East YEG Neighbourhood Profile

Gold Bar, Edmonton (East YEG)

A Name From the River 

Gold Bar, in East YEG (East Edmonton), carries one of the city's more literal names. According to the City of Edmonton's neighbourhood profile, the area was once known as "Gold Bar Farm," and the name likely refers to the gold prospectors who worked this stretch of the North Saskatchewan River. The City describes development as happening primarily during the 1950s. A school archive record notes that the name Gold Bar was already in common use when the neighbourhood was officially named in 1956.

The neighbourhood's best-known park has its own story. Nearby Goldstick Park is named after Rabbi Hyman Goldstick (1882-1978), who was Edmonton's first Rabbi, according to the City.

Housing Stock & Architecture

This is a classic 1950s neighbourhood. The City says the dominant structure is the single-detached house, with a small concentration of row housing along the southern boundary, and the streets are a combination of crescents and a modified grid. Census figures cited on Wikipedia show that about two thirds of homes (66.7%) were built between 1946 and 1960 and another 22.8% in the 1960s, with a few older homes from before the Second World War. In the 2005 municipal census, about 79% of homes were single-family, 18% were row houses and 3% were low-rise rental apartments, and about 73% were owner-occupied.

Those census figures are 20 years old or more, so treat them as a picture of the neighbourhood's character rather than current statistics. For buyers, the practical picture is mostly 1950s bungalows, where the age of the home, the lot and how it has been updated matter as much as the address.

The Ravine & River Valley Setting

The North Saskatchewan River Valley and ravine system is a prominent feature for residents. The City says views of Goldstick Park, the Gold Bar Ravine and the river valley are possible on the north, east and south sides of the neighbourhood. For buyers who want green space at the end of the street, that is the main draw, and it is also why it is worth looking carefully at a specific lot, since a home backing onto the ravine is a different property than one on an interior block. Check ravine and river valley setback rules with the City before planning any addition or renovation.

Schools & Community

Gold Bar Elementary is an Edmonton Public School serving kindergarten to Grade 6, at 10524 46 Street NW, according to the school division's website. A school archive record puts the original school's opening in 1959, and a mid-century architecture guide dates it to 1958, so it is safest to say late 1950s. Confirm current school boundaries with the school boards for older grades before you buy. The Gold Bar Community League, which Wikipedia says was established in 1960, runs a community hall and outdoor rink at 46 Street and 105 Avenue.

Commute & Access

Gold Bar is bounded by the river valley to the north and by 50 Street to the west. Residents are served by businesses along 50 Street and 101 Avenue, and Capilano Mall is nearby for additional retail and services, according to the City. It shares the river valley setting with another East YEG neighbourhood, Forest Heights, if you want to compare how two different parts of the East YEG valley rim feel.

Who Gold Bar Tends to Suit

Gold Bar works well for buyers who want a mature, mostly single-family neighbourhood with easy access to the river valley and who are comfortable with 1950s homes. It can suit families who want an elementary school within the neighbourhood, downsizers who like bungalows, and buyers who plan to update an older home. Buyers who want a brand new build should look at other areas, and anyone who wants ravine views should compare specific lots rather than the neighbourhood as a whole.

Thinking About Selling in East YEG?

What Would It Take to Get Top Dollar for Your Home?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Jason Beattie

REALTOR® | eXp Realty | BT Group

780-791-9633  |  Jason.Beattie@eXpRealty.com