Information provided by Seller and Realtor.ca
Turnkey Split-Entry in Central Dartmouth | Lancaster Drive | Halifax Real Estate
Listed by Sandra Pike, REALTOR® | The Pike Group, Royal LePage Atlantic
Executive Overview
A move-in-ready split-entry home on Lancaster Drive in central Dartmouth, this property delivers a rare combination of practical connectivity and neighbourhood calm within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Fully renovated before the current owners purchased it in 2019 — and substantially improved since with a steel roof, new decks, a redone driveway and a fully replaced bathroom — the home offers three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and 1,742 square feet of finished living space across two levels. A trail at the end of the street leads to Albro Lake and Albro Lake Beach, while Mic Mac Mall and Dartmouth Crossing are each approximately five minutes away. Ideal for buyers seeking a turnkey property in one of Dartmouth's most connected established neighbourhoods — whether a growing family, a hobbyist with a workshop, or a professional commuting into Halifax.
List Price
Contact Agent
Sandra Pike, REALTOR®
Bedrooms / Baths
3 / 2
Full baths on both levels
Total Living Area
1,742 sqft
Main: 930 sqft · Lower: 812 sqft
Lot Size
6,702 sqft
Landscaped & fenced
Year Built
~1994
Renovated pre-2019
Roof
Steel (2020)
Metal roofing installed
Property Highlights
The current owners describe this as a home where every room earns its place. The main floor centres on a kitchen, living room and primary bedroom with an ensuite-access bathroom, plus an office that could serve as a second bedroom. The fully developed lower level holds a spacious rec room — used as a media and art studio — a third bedroom, a full bathroom, and a laundry room with sink. Shared via the main entrance rather than a separate exterior door, the lower level's self-contained layout offers genuine flexibility for multigenerational living, a family with older children, or a home-based business.
■ Steel roof installed 2020 — painted shutters and front door to match
■ Rear deck rebuilt and enlarged (2020) with stained underside
■ Front porch rebuilt as wood deck (2023)
■ Upstairs bathroom fully replaced (2022)
■ Driveway redone (2021) — accommodates multiple vehicles
■ Five-foot fence with privacy screening around back garden
■ Detached wired garage — currently a workshop
■ Propane fireplace · Baseboard + heat pump heating
■ Hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring throughout
■ New water heater (2026) · Maytag washer (2025)
■ All appliances included: fridge, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher
■ Landscaped yard with apple tree, gardens and privacy screening
The backyard faces north, and the owners describe morning sun across the space. It is enclosed by a five-foot fence with privacy screening, landscaped with a small apple tree, side and rear gardens, and a gentle slope at the back. Wildlife is part of daily life — deer visit regularly, birds are plentiful, and an owl was recently spotted in the neighbourhood.
Room Dimensions
| Floor | Room | Size (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Floor | ||
| Foyer | 6.10 × 4.10 | |
| Living Room | 13.8 × 12.2 | |
| Dining Room | 10 × 7.4 | |
| Kitchen | 10 × 11.2 | |
| Primary Bedroom | 11.4 × 13 | |
| Bedroom / Office | 10 × 11 | |
| Bathroom (Full) | 9.10 × 5 | |
| Lower Level | ||
| Rec Room | 11.3 × 21.6 | |
| Bedroom | 14.8 × 12 | |
| Laundry | 18.3 × 9.1 | |
| Bathroom (Full) | 5.4 × 9.2 | |
Improvements Timeline
| Year | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Pre-2019 | Home fully renovated by previous owner; all appliances new at time of purchase |
| 2020 | Steel roof installed |
| 2020 | Rear deck rebuilt and enlarged; underside stained |
| 2020 | Five-foot fence with privacy screening added around back garden |
| 2021 | Driveway redone |
| 2022 | Upstairs bathroom fully replaced; new hardwood floor in adjoining office; new laundry-room ceiling |
| 2023 | Front porch rebuilt as a wood deck |
| 2023 | Shutters and front door painted black to match roof |
| 2023 | Microwave replaced |
| 2025 | Washer replaced (Maytag) |
| 2026 | New water heater installed (warranty documentation pending) |
Neighbourhood & Halifax Lifestyle
Living on Lancaster Drive within the Halifax Regional Municipality means being at the practical centre of Dartmouth without sacrificing quiet. The current owners describe it simply: "the hub." Mic Mac Mall and Dartmouth Crossing — together offering more than 200 retailers, restaurants and services — are each approximately five minutes away by car. Either harbour bridge into Halifax is roughly ten minutes. Highway 118 provides direct access to Highway 102 and Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
The best-kept secret is at the end of the street: a trail that leads to Albro Lake and Albro Lake Beach, a sandy swimming area with a lifeguard in summer. Fishing is available at the lake. A lesser-known footpath nearby leads to Martin Lake. Lake Banook Regional Park and Oat Hill Lake Park — both within approximately one kilometre — provide additional year-round walking and waterfront access. For a home five minutes from major retail, the depth of natural amenity here is a standout feature of the Nova Scotia real estate landscape.
| Amenity | Approx. Distance |
|---|---|
| Albro Lake Beach (swimming, trails) | ~0.8 km |
| Oat Hill Lake Park | ~0.5 km |
| Lake Banook Regional Park | ~1.0 km |
| Cottage Cafe (Prince Albert Rd) | ~1.0 km |
| Atlantic Superstore (Braemar Dr) | ~1.5 km |
| Sobeys (Tacoma Dr) | ~1.8 km |
| Mic Mac Mall | ~2.0 km |
| Mic Mac Bar & Grill | ~2.5 km |
| Dartmouth Crossing | ~3.5 km |
| 2 Doors Down (Dartmouth Crossing) | ~4.0 km |
| Macdonald / MacKay Bridge | ~5.0 km |
Distances are approximate straight-line estimates from the property and should be verified by the buyer.
Is This the Right Home for You?
This home on Lancaster Drive appeals to buyers who want to walk in and start living — the owners' word for it is "turnkey." The steel roof, redone driveway, rebuilt decks, fully replaced bathroom and new water heater mean no major projects await the next owner. For families, the fully developed lower level — with its own bedroom, full bathroom and rec room — provides room to spread out or accommodate extended family under one roof.
Hobbyists, tradespeople and vehicle enthusiasts will find the combination of a wired detached garage and a driveway large enough for multiple full-size vehicles uncommon at this level of the Dartmouth market. The lower-level laundry room, already equipped with a sink, has been used as a home barbershop — a practical feature for any buyer considering a home-based service business. And for commuters, the five-minute drive to Mic Mac Mall and ten-minute bridge crossing into Halifax make this one of central Dartmouth's most connected addresses.
Sandra Pike, REALTOR®
Team Leader | The Pike Group, Royal LePage Atlantic
Sandra Pike is one of Halifax's top resale listing agents since 2016, delivering data-driven market insights and advisory-level service to buyers and sellers across the Halifax Regional Municipality and Nova Scotia. For a private showing of this Lancaster Drive home in central Dartmouth, or to discuss how the current Halifax real estate market may apply to your search, reach out directly.
Call 902-478-8711Buyer Q&A — Living on Lancaster Drive in Central Dartmouth
What is it like living on Lancaster Drive in Dartmouth?
Lancaster Drive is a quiet, established residential street in central Dartmouth where neighbours are described as very kind and the pace of life is relaxed. From the back deck, the only sounds are the occasional emergency vehicle — the owners describe it as "radio silence." New buildings nearby have brought more dog walkers, and children play outside without it feeling busy. The street is mature and settled, with a strong long-term residential track record within the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Is central Dartmouth a good place to live in Nova Scotia?
Central Dartmouth is one of the most practically connected neighbourhoods within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Residents benefit from quick access to major retail at Mic Mac Mall and Dartmouth Crossing, two harbour bridge crossings into Halifax, and direct highway access to Highway 118 and Highway 102 for airport travel. The area also offers lakefront recreation at Albro Lake, Lake Banook and Oat Hill Lake — a combination of urban convenience and natural amenity that makes central Dartmouth a compelling choice within the Nova Scotia real estate market.
What amenities are near Lancaster Drive in Dartmouth?
Lancaster Drive sits within a short drive of major amenities. Mic Mac Mall and Dartmouth Crossing — together offering over 200 retailers, restaurants and services — are each approximately five minutes away. Grocery options include Atlantic Superstore on Braemar Drive and Sobeys on Tacoma Drive. Lake Banook Regional Park, Oat Hill Lake Park and Albro Lake Beach provide year-round outdoor recreation. Dining ranges from Mic Mac Bar & Grill and 2 Doors Down at Dartmouth Crossing to independent cafés like Cottage Cafe on Prince Albert Road.
How long is the commute from central Dartmouth to downtown Halifax?
Either harbour bridge — the Macdonald or the MacKay — is roughly ten minutes from Lancaster Drive by the current owners' account. The address also provides quick access to Highway 118, connecting to Highway 102 for travel to Halifax Stanfield International Airport and communities north of the city. Many buyers choose central Dartmouth for its combination of short commute times and competitive pricing relative to comparable homes on the Halifax peninsula.
What are the schools like near Lancaster Drive in Dartmouth?
Schools at the elementary, junior high and senior high levels serve the Lancaster Drive area, and school buses run through the street regularly. Buyers should confirm current catchment assignments through the Halifax Regional Centre for Education Home Address Lookup tool, as boundaries can change. Central Dartmouth is well served by schools across all grade levels within the Halifax Regional Municipality.
How competitive is the housing market in central Dartmouth?
Central Dartmouth remains one of the more sought-after areas within Halifax real estate, offering established residential neighbourhoods with mature infrastructure and strong connectivity. Turnkey properties in this area — particularly those with recent renovations, updated systems and larger-than-average driveways — draw consistent buyer interest. The assessed value at this Lancaster Drive address has risen 63% between 2022 and 2026, reflecting the broader strength of the Dartmouth and Nova Scotia real estate market.
Is central Dartmouth a good area for investment or rental properties?
Central Dartmouth's proximity to employment, transit and retail makes it attractive for investors looking at the Halifax real estate market. Split-entry homes with fully developed lower levels — including a bedroom, full bathroom and separate living space — are of particular interest to buyers considering multigenerational living or future rental potential. Buyers should confirm current zoning permissions with the municipality before relying on any assumptions about additional living arrangements.
What renovations have been completed at this Lancaster Drive home?
The home was fully renovated before the current owners purchased it in December 2019. Since then, they have installed a steel roof (2020), rebuilt and enlarged the rear deck (2020), added a five-foot privacy fence (2020), redone the driveway (2021), fully replaced the upstairs bathroom (2022), rebuilt the front porch as a wood deck (2023), and installed a new water heater (2026). All major systems and exterior elements have been addressed within the last seven years.
Who is this Lancaster Drive home best suited for?
This home is well suited for buyers who value a central, connected location with a turnkey property requiring no immediate work. Families needing flexible space will benefit from the fully developed lower level with its own bedroom, bathroom and rec room. Tradespeople, hobbyists or vehicle enthusiasts will appreciate the detached garage workshop and a driveway that accommodates multiple vehicles. The home's layout and location also appeal to buyers who want quick access to Halifax employment centres while living in a quiet, established Dartmouth neighbourhood.
Are there lakes and trails near this Lancaster Drive home?
A trail at the end of Lancaster Drive leads directly to Albro Lake and Albro Lake Beach, which features a sandy swimming area with a lifeguard in summer. Martin Lake is also accessible via a footpath nearby. Lake Banook Regional Park and Oat Hill Lake Park are both within approximately one kilometre, offering additional walking trails and waterfront access. For a home five minutes from major retail, the depth of lake and trail access is a standout feature of this central Dartmouth address.
What is the parking like at this Lancaster Drive home?
The property features a paved driveway that the current owners describe as the largest on the street, with capacity for multiple full-size vehicles. The detached garage is wired and fits a full-size vehicle, currently used as a workshop. For buyers with a boat, trailer or multiple vehicles, the combination of driveway capacity and garage space is a practical advantage that is uncommon for homes at this price point in the Dartmouth and Halifax real estate market.
