In January, we surveyed Calgary’s first shopping mall. In summertime, let’s consider its outdoor promenades.

Stephen Avenue comes to mind. It’s a National Historic Site and served as Calgary’s main commercial street from 1880 until the 1930s. Its centrality is marked by beautiful examples of Victorian, Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architecture. I have fond childhood memories of visiting Stephen Ave, to see Aunt Barb, who worked in the 1932 Bank of Montreal building, or to take luncheon with Aunt Maria at the 1913 Hudson’s Bay Department Store (the fries and gravy were a must!).

“Stephen Avenue looking east from 134 – 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1897-1899], (CU1126014) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

Stephen Ave’s grandeur contrasts with the workhorse nature of Bridgeland-Riverside’s two main streets, 1st Ave NE and 4th Street.

“View of Calgary, Riverside district, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1908], (CU1197128) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

Bridgeland dates back to the 1880s, when Russian-German immigrants, then Ukrainians and Italians, took up residence. Over the decades, it’s been a first stop for many newcomers to our bustling prairie city. Its main streets contain fine examples of Edwardian commercial buildings, including the 1911 Morasch Block and 1909 Reliance (Armour) Block. Today, many eclectic shops, eateries and services await you.

The Reliance (Armour) Block, an Edwardian commercial-style building constructed in 1909-1912, former site of Wiggins Hall, June 2024. Photo courtesy of Anthony Imbrogno.

A modern promenade is Britannia Plaza (Elbow Drive and 49th Ave SW). Britannia was Calgary’s first comprehensively planned community designed by the City’s Planning Department. It’s a complete neighbourhood, with a park, public building (today’s B’nai Tikvah Temple), mixture of dwellings, and a shopping plaza, completed in 1955.

Britannia Plaza, Elbow Drive & 49 Avenue SW, June 2024. Photo courtesy Anthony Imbrogno.

The Plaza joined the area’s other destinations, the Calgary Golf and Country Club (Alberta’s oldest private golf club, est. 1909) and the Windsor Park Riding Stables and Racetrack. It fit in nicely with the existing stores, McDermid Greig Drugs and the no.7 branch of Jenkins Groceteria. Henry Jenkins brought the first self-serve grocery store to Canada in 1918. Behind Jenkins was the end of the trolley line. The building burnt down in 1978 and was rebuilt, today housing Sunterra Market.
The Plaza was a model for other promenades, including Cambrian Heights, Haysboro, Mayland Heights and the now-demolished Stadium Shopping Centre. With its suburban London feel and old-world name, Britannia Plaza retains a unique charm and ambiance.

“Jenkins’ Groceteria No. 7, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1955], (CU1207905) by Rosettis Studio. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.


Take a stroll before the season changes and enjoy Calgary’s outdoor promenades.

– Anthony Imbrogno is a volunteer with The Calgary Heritage Initiative Society/Heritage Inspires YYC

– All copyright images cannot be shared without prior permission

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