Calgary’s downtown: A nice place to visit, an even nicer place to live

Every world-class city deserves a world-class downtown, and with Calgary ranking as the fifth most livable city in the world, it’s nice to know that the city core is a good reflection of this lofty stature.

Calgary has ranked high in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual list of the world’s most livable cities, and 2024 marks the 11th year the city has ranked among the top 10 most livable cities in the world. This year saw Calgary climb from the seventh spot last year to fifth among the 173 cities included in the survey.

Its downtown and surrounding communities like the Beltline and Mission – although not free from ills of an urban world – are getting noticed. Whether you’re a suburbanite that doesn’t need to go to downtown regularly, or an out-of-towner looking for places to visit in Calgary, the downtown core is a wonderful place to go to. Especially in the summer when a ton of festivals – including the Stampede, of course – and concerts on Prince’s Island Park – like Folk Fest – are all happening.

A more livable downtown

It’s also turning out to be a good place to live, as the success of East Village has borne out. And now the City of Calgary is investing more money into revitalizing the downtown.

The City has earmarked $567 million to rejuvenate the core by adding more housing including the conversion of unused office buildings, building post-secondary academic spaces and student housing, and attracting more hotels.

“A thriving downtown means a thriving Calgary,” it says in its website. “Repurposing vacant office space in the downtown to build more homes and encourage students and post-secondary institutions to locate downtown. This will all contribute to more connected, vibrant, diverse and resilient downtown neighbourhoods.”

It adds that its office-to-residential program is nearing capacity with projects in the pipeline and the funding currently in place. Reports say the combined projects will eliminate nearly 500,000 square feet of office space in the core to make way for 530 new units.

Along with these efforts, more new builds are also coming on stream. Homes by Avi had launched Sovereign on 17th in Mission, Bosa Developments’ Arris Residences at the eastern entrance of downtown is going strong, and Truman Homes has also introduced Lincoln, a new 36-story high-rise on 11th Avenue and 2nd Street SW.

New home opportunities

Homes by Avi is bringing the heat back to Mission, as the multi-awarded, homebuilder passes the 50 per cent sold mark for Sovereign on 17th, the first condo mid-rise tower to go up in this inner-city community in several years.

It will be an all-concrete construction and rise 13 stories on 18th Avenue SW, just across from the street from St. Mary’s Cathedral. Homes by Avi CEO Charron Ungar says Sovereign on 17th will bring “a new sense of excitement to the Beltline with its luxurious, contemporary style, and fantastic location close to all the action of downtown.” Find out more at sovereignon17.com.

“Living downtown gives you the benefits of being close to everything, yet at Sovereign on 17th we are still in a more residential feeling area, near green spaces, the river, and have easy access to main roadways,” adds Homes by Avi Marketing Director Stephanie Collins.

Sovereign on 17th is a mid-rise boutique concrete building with 155 units, and a variety of floorplan options. It has 12 penthouse units with amazing outdoor living spaces and views have just been released for sale.

“It is a true downtown lifestyle, in a great location near many amenities, shopping and restaurants. Bike paths and public transport are easily accessible,” she says. Residents will never want for any amenity, as there are a ton of entertainment, dining and recreational opportunities around.

The new BMO Centre, C-train station, Elbow River & Stanley Park, MNP Centre, and restaurants in Mission, and along 17th Ave. and 1st St. SW are all within a moments’ walk. “Plus, you can look forward to the Cultural and Entertainment District that will be completed by possession, which is expected by 2027,” she adds.

There is also Arris Residences, at 41-storeys it is the highest tower in East Village. “Arris Residences represents the epitome of smart growth and vertical urban living,” says Bosa Developments’ Robert Marchand. “Arris offers larger floorplans than what are typically found in downtown Calgary, plus the most comprehensive upscale amenities and daily conveniences ever offered in a Calgary high rise. And the expansive views of Calgary are unmatched and will never be obstructed.”

Also available is Waterfront from Anthem, a master planned, mixed-use community on the banks of the Bow River where Prince’s Island Park meets Chinatown. The 5.2-acre site has been transformed from the former home of the Greyhound bus barns to a sophisticated downtown community and is touted as the single largest condominium development in Calgary at over 1 million square-feet, with over 19,000 square-feet of retail amenities.

A beautiful neighbourhood

The downtown comes alive particularly in the summer when hotspots like Stephen Avenue and the RiverWalk become the go-to places to jog, walk, and just people-watch.

Downtown residents get to enjoy the new RiverWalk urban waterfront park, a four-kilometre stretch of walking and biking trails skirting the Bow River. It is a beautiful promenade where pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy some green space in the heart of the city. It was also designed to preserve and protect the river environment as well as flood protection.

The RiverWalk stretches from the west part of downtown on the tip of Prince’s Island Park near the iconic Peace Bridge all the way to East Village, and it is a lively, Instagram-worthy spot in early fall.

According to the Yahoo Travel Guide web page, Prince’s Island Park is one of the most used urban parks in all of North America. Coming here on a sunny day, you will undoubtedly say so too.

Prince’s Island Park located just off the downtown core on the south side of the Bow River provides thousands of Calgary’s residents and visitors – especially those in the city core – a green, peaceful oasis during the warm days of spring and summer. It is also a joyful winter wonderland where ice skaters can congregate during the colder months.

Foodie and entertainment centre

If you’re new to the city, try out these unique experiences. Lunch hour at Stephen Avenue Walk are always busy, or try the Bow River Promenade on the weekend, the patio culture on 17th Avenue or a festival at Prince’s Island, Cowboys Park (formerly Shaw Millennium Park) or The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland (formerly Fort Calgary).

There are way too many restaurants and diners in the downtown core to mention in this limited space but rest assured that every taste is catered to – from fine dining establishments to dine-and-dash joints. A stroll down the main strips of Stephen Avenue Walk, or 17th Avenue SW will have something for a great dining experience.

Shopping at the Core is another unique experience, and relaxing at the indoor Devonian Garden is also a popular destination.