East YEG Neighbourhood Profile

Ottewell, Edmonton (East YEG)

A Neighbourhood That Was Almost Called Braemar

Ottewell was nearly known by a different name altogether. According to the City of Edmonton's neighbourhood profile, the name originally intended for the community was Braemar, and in the 1910s the area was briefly called both East Glenora and East Edmonton Park. It was ultimately named for the Ottewell family, who in 1881 were among the first settlers south of the North Saskatchewan River, in the Cloverbar area. The Ottewells started out as grain farmers and moved into dairying, and later opened the Ottewell Coal Company and the Campbell & Ottewell Flour Mills. Their historic log cabin is now on display on 1885 Street at Fort Edmonton Park.

The original intended name did not disappear completely. Braemar School still serves the area. Most of the homes in this East YEG (East Edmonton) community went up during the 1950s and 1960s, and census figures cited for the neighbourhood put roughly 86% of its housing as built in the first 15 years after the Second World War, with building largely wrapped up by 1980. It is also one of the largest neighbourhoods in the city, which is notable for a community sitting inside Edmonton's Mature Neighbourhood Overlay.

Housing Stock & Architecture

Single-detached homes dominate Ottewell. In the 2005 municipal census, about 79% of dwellings were single-family homes, about 12% were low-rise apartments under five storeys, about 4% were duplexes, and the remainder were collective residences, with roughly 77% of homes owner-occupied. The road patterns reflect the subdivision planning of the era, with the single-storey bungalows on wide, tree-lined lots that the 1950s and 1960s are known for. Buyers who want a classic postwar bungalow with a generous lot will find plenty of choice here, and the scale of the neighbourhood means different streets can feel quite different from one another.

Schools, Parks & Amenities

The City counts seven schools, six religious assemblies and several parks, sports fields and facilities within Ottewell. Public options include Clara Tyner Elementary, Ottewell Junior High and Braemar School, and Austin O'Brien Catholic High School is also in the neighbourhood. The Ottewell Community League, established in 1961, runs its hall and outdoor rink at 59 Street and 93A Avenue. The league park includes two playgrounds, fields, an outdoor rink and a spray park, and the league's programming has included a farmers' market, fitness and cooking classes, pickleball and a long-running playschool. The commercial anchor is Capilano Mall in the northeast corner, with a smaller plaza along 90 Avenue.

Commute & Access

Ottewell is bounded by 75 Street on the west, 50 Street on the east, 90 Avenue on the south and 98 Avenue and Terrace Road on the north. Major arterials frame it on three sides, which gives residents quick access to shopping and employment areas across the city, and Kenilworth sits directly south across 90 Avenue. The Capilano Transit Centre serves the area, and The King's University is located just east of the neighbourhood.

Who Ottewell Tends to Suit

Ottewell works well for buyers who want an established, family-oriented community with a lot of choice in postwar housing, wide lots and mature trees. Families benefit from the number of schools and the active community league, and anyone who values having a major mall, transit centre and arterial roads close by will appreciate the access. Because the neighbourhood is so large, it is worth spending time on the specific streets you are considering rather than treating Ottewell as one uniform market.

Thinking About Selling in East YEG?

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

Between negotiation trends, price reductions, and how fast homes are actually moving right now, the numbers above only tell part of the story. I'll give you a straight answer on what your specific home is worth today, and what it would take to maximize your sale price in this market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jason Beattie

REALTOR® | eXp Realty | BT Group

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