The community of Strathcona in Central Edmonton is one of the most iconic communities in the city.  With its picturesque tree lined streets and unrivaled access to the city's amenities, it consistently ranks as one of the best places to live.

The community provides residents with a variety of housing options, from affordable single-family homes to high-end condominiums. Shopping and dining experiences are abundant in Strathcona, with a number of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes in the neighbourhood. The community also includes a number of parks and green spaces, making it a great place for families to enjoy outdoor activities. Strathcona is truly an ideal location for anyone looking to live in Edmonton's vibrant urban centre! 

What makes living here so amazing?

Unique Shops

One of the things that makes Strathcona so awesome is the unique shops that you can find there. Whether you're looking for vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, or one-of-a-kind home decor, you're sure to find it on Whyte Avenue. There's also a great selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars, so you can always find somewhere to grab a bite or a drink.

Lively Atmosphere

Another reason why Strathcona is so great is the lively atmosphere. On any given day, you'll find people out and about, enjoying the sunny weather and the vibrant energy of the area. Whether you're looking to people watch or just soak up the positive vibes, Strathcona is the place to be.

Arts and Culture 

The area is also home to a thriving arts and culture scene. There are several art galleries in the area, as well as live music venues and theatres. If you're looking for something to do on a Friday or Saturday night, there's always something going on on Whyte Avenue.

Friendly Community

Last but not least, one of the best things about Whyte Avenue is the friendly community that you'll find there. Everyone is welcome on Whyte Avenue, and it's not uncommon to strike up a conversation with a stranger while you're out and about. You'll quickly see why Whyte Avenue is known as one of the most welcoming places in Edmonton!

The Strathcona community in Edmonton is one of the oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in Alberta. The community has grown with the city over the years but has kept its unique character and close-knit feel. With a variety of businesses, parks, and restaurants, Strathcona is a great place to live or visit. Many of its buildings are registered as heritage sites to protect their unique architecture for future generations to enjoy. Some popular tourist attractions include Whyte Avenue, which features shops, pubs, and galleries; Old Strathcona Farmers' Market; and the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Strathcona also hosts numerous cultural festivals throughout the year including the Fringe Festival in August. With so much to offer, it's no surprise that people have been coming to this neighbourhood for over a century!

While the list goes on, the Iconic Real Estate team LOVES this community and all it offers to our city.  If you are considering a move or would like to explore this area with us, send us a note!

Featured Strathcona Listing: 5, 10516 84 Avenue

The Iconic team has been long time admirers of ArtHouse Residential and their consistent focus on improving the residential development landscape within Central Edmonton. Whether its a full custom home, a garage suite or a sauna, it seems everything they build is quality and utterly iconic.

ArtHouse Residential is an Edmonton-based custom infill home builder that prioritizes collaboration and efficiency. They strive to challenge the status quo, working with clients to craft personalized sustainable homes without sacrificing lifestyle, space or aesthetics - all while helping them save money on their monthly mortgage. With a focus building dense versatile properties tailored around individual lifestyles granting access to urban experiences: building a home with Arthouse means achieving sustainability, value and ultimate style.

As Edmontonians themselves, the owners of ArtHouse care about the communities they work in.  With each new home developed by ArtHouse, not only the property its sits upon improves; the whole street, the entire community and the City of Edmonton benefits as a whole.  More recently we were conversing about the concept of aging in place and how that affects the standard perspectives of Infill homes in Edmonton. Curious on their take, the owners of ArtHouse put it best when they said:

“An aging-in-place home goes beyond maximizing your financial investment in a property. It’s also about keeping strong social connections. People often build relationships with neighbours and become invested in their community. A home and the surrounding community can contribute to your sense of identity. Adaptable homes benefit the community by enabling people of all ages and abilities to remain a part of it. Age-in-place homes help people maintain their sense of identity and connection to place.”

At Iconic we see time and time again that owners are faced with the pressure to move as their current home does not meet the standards of their changing abilities which is why we admire companies like ArtHouse who are having these conversations with their clients before they become an urgent necessity. 

Just like any long term investment, planning for the future is key.  Creating an aging-in-place home transforms a regular dwelling into an accessible, functional space for all ages. By incorporating hidden features in the layout and design of your house, you make it easier to accommodate any unexpected injuries or surgeries that could occur down the line. Not only does this guarantee added security - but if you choose to sell later on, accessibility is sure to entice potential buyers and increase your overall value.

Afterall, who wouldn't find comfort knowing they can live comfortably regardless of age?

For more information on custom home building, reach out to our friends at ArtHouse Residential.

The Iconic team was lucky enough to be introduced to the founders of Plenish this week before they establish their operations in Edmonton.  I say lucky, because it is clear they are about to be so busy, I may never get a chance to have a one on one conversation again with them in the future.  So what is Plenish?

Plenish was founded out of two friends’ vision for a better furniture industry. As both were navigating major life events like marriage, having babies and obtaining their master degrees in 2020; furnishing their new homes became an arduous challenge due to the costs and inconveniences involved with traditional purchases or rentals - something they had experienced all too often during their 10+ moves over the last decade.

Seeing this issue as one shared by many others looking for easy-to-access home customization options amidst rising costs of living & transient lifestyles, they created 'Plenish': A stylish subscription service that would alleviate any worry around wasting time searching stores or disposing of damaged items; With 12 million tonnes going into landfills yearly!

Plenish was founded on the simple idea that people should be able to enjoy quality furniture without having to commit long-term. With its flexible terms of 1-12 months, customers can access premium pieces while also benefiting from cost savings - all tailored around their ever changing lifestyle needs. Not only is sustainability a key part of Plenish's story with products built for longevity and refurbished items moved onto new homes; but users are also given an extra degree of freedom through options such as being able swap or return goods when desired, ensuring they never pay more than retail price in the process. Now everyone has a chance at creating home styles which reflect today’s modern ages!

With the Plenish team continuing to grow, their vision for creating beautiful and functional spaces across Canada is quickly becoming a reality. All ready in Vancouver and Toronto, they are heading to Edmonton next! They bring life into once empty rooms by helping people turn them into homes with timeless furniture pieces. As they continue down this path of success there's no telling how many more cities will soon be blessed with their work as Plenish continues its mission become a household name in home furnishings!

Iconic, as a team who requires short to long term staging for show suites and furnished rentals, we were absolutely amazed at the affordability, flexibility and sheer range of options Plenish offers.  Mark my words, Plenish is one to watch and I can’t wait to see them dominate in this industry.

For more information, check out Plenish HERE

A staggering 120,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Canada over the past year. Alberta specifically, has become a safe haven for more than 26,000 Ukrainian people since Russia's invasion began over a year ago. Despite not being considered refugees under Canada's immigration program, a special authorization for emergency travel was created by the federal government and offers immediate assistance payment of up to $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child upon arrival.

Catholic Social Services is one community group working tirelessly towards supporting these newcomers whose needs continue to be complex as many Ukrainian families come without savings or connections. Catholic Social Services has been able to provide 25 government-funded hotel rooms where individuals can stay free of charge up to 2 weeks while permanent accommodations must ultimately be found elsewhere. Much assistance still remains necessary – displaced Ukrainians desperately need our help now more than ever before.

How can you help? 

1. Donate to Catholic Social Services

2. Volunteer at a local community groups helping Ukrainian newcomers

3. Spread awareness about the needs of Ukrainian people arriving in Edmonton

4. Support organizations that are offering housing and other services for new arrivals

5. Help refugees secure employment opportunities

6. Assist families with language barriers in finding support networks

7. Provide cultural orientation programs for newcomers

8. Donate quality furniture and household items

9. Offer educational opportunities and career guidance to immigrants

10. Mentor young Ukrainians who have left their homes

Iconic Yeg supports the lease up efforts at various purpose built rental buildings within central Edmonton. In partnership with the developer we have been able to adjust our approval process to ensure more Ukrainian people arriving in Edmonton have access to expedient and safe housing. Currently at 121 West, an apartment building in the Brewery District, we are offering a $0.00 damage deposit to all Ukrainian new comers; as well providing property tours and lease signings in their native language.

At Iconic YEG we were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with Catholic Social Services and through their network we were able to find our two newest employees Olena and Dmyrto!

Olena is a brilliant and dynamic leasing agent who supports our prospective tenants by finding their dream apartment that suits not only their needs, but their desired lifestyle.  Fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian, Olena has been instrumental in supporting both the Ukrainian newcomers and longstanding Edmontonians find their new homes. 

Dmytro is Iconic’s Information Technology Business Analyst, and under his guidance we have been able to develop an efficient and robust system to support our real estate, project sales, and rental operations.  Highly educated and business minded, we could not be more lucky than to have him on our team and supporting our future goals.

They have now been with our team for three months and have been absolute superstars and I am so excited to see how we grow to support future roles and employment opportunities for Ukrainian newcomers within our organization. 

For more information or if you are a Ukrainian considering a move to Edmonton, please reach out to us and we can help find housing at 121 West, The Beacon at East Junction or with some of our other rental partners.  

Contact us Here

Forest Heights is the absolute best of all worlds, located on the southeast bank of the North Saskatchewan River Valley, walking distance to downtown, surrounded by mature trees and nature - some of the best Real Estate is located in the often overlooked neighbourhood in Edmonton.

Forest Heights is rich in history and maintains some of the best views of both Downtown Edmonton and the River Valley.  While some areas built upon the viewpoints in Edmonton are highly congested, Forest Heights still maintains large lots, ample nature, and a tight knit community.

While the Iconic team has sold many homes in Forest Heights because we see the obvious value in the community, here are our top reasons why you should consider calling Forest Heights your new home:

Proximity to Downtown

Forest Heights is located just minutes from downtown Edmonton, making it the perfect community for those who want to be close to the action. Downtown Edmonton is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, and Forest Heights residents can easily take advantage of all that the city has to offer.

Quiet and Safe

Despite its proximity to downtown, Forest Heights is a quiet and safe community. The neighbourhood is filled with families and young professionals, and crime rates are low. Residents can feel confident letting their children play outside or taking a walk through the neighbourhood at night.

Great Schools

Forest Heights is also home to some of the best schools in Edmonton. The public schools in the area are highly rated, and there are also a number of private schools nearby. Whether you have young children or are sending them off to college, you can rest assured that they will receive a great education in Forest Heights.

Beautiful Homes

In addition to being located in a great neighbourhood, the homes in Forest Heights are also beautiful. The houses in the area range from small starter homes to large executive homes, and there is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a cozy bungalow or a luxurious estate, you'll find it in Forest Heights. Check out what we have coming soon to Forest Heights here!

Spectacular Views

Another reason why Forest Heights is the best community to live in is because of its spectacular views. The neighbourhood is situated on a hill, and many of the homes have stunning views of downtown Edmonton or the river valley. Whether you're relaxing on your patio or taking a stroll through the neighbourhood, you'll be able to enjoy some truly breathtaking views.

Close-knit Community

One of the best things about living in Forest Heights is that it feels like one big family. Neighbours know each other and look out for one another, and there's always someone around to lend a helping hand. If you're looking for a close-knit community where everyone knows your name, then Forest Heights is the perfect place for you.

It's Just Perfect!

When it comes down to it, there's no place like home sweet home...and there's no place like Forest Heights! Everything about this community makes it the perfect place to live, work, and raise a family. If you're looking for somewhere that has it all, then look no further than forest Heights!

Want to learn more about the community of Forest Heights or the properties within?  Contact us and let us show you what we love most about this iconic neighborhood in central Edmonton!

Not sure if Forest Heights is right for you, check out other Iconic Community options in Edmonton Alberta!

HOMES FOR SALE