East Village – Why you should live there
If I could live ANYWHERE in Calgary, this would be it. East Village. It took a couple tries to get this community built but you know what they say about good wine, patience and perseverance... It is considered a mixed-use neighbourhood and when people say it is in the Rivers District – it really is. Historically, EV has been the forgotten cousin – overlooked, left out, and almost entirely ignored. But no longer.
EV is geographically fairly small, but that is what makes it so vibrant. An urban oasis that is nestled just steps from the east end of downtown, south of the Bow River and west of Inglewood. It. Has. Everything. People from all over the city flock to this neighbourhood to explore it. But YOU can live here. This is why you should.
Take your dog to the EV Dog Park!
I don’t even have a dog, but I still go to the dog park so that I can get my fill of the furry creatures. The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation knew what they were doing – with more than 10,000 people expected to live in the community in the next 5 years, it made sense to create a spot where the furry members of the family could have their own space. And you should see this space! It boasts more than 12,000 square feet – it has turf, it is wheelchair accessible, and it has agility stations. You can find it on 6th Street SE. They have thought of everything – the area is fenced off with double-gated entry and seating (for the humans). Once you have tired the dogs out, put the leash back on and get on the river path heading east. But before you do that, make sure you make a couple of stops.
Load up on carbs!
No judgement here. Head to Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, Restaurant, and Deli, located in the Simmons Building at 618 Confluence Way SE and stop to take a look at the daily offerings. In the spring and summer, you don’t even need to enter the building to pick up your favourite baked item – there is a pop up just outside of the north doors. Known for their organic baked items – pastries – sourdough bread – and desserts, but they also have a selection of soups and salads. We all know that not all salads are created equal and the artisans at Citizen Bakery produce the best of the best. Try it and report back. Let me know if I’m wrong.
Grab some caffeine!
If you can tear yourself away from the baked items, it is time to head to Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters – located just down the hall in the Simmons Building. Yes, this building was once a mattress factory – and it still has that factory/industrialized feel, but it has evolved. It is a meeting place for neighbours and people who wish to enjoy a fresh curated coffee whilst people watching. Bring your laptop along with you and situate yourself so that you can work and play at the same time. What could be better than that?
Explore the Central Library!
Have you been? It’s not just a building with books. It is BEAUTIFUL. There is a reason why this architectural delight was chosen by Architectural Digest as one of the world’s most ‘futuristic libraries’. Yes, it is a big deal. It is located one block east of City Hall and it is considered to be a gateway between the downtown core and EV. You don’t necessarily go there to pick up a book (though there is a collection of 450,000 of them), there are 30 community meeting spaces, a theatre/performance space, a library for kids, a special place for teens – even a recording studio. Oh yes – you can even grab a coffee at Luke’s Café and enjoy it IN THE LIBRARY. I’m not kidding. It is more of a community hub than anything else.
Head to the EV Junction Pop-Up!
If it is June 1st to October 1st you are in luck because the vacant lot at the corner of 4th St and 8th Ave SE EXPLODES with activity. It may be Calgary’s first innovative shipping container shopping destination – but it isn’t going to be the last. And it is a collaboration between YYCFoodTrucks and EV. You won’t be surprised to hear that Calgary has become a ‘mecca’ for foodies and yes, food trucks deliver. Not literally, but you know what I mean. At the Hub, YYC Food Trucks serve up innovative, sustainable, and locally made food and the price point is accessible for most. Plus you are supporting local – and who doesn’t like that? But there is more than food at the EV Junction. Local artisans, makers and artists are there from Thursday – Sunday (and holiday Monday), eager to share their products with you. Oh – and there are after work performances, workshops, and a monthly beer garden. Enough said.
Downtown East Village Calgary Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Convinced that the East Village may be the perfect place to live, you'll be happy to know there is an assortment of gleaming glass towers to choose from. See Calgary Downtown Condos for Sale and check out the search by community section to see what is available in the East Village.
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