Kensington, Calgary

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Location of Kensington in Calgary
Calgary road network
Location of Kensington in Calgary

Kensington is a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) in Calgary, Alberta, focused around the intersection of Kensington Road and 10th St. NW, also known as the Kensington-Louise Crossing Business Association. It resides primarily in the Hillhurst and Sunnyside neighbourhood, and successful marketing has made it such that the neighbourhood itself is erroneously referred to as Kensington. It is located immediately north of downtown and the Bow River. It lately has been considered one of Calgary's trendiest neighbourhoods and many of its shops, restaurants and drinking establishments have a distinctly Bohemian flare.

Kensington during the Sun and Salsa festival
Kensington during the Sun and Salsa festival
Hillhurst United Church on Kensington Close
Hillhurst United Church on Kensington Close

Unlike the 17th Avenue area, there are only a small number of late night establishments in Kensington. The last coffee shops close before midnight on weekdays. The drinking establishments (primarily Irish pubs) are relatively calm and do not promote the party atmosphere found on 17th Avenue. These include: Molly Malone's, Sam's, The Yardhouse, Kensington Pub, and Original Joe's

The Calgary C-Train (above ground light-rail transit system) runs through the Kensington area via Sunnyside Station. The station is located along 9A Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenue N.W.

[edit] History

The area was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and pioneer rancher Ezra Riley at the beginning of the 20th century[1], when Riley Park was used for horse pasture. The oldest building still standing is the Plaza Theater, built in the 1920s.

Today, the neighborhood hosts Christmas in Kensington Village in December, the Sun and Salsa festival in July, as well as the Bizarre Bikes & Bazaar in May.[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Where magazine (November 2005). Kensington neighborhood. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
  2. ^ Visit Kensington. Kensington Village. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.

Coordinates: 51°03′09″N 114°05′41″W / 51.0525, -114.09472 (Kensington)