By the Numbers
Population: 8,225
Median Household Income: $51,200
Housing Types: 15 row houses, 50 apartments in buildings less than five storeys, 4,860 apartments in buildings more than five storeys
Percentage of Owners: 8 per cent
While much of Calgary retains a small-town feel, stepping into the Downtown Commercial Core offers an intoxicating taste of big-city life. Folks in suits walk briskly to business lunches on Stephen Avenue or grab coffee from popular spots like Cafe Alchemist or one of Deville Coffee’s six downtown locations. Arts lovers check out an exhibition or a Calgary Phil performance at the recently rebranded Werklund Centre. Students flow through the crowds, studying at the SAIT, Bow Valley College or University of Calgary downtown campuses. Restaurants, galleries and shops clamour for attention among the office and residential high-rises. And public art dots the core’s tidy grid of streets and avenues. Notably, the Wonderland sculpture outside The Bow building turns many a head. Amid all of the action, people do live here, mostly in high-rise apartments.
The Downtown Commercial Core dates back to around 1883, when Stephen Avenue was part of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The nearby Fairmont Palliser Hotel opened in 1914 as a CPR hotel to accommodate the tourists the railway brought to town. Indeed, the area still hosts a mix of historic and contemporary architecture. The currently vacant Hudson’s Bay building (1913) and the Historic Fire Hall No.1 (1911), likely to become a public arts venue, rest alongside Brutalist structures like the Glenbow Museum (1976) — which is undergoing a revitalization and is set to reopen in 2027 as the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture.
Whether to live, work, study or play, the Downtown Commercial Core offers a bit of everything. It’s the ideal place for Calgarians or visitors looking for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Highlights
MobSquad Café
Did you know that amidst the core’s multitude of exceptional cafés, there’s one hovering way up, well above street level? MobSquad Café is located on the 21st floor of The Edison building. Spacious yet cozy, this hidden gem is part coworking space, part eatery. Enjoy light bites and expertly made beverages while taking in astonishing views of downtown Calgary.
2100, 150 9 Ave. S.W., @mobsquadcafe
FinePrint
Residing in the old Calgary Herald building, FinePrint has become renowned for creating memorable dining experiences since it opened in 2022. Steered by executive chef J.P. Dublado, a bronze-medal winner at the 2024 Canadian Culinary Championship, FinePrint’s menu seamlessly blends French cuisine with local ingredients, such as the braised short rib bourguignon and the Alberta bison tartare. Beneath the restaurant sits Heavily Redacted, which until recently was an invitation-only lounge. Now offering a limited number of public reservations, Heavily Redacted maintains its mystery by forbidding phones and photos.
113 8 Ave. S.W., fineprintyyc.com, @fineprintyyc
Devonian Gardens
It’s impossible to write about Calgary’s Downtown Commercial Core without mentioning one of its most pleasant escapes, especially in winter — the Devonian Gardens. Located on the top level of the Core shopping centre, the humid, artfully designed gardens are ideal for enjoying a post-shopping treat from nearby French patisserie Les Moulins La Fayette or Caffe Trieste. Opened in 1977, the space underwent major renovations in 2012. The result is one hectare of botanical gardens, including more than 500 trees, 50 plant varieties and a 900-square-foot living wall — along with multiple fountains and fish ponds.
Located in the CORE Shopping Centre at 317 7 Ave. S.W., 4th Floor, @coreshopping
Did You Know?
While Calgary’s Plus 15 Skywalk — a sprawling network of 86 bridges — officially started construction in 1969, the city has a long history of elevated pedestrian bridges. The first appeared on record in 1914 connecting retail buildings to warehouses across alleyways. Now, they offer climate-controlled access between downtown buildings, much- appreciated refuge on harsh winter days. You could even catch a pop-up art exhibit.
Listing at a Glance
Located at Five West, one of Calgary’s premiere executive condo buildings, this two-bedroom, two-bath corner condo, listed by Richard Bergeron in October 2025, features stunning city views and a south-facing balcony. The living area includes a den, a gas fireplace, huge windows and hardwood floors. The kitchen is equipped with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances. The spacious primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom, while the second bedroom also has a private bathroom. Also includes an in-suite laundry room, storage locker and parking stall.
