Airdrie is currently under level four outdoor water restrictions. Outdoor watering banned. Learn more
When the McKee family immigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1981, Martin McKee, his wife Ruth McKee, and their daughters Elaine and Grace stopped in Airdrie for lunch while on their way back to Stettler. The trees were in full bloom and the small town reminded them of home in Ireland; right away they decided Airdrie was going to be their new home.
In 1987, Martin McKee Construction was born and its only employee; Martin McKee - a finishing carpenter.
“The first office was a shed in the backyard of my grandpa's home in what is now Waterstone.” said Ryan Doel, the grandson of the late founder of McKee Homes and current marketing manager.
McKee Homes first employed Ryan’s father, Rob Doel (now the vice president of Land and Sales) and now employs 40 staff and hundreds of tradespeople. His mother, Elaine McKee Doel, became president of McKee Homes in 2004, and his aunt Grace McKee the executive vice president.
The last 35 years have included residential and commercial builds in dozens of Airdrie communities, and several surrounding Cities including Calgary, Red Deer, Black Diamond, Crossfield, and even venturing into the Invermere valley. Upcoming developments on the horizon include homes in Bayside Estates, Chinook Gate, Reynolds Gate, Coopers Crossing, Lanark Landing and Ravenswood.
They’ve crafted new homes ranging from townhomes to custom estate homes and everything in-between in Southern Alberta but have always maintained their office in Airdrie.
Their commercial arm, McKee Developments, will be collaborating with the City of Airdrie on its downtown revitalization plan, which was approved by Council on September 6. The plan identifies specific policies and city actions that will address 22 issues facing revitalization in downtown Airdrie. Downtown redevelopment will establish it as a gathering place where events and businesses can thrive.
“We've grown with the city while also helping grow Airdrie in our 35 years, starting when the population was just 10,000 people,” said Ryan, who joined the family business in 2019.
Voted Airdrie’s Best Builder 14 years in a row, as well as receiving awards for Best Customer Experience and Builder of Choice in 2021, McKee Homes has continued to grow strong while supporting their community. That support has come in many ways, including through programs like Building Futures, which teaches high school students about mortgages, lending, sales, design, trades and home building as they build a house from the ground up - this year a duplex in Reynolds Gate, Coopers Crossing.
“We're always striving to produce better and more efficient homes while ensuring our customers are receiving the best value for their dollar,” said Ryan.
To learn more about the company and see what residential opportunities are available, visit mckeehomes.com.
Photo and story by Britton Ledingham