached and row housing, with the first 254 lots already serviced and sold to seven homebuilders.

The Calgary-based land developer says the project is aimed in part at buyers seeking larger lots and lower property taxes outside Cochrane, while still remaining close to the town and regional amenities. 

Company president Jesse LaFrance said demand in the Cochrane area has remained strong as growth pushes out from Calgary and available development land becomes more limited.

“As the northern Town of Cochrane expanded, we knew that there was a shortage of land that would come online, and we thought this was an incredibly strategic and well-positioned parcel of land that offered views of the Rockies and the Foothills while also retaining the rural charm of Cochrane Lakes,” LaFrance said.

Sister community West Hawk is also under development

He said the master-planned community, which is about four kilometres north of the Town of Cochrane, is the first new community in Cochrane Lakes in more than 15 years.

JL Developments has also has a sister community, West Hawk, a 110-acre slope adaptive new neighbourhood, which is under construction on its final phase of development and it is located less than three kilometres to the south of Sky Ranch providing JL the opportunity to cross collateralize its amenities for its residents while delivering a full range of housing typologies and price bands, added LaFrance.

At the heart of Sky Ranch, he said, is the iconic Volo Aire which is the first of its kind in Alberta – a three-storey, inclusive playground tower featuring sky-high tunnels and elevated lookout experiences designed to capture views of the Rocky Mountains and create one of the most exciting and innovative family play destinations in the Calgary region. 

At build out, Sky Ranch will include 646 new homes across a diverse range of housing types – single family, semi detached and townhomes in both front drive and lane format. 

“Sky Ranch and its residents will have the benefit of lower property taxes and larger lots while being minutes away from the Town of Cochrane and its amenities,” said LaFrance.

Stage 1 nearing completion

Stage 1 is substantially complete which includes 254 residential lots and more than 15 acres of municipal reserve, walking trails and a new storm pond.

“As part of our first stage of development, we will be signalizing and illuminating the intersection at Cochrane Lake West Road and Highway 22 which is a much needed improvement to the area and construction will start summer 2026,”  said LaFrance.

“As part of our commitment to deliver dark sky compliant communities, all public realms will encompass glow stones.”

In July 2025, JL entered the Calgary market with the acquisition of 160 acres, which is part of the new city-led, developer funded North Central ASP. 

“We look forward to playing a small role in the growth of the greater Calgary region,” said LaFrance, adding that more news about further land acquisitions will be announced in the coming weeks.

“JL Developments is predominantly a land development company. We've been geographically agnostic, but focused on the Alberta market with active community development in Edmonton and the Calgary region. In more recent years, we've been developing Cochrane and Rocky View County communities. In terms of future growth, we view the City of Calgary as a significant growth corridor.” 

Sky Ranch was a strategic purchase

Regarding Sky Ranch, LaFrance said, as the Town of Cochrane expanded to the north, he knew there would be a shortage of land that would come online. 

“And we thought this was an incredibly strategic and well-positioned parcel of land that offered views of the Rockies and the Foothills while also retaining the rural charm of Cochrane Lakes that we thought was appealing for many of the people that choose to live in the town of Cochrane or Rocky View County,” he said.

“There's many buyers that are downsizing from their acreages all across Rocky View County, and there isn't really a housing opportunity for them to still stay in the county, in north Rocky View County, while choosing to live in a smaller footprint. We just felt that it was an opportune time to deliver an opportunity for those who want to stay.”

LaFrance said the company is in its final phase of development for West Hawk. 

“We'll be starting construction in less than 30 days on our final phase of development. Total build-out is 467 residential lots and 90 acres of multifamily.”