Sitting within the shadow of newer, taller, extra luxurious residences overlooking Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River valley is a hidden gem that residents adore.
“The place isn’t massive. It’s received character but it surely’s not fancy,” mentioned Joseph Rockwood.
He’s lived within the 26-suite Annamoe Mansion at 11950 100 Ave. for 4 years after being compelled to go away the equally historic El-Mirador condo constructing, which was demolished in 2021.
“The flooring creak. A few of the radiators leak slightly. We have now had mice recently — it’s been addressed, so far as I’m involved,” mentioned Rockwood, who pays $880 a month in hire.
Tenants of the historic constructing alongside the Victoria Promenade on the western facet of downtown Edmonton beloved its allure and mentioned the earlier proprietor didn’t have bother discovering individuals to dwell there.
“This place has by no means needed to promote. You ever see this place within the paper — condo for hire? By no means.”
According to the city, the mansion was named for the city of Annamoe in County Wicklow, Eire — the birthplace of the person who constructed the condo constructed in 1914.
The Annamoe was one in every of quite a lot of condo blocks constructed within the space earlier than the First World Conflict to cater to Edmonton’s rising inhabitants of white-collar staff, such because the LeMarchand Mansion, the Derwas Courtroom Flats, the Buena Vista, and the Westminster.
The Annamoe Mansion at 11950 100 Ave. in Edmonton was inbuilt 1914.
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Annamoe Mansion is on the Metropolis of Edmonton’s stock of historic sources, that means that it’s eligible to be designated as a municipal historic useful resource. The three-and-a-half-storey brick walkup was listed on the market in late 2024, with an asking worth of $3.5 million.
At 110 years previous, Rockwood mentioned the Annamoe Mansion is a rarity in Edmonton.
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“The place has character and it’s nice to be right here.”
However quickly, Rockwood gained’t be there — as a result of the constructing’s new proprietor, ARH Holdings, has tripled everybody’s hire. Notices had been posted on all of the resident’s doorways on April 1.
The corporate says the $1,800 hike up brings the models as much as market worth, and can permit them to renovate whereas preserving the constructing’s allure — however residents name the choice an unfair ‘renoviction‘ and say extra protections are wanted for individuals of their scenario.
Rockwood mentioned he anticipated hire to go up and was keen to place up with an affordable enhance, however he can’t afford the over $2,600 a month the brand new landlord will begin accumulating on July 1.
“Who can afford hire of triple abruptly? It’s insane,” he mentioned. “Now that it’s going to be $2,680, I’m shifting.”
Residents like Rockwood consider the hire enhance is a tactic to sidestep what would have needed to be a one-year discover for a significant development overhaul.
“They know full properly there’s no person who’s going to remain. They’ve their approach. All people’s out. They’ll do no matter they want in three months’ time as an alternative of 12 months’ time.”
International Information tried to name ARH Holdings on Friday, however was hung up on. The corporate did situation a press release, saying it needed to clarify it doesn’t need tenants to vacate.
“We would favor if they might, in reality, keep,” it mentioned.
The Annamoe Mansion at 11950 100 Ave. in Edmonton was inbuilt 1914.
International Information
Fellow resident Tim Kenny mentioned he has been down this highway earlier than with ARH Holdings.
He mentioned he moved to Annamoe Mansion after his earlier house, a heritage townhouse, was offered about three years in the past.
As a part of sale course of, he mentioned the brand new house owners made the previous landlords give tenants a 90-day eviction discover for main renovations.
Kenny mentioned he researched and located the transfer was unlawful and house owners have to present a yr’s discover. Nevertheless, he mentioned his advocacy didn’t work so he gave in and moved to the Annamoe Mansion.
“Being right here has been the best two-and-a-half years I’ve had. It permits me to do my grasp’s research and do business from home, and purchase my first automotive on the age of 51,” Kenny mentioned.
“It’s given me an opportunity to get forward in life and never really feel unsafe.”
Like Rockwood, Kenny mentioned there’s an expectation when residing in an older constructing that hire will increase will come alongside so as to keep the growing older property.
“There’s a specific amount of issues that you simply’ll put up with for an affordable hire enhance,” he mentioned, however not this sort of hike. “This isn’t a tactic designed to assist preserve anybody within the constructing.
“He clearly needs us out in order that he can renovate and keep on along with his life.”
Tenants say it is a clear instance of the necessity for hire controls in Alberta, nevertheless the province shot down the concept on Friday.
The Alberta authorities’s Ministry of Seniors, Group and Social Companies says Alberta is not going to go down the “disastrous highway” of hire management, saying the province tried it prior to now and located it discouraged new improvement.
Watch the video on the prime of this story for extra.
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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