Downtown Westend

Established 1884

On the west side of downtown is a small yet bustling residential area between 9th and 14th Street SW. To the north runs the Bow River and to the south runs the Canadian Pacific Railway. Downtown Calgary became established with the arrival of the CPR in 1883. By 1884, the CPR had laid out Calgary's grid pattern of streets and avenues, initiated by the sale of properties and, by its very presence, had dictated that the town centre would be situated close to the train depot. Many of the original sandstone buildings, developed around the turn of the century, are still found along Stephen Avenue Mall. Currently, the commercial core contains the greatest concentration of Calgary's high density, commercial, financial, retail and governmental uses. Increased development in recent years has made way for many new high-rise condominiums with beautiful mountian and river views. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and the +15 indoor pedestrian system make it easy to get around.