Quote:
Originally Posted by curves2000
Calgary's East Village when it was envisioned was a once in a generation opportunity to rebuild an area on prime real estate. Downtown, next to the water, transit, walkable, live, work, play, vibrant. Real estate with this much potential usually isn't available for complete redevelopment of an entire neighborhood in large Canadian cities. It was suppose to be Calgary's version of Yaletown in Vancouver and other hip, happening and vibrant areas in Toronto/Montreal etc.
Sure there is some vibrancy with people walking around and grabbing a coffee on a warm day etc, but is that really the end goal here? We have all been on vacation and been to cool cities with cool areas, the definition isn't strollers, babies, walking and coffee.
Where is the really cool shopping? Must try restaurants, bumping nightlife, unique independent businesses? All the great job opportunities and thriving start ups? There is a Superstore, Winners, Subway, Dominos Pizza. Lot's of chain places.
If any posters have friends/family coming into town, is that the place you take them out to show them the hottest area in Calgary? If you rented an Air B&B in that area as a tourist, is that really the area for the slogan "More City. More Life!" that they show everywhere. It is disappointing to me as Calgarian. I too frequent the area on car, foot and cycle but not as much as I would if there was some life there.
The lack of current development compared to other areas is very noticeable. I thought at first it was the lack of growth in Calgary post 2015 energy crash but even nearly 10 years later, there isn't an explosion considering the growth Calgary is experiencing.
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Sorry, the guy who tried to argue that all of Calgary’s nice restaurants are overrated and Swiss Chalet was better is now complaining about how it isn’t the “hottest area” in the city? I would thing that Subway, Winners, and Dominos would be huge draws for a man of your taste and distinction lol.
They have CharBar, Phil & Sebastian, Sidewalk Citizen, Parlour, Chix, Soleil, Magpie, and the King Eddy. They have a bunch of historic buildings, as well as cool public art and buildings that function as both (Library, National Music Centre). They have the Confluence, great outdoor spaces, and some interesting recreation spaces (Bounce, Riverwalk). You should try to enjoy like… any of that… because if the first thing you think of (or that you looked up, since you named a bunch of stuff in one square block lol) is Winners, I’m not sure you’ve ever been there.
I know having some of Calgary’s best restaurants, museums/experiences, and outdoor spaces is underwhelming. But, they do have another 5-6 years of development left as part of their 20 year plan. Including 4-5 major projects in progress (apparently, a “lack” of development).
Maybe if you ask nicely someone will open up a Swiss Chalet there, and then you’ll have it all.