The Forks vs East Village

Winnipeg’s The Forks and Calgary’s East Village have lots in common, both are at the confluence of two rivers, both were once railway yards and both are currently being redeveloped east of their respective downtown core. And pre-European settlement both were meeting places for indigenous people.

The Forks redevelopment began in 1987 with the creation of the Forks Renewal Corporation (a partnership of three levels of government), with the first project being the rehabilitation of a former stable buildings to the Forks Market, a mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs. This was followed by the creation of a dock area, riverwalk, Johnston Terminal (retail, office), Children’s Museum, Esplanade Riel (pedestrian bridge) Inn at the Forks, Baseball Park and Human Rights museum

However, only recently has The Forks begun to add residential development to the site with Railside, a 10-building (four to six storeys) development.

Calgary’s East Village transformation didn’t begin until forty year later with the formation of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC is a fully owned subsidiary of the city) and the province’s approval of the Community Revitalization levy. 

First, CMLC had to undertake a major upgrade of the Village’s infrastructure and flood mitigation, including raising the land by five feet to bring the 40-acre site above the 100 year flood level.

New developments happened quickly after that – 4th Street underpass (2011), Jack & Jean Leslie River Walk (2012), George C. King pedestrian bridge (2014), St. Patrick’s Island redevelopment (2015), National Music Center (2016) and Central Library (2018). In addition, a Hilton Hotel (320 rooms) opened in 2016 and Alt Hotel (155rooms) in 2018. All were designed to make the Village a more attractive place to live.  

In 2015 the first residential towers open and today there are a dozen high-rise residential buildings, creating 1,700 new homes, with the tallest being the Arris, s 41-storey tower (part of two tower development above a retail complex at street level that includes a Real Canadian Superstore).  

Currently five new residential developments (750 new homes), another hotel and another underpass to link East Village with Stampede Park are underway.

Calgary’s East Village has become an urban village, while The Forks is a recreational gathering place and tourist attraction.