Strathcona, Old Strathcona or Strathcona County?
Three similar names, three different places:
- Strathcona is a residential neighbourhood bounded by Saskatchewan Drive to the north, Mill Creek Ravine to the east, Whyte Avenue (82 Avenue) to the south and 107 Street to the west.
- Old Strathcona is the wider commercial and cultural district, running from Saskatchewan Drive south to 79 Avenue and from 101 Street west to 108 Street. It takes in much of Strathcona and part of Queen Alexandra.
- Strathcona County is a separate municipality east of Edmonton, home to Sherwood Park. If that's what you're after, see our Sherwood Park page.
A city of its own until 1912
The neighbourhood is named after Lord Strathcona, a Hudson's Bay Company governor who drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was the heart of the City of Strathcona, which joined Edmonton in 1912. The community league has been running since 1918, with a hall, an outdoor rink and tennis courts at 101 Street and 87 Avenue.
Strathcona was a city of its own until 1912, and it still has its own main street: Whyte Avenue.
What homes are like
Most homes in Strathcona are apartments and condos, in low-rise and high-rise buildings, many of them built in the 1960s and 1970s. On the side streets you'll also find:
- older character houses, especially around Mill Creek and off 99 Street
- newer infill homes where older houses have come down
Buying a condo here? Older buildings make the paperwork more important, not less. Read the reserve fund study and plan, the budget and recent board minutes before your conditions expire. Our downtown condo guide lists exactly what to ask for.
Buying a character house? Get a thorough inspection: the sewer line, wiring, foundation and any older materials that might contain asbestos. Our Glenora guide covers what to check on older homes and infill lots.
Life on and around Whyte Avenue
Whyte Avenue forms Strathcona's southern edge, lined with shops, restaurants, bars and theatres. Two institutions anchor the area:
- Old Strathcona Farmers' Market (10310 83 Avenue): open on Saturdays since 1983 and now open Saturdays and Sundays all year, with more than 130 vendors. It's Edmonton's largest year-round indoor farmers' market.
- Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival: first held in 1982 as the first Fringe in North America, and now the continent's oldest and largest by ticket sales. It runs every August, mostly in Old Strathcona.
The flip side of all that life is noise and crowds near Whyte, especially on weekend nights and during the Fringe. Visit the exact block on a Friday night before you buy.
Walkable living, with the river valley next door
If you're looking for walkable communities in Edmonton, Old Strathcona belongs on the list: the market, restaurants, theatres, shops and ravine trails are all within the district.
- Mill Creek Ravine runs along the east side, with trails down toward the river valley.
- Parks in and around the neighbourhood include Strathcona Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Nellie McClung Park and W. C. "Tubby" Bateman Park, plus a community garden.
- Saskatchewan Drive, the northern edge, overlooks the river valley.
Getting around
- To downtown: cross the High Level Bridge by car, bike or on foot. The heritage High Level Bridge Streetcar also links Old Strathcona with downtown; check its current schedule.
- By LRT: there's no station in Strathcona itself. University station on the Capital and Metro Lines is just west, at the University of Alberta.
- Out of town: Gateway Boulevard and Calgary Trail lead south toward Anthony Henday Drive and Highway 2.
Schools
- Old Scona Academic High School (Edmonton Public, grades 10 to 12), 10523 84 Avenue, in a building that opened in 1908 as Strathcona Collegiate Institute. Admission is by application, including an entrance exam.
- The University of Alberta is next door to the west.
- Every Edmonton address has a designated public school, and it isn't always the closest one. Check the exact address with Edmonton Public Schools' Find a School tool or Edmonton Catholic Schools' Locate Your School page.
What to weigh before you buy
Why buyers look here
- Daily errands, dining and culture on foot
- River valley and ravine trails on two sides
- A short trip to downtown and the University of Alberta
- A real mix of homes, from condos to character houses
Trade-offs to think about
- Noise and festival crowds near Whyte Avenue
- Older buildings mean condo documents and inspections need a careful read
- No LRT station inside the neighbourhood
Strathcona Edmonton real estate: how we help
Whether it's a condo off Whyte, a character house near Mill Creek or an infill on a side street, we compare recent sales on the same blocks, read the condo documents with you, and book viewings at the times you'll actually be home, Friday nights included.