Edmonton Community Spotlight: Laurier Heights
December 16, 2020 7:00 am
A quiet community nestled along the North Saskatchewan River Valley, Laurier Heights offers convenient access to many of the city’s most treasured outdoor attractions, including the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Buena Vista Park and the Edmonton Rowing Club. A nature lover’s delight, this picturesque neighbourhood is defined by an extensive network of walking and cycling trails, off-leash areas, picnic sites and natural playgrounds, making it an extremely popular choice among growing, active families.
A mature community first established at the end of World War II, Laurier Heights is also highly coveted among homebuyers due to its tree-lined streets, unique home styles and proximity to desirable amenities.
Did you know? Laurier Heights is named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s seventh Prime Minster from 1896 – 1911.
One-of-a-Kind Single-Family Homes
Laurier Heights is said to feature some of the most architecturally unique homes in the capital region. Consisting almost entirely of three + bedroom detached single-family homes and luxury properties, many of the houses in the area were constructed during the 1950s and 60s. While most of these homes have been updated to include contemporary features and finishes, they remain distinctly one-of-a-kind in terms of character and style.
Due to its fantastic location, Laurier Heights has also become a popular choice for home buyers seeking modern infill properties. As a result, those looking to call this family-friendly community home can look forward to a broad range of home styles and price points.
Laurier Heights Average Home Price: $1 million
See homes for sale in Laurier Heights
Did you know? In 1949, the architectural firm Wynn & Rule designed a two-storey home for Dennis K. Yorath, a prominent Edmonton businessman. The building remains a symbol of the design and architecture of the period. The city currently owns it, and there are plans to repurpose it as a multi-use public facility. (source: Edmonton Journal)
Nearby Shops and Services
Laurier Heights residents enjoy having quick access to a wide variety of amenities scattered throughout the surrounding area. Five minutes to the neighbourhood’s west sits the Meadowlark Health and Shopping Centre, which features several desirable shops and services, including grocers, health services, banking institutions, restaurants and big-box retailers.
Even better, Laurier Heights is located just ten minutes west of the city’s famous West Edmonton Mall, a one-stop-shop for shopping, services, recreation, entertainment and dining. An abundance of other retailers, restaurants and essential services can also be found along nearby 170th Street, including the Misericordia Hospital, Terra Losa Shopping Centre (Home Depot, Best Buy, Canadian Tire) and Mayfield Common (Winners, HomeSense).
Did you know? Featuring over 800 stores and services spanning over 48 city blocks (including nine attractions, two hotels and 100+ dining venues), West Edmonton Mall is considered one of the world’s largest malls.
Local Schools
Another reason families are increasingly being drawn to Laurier Heights is due to the number of schools in the area. The neighbourhood itself hosts a centrally located K-9 public school, while a public high school and several Catholic schools can be found a short distance away.
Laurier Heights Designated Public Schools:
- Laurier Heights School (Designated Grade K-6 School)
- Laurier Heights School (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
- Ross Sheppard School (Designated Grade 10-12 School)
Laurier Heights Designated Catholic Schools:
- Our Lady of Peace (Designated Pre K-6 School)
- St. Paul (Designated Grade K-6 School)
- St. Rose (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
- St. Francis Xavier (Designated Grade 10-12 School)
Did you know? As a result of the city’s economic boom in the late 1940s and early 50s (as Laurier Heights was first developing), schools in the area were so overcrowded children had to attend classes in shifts.
Parks and Recreation
As we mentioned above, Laurier Heights is an outdoor lover’s dream. Bordering the neighbourhood to both the east and south are beautiful Buena Vista Park and Sir Wilfred Laurier Park, which overlook Edmonton’s scenic North Saskatchewan River Valley. The city’s own Edmonton Valley Zoo can be found tucked away in this area, which also connects to Hawrelak Park via a pedestrian footbridge spanning the river.
Residents also enjoy having a large, centrally located park site and community league. In addition to a broad range of community events, the league hosts an outdoor rink and various family-friendly programs (soccer, play groups, games nights and much more).
Other recreational amenities include:
Did you know? The Edmonton Valley Zoo was once known as the Storyland Valley Zoo. This storybook-themed family attraction featured whimsical cottages, a petting zoo and a miniature train. The zoo has since grown to feature over 300 animals across 100 different species. (source: Edmonton Journal)
Ultra Accessibility
Laurier Heights is bounded by 149th Street to the west, 87th Ave to the north, the North Saskatchewan River Valley to the east and Whitemud Drive to the south. Despite its semi-secluded and quiet appeal, the neighbourhood remains highly accessible due to its proximity to these thoroughfares. 149th street, in particular, runs north to Stony Plain Road and south to Whitemud Drive, allowing residents to access the greater City of Edmonton quickly and easily (including the University of Alberta area, Whyte Ave and Southgate Centre). Meanwhile, 87th Ave, which runs west of the community, provides a streamlined commute to West Edmonton Mall, 170th Street and the west Anthony Henday.
While there are a few nearby public transportation options in the area, Laurier Heights remains mostly car-dependent.
Did you know? Laurier Heights houses one of Edmonton’s original 12 traffic circles, which became popular in the city back in the early 1950s.
For more information on the many Edmonton real estate opportunities/homes for sale in Laurier Heights (or the city’s many other popular infill communities), get in touch with us! And, don’t forget to take advantage of our free buyer’s resources, including:
· Edmonton’s Top Infill Communities
· Your All-in-One Guide to Choosing the Right Neighbourhood
· Our exclusive Dream Home Finder
· The Terry Paranych Real Estate Group Home Buyer Blog
Photo credits: shutterstock.com
Tags: spotlightCategorised in: Communities
This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group