Community Profile: Laurier Heights

One of Edmonton’s loveliest mid-century neighbourhoods is Laurier Heights on the western bank of the North Saskatchewan River Valley.  The location of this mature neighbourhood with its tidy bungalows, split-levels and rejuvenated 1950s homes just can’t be beat.  Many residences offer wonderful views of the valley in the Buena Vista area of the neighbourhood.  Close to nature and Edmonton’s Valley Zoo but equally close to Edmonton’s downtown core and just across the valley from the University of Alberta.

The average home price in Laurier Heights is $850,000 with some lovely properties available for just under $500,000 and other exceptional properties with views and wide lots in the $1.6 million range.   Selection in this neighbourhood is often very good.  People touring through the area often notice that the homes are set back far from the road and for the most part offer great curb appeal.

Laurier Heights is south of 87 Avenue and Buena Vista Road and north of the Whitemud.  It was one of Edmonton’s first suburbs to be developed with curvilinear streets as opposed to the traditional grid.  Crescents, cul-de-sacs and winding avenues add to the character of the neighbourhood.  It has a quaint neighbourhood strip mall and provides multi-family living in several low-rise apartment buildings.  Laurier Heights Elementary and Junior High School, a public facility, is located in the middle of the community. Laurier Heights boasts several beautiful parks.  One of those parks is named after Wilfred Gilroy Webb, an early pioneer in the Edmonton district.   The others are appropriately named Laurier Park where the community centre is located and Buena Vista Park. The latter two are part of the extensive river valley park system that runs throughout the city.  On the north side of Laurier Heights in the valley is a footbridge that provides access to Edmonton’s popular Hawrelak Park on the south side of the river.

Access to the city is from 149 Street to the east/west artery of Whitemud Drive which is the easiest and quickest route to the U of A and the Old Strathcona/Whyte Avenue districts.  Nearby 87 Avenue is the road one would take to West Edmonton Mall.

Development in Laurier Heights south west of downtown started after World War II with the vast majority of construction completed by 1960.  There was further development up until 1980.  Residents have an active community league which operates an outdoor rink, tennis courts and membership includes admission to Jasper Place Pool.

The Royal Mayfair Golf Club is located across the river from Laurier Heights. Other nearby amenities include the Meadowlark Shopping Mall and West Edmonton Mall.

At the height of construction of the new community, the community came together to build one of the first churches in Laurier Heights – St. Timothy’s Anglican Church.  While a committee was organizing the funding of the church, services were held in Laurier Heights School and Sunday School was held in Lynwood School.  This was 1960.  The church was finally completed in 1965.  The home next door to the church, the former rectory, was sold as a private residence in 1973.  

Another Laurier Heights landmark is the Walking Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that connects Laurier and the neighbouring community of Quesnell spanning the Whitemud freeway. It was constructed in 1959 and cost $41,000 to erect. At the time its purpose was to span the Quesnell Ravine and in addition to carrying pedestrians, it was to carry sewer and gas lines across the ravine, too. It was covered  with the safety “bird cage” after several unfortunate accidents. The ravine and it’s once trickling stream has been replaced by the freeway.  It was once painted pink and the locals affectionately refer to it as the Pink Bridge.