Iconic Inglewood, Calgary’s inner-city star

By Pepper Rodriguez
April 28, 2021

It’s all happening in Inglewood – even after nearly a century and a half since it was founded! This iconic, historic inner-city community close to downtown Calgary remains as busy, trendy and happening as it was when it was founded in 1875.

No other inner-city community in Calgary captures the glamour of yesteryear and the engaging spirit of the present than in this riverside community just to the east of downtown. It is Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, and it is home to an eclectic range of shops, to a diverse selection of restaurants and eateries and entertainment venues.

There are way too many diners, cafes and restaurants concentrated around the stretch of 9th Avenue SE from 8 to 14 St. SE and picking one can be a daunting task. There are many places to explore as well, from refined art galleries to riverside parks, all of which are good for the soul.

Live in Inglewood

Inglewood offers a broad range of residential options as well, and they can range from the million-dollar single-family properties by the banks of the Bow River to the affordable multi-family developments that continue to spring up in the neighbourhood.

StreetSide DevelopmentsKonekt Inglewood is the latest. It offers 104 one- and two-bedroom condos, and it is breaking ground on May 4.
Konekt is at the very heart of Inglewood, right on its Green Pathway System, which links Pearce Estate Park in the east to the River Walk and Fort Calgary in the west. The site is steps away from everything Inglewood has to offer.

“Konekt is for people who want to be where the people are. When you live in Inglewood, your home extends past your front door, through the streets and pathways that lead to the heart of the city and beyond,” says Max Conrad, marketing manager at StreetSide Developments.

“We have a deep history in Inglewood itself,” he adds pointing out that past projects - Inglewood Grove and Pearce Gardens – are directly adjacent to Konekt Inglewood.” Check out www.livekonekt.ca for more.

The foodie scene

There’s fine dining at Rouge, and contemporary urban fare at The Nash, and even more of the small-scale restaurants like Gorilla Whale and Madison’s 12/12 that make Inglewood such a foodie haven. COVID-19 restrictions have closed most dine-in opportunities though, although some have patios where you can still enjoy an al fresco meal. Curbside pick-ups are always available.

A popular spot is the Gorilla Whale, which serves a delicious blend of East-meets-West food. Gorilla Whale says it is “loud, fun, rock ‘n roll-lovin’, ‘Japanese-ish’ restaurant and lounge featuring yakitori, ramen, burgers, cocktails, sake and hyper-local craft beer.” Go to www.gorillawhale.ca for more.

The Nash is as atmospheric as it gets. Set in a former 1900s hotel, this stylish restaurant serves inventive Canadian dishes & cocktails. Check out www.thenashyyc.com.

Retail bonanza

The modern mom-and-pop stores have also found a home in Inglewood with such niche shops like Recess, Plant, and Recordland that deal in very specific retail.

Plant is not your typical garden store. With a continually expanding product line, partnerships with local and international makers, artists, and craftspeople, Plant is known for offering unique, well-curated selection of products and designs, and friendly, approachable customer service. www.plantshop.ca

A staple of Inglewood, Recordland is simply the best source for new and used vinyl records in the city. With over 500,000 LPs in stock, it is a treasure trove for the music lover who can find discs (vinyl or otherwise) from polka to Metallica and everything in between among its shelves. www.recordlandcalgary.com.

Explore Inglewood

A quiet afternoon can be spent just walking through Inglewood’s plethora of places to explore, like the Esker Foundation art gallery. It’s closed to the general public right now, but the website says private viewings can be arranged.

There are plenty of outdoor spaces to stroll too, like the Pearce Estate Park, and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary where strollers can spend an afternoon enjoying all that nature has to offer which leads to the Bow Habitat Station and the Harvie Passage walking trails. Then there’s the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary where strollers can spend an afternoon enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Pearce Estate Park lies in a curve of the Bow River as it flows through the southeast part of Calgary and contains a 15-hectare reconstructed wetland and is home to the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and Bow Habitat Visitor Centre. It also has pleasant pathways that wind down to the Harvie Passage in the Bow River.

About Pepper Rodriguez

Pepper Rodriguez is a writer, editor of New Home + Condo Guide's Calgary and Edmonton editions.

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