Kensington: Calgary’s hip, trendy village

Inglewood may have the history, and 17th Avenue S.W. the hype, but when it comes to being the hippest spot in town, Kensington beats them all hands down.

Kensington, just north of the downtown core, has a heady, trendy village scene. In fact, it is known as Calgary’s first urban village and today it has over 270 businesses within its boundaries. These include 75 retail stores, 38 eateries and pubs, 10 coffee shops, 21 salons and spas, three specialty services and shops and more.

There are over 30 public art works and installations that add a bohemian flavour to the community. It also has a surrounding population of around 10,000-plus residents, with some 3,000 employed by member businesses of the Kensington Busines Improvement Area.

This area of the Sunnyside/Hillhurst community is one of the earliest examples of “Live, Work, Play,” long before it became a buzzword in urban living. It has been a hotspot for new condos in the last 20 years. Battistella Developments made a name here with their Pixel and Lido condos, StreetSide Developments had one of their best-sellers St. John’s here, so did Minto Communities with Annex and Bucci Developments’ Ven and (appropriately named) Kensington projects.

Currently, Graywood Developments’ Theodore is a huge success and going up fast along the busy corner of 10 St. N.W. and Gladstone Road, while SOLA Condos by Ocgrow Group is quickly becoming a best-seller on 14th St. N.W. and Kensington Road. Ezra by Birchwood on 5th Avenue N.W. still has suites available.

Kaleigh Kelly, Regional Sales Manager – Calgary, for Graywood Developments says the Theodore residents will have the benefit of living in an “incredibly connected” neighbourhood. “Theodore offers the best location in the heart of Kensington, less than one minute walk to Safeway and the LRT – residents can take advantage of the fantastic vibe that Kensington has to offer! The high streets are lined with incredible restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, wine bars, fitness studios and so much more.”

Harish Consul, President and CEO of Ocgrow Group of Companies agrees. “SOLA’s prime Kensington location gives new buyers so much of the best Calgary has to offer. From all the trendy Kensington restaurants and new retail coming up, the waterfront pathways along the Bow River, to our northwest location so close to U of C, SAIT and major hospitals, we’re still only minutes from downtown.”
He says there’s even more in store for Kensington’s future. “Kensington truly offers such compelling value with great upside in coming years along The Rise, this new pedestrian friendly streetscape on 14th Street we’re creating with SOLA, and other new projects to come soon,” Consul says.

The Kensington village scene is as gratifying an experience as can be imagined. Whether enjoying a 14 oz. Benchmark Angus Ribeye at Modern Steak, or the best Korean fried chicken in town at Wow Chicken, you will find a restaurant to suit your taste in Kensington. From the exotic to the everyday menu.

“Our favourite restaurant in the area is Pulcinella,” says Consul. Pulcinella serves authentic Napoletana pizza using only Italian type 00 flour and olive oil to farm-fresh herbs and toppings.

Kelly says the Theodore team frequents The Roasterie or Good Trade for coffee. “We are also big fans of Ikemen Ramen, Pie Junkie, Pepino’s, Hayden Block and Reds Diner!”

She adds that there are way too many shops to mention, but their favourites include Gummi Boutique (premiere candy store), Purr (fashion-forward clothing store), Nanao Kimono (Japanese lifestyle store) and Frilly Lilly spa.

Pages Books is one of the city’s last independent bookstores, Another Dimension is perfect for comic book and pop culture lovers, and the wide selection of contemporary furniture and accessories at Metro Element will keep you coming back for more.

“Kensington consistently ranks at the top of Calgary’s most walkable communities, has its own grocery, and is just steps from the Sunnyside LRT Station,” Kelly says.

“I think it’s important for people to know that Kensington is thriving, and the (local business association) has continued to work to bring people to the community through public art installations such as KensingtonLove and KensingtonBRIGHT - Where we integrated our site construction fence into the community-wide KensingtonBRIGHT art exibit – an amazing community initiatiave to bring pop-up art to the various prime locations in Kensington! Who doesn’t love colourful exhibits or a giant heart?”

For more about Kensington, go to www.kensingtonyyc.com. For more on The Theodore, got to www.thetheodorecondos.com. To learn more about SOLA condos, go to www.solacalgary.com.