Inside The Hannah: A Purpose-Built Investment Property in Red Deer That Works as Hard as You Do

Building a purpose-built investment property in Red Deer is one of the smartest financial decisions a property investor can make, and The Hannah is a clear example of what that looks like when it is done right. Designed and built by Ross Contracting, this 2,710 square foot two-unit home was planned from the ground up to generate rental income, attract quality long-term tenants, and hold its value for years to come. With two fully independent above-grade suites, separate utilities, modern finishes throughout, and thoughtful layouts that tenants actually want to live in, The Hannah is what purpose-built investing looks like in practice.

What Makes The Hannah a Strong Investment Property in Red Deer

Most investment properties are retrofitted after the fact, a basement suite added to an existing home, a garage converted, a layout reworked to accommodate a second tenant. The problem with that approach is that it shows. Retrofits often mean shared utilities, awkward layouts, insufficient mechanical systems, and costly compliance hurdles.

The Hannah was not retrofitted. It was designed as a two-unit investment property from day one, and that distinction matters enormously for long-term performance.

Rather than stacking one unit above a below-grade basement, both units in The Hannah sit fully above grade, each with its own private entrance, its own laundry, and its own mechanical systems including a dedicated furnace and in-floor radiant heat. That independence is a significant draw for tenants who want the feel of a standalone home rather than a basement suite, and it is a meaningful advantage for an investor who wants to avoid the friction that comes with shared systems and shared spaces.

Together, the two units total 2,710 square feet of well-planned living space, split across a 1,296 square foot main level and a 1,414 square foot upper level. Both units carry three bedrooms, and the finishes throughout are consistent, modern, and built to last.

A Closer Look at Each Property Unit

Main Level

The main level unit offers 1,296 square feet with three bedrooms and one bathroom. The open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area flows naturally and feels spacious without being oversized. The kitchen features a large island with a natural wood-tone base and white quartz countertop, white shaker upper cabinets paired with warm wood-tone lower cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a walk-in pantry. Black matte pendant lights hang above the island, and light oak luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout.

The entryway off the garage entry includes a built-in bench with open storage cubbies below and shaker panel wainscoting with black coat hooks above. It is the kind of practical detail that tenants notice and appreciate, particularly through a Red Deer winter.

A garden door leads from the main living area to a private concrete patio and fully fenced yard, giving main level tenants dedicated outdoor space that does not overlap with the upper unit.

The bathroom is finished with a white quartz vanity, large rounded black-framed mirror, black matte fixtures, and a marble-look tiled tub and shower surround.

Upper Level

The upper level unit offers 1,414 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, making it the slightly larger and more premium of the two units. The kitchen shares the same thoughtful design language as the main level: white quartz island with natural wood-tone base, white shaker uppers, warm wood-tone lowers, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a pantry. A warm gold cage-style pendant chandelier in the living and dining area adds a touch of character to the open-concept space.

The primary suite includes a walk-in closet, and the upper level bathrooms are finished to the same standard as the main level, with black matte fixtures, quartz vanities, and clean marble-look tile throughout. One bathroom features built-in floating shelving for added storage.

A natural maple staircase with black metal balusters connects the levels internally, finished with a craftsmanship that carries the quality of the rest of the build. Double garden doors open from the upper level onto a private upper deck with white railing, giving upper unit tenants their own outdoor living area with a view over the fenced yard.

Mechanical

The mechanical rooms reflect the same level of intention as the rest of the build. The main level unit features a tankless on-demand hot water system for domestic use and a fully manifolded in-floor radiant heat system, delivering consistent, quiet warmth that tenants appreciate from day one. The upper level unit runs on a dedicated RunTru by Trane high-efficiency furnace, sized and installed specifically for that space, while also featuring a tankless on-demand hot water system. Each unit has its own system, its own controls, and its own utility accountability, which is one of the most important and most commonly overlooked aspects of a well-built investment property. Ross Contracting does not cut corners here.

Finishes Built for Durability, Not Just Aesthetics

Every finish decision in an investment property should answer two questions: does it look good, and will it hold up? The Hannah answers both. Light oak luxury vinyl plank flooring is durable, easy to maintain, and looks current. Quartz countertops resist staining and wear. Black matte fixtures are a modern choice that also hide everyday use better than polished chrome. White shaker cabinetry is timeless enough to stay relevant across multiple tenant cycles.

These are not arbitrary choices. They are the result of building with return on investment in mind, which is exactly how Ross Contracting approaches every investment property build in Red Deer.

Curb Appeal That Sets the Tone

First impressions matter for tenant attraction, and The Hannah delivers from the street. The Craftsman-inspired exterior features stone veneer accents at the base, vertical siding, a double attached garage, and clean architectural lines that look polished without being overdone. The upper deck with white railing is visible from the front and adds visual interest while signalling to prospective tenants that the upper unit offers something beyond the typical.

A fully fenced yard, concrete driveway, and landscaped exterior complete a package that presents well in photos and in person, which matters when you are filling a vacancy quickly.

Why Red Deer Is a Smart Place for Property Investment

Red Deer sits between Calgary and Edmonton and continues to grow as a regional centre for commerce, healthcare, and education. Rental demand in the city is supported by a steady population of workers, families, and post-secondary students. The City of Red Deer has seen consistent residential growth, and purpose-built rental properties in well-located neighbourhoods tend to perform reliably in this market.

Building an investment property from scratch, rather than purchasing an existing home and retrofitting it, gives investors control over layout, mechanical sizing, suite legality, and finish quality from the start. That control translates directly into lower maintenance costs, fewer compliance surprises, and stronger long-term cash flow.

For more context on the rental market and investment landscape in Central Alberta, the Business Investment and Lifestyle Committee of Central Alberta (BILIC) is a useful resource for understanding the economic environment investors are building into.

Build Your Own Investment Property with Ross Contracting

The Hannah is one model of what a purpose-built investment property in Red Deer can look like. It is not the only one. Ross Contracting works with investors to design and build properties that fit their goals, their budget, and their specific vision for how a rental property should perform.

If you have a clear idea of what you want, we can build it. If you are still working through the possibilities, that is exactly where our process starts. We ask the right questions, work through the layout and financial logic with you, and help you arrive at a design that makes sense as both a home and an investment.

You can explore more of our work and approach at rosscontracting.ca, and when you are ready to talk through your project, we would love to hear from you. Contact Ross Contracting to book a consultation and take the first step toward building an investment property in Red Deer that performs for years to come.