Riverside Park East

The area around Riverside Drive and Walkley Road has a cluster of distinct neighbourhoods that are a part of Riverside Park. This posting will focus on the North-Eastern section of the area, and in particular the houses built by Campeau in the early 1960s (c. 1961-1964). This period of designs by Campeau includes some striking mid-century modern houses. 

In 1961 Campeau released a brand new series of plans, and in particular I will focus on these designs. The same plans were also built in parts of Queensway Terrace. One of the most striking changes from their 1950s designs is that the houses were no longer full brick. 

Various examples of the all-brick designs exist side-by-side with the newer plans.

A 1962 article from National Builder, showing which plans were the best-selling at the time.

Below is a selection of plans and present-day images of the houses in this area. Most plans had two exterior options, and I have picked only one to display in this posting.

The huge picture windows are such a common element on suburban houses of the time.

The same design as the plan above, but with a different facade option. The sprawling horizontal silhouette is classic mid-century suburban. 

I have always admired the straightforward lines on exterior of this design. It is traditional, yet minimal. The almost square living room is also a nice aspect of the plan.

I adore the colour-scheme on this one. Notice the carport has been enclosed as a garage.

Above and below are 2 other versions of the plan - also with great colour-schemes.

Notice that the bathroom has two access points - one from the bedroom area and the other from the side entry.

A modern facade option for the plan above - without the carport.

This angle shows the exposed rafters on this modern design

With the carport.

Another great modern design with exposed rafters. The plan is the same as the B-51, only turned on its side.

The bottom right image from this 1961 National Builder article is the interior of the B-50.

It appears that the carport was enclosed and the front bedroom made into the entry of this house.

The planter as a divider in the hall is very cool. I am not sure which I like better, the decorative brick or the trellis on the carport.

Here is the decorative brick on the carport wall.

There are a few houses in the area where the carport has been enclosed as a porch.


This design is one of the most changed in the neighbourhood. The covered front porch has been enclosed on many houses, such as the example below.

For some reason, the front bedroom window was replaced with a smaller one. The porch has also been enclosed.

Again, the window was made smaller - clearly to match the window on the enclosed porch.

These two designs are interesting in that the kitchen extends behind the carport. There are not many of these plans built in the area. The above plan has no dining room, while the plan below converts one bedroom into a dining room, but results in a two bedroom house.

The small front porch has been enclosed on this B-82.

This plan and the one below are from a handful of modern designs that Campeau built at the time. The post and beam construction with exposed beams is striking.

The brickwork and transom windows under the roof line are beautiful modern features of this design.

This duo of designs makes a great modern statement. The B-50 is on the right.

 
A great flat-roofed carport compliments the architecture of this house.

I quite like the design of the side addition.

Side-splits are less common in the neighbourhood - but the above design has a great roof line.

High-ranch designs are quite common in the area.

This house looks to have many of the original details intact, including the windows!

I have always found the detailing on this design to be interesting - since the sides are in brick, and the front and back are siding.

Hidden behind these two updated facades with add-on garages (above and below) are most-likely Campeau high-ranch designs.

Another house that has been altered with a large garage and updated brick facade.

Above and below are bungalows that have had second floors added on.

Filling out the area are a cluster of houses by a builder that I am unsure of (Economy Home Builders? Capital Quality Homes? Knight Homes? Maybe some by each?). 

Riverside Park West and South also have some great modern designs. Some are the same, while others are different. Keep an eye out for an upcoming post on those areas.