Edmonton Community Spotlight: Prince Rupert in Central Edmonton

Prince Rupert is an established community located just ten minutes from Edmonton city centre. Situated in Central Edmonton, this mature neighbourhood has roots dating back to the late 1800s as a former part of the Hudson Bay Company land reserve. Despite this fact, residential development didn’t really occur until the 1950s due to Edmonton’s post-WWII housing boom.

A quaint community noted for its affordable blend of home styles, easy accessibility and proximity to many of Edmonton’s most popular amenities, Prince Rupert is well suited to various lifestyles and budgets.

Did you know? The community takes its name from the Prince Rupert Golf Course, operated by the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) between 1930 and 1951. The course itself was named after Prince Rupert (1619-1682), the first governor of the HBC.

Real Estate and Homes For Sale in Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert remained both a golf course and farmland until the late 1940s. Residential development began to take shape between 1946 and the 1960s, with an emphasis on single-family homes. As a result, the area features numerous affordable bungalows (the popular style of the time), situated on large lots. Ripe with character and charm, many of these post-war homes come equipped with the contemporary upgrades buyers crave, including renovated kitchens, new appliances and systems and, in some cases, income-generating suites.

An additional surge of development also took place during the 1990s, with a small number of two-story front attached models cropping up in the neighbourhood’s west end. Also known for their affordability, these newer detached homes feature an average of three bedrooms and bathrooms and sit within close proximity to shops and services.

Following single-family residences, low-rise apartment-style condos account for roughly 30% of all home styles within Prince Rupert. As such, the area is an attractive option among first-time buyers and working professionals looking to settle near Edmonton’s downtown core. With most multi-family units in the community starting in the low 100s, Prince Rupert is also favoured among savvy Edmonton real estate investors searching for affordable opportunities in a great location.

See our previous post: The Key Advantages of Investing in Multi-Family Real Estate in Edmonton

Average Listing Price in Prince Rupert: $344,000

See Homes For Sale in Prince Rupert

Did you know? Blatchford Field defines Prince Rupert to the immediate northeast. Formerly referred to as the “Gateway to the North,” Blatchford houses Edmonton’s old Municipal Airport – Canada’s first licensed airfield (est. 1927).

All the Best Amenities

Affordable home prices aren’t all Prince Rupert has to offer. Situated within walking distance of countless desirable amenities, including NAIT, Kingsway Mall and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, residents enjoy having everything they need (and more) within arm’s reach. The community also houses a wealth of other shops and services along both its northwestern boundaries, such as the Kingsway Shopping Centre (featuring several major retailers, grocers, coffee shops, restaurants and more).

Additional nearby amenities include:

• Art Gallery of Alberta
• Citadel Theatre
• Edmonton City Centre (mall)
• Edmonton Convention Centre
• Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market
• Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
• Jasper Ave (a hub for restaurants, cafes, pubs, boutique shops and services and more)
• Rogers Place / Ice District
• Royal Alberta Museum
• Telus World of Science
• Westmount Shopping Centre
• Unity Square (Formerly Oliver Square)

Did you know? Kingsway Mall offers over 200 stores, services and restaurants spread across 900,000 square feet of shopping space. Following world-famed West Ed, it is Edmonton’s second-largest shopping mall.

Prince Rupert Parks and Recreation

Offering no shortage of outdoor green space, Prince Rupert contains several pocket parks, a centrally located playground and an off-leash dog area. Airways Park remains the area’s most prominent green space, featuring soccer and rugby fields, a community skating rink, several baseball diamonds, a secondary playground and acres of manicured outdoor space for residents to enjoy. Airways is also home to the Prince Rupert Community League, which oversees countless community initiatives and events throughout the year.

Other recreational amenities in and around Prince Rupert include:

• Alberta Legislature Grounds
• Commonwealth Fitness and Leisure Centre
• Dawson Park
• Government House Park
• Louise McKinney Riverfront Park
• Oliver Outdoor Pool
• Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre
• Riverside Golf Course
• Royal Glenora Club
• Royal Mayfair Golf Club
• Victoria Golf Course
• Victoria Park 

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.

Prince Rupert Schools

Though there are no schools located within the community of Prince Rupert proper, educational opportunities can be easily accessed in the surrounding areas. These include public, Catholic and other non-secular schools as well as private institutions, bilingual programs and out-of-school care. Prince Rupert is also a prime choice among post-secondary students (and staff), thanks to its proximity to NAIT and Grant MacEwan University. 

Designated Public Schools:

• John A. McDougall School (Designated Grade K-6 School)
• Spruce Avenue School (Designated Grade 7-9 School)
• Victoria School (Designated Grade 10-12 School)

Designated Catholic Schools:

• St. Catherine School (Designated Grade K-9 School)
• St. Joseph School (Designated Grade 10-12 School)

Other:

• Edmonton Christian High School
• Edmonton Christian West School
• Progressive Academy

Did you know? Prince Rupert sits adjacent to the Alberta Aviation Museum. The museum commemorates Edmonton’s deep-rooted aviation history by displaying a collection of more than 30 historical aircraft (including some of the oldest in Canada).

Commuting is Easy 

Prince Rupert is a triangle-shaped neighbourhood defined by 121st Street to the west, Kingsway Ave to the northeast and 111th Ave to the south. Extremely accessible, residents can reach downtown Edmonton (Jasper Ave) in less than 10-minutes via 109th Street. Other major thoroughfares such as Groat Road, 97th Street and Yellowhead Trail provide a streamlined commute to the greater capital region.

For those who prefer to leave the car at home, Prince Rupert is also known for its abundant transit opportunities, including Edmonton’s Metro LRT line, which will soon see expansion into Northwest Edmonton.

Did you know? Formerly referred to as “Portage Avenue,” Kingsway Ave was renamed in honour of King George VI, who visited the city in early 1939. The avenue was once a part of Edmonton’s greater streetcar system. 

For more information on Edmonton homes for sale and real estate opportunities in Prince Rupert, please contact us! We also invite you to take advantage of our comprehensive buyer, seller and real estate investor resources, including:

• Your All-in-One Guide to Choosing the Right Neighbourhood – Find your perfect home in your ideal community!
• Home Seller’s Guide – The simple step-by-step process for a successful home sale.
• How to Create Amazing Wealth: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Real Estate – A must-read guide for any beginner real estate investor. 

Related: 

• Edmonton Real Estate: Why Now is a GREAT Time to Buy a Home
• Your Guide to Central Edmonton Real Estate  
• The Best Places to Live in Edmonton 

Originally published Aug 11, 2021, updated Oct 20, 2021

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Categorised in: Communities

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group