Rapid population growth in Calgary is driving the ascent of Rohit Homes, the homebuilding division of Edmonton-based Rohit Group which is one of the region's fastest-rising companies in the sector.

Since 2018, Rohit Homes has built over 1,500 homes across the single-family, duplex, townhome and apartment types in Calgary and reached $1.4 billion in assets.

This year, it is targeting to start construction on 600 residential units in the city.

Of the 20 local large-volume builders it tracks, Rohit Homes claims to have been Calgary’s second-largest homebuilder by sales volume in Q1.

“The Calgary region has seen a lot of growth over the last four years,” Michael Dziubina, vice president of Rohit Homes Calgary, said in an interview with RENX Homes.

Data shows from 2018 to 2024, Calgary added over 250,000 residents, escalating the demand for shelter.

The “Alberta advantage” of having affordable housing (relative to Canada’s largest cities) and its vibrant job market are key factors, he said. Dziubina also attributed Rohit’s growth to its strategy: when it looks for land and designs products, it always has the end user in mind.

“The product has really been appealing for people who are looking for a nice home with a high sense of personalization that feels bespoke,” he said, “but does not necessarily come with the typical custom homes price tag.”

Rohit Homes’ Calgary projects

A real estate developer, owner and builder founded by Radhe and Krishna Gupta in 1986, Rohit Group has offices in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. It maintains brands for homebuilding, community development, rental housing, health-care buildings and commercial facilities.

In 2018, it began building housing in Calgary, completing 100 units that year. Since then, it has maintained its momentum across a range of housing types. This year, it has a target of starting construction on 600 units in the area.

Finding a way to pleasantly surprise the customer with features they may not have anticipated – almost double the width of a typical townhome or larger windows, kitchens and seating areas – is what Rohit Homes tries to accomplish, Dziubina said.

Its ongoing projects in Calgary include Quesnay at Currie, a six-storey apartment development of 211 units across two buildings, and Dean’s Landing in the University District, a project of 201 condo and stacked townhome units.

Another is the upcoming Livingston community in northwest Calgary, planned to feature 78 townhome units (28 were sold when the interview was held). Prices will range from $269,900 for a one-bedroom unit of 505 square feet, up to $464,900 for a three-bedroom unit of 1,495 square feet.

Buyers and prospective customers of Livingston have been people with ties to the area, drawn to amenities such as the community centre, a planned commercial complex and proximity to major employment corridors and schools.

First occupancy is expected to happen by the end of the year, Dziubina said.

Direct sales app and realty partnership

To remove friction between Rohit Homes and realtors, the homebuilder closes all transactions with its self-made app, ending its reliance on sales centres. The company is the only homebuilder at its size to sell directly through realtors, Dziubina said.

Since the app was deployed in January 2024, he explained it has garnered an “overwhelmingly positive” response. The platform makes it easier to find information on Rohit Homes’ inventory and pricing, compared to the show home model.

Rohit Homes also forged an exclusive sales partnership with Calgary-based Justin Havre Real Estate Team.

“We saw a natural fit being a large builder within the city of Calgary working with another entity who seems to have the similar values,” Dziubina said. “They have a large presence within the city of Calgary; also is very tech-forward in their approach.”

A franchise of brokerage eXp Realty, Justin Havre Real Estate Team will represent Rohit Homes’ projects, including Livingston, and sell Rohit Homes products. Rohit Homes will benefit by tapping into Justin Havre’s buyer database and network.

Calgary is Rohit Homes’ biggest market by residential construction, and it aims to keep it that way. Dziubina expects the homebuilder will maintain its momentum, with future developments including a townhome community in the Sage Hill neighbourhood.

Across Canada, Rohit Homes expects to build 1,200 apartment, duplex, townhome, single-family and purpose-built rental housing units this year.