Heritage Calgary Walking Tours: Warehouse District & East Village
Heritage Calgary
Warehouse District & East Village Walking Tour
The Warehouse District is a stretch between Olympic Way SE to 4 Street SW, between 10 and 12 Avenues SW, where a great many cross-Canada companies established warehouses, shops and offices.
The Warehouse District was established in the early 20th century as an important wholesale and distribution centre between Winnipeg and Vancouver. Calgary, being the last large settlement along the CPR mainline before the mountains (or the first settlement after leaving the mountains,) made for an ideal location for a major rail centre. The line north to Edmonton cemented this.
An influx of settlers and immigrants to the city and region helped Calgary thrive as a commercial centre. From Calgary's wholesale district local and national companies supplied the growing city and region with a wide array of merchandise including farm machinery and parts, groceries, dry goods, building supplies and hardware.
Downtown East Village is the site of some of the newest condominiums and apartments. The new Central Library and the National Music Centre call the East Village home. A lot of new is in the growing neighbourhood, but there is a good deal of important history to Calgary still standing.
The Simmons Warehouse and the King Edward Hotel have both been repurposed, with the King Edward having been deconstructed and incorporated into the NMC. Also standing is the St Louis Hotel, restored in 2016 and the Hillier Block, also having been restored.