If you are a dedicated urbanite and relish being in the middle of all things social, commercial, cultural and epicurean, then Calgary’s East Village is tailor-made for you.
Spanning 49 acres between Fort Calgary and the downtown business core, East Village’s central location along the banks of the Bow River makes it a rapidly transforming and ambitious piece of development for our city.
East Village was where downtown Calgary first began – the site where Blackfoot peoples and American and Canadian fur traders met to do business. Over time, East Village became increasingly industrialized and then later neglected. Vacant lots, crime and homelessness became synonymous with the area right up until 2007.
Now East Village is in the midst of an exciting 20-year transformation as infrastructure and development programs have so far attracted nearly $3 billion of planned development for both commercial and retail projects.
Most of the residential units in East Village are condos. Both gleaming towers and architectually unique low rise units are popping up all around the Riverfront. What makes the location attractive for many is the walkability of the area.
The river walk takes you right down to the revitalized St. Patrick’s island (great park and playground for kids) as well as on to the Calgary zoo.
Many buildings have limited parking spaces, which encourages owners to walk or bike as much as possible. And that’s not much of a problem, as there are an incredible amount of amenities nearby – and many more in the works.
Two new large residential towers are being built at 6 Avenue and 3 Street SE, which will be anchored by a full-sized Loblaws City Market, Olympia Liquor, Shoppers Drug Mart, Winners, Scotiabank and more. It is scheduled to open in early 2020.
With the fantastic new Central Library and Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, both nearby, major public art installations throughout the neighbourhood, and a revitalized Fort Calgary emerging, art and culture also make East Village a destination for all Calgarians.
Who can forget the iconic Simmons building, the current centerpiece of East Village, complete with a high end restaurant, coffee shop, retail and a rooftop patio with jawdropping views of the river and skyline.
And if biking and walking aren’t always your thing, your future parking needs are being looked after. The 250,000 square foot 9th Avenue Parkade & Innovation Centre is being built and will offer seven levels that accommodate 508 parking stalls (and plenty of bike parking), a 50,000 sq. ft. innovation centre dubbed Platform, that will be operated by Calgary Technologies Inc., plus a ground floor café and an outdoor sport court. It will be completed by next Fall.
There are also ongoing talks between the City and the Calgary Flames about partnering to build a new state-of-the-art arena just across the tracks in Victoria Park that could connect into East village. Stay tuned for more info on that one.
Currently there around 5,000 people living in East village and that number is expected to rise to over 11,000 by 2028 as all condo projects finish up and people move in. With low mortgage rates and a heavy condo supply, the time to buy has never been better.
East Village is a fantastic option for professionals who work in the city core, or empty nesters who want a more central location, less house and no yard to worry about. Heck, it’s great even if you just love to walk and be close to the river.
If you want to be in the thick of it all and experience a real city and community atmosphere, let myself or Amie know. We’d love to help you find a beautiful new home in this jewel of a community.
– Bob
