Anderson Estates

Condo Directory Mount Royal and Lower Mount Royal Anderson Estates

804 Eighteenth Avenue S.W.

Built in 1912 as the Anderson Apartments and condo converted in 2000/1 to be called Anderson Estates Condos, this is likely the most characterful condo building in Calgary. If you think the outside is historic and cute, you should see the lobby, stairwells, and the original brass "bird cage" elevator, which really belongs in a museum, and which could easily host period-set movies. There's a price to be paid for living with such history, of course, and that price includes the lack of balconies, no on-site parking and the smallness of the suites. Still, it's special to live in a building like this, and you "wow" your friends with history and uniqueness rather than with your suite's size and indoor parking. Residential parking permits for on-street parking in nearby non-metered locations are available from the city for all residents.

There are 66 suites at the Anderson, with all but one or two of them being one-bedroom homes. Many are about 500 square feet, while most others are just over 600. Only a handful of suites--in the basement--are almost 800 square feet, 993 feet, and one ringing in at a grand 1,294 square feet. Luckily the developer created one-meter-square storage lockers in the basement, and although they're not large, ANY storage outside these suites is a blessing. The little one-bedroom homes on the ground floor through the fifth floor, though, are darling cute. End-unit suites have windows in three directions, while inside suites have a bay window each for their living room and dining room , and all suites have 10-foot-high ceilings.

In all of these homes other than basement suites the kitchen is a tiny galley-style area enhanced with tall cupboards and granite countertops. Kitchens and baths alike have been modernized, but with touches that make them fit with the building's history, and retaining cast-iron claw-footed bathtubs.

While historic, and designated so, Anderson Estates is a concrete-frame and brick building that was upgraded at conversion with new exterior windows and extensive new plumbing, ventilation and fire-safety installations.

The exterior windows are common property. I have on file all floor plans from the converting developer and the building's Condominium Plan.

To buy or sell in this condo development, write or call Gerald at 403-703-0675