Garneau is one of Edmonton's oldest neighborhoods, with its roots tracing back to 1874 when Laurent Garneau, a Métis community leader and political activist, settled the area. Originally developed to accommodate the growing staff and student population of the nearby University of Alberta, Garneau has evolved into a vibrant mix of historical and modern influences. The area also experienced construction in the 1970s and early 2000s. According to the 2019 Edmonton Municipal Census, the neighborhood is home to approximately 9,800 residents and features over 5,500 dwellings (2019 Edmonton Municipal Census Data).
Garneau is defined by the North Saskatchewan River to the north and east, University Avenue to the south, and 111th Street to the west. This location makes it a prime area, offering easy access to downtown Edmonton and major city routes.
Annexed in 1912 as a part of the Town of Strathcona, the neighbourhood of Garneau is not very large, partly because the University of Alberta has bought up a number of lots in the area over the past few decades for its own expansion, although there is an Area Redevelopment Plan in place that discourages further encroachment.
A high percentage (62%) of all the homes in Garneau are hig-hrise apartments. The views of downtown from Saskatchewan drive apartments make for very valuable units indeed. Because land values are high, Garneau doesn’t have that much space for houses, so only 9% of the community is free-standing homes. These are typically older homes that have been around since the early part of the century – and they are slowly being replaced by higher density structures. Lowrise apartments account for almost a quarter of all the units in the area as well. Garneau’s population is mostly renters.
Garneau’s appeal lies in its blend of old and new. Key amenities and attractions include: