Edmonton Community Spotlight: King Edward Park and Ritchie

November 25, 2020 7:00 am Published by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group

Located side by side in southeast Edmonton, King Edward Park (KEP) and Ritchie are two vibrant, historical neighbourhoods making a big comeback over recent years. First established in the early 1900s, these two communities are highly sought after, thanks to their eclectic home styles, mature tree-lined streets and proximity to Whyte Ave, Old Strathcona and the Mill Creek Ravine.

Did you know? Ritchie and King Edward Park were once a part of the City of Strathcona, which amalgamated with the greater City of Edmonton in 1912.

Home Styles to Suit Every Taste and Budget

As two of Edmonton’s oldest communities, both KEP and Ritchie represent a striking contrast to the up-and-coming neighbourhoods under development in broader southeast Edmonton. For this reason, they’ve become a popular choice among home buyers looking for either an older character property or a modern infill home in a well-established community.

First-time buyers and young families are especially drawn to these areas thanks to their recent revitalization initiatives, fantastic amenities and affordable real estate opportunities. Many of the communities’ pre-war bungalows (featuring massive lots) are being swapped for larger, two-story infill homes – however, many older (updated) single-family home styles remain available.

While single-family dwellings account for roughly 50% of the home styles within these two communities, semi-detached units, row homes, and low-to-medium rise apartments can be found throughout. Strategically located within walking distance to the best amenities, many of these medium-density homes are a prime choice for first-time buyers (for instance, the recently revitalized K&K shopping centre features several renovated apartments directly above a café and various local shops).

Average Home Prices:

King Edward Park: $455,000

Ritchie: $472,000

See homes for sale in Ritchie

See homes for sale in King Edward Park

Did you know? Ritchie was named after former City of Strathcona mayor, Robert Ritchie. Ritchie was also the owner of the famed Ritchie Mill, which was first constructed in 1892 and remains a popular Alberta tourist attraction today.

Edmonton’s Art, Culture and Entertainment District

As we mentioned above, both locations are bordered by neighbouring Whyte Avenue. Hosting a vast array of clubs, bars, gastro pubs, restaurants, cafes, boutiques and more, Whyte Ave is undoubtedly the most popular cultural and entertainment district in the capital region.

A few of the area’s many popular destinations include:

Old Strathcona Famer’s Market
La Boule Patisserie and Bakery
Julio’s Barrio
The Next Act
Beercade
Block 1912 Café
O’Byrnes Irish Pub
MKT Fresh Food and Beer Market
Mill Creek Café
Ritchie Market (featuring a local butcher, brewer, café and bike shop)
And much more!

Did you know? Edmonton is often referred to as the “Festival City.” Many of the region’s most popular festivals (International Fringe Festival, Ice on Whyte, International Street Performer’s Festival, Art Walk, etc.) take place along adjoining Whyte Ave.

Family-Friendly Amenities

Niche boutiques, pubs and restaurants aren’t the only walkable amenities within the KEP/Ritchie area. Schools, grocers, medical services, banking institutions and several big-box retailers can all be reached either by foot or a short trip via car or transit. Bonnie Doon Mall, located at the corner of 82nd (Whyte) Ave and 83rd Street, is also a convenient shopping (and services) destination among locals.

Designated public schools in the area include:

Hazeldean School (Designated Grade K-6 School)
Avonmore School (Designated Grade K-6 School)
Allendale School (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
McKernan School (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
Kenilworth School (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
Strathcona School (Designated Grade 10-12 School)
McNally School (Designated Grade 10-12 School)

Designated public schools in the area include:

St. Monica (Designated Pre-Kindergarten)
St. Brendan (Designated Grade K-9 School)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Designated Grade K-9 School)
Austin O’Brien (Designated Grade 10-12 School)

Did you know? Ritchie and KEP’s affordable apartment-style condos, combined with their proximity to the University of Alberta, Campus Saint-Jean and Whyte Ave, make them a popular choice among students.

Parks and Recreation

KEP and Ritchie remain divided only by a network of bike paths and walking trails, connecting both the north and south Mill Creek Ravine. Residents have access to several parks and picnic sites as well as the Mill Creek Outdoor Pool and the greater North Saskatchewan River Valley park system.

Additionally, each community houses its own respective community league – both of which feature a variety of family-friendly programming (including everything from youth groups and sports clubs to community-wide events and movie nights).

Other notable recreational venues and local attractions:

Did you know? King Edward Park’s adjoining trail systems were once railway tracks – a major early transit route for the Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railways.

Accessibility

The communities of King Edward Park and Ritchie are bounded by 99th Street to the west, 82nd (Whyte) Ave to the north, Argyll Road to the east and 76th Ave to the south. An ideal location for those who work downtown, residents in the area enjoy a quick and convenient commute to city centre via both 99th Street and Wayne Gretzky Drive (75th Street).

Further to the east, 82nd Ave gives way to the Sherwood Park Freeway, ideal for those requiring access to neighbouring Sherwood Park or the east Anthony Henday. Running north and south, both 99th Street and 75th Street connect to Whitemud Drive, a convenient thoroughfare for those working in the west end and broader southeast / southwest Edmonton.

KEP and Ritchie are also extremely walkable and transit-friendly, with several routes and stops located throughout. To the west, commuters can reach the city’s Capital LRT line, running north to Clareview and south to Century Park. The new proposed Valley LRT line (running west from Lewis Estates and east to Millwoods) will also pass through the area.

For more information on the many Edmonton real estate opportunities / homes for sale in Ritchie, King Edward Park area (or the city’s many other popular infill communities), get in touch with us! And, don’t forget to take advantage of any one (or all!) of our free buyer’s resources:

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Tags: spotlight

Categorised in: Communities

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group