The historic Southwest Edmonton community of Garneau remains one of Edmonton’s most vibrant and highly sought-after neighbourhoods. In fact, Garneau has been repeatedly voted one of the city’s best communities for several years running! Located next to both the University of Alberta and Whyte Ave, Garneau upholds a trendy, old-world atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else.

Did you know? Garneau takes its name from Laurent Garneau, a Metis supporter of Louis Riel, who fought in the 1860 Red River Rebellion. Garneau settled in the area when Edmonton consisted of no more than 100 people.

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Both local residents and the City of Edmonton have taken pains to preserve Garneau’s historical façade and legacy. As such, the area remains home to some of the city’s oldest character properties, offering all the charm of yesteryear yet with modern upgrades. These include turn-of-the-century two-storey homes with finished basements, quaint, pre and post-war bungalows on large lots and more.

Updated Single-Family Homes – Despite their age, older properties in the area are far from outdated. To appeal to modern buyers, most Garneau homes have been retrofitted to include new appliances and systems (roofing, siding, insulation, windows) and contemporary finishes such as natural stone countertops, spa-inspired bathrooms, designer light fixtures, etc.

Single-family homes in Garneau offer an average of three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 1,500 square feet of living space for $600,000 and up. Due to the neighbourhood’s extreme popularity, detached home prices in Garneau tend to be higher than the Edmonton average.

Apartment-Style Condos – Low and high-rise apartment-style condos account for most real estate opportunities in Garneau. As a result, the community is an attractive option for first-time buyers, students and working professionals looking to stick close to the downtown core. One bedroom, one bathroom units may start as low as $150,000, whereas larger luxury condos (two bedrooms, two bathrooms, 1,200+ square feet) are priced upwards of $500,000.

See also: 14 Benefits of Penthouse Living

Townhomes – Although less common, Garneau features a small number of townhomes scattered throughout. Three bedroom and bathroom models are most common, offering approximately 1,300 square feet of family-friendly living space. These attached homes present a more affordable alternative to the area’s single-family homes with many of the same benefits, including oversized master suites (private ensuite), convenient parking and outdoor entertainment spaces.

Infill Homes – Infill homes are also making their mark in Garneau, including single-family homes, duplexes and apartment-style condos. Offering the best of both worlds for modern living in an established neighbourhood, Garneau’s infill homes include all the high-end features today’s buyers crave, such as four-piece ensuites, open layouts, ample space for entertaining and bespoke finishes.

Perfect for Edmonton Investors – Garneau’s proximity to the U of A has also made it ideal for savvy Edmonton real estate investors. For this reason, many of the neighbourhood’s single-family homes and semi-detached properties come equipped with multiple bedrooms and/or rental income suites. Multi-family investors can also benefit from the area’s many high-density real estate opportunities, including multi-suite apartment blocks, duplexes, triplexes and more.

See: The Top Reasons to Invest in Edmonton Real Estate

Average Listing Garneau Listing Price: $471,000*

See Homes For Sale in Garneau

Did you know? Garneau is recognized as one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. Before amalgamating with the greater City of Edmonton in 1912, Garneau was a part of the former City of Strathcona. 

Edmonton’s Trendiest Amenities

Transected by 82nd (Whyte) Ave, Garneau residents enjoy having Edmonton’s trendiest amenities steps away from the doors. In addition to countless boutique shops, services and entertainment venues, Garneau and area are also home to some of Edmonton’s top restaurants, including: 

  1. The Next Act – Serving Edmontonians for over 25 years, the Next Act Pub specializes in award-winning burgers, locally brewed craft beer and excellent service.
  2. MEAT – Indulge your inner carnivore with an authentic southern-style BBQ experience. “Brisket, Beer and Bourbon” are the name of the game at MEAT.
  3. Ampersand 27 – Familiar fare reimagined in a totally different way! With a passion for locally grown and raised foods, Ampersand 27 delivers a broad range of upmarket dishes in a relaxed and modern atmosphere.
  4. SugarBowl – With roots dating back to 1943, this full-service bistro is big on flavour and personality. Did we mention it’s also one of Edmonton’s most popular brunch locations?
  5. PIP – PIP is “ a cute little space in the heart of Old Strathcona,” offering an elevated take on good old-fashioned comfort food. This 28-seat eatery is the latest addition to the Next Act and MEAT family.
  6. DaDeO – An Edmonton classic! DaDeO is a one-of-a-kind New Orleans-style diner and bar celebrated for its unique 50’s atmosphere and savoury Cajun and Creole cuisine.
  7. Malt and Mortar – Malt and Mortar is a contemporary Whyte Ave gastropub featuring locally sourced craft beer, signature tea-based cocktails, elevated pub fare and one fantastic patio!
  8. Biera – Just as its name implies, Biera is a brewery, restaurant and market all rolled into one. Try one of their European-inspired shared plates and a freshly brewed beer before perusing Blind Enthusiasm beer and merch.
  9. Dorinku Tokyo – From ramen noodles to fresh sushi, Dorinku Tokyo places a creative new spin on traditional Japanese street fare. It’s also been recognized as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Edmonton!
  10. Glass Monkey – A recent winner of OpenTable’s Diner’s Choice award, food and drink enthusiasts can’t get enough of the Glass Monkey’s high-quality fare and extensive selections of wine and beer.

Garneau and area also host some of Edmonton’s most celebrated festivals and events throughout the year, including the internationally acclaimed Fringe Festival, Ice on Whyte, the Whyte Ave Art Walk and much more.

Other nearby amenities include:

Did you know? Completed in 1940, the historical Garneau theatre is one of the last of its kind (in terms of structure and design) in all of Alberta. 

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Southwest Central Parks and Recreation

Of course, numerous shops, services, restaurants, bars, etc., aren’t the only amenities drawing buyers to this beautiful community. Garneau also sits bounded by Kinsmen Park and the North Saskatchewan River Valley, giving residents plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy walking and cycling trails, picnic sites and more.

Pocket parks can be found throughout the neighbourhood, which includes playgrounds and the Garneau Tennis and Beach Volleyball Club. An active community league also hosts numerous family-friendly programs, events and initiatives throughout the year.

Additional parks and recreational opportunities near Garneau include:

Did you know? Victoria Golf Course is Canada’s oldest city-run course. First established in 1896, before the City of Edmonton was founded, the course precedes the U of A and the Alberta Legislature Building (though it offers fantastic views of both). 

Garneau Schools

A great neighbourhood for growing families, Garneau is home to a local school and park site, situated in the community’s north end. Catering to elementary school aged-children, Garneau School also offers after-school care and early learning programs for parents and children in the area. Other education opportunities, including secondary schools, Catholic schools and private options, can all be found in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Designated Public Schools:

Designated Catholic Schools:

Other: 

With both the University of Alberta and U of A Hospital immediately next door, the neighbourhood is also perfect for students or staff attending either institution.

Did you know? Laurent Garneau began to subdivide his land in the late 1800s. One of these subdivisions became particularly attractive to faculty employed at the University of Alberta, established in 1908. Garneau continues to have a large number of U of A staff to this day. 

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Getting Around

Garneau is defined by 111th/112th Streets to the west, Saskatchewan Drive to the north, 107th Street to the east and University Ave to the south. Located in the heart of Southwest Central Edmonton, Garneau sits less than 10-minutes’ drive from the downtown core – via nearby Walterdale Hill Rd and 109th Street, which transects the neighbourhood’s east side.

82nd Ave, which passes through the neighbourhood’s south end, traverses Calgary Trail, 99th Street and, eventually, Wayne Gretzky Boulevard before connecting with the West Anthony Henday.

Garneau also boasts one of the best transit scores in the city due to its proximity to Whyte Ave and the University of Alberta, with numerous stops and routes operating throughout the area. Extremely walkable, residents here also have access to the greater City of Edmonton via the Metro and Capital LRT lines, which run parallel to 114th Street.

Did you know? Garneau is a stop for the historic High-Level Bridge Streetcar, which travels from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn and Museum to Jasper Avenue. 

Summing It All Up: The Top 10 Reasons to Live in Garneau (50)

  1. Award-Winning Restaurants – From Cajun cuisine to Japanese-style street food, locals have easy access to some of the best restaurants in Edmonton.
  2. Arts and Culture – World-renowned festivals are just the tip of the iceberg. Garneau and area also house several theatres, art studios, museums, etc.
  3. Edmonton’s Best Green Spaces – The nearby river valley trail system provides over 160 km of maintained pathways interconnecting 20 major parks.
  4. A Family-Friendly Atmosphere – Schools, parks and proximity to other must-have amenities, including grocers, medical services and childcare, make Garneau the ultimate family-friendly neighbourhood.
  5. Easy Access to Downtown – Those requiring access to Edmonton city centre can look forward to a quick and convenient commute (only 8 mins via car or half an hour by foot).
  6. Unique Shops and Services – With over 600 businesses in the area, Garneau residents have a perfect blend of shopping, entertainment and world-class dining venues right in their very own backyards.
  7. Edmonton’s Best Nightlife – Adjoining Whyte Avenue’s broad mix of music venues, pubs, clubs and social halls makes for one exciting place to be on a Friday night.
  8. An Excellent Livability Score – According to the Areavibes Liveability Index, Garneau boasts an excellent livability score (85%), thanks to its abundance of amenities, cost of living and schools.
  9. Steeped in History – Established nearly 150 years ago by some of Edmonton’s first settlers, Garneau remains one of Edmonton’s premier legacy neighbourhoods. The community has also been referred to as “an outdoor museum of early twentieth-century west Canadian architecture.” (Edmonton Historical Board)
  10. A+ Walk and Bike Score – Most errands in Garneau can be accomplished on foot, and biking is also convenient for most trips.

For more information on Garneau or Southwest 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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