Kensington, Calgary Neighbourhood Guide: Living, Dining, Shopping, and Real Estate

The Kensington district in Calgary has been around for more than a century and it continues to be one of Calgary’s favourite shopping and walking destinations for Calgarians and tourists. This is the place where we come to relax and enjoy the surroundings of beautiful Kensington streets that have the undeniable charm and character.

Are you thinking of moving to Calgary? Are you asking yourself where to live in Calgary? What’s the best neighbourhood in Calgary? In this section, I profile my favourite YYC communities. You will find out everything you need to know about Calgary’s best neighbourhoods.

Kensington Location

Kensington is a vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood located in the northwest quadrant of Calgary. Known for its unique blend of residential and commercial spaces, Kensington offers a lively atmosphere with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Kensington Road serves as the focal point of the area, intersecting with 10th St. NW and providing easy accessibility via major routes and the Calgary C-Train.

Kensington Real Estate

Kensington real estate is highly sought after due to its prime location and diverse housing options. From modern condos to charming heritage homes, there is something for everyone in this dynamic community.

Why we love Kensington

Kensington’s charm lies in its vibrant community spirit and the variety of amenities it offers. Whether you’re looking for a cozy café to spend your afternoon or a trendy boutique to shop at, Kensington has it all.

Living in Kensington

Living in Kensington means being part of a close-knit community with a rich history and a bright future. The neighbourhood is known for its walkability, making it easy to explore all that it has to offer.

Events

Kensington hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from street festivals to farmers’ markets. These events bring the community together and provide a great opportunity to experience the local culture.

Schools

Families in Kensington have access to a range of educational options, from public schools to private institutions. The neighbourhood’s commitment to education is evident in the quality of its schools.

Restaurants

Kensington is a food lover’s paradise, with a diverse array of restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, you’ll find it in Kensington.

1. KENSINGTON LOCATION

Kensington has spread across two Calgary communities called Hillhurst and Sunnyside. These are inner-city communities in Calgary located Northwest of the Downtown Core. Kensington is also known as a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) in Calgary, Alberta.

2. KENSINGTON REAL ESTATE

Kensington is so popular that it has become a sought-after rental hub in the city and home to above-average housing prices. There are many trendy condo developments here such as Pixel, VEN, St. John’s on 10th, Kensington By Bucci, Theodore, and Lido. There are also many homes here that are over 100 years old! Is it worth it?

You can buy a 110-year old house that needs a lot of work from $550,000 or a relatively new infill from $950,000 to almost $2 million dollars.  From character homes, modern infills to bright low-rise condos and modern townhouses – the choices are varied!

3. WHY WE LOVE KENSINGTON

Calgarians love Kensington for its unique atmosphere and the ideal location! You are close to everything – downtown is mere steps away and so is the Bow River, the Peace Bridge, Prince’s Island Park with its green spaces, playgrounds, and pathways.

There are also two large parks that are near the Kensington area – Riley Park with its amazing Outdoor Wading Pool area and Hillhurst Sunnyside park. There are lots of things to do here especially if you have children. You can even spend an entire weekend in Kensington, enjoying the amenities and attractions.

The Kensington atmosphere is hard to replicate anywhere else. This is one of a kind eclectic village that weaves together historic and modern elements so flawlessly that you become slowly attached to this neighbourhood.

4. LIVING IN KENSINGTON

Hillhurst and Sunnyside are those rare communities that have all the amenities you can dream of in one place within walking distance: Sunnyside Ctrain station (less than 3 minutes to Calgary Downtown), grocery stores (Safeway, Sunnyside Natural Market), Sidewalk Citizen Bakery (with the best chocolate croissants in Calgary!), Higher Ground Cafe, Hexagon Board Game Cafe,  Cob’s Bread, The Roasterie, Banks, Gas Stations, Fitness Centres, numerous Restaurants and even Regal Cat Cafe!

To learn more about what’s in and around Kensington, visit the website: http://kensingtonyyc.com.

5. KENSINGTON EVENTS

Kensington is always fun! There is always something going on in this charming community whether it’s a Farmer’s market, a romantic Christmas walk or a relaxed summer stroll. It is also home to many festivals such as the International Film Festival, Kensington Foodie Festival, and the Sun & Salsa Festival.  It also hosted their first Fantasy Faire called ‘Spend a Day in Kensington’s Diagon Alley’ (Harry Potter spin-off!).

6. KENSINGTON SCHOOLS

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is a post-secondary institution located on the Northside of Hillhurst. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (Jubilee) is also located near SAIT. The University of Calgary is less than 10 minutes away via Ctrain.

In terms of schools, you have the following options: Queen Elizabeth Jr High + High School, Hillhurst School (Elementary + Junior High School (K-9 ), and Rosedale School (Elementary + Junior High School (K-9).

7. KENSINGTON RESTAURANTS

There are so many different types of trendy restaurants and pubs in this area! Kensington restaurants are known for their exquisite cuisine, a variety of vegetarian dishes, and lots of establishments headed by well-known executive Chefs. Here is a quick list of notable restaurants in Kensington, Calgary: Vendome Cafe, Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey, Mat’s Diner, Kensington Pub, Raw Eatery and Market, Modern Steak, Tenshi Sushi, Tuk Tuk Thai, Cotto Italian Comfort Food, Tibet Kitchen, Pulcinella Pizza, Wow Chicken, Fusion Sushi & Thai Kensington, Original Joe’s, Niko’s Bistro, Oxbow, Shijo Sushi, Vero Bistro Moderne, Marathon Restaurant, Oolong Tea House, Oak Tree Tavern, Brasserie Kensington, Nellie’s on Kensington, Menyatai Japanese Noodles, Red’s Diner, and others!

For dining, Hotel Arts Kensington offers a boutique experience and is home to one of Calgary’s top restaurants, Oxbow, known for serving comfort food with a creative twist.

WANT TO LIVE IN KENSINGTON, CALGARY? INTERESTED IN APARTMENTS FOR SALE IN KENSINGTON? HOMES FOR SALE?KENSINGTON REAL ESTATE?

If you are unable to resist this charming community, let me know! I am a licensed real estate agent/Realtor and a property manager with CIR REALTY in Calgary, Alberta. I’ve been in real estate since 2011. Learn about me here.

If you want to get more information quickly and save yourself some time and effort, just send me a message, book an appointment with me (office or Zoom) or send me a text message – 403.835.6913 (I do not always pick up my phone as I am busy with clients, so for the fastest response, it’s better to text me or schedule an appointment online), and I’d be happy to help you figure out the best type of property in Calgary for you and your family.

If you are curious about what’s on the Calgary real estate market right now and want to know about interesting and fun Calgary events, sign up for my “Calgary Weekly Events in Your Inbox” here: http://bit.ly/yyceventslist