RE/MAX Real Estate Blog

While past articles have highlighted the charm of Edmonton’s more historic communities, a new focus is turned towards the city’s newer or ongoing development projects. As Edmonton continues to expand ever outward, what do new residential communities have to offer in terms of housing, infrastructures, community facilities, and commercial amenities?

Windermere is one of Edmonton’s newer neighborhoods, which has begun to establish community roots. It is part of the larger area also known as Windermere, which also consists of the neighborhoods Ambleside, Glenridding Heights, Glenridding Ravine, and Keswick.Windermere is located in the city’s southwest, east of the river valley and south of Anthony Henday Drive.

Windermere Boundaries

The significance of the name Windermere, borrowed from a neighborhood in Cumbria, England, is in its root words ‘winder’ and ‘mere’ which mean ‘take one’s breath away’ and ‘’boundary’ or ‘landmark’ respectively, referring to it’s scenic proximity to the river valley which the area overlooks.

Though the community is new, the land has subsisted almost exclusively as an agricultural area historically. Approximately 80 dwellings in total existed when the land was formerly part of Strathcona County before its re-appropriation to the city of Edmonton in 1982. However it wasn’t until 2006 that city council created firm plans for residential development. The late 2000’s saw exponential growth of the area that continues into present day. By 2012 results from the municipal census concluded the neighborhood consisted of 1498 dwellings. 2009 showed a population of approximately 322, while 2012 showed a 563% increase to 2136 residents.

Ongoing Developments of the Area. Image Credit: City of Edmonton

According the development plans from the city of Edmonton’s neighbourhood profile:

“The plan for the Windermere neighborhood includes a range of housing types, densities and designs. Once complete, the neighborhood will include a mixed-use commercial center designed as a neighbourhood focal point, and a series of parks, pathways and institutional facilities which will be integrated with the residential development.”

Currents of Windermere is the most notable area of commerce in terms of area amenities. The open air shopping district boasts the city’s only VIP cinema, Cabelas outdoor and sporting goods store, 12 restaurants and coffee shops, as well as staple franchises like Wal Mart, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and London Drugs. The district is also home to dental, optometric, and medical clinics to better serve the community.

Click here to view homes available in Windermere or any Edmonton area of your choosing.

The communities of Garneau, Strathcona, and Bonnie Doon neighbor each other from West to East, all bordering 82 Avenue to the north. Known to be exceptionally vibrant and culturally rich areas of Edmonton they are always trendy spots to visit, and make for lively neighborhoods to live in. With easy access to south-side amenities, the University of Alberta campus, and river valley and ravine trails, there’s something for everyone.

Garneau runs along 82 Avenue from 107 Street to 112 Street, spanning to it’s northern border of Saskatchewan Drive. Formerly a community in the city of Strathcona, it was adopted by Edmonton in 1912, making it one of the oldest south-side communities. Garneau takes it’s name from an original inhabitant of the time, Laurent Garneau, a consort of Louis Riel and successful trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Garneau is notable for the trendy shopping district of Whyte Avenue; dotted with boutiques, cafes, and a plethora of nightlife venues. In the summer months it is a bustle of activities and festivals, when shoppers flood the sidewalks, and cafes and bars open their patios.

Whyte Avenue at night. Image Credit Travel Alberta

Garneau properties are comprised mostly of rental units predominantly occupied by Univerisity Students living in the hi-rise apartments so popular to the area. There is also a mix of single family dwellings, and homes considered Heritage Sites by the City of Edmonton.

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With Whyte avenue shopping spilling over into Strathcona, one of Edmonton’s oldest conversions, the area maintain a freshness and vibrancy as a major cultural center for Edmonton’s arts community. The area is home to the Edmonton Arts Barns which houses the popular Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market as well as the Fringe Theatre Company, not to mention the scores of restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques running along Whyte Avenue.

Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market. Image Credit where.ca

The former city and it’s many communities were incorporated into Edmonton in 1912, and this area in heart of Strathcona maintained it’s original name. Like Laurent Garneu, Lord Strathcona was an important figure in the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Strathcona neighbors Garneau to the East, picking up where it leaves off at 107 Street and continues until it’s natural border ending at the Mill Creek Ravine. It too spans 82 Avenue to Saskatchewan drive, meaning a majority of its boundaries lead to scenic river valley walking trails. Around three-quarters of the residences in this area are apartment style buildings, mostly rentals, while the remainder are comprised of single-family dwellings, row houses, and duplexes.

Click here to view Strathcona properties for sale.

Bonnie Doon neighbors Strathcona on the eastern side of Mill Creek Ravine, carrying on until Connors Road/83 Street. Interestingly, the land was named for Premier Ruthorford, but rather than taking his name his Scottish heritage was honoured; the name Bonnie Doon recalls the “pleasant, rolling countryside” of Scotland.

Bonnie Doon is home to Edmonton’s exciting French quarter, La Cité Francophone, a cultural centre for the Francophone community of Edmonton. Including the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean, and the trendy Cafe Bicyclette, where you can comfortably order your latte in English or in French.

Cafe Bicyclette, Campus Saint-Jean. Image Credit University of Alberta

Bonnie Doon has a more residential feel to it, as the bustling livliness of Whyte Avenue tapers off a few blocks before the ravine. There are more owner occupied residences of the area, which is comprised of more single family dwellings. It centers around the convenience of Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, providing all the necessary amenities for living in the area.

Click here to view properties in Bonnie Doon.