Margaret Edgson Manor
A place to feel at home, supported, and part of a caring community.
Margaret Edgson Manor is more than an apartment building — it is a cornerstone of inclusive living in Grande Prairie. Built through partnership, community vision, and the generosity of one remarkable advocate, the Manor has become a warm and welcoming home for Grande Prairie residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds who need a safe, accessible, and affordable place to live.
Here, people aren’t just tenants. They are neighbours. They are community. They are at times society members and volunteers. They are part of a legacy that started nearly four decades ago and continues to thrive today.
Our Purpose
Everyone wants the comfort of a home that feels good to live in, that feels like they have their own space — a space that removes barriers instead of creating them and a space they can age in. At the time Margaret Edgson Manor was built, Grande Prairie had very few accessible homes and there were a growing number of residents who needed housing that could meet their physical needs without sacrificing independence.
The Manor changed that. By offering a blend of affordable apartments and purpose-built barrier-free units, it opened the door to a new model of housing: one where families, individuals, and disabled adults live side-by-side with dignity, stability, and opportunity.
How We Got Here
The Manor didn’t appear overnight. It is the result of hard work, a long, determined journey by the Grande Prairie Residential Society (GPRS), a volunteer-led organization formed in 1986 by people with disabilities, their families, and community supporters.
Phase I – 1987
Five accessible duplexes were built — the first of their kind north of Edmonton — immediately filling a critical gap for wheelchair users seeking independence.
Phase II – 1994/95
A six-plex apartment building followed, offering more accessible units as demand continued to grow.
A New Vision for the Community – 2005
It was from this foundation that an even larger opportunity emerged: a fully integrated apartment complex that could support both accessible and affordable housing needs under one roof. With federal and provincial funding, City of Grande Prairie partnership, and a transformational bequest from local advocate Margaret Edgson, the Manor became a reality.
It stands today as a testament to community teamwork, and to the idea that independence can be available to everyone. It is a similar model now used in building new apartments and affordable housing province wide.
What the Manor Offers Residents
Margaret Edgson Manor includes 70 two-bedroom suites, thoughtfully designed to meet the day-to-day needs of many types of households.
54 Affordable Units
Comfortable, well-appointed homes for families and individuals who need relief from high market rents.
16 Barrier-Free Units
Purpose-built for wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments, featuring:
- Roll-in showers
- Wide hallways and doorways
- Lowered counters and switches
- Spacious turning radii
- Elevator access and sprinklers
- Accessible kitchens and bathrooms
A True Community Space
The Manor is home to a barrier-free Community Room, open to tenants and non-profit groups. It is a warm gathering space for meetings, workshops, celebrations, and neighbourly connection.
Why Margaret Edgson Manor Matters
The Manor meets a deep and ongoing need in Grande Prairie. Affordable and accessible housing is more than shelter — it is stability, confidence, and independence.
Residents tell us they feel:
- Safe, because the building is designed for them
- Supported, because accessible features reduce daily challenges
- Connected, because the building brings neighbours together
- Empowered, because a stable home makes room for employment, education, and community life
For many, moving into the Manor is a life-changing moment: the first time they have a home that truly fits their needs.
Honouring Margaret Edgson
The building proudly carries the name of Margaret Edgson, a woman whose compassion shaped the future of disability services in Grande Prairie. Margaret dedicated her life to improving accessible transportation and advocating for better housing for people with disabilities.
Through her estate, she made a major contribution that helped turn this project from vision into reality. Today, her legacy lives on in the lives of every resident who calls the Manor home.
Honouring Margaret Edgson
The building proudly carries the name of Margaret Edgson, a woman whose compassion shaped the future of disability services in Grande Prairie. Margaret dedicated her life to improving accessible transportation and advocating for better housing for people with disabilities.
Through her estate, she made a major contribution that helped turn this project from vision into reality. Today, her legacy lives on in the lives of every resident who calls the Manor home.
The Fire and the Path Forward
In recent months, a fire caused significant damage and displaced many residents. The event was devastating, but it also highlighted the strength of our community — neighbours, staff, emergency responders, and local organizations came together to ensure everyone was cared for.
Now, as we work toward a rebuild, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose:
To restore the Manor, modernize it for future generations, and ensure that people with disabilities and low-income families continue to have a safe and welcoming place to call home.
This project is not a new “phase.” It is simply the continuation — and the renewal — of everything the Manor stands for.
Looking Ahead: Our Vision for the Rebuild
The next chapter of Margaret Edgson Manor will strengthen what already works while embracing modern building standards and the evolving needs of our community.
Our goals include:
- Updated accessibility features for today’s mobility technologies
- Improved safety, energy efficiency, and long-term durability
- Thoughtful layout adjustments that support aging in place
- A more sustainable building for future generations
- Preserving the mixed-income, inclusive model that makes the Manor special
Our commitment remains unchanged: accessible, affordable housing that feels like home.
A Community Built on Caring
How to Apply
Applications for affordable and accessible units are handled through our partner.
- Affordable units: Grande Spirit Foundation
- Accessible units: Grande Prairie Residential Society
To apply or learn more about eligibility, visit our housing page or contact GSF at 780-532-3276, https://www.grandespirit.org/applications-family-housing/ or
family@grandespirit.org