Maple Hills

Maple Hills is an established, tranquil, upscale neighbourhood in west Waterloo positioned at the the southeast corner of Erb and Fischer Hallman Road. Sitting across the street from the north-western border of Westmount Golf & Country Club, this location has a relaxed, secluded feel. This is balanced by good access to many of the amenities Waterloo has to offer due to Maple Hills’ west-central placement. You’ve got good expressway access here, straight down Fischer Hallmans to the south, or Erb St. to the east. There’s public transit on these main roads as well.

What to Expect From Homes in This Neighbourhood

Stepping into Maple Hills reveals a neighbourhood entirely composed of single family detached houses, something rare in the city. However, the developments along the entirety of Erb Street here are markedly different, a mix of apartments, condominiums, a retirement residence, and local commercial plazas. While some of the single family homes inside of the Erb strip are from the 1940s, the bulk were completed in the late 1960s into the 1980s, on the larger lots typical of this era. Property sizes and prices vary quite widely, with a broad range of both modest and upscale homes to choose from.

Property Styles & Layouts

There’s a wide choice to choose from, but only single detached! Raised bungalows, two storeys and side splits quite typical of the 60s, 70s, and 80s are common in the more down to earth sections, with custom homes of all varieties of size and style in the nicer parts. Many of these homes are high end luxury, with the land, spaciousness, and finish to match. Stylistically, rooms in Maple Hills tend to be more formal than in contemporary suburbia, but more so in the lower price points. For instance, ensuites aren’t so common and kitchens and dining rooms are often separate. Obviously, the luxury homes in the area don’t have the same constraints and many of these have been extensively upgraded to a much more open concept standard. Basements in the area are usually finished, with this being a factor of time more than anything else. Lot sizes overall are good and most of the properties here will have at least a single car garage.

Construction & Mechanical Specs

Housing here is entirely wood framed, clad in brick, siding or a combination. Other siding materials are stucco and stone, both natural and engineered. Some of the earliest homes here may have cinderblock foundations instead but everything else is poured concrete. Sump pumps will only be found in mid 80s or newer or in properties that have had remediation done. Interior finishes from the late 60s onwards will be drywall, with older homes using plaster over rock lath. Forced air gas with an AC unit is the default HVAC set up, with high efficiency furnaces and heat pumps a common upgrade. Wiring is mostly copper but some 1970s homes may be found with aluminum instead, not a huge issue if pig-tailing remediation by an electrician is done. Panels in typical homes are 100 amp breakers, with the luxury properties in Maple Hills often having larger 200 amp panels instead. Waste plumbing is a mixed bag. The oldest homes will have a cast iron stack with copper or galvanized branch lines. 60s homes can have a full copper system, while homes newer than the mid 70s will use industry standard ABS. Water supply, in contrast is almost always copper.

What I Like About Maple Hills

Maple Hills is very much a hidden gem. You hop off of busy Fischer Hallman or Erb and are immediately rewarded with quiet. The high-end homes here are absolutely stunning. Although contemporary with the neighbourhood’s age, they come in a huge range of architectural styles and usually sit on spectacular lots as well. The rest of the neighbourhood is nice too, and offers the same feel at a lower price-point. No one is cutting through the area, the streets here are quiet and only serve the residents. For things to do, golf is right next door. You’ve got The Boardwalk and the uptown equally close, and even have good expressway access.

Who Is Maple Hills For?

Buyers wanting that Westmount feel (Maple Hills is a sub-portion) will love this suburb. The quiet, suburban feel is a huge draw for buyers looking for a detached property in Waterloo. Luxury buyers will love the exclusiveness and seclusion of the outstanding homes Maple Hills offers. Schools here rank high on provincial scores and are quite local, although high school kids might find themselves on the bus. For active lifestyles, Westmount G&C is across the road with Laurel Creek a short drive north. Enjoying Waterloo night life is easy too.

Also Nearby

Westmount Golf & Country Club sits right next door. Retail, dining, and entertainment options can be found uptown or at The Boardwalk on Ira Needles. Nature is readily available at Laurel Creek anytime you need a break from the city. If you trail run or mountain bike the Hydrocut is a few minutes away. There’s tons of choice for your daily groceries including Zehrs, Food Basics, Sobeys, and Vincenzos if you want a bit of spoiling!