Edmonton Community Spotlight: Spruce Avenue in Central Edmonton Featured Image

Edmonton Community Spotlight: Spruce Avenue in Central Edmonton

July 14, 2021 7:00 am Published by

Edmonton Community Spotlight: Spruce Avenue in Central Edmonton Featured Image

Located just 10 minutes north of Edmonton city centre, Spruce Avenue is characterized by quiet, tree-lined streets and proximity to desirable amenities, including Kingsway Mall, NAIT and the Royal Alexandra Hospital. One of the oldest neighbourhoods within the capital region, Spruce Avenue’s roots date back to the late 1880s when Edmonton was no more than a town of roughly 1,000 residents.

Thanks to its fantastic location, historic charm and affordable real estate opportunities, Spruce Avenue is rapidly becoming one of Edmonton’s most popular established communities.

Did you know? Spruce Avenue takes its name from the previous designation for 114th Avenue, bisecting the neighbourhood. Formerly known as 114th Avenue-Spruce Avenue, the avenue was aptly named after spruce trees native to the area.   

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Spruce Avenue Home Styles

As one in three Spruce Avenue homes were constructed before the Second World War, the community features many older homes. These include everything from two-storey and split-level models built in the 1920s (and before) to one a half story homes and bungalows constructed in the early 1940s. Despite their age, many of these unique character homes feature recent upgrades, including the latest systems and appliances, new cabinetry, countertops and flooring, finished basements, updated bathrooms and more.

Infill homes are also becoming increasingly popular in Spruce Avenue. Modern home styles, including duplexes, low-rise apartments, and stylish single-family models, have replaced some of the neighbourhood’s older homes – ultimately offering buyers the best of both worlds when it comes to contemporary living in an old-world setting.

While single-family homes are the predominant home style in Spruce Avenue, there are a significant number of apartment-style condos and townhomes located throughout.

Spruce Avenue Average Listing Price: $338,000

See Homes For Sale in Spruce Avenue

Did you know? Many of the area’s row homes were built following WWII as a means of providing affordable homes for returning soldiers and immigrants.

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Central Edmonton Amenities

As we mentioned above, part of Spruce Avenue’s popularity can be attributed to its many amenities. In addition to NAIT, Kingsway Mall and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the neighbourhood sits within short driving distance of the many shops, services and entertainment venues of downtown Edmonton, Oliver Square and 124th Street. These include, but aren’t limited to:

Did you know? The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital now occupies the site of the first Royal Alexandra Hospital, constructed in 1911. The current Royal Alex was built in 1959 and is now regarded as one of Canada’s largest and longest-serving hospitals.  

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In addition to a large, centrally located park site, playground and splash pad, Spruce Avenue is home to an active community league, which hosts various family-oriented programs and events throughout the year. Spruce Avenue is also located within 10-minutes of Airways Park, the Joe Clarke Athletic Grounds and the scenic North Saskatchewan River Valley.

Other recreational amenities in and around Spruce Avenue include:

Did you know? Built in 1938, Clarke Stadium was the original home of the Edmonton Elks until   Commonwealth Stadium was opened in 1978. Clarke Stadium now houses Edmonton’s many amateur sports clubs.

Spruce Avenue Schools 

Educational opportunities in and around Spruce Avenue are abundant. Locally, the area includes a public junior high and a Catholic K-9 school as well as NAIT and the Glenrose School Campus. Additional schooling options including non-secular, immersion and early learning opportunities can all be found within the surrounding communities.

Designated Public Schools:

Designated Catholic Schools:

Other:

Did you know? Spruce Avenue School was built in 1928. The first Spruce Avenue School was no more than a two-storey home, moved several blocks north to its current location, where it was expanded upon during the 1950s.

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An Easy Commute to Downtown

Spruce Avenue is an odd-shaped community defined by several major thoroughfares. These include Kingsway Ave, Princess Elizbeth Ave and 106th Street to the west, 118th Ave to the north, 97th Street to the east and 111th Ave to the south. 97th Street provides access to Jasper Ave and Yellowhead Trail, while 118th and 111th Ave intersect with 170th Street and Wayne Gretzky Drive. 101st Street, located in the eastern portion of the community, also provides streamlined access to downtown Edmonton.

Extremely walkable, Spruce Avenue also boasts an above-average transit score with various stops and routes located throughout the area. In addition, an expansion of Edmonton’s Metro LRT line (which currently runs from NAIT Campus, south to the University of Alberta) will provide access to greater Northwest Edmonton – operating from NAIT to Campbell Road (near St. Albert).

Did you know? Both Kingsway Ave and Princess Elizabeth Ave were named in commemoration of royal visits to Edmonton by King George VI in 1939 and Princess Elizabeth in 1951.

For more information on Spruce Avenue or Central Edmonton’s many other fantastic neighbourhoods, check out our exclusive Communities Blog, or reach out to us. You can also have the latest Edmonton real estate market updates, home buying tips, home selling information and more delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter below.

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*Average prices based on current Spruce Avenue homes for sale and Edmonton real estate market conditions. 

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This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group