News

Kensington has expanded our borders. Welcome to our new members—Kensington Riverside Inn, F.A.T.S. Bar and Grill, Sunnyside Liquor Store, Royal Kebab Express, Spirits of Kensington, Cutting Room Floor, Sultan’s Tent, Caltech Computer Centre, Pho Mai Vietnamese Noodle House and Hillhurst United Church.

The Kensington BRZ links the inner city neighbourhoods of Hillhurst and Sunnyside, two of Calgary’s oldest communities. 

Located in the northwest quadrant of the city, this eclectic shopping district is adjacent to the Bow River and only a short walk from downtown.

The first building in Hillhurst-Sunnyside was built in 1882 and although settlement continued over the intervening years, the area did not experience its first ‘boom years’ until 1909-1912.  The population at that time was predominately Scottish and English.  Most homes were two story but many originally had neither running water nor indoor plumbing.  There were few trees and Riley Park was a farm.  The Canadian Pacific Railway owned much of the land in Hillhurst-Sunnyside and close to 90% of the working population was employed by the CPR.

The business district now referred to as Kensington was, even then, a shopping destination.  Although Hillhurst-Sunnyside was annexed to the city in 1907, to this day the area retains a distinctly separate identity and a village atmosphere.  Despite streets that were dirt with wooden sidewalks and a wooden bridge across the river, Kensington had streetcar service connecting the area to the rest of the city as early as 1910.  The shopping district boasted sidewalks as early as 1910 and 10^th Street was paved in 1915.  

Hillhurst-Sunnyside’s second population ‘boom’ occurred following the First World War.  Most of the homes built during this period were one story bungalows.  By the 1930s there were few vacant lots remaining and the area began to be considered inner city as development expanded north.

Nowadays, Kensington has excellent modern public transit service in the form of buses and Light Rail Transit (LRT) and continues to be a sought after location for retailers as well as a favored shopping and eating location for both locals and tourists. The Sunnyside LRT stop lets you off right in Kensington.

The Plaza Theatre is one of the oldest buildings left in Kensington.  Originally used as a “do it yourself” automotive repair shop with tools and advice supplied upon request, the Theatre was renovated in the early 1930s and used as a live theatre.  Nowadays, the Plaza is a well known destination for retro, unusual, avant guarde and cult movies.

There are several historic churches in the area as well. St. Paul’s Methodist Church (now housing Lifesport cycle shop), located at 1110 Gladstone Road NW and Hillhurst Presbyterian Church (now Hillhurst United) located at 1127 Kensington Road NW were built between 1906 and 1908.  The two churches are distinctly different, the former being a wooden church, the latter brick.  Both are charming examples of the architecture prevalent at the time.

Want to know even more about Kensington’s history?  Much of the above information was gleaned from a wonderful book, Harry M. Sanders, Ten Walks to Points of Historical

Calgary Herald Readers LOVE Kensington!  For the 9th year running Kensington has been voted #1 shopping district in Calgary by the Calgary Herald Reader’s Choice Awards. Thank you Calgary!!

Kensington businesses belong to a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ).  The role of a BRZ as defined by the Municipal Government Act is to enhance the economic development of a shopping district through promotion and marketing, to improve the physical environment of public spaces, and to develop, improve and maintain parking.  The Kensington BRZ was formed in 1985  and is one of nine BRZs in the City of Calgary.  The nine BRZs comprise the Federation of Calgary Business Revitalization Zones (C-Biz).  For more information about the federation and about other Calgary BRZs go to  www.c-biz.ca

DINE OUT CALGARY is coming to Kensington again this year. From March 5^th to 14^th, 2010 explore a succulent showcase of Calgary’s finest culinary offerings. With seven dining districts, three price points and a cornucopia of flavours from the city’s top chefs and restaurants, it all adds up to 10 days of fabulous feasting.   Make sure your restaurant is part of the action. Contact www.dineoutcalgary.com website which will include your name, location, contact information, selected price point, menu and how to make reservations.