March 27, 2014 | CREBNow

Living It Up on 17th

When deciding on what area of Calgary would be the perfect location to call home, amenities and lifestyle can be a huge factor.

Calgary's 17th Avenue offers a great location for those wanting to be close to downtown living and includes close to 400 unique shops, restaurants, coffee shops and pubs along the well-known stretch of road.

Beltline resident, Lindsey Rizkalla said, "I really like living within walking or biking distance of everything I need." Currently, known as 17th Ave Retail & Entertainment District, 17th Avenue has been through transformations such as Uptown 17th and was home to the infamous Red Mile during the Calgary Flames '03/'04 playoff run. The Retail & Entertainment District brand came from 17th Avenue being a lively outdoor environment that embraces a vibrant personality.

"I like that it's busy, the amount of people always makes me feel like it's a real community," said Rizkalla. "There's always people around and things going on."

For those thinking of calling the area home, CREB®'s Calgary Regional Housing Market Statistics report stated the city's condominium market benefited from significant gains in new listings. Year-to-date, condominium apartment and townhouse listings improved by a respective 17 and four per cent for a combined total of 1,737 units in Calgary.

"As we move into the spring market we expect that listings will improve in all sectors," said CREB® President Bill Kirk. "The rise in listings will help ease some of the tightness in the market, with price growth impacts varying by community and property type."

The report says condominium apartment and townhouse prices totaled a respective $283,400 and $309,700. Condominium apartment and townhouse sales increased by 28 per cent compared to last year, after the first two months of this year.

TALISMAN CENTRE
Known for its iconic architecture, the Talisman Centre opened its doors in 1983, first to host the Western Canada Summer Games, and then shortly after opened to the public for their fitness needs. The aquatic centre features two eight-lane, 50-metre Olympic sized pools, an Olympic-calibre dive tank with spring boards, hot tubs, a shallow teach pool and a steam room. There are five full-size gymnasiums, two running tracks, a fitness centre with 25,000 sq. ft. of cardio and weight training space, and group fitness classes. Check out their website at www.talismancentre.com for all services or visit them at 2225 Macleod Trail South.

TUBBY DOG
Walking home from the night scene on 17th Avenue, Tubby Dog is the place for your late night eats. Making its presence known with mustard yellow and ketchup red decor, Tubby Dog serves a mean hot dog with many combinations of fixings. Not only can you grab a dog with a fried egg, chips, bacon or even peanut butter and jelly, but it is also a hub for music. Country musicians and punk rockers alike have stepped through the doors of Tubby Dog to put on a show. Located at 1022 17 Ave SW Tubby Dog is open Sunday to Saturday with walk-up window service open 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends.

ANALOG CAFE
If you're looking for a spot to recharge after spending some time walking down 17th Avenue, Analog Café is the place for a caffeine fix and relaxation. The stand-alone location at 740- 17th Ave. SW opened in 2012 to offer customers an environment to relax and enjoy a meticulously prepared beverage. Analog Café showcases their elite coffees, which are highlighted by careful preparation. The world's best brewing equipment is used, and the coffee is prepared by professional baristas who have a passion for exceptional coffee. Stop in and experience a perfectly crafted coffee and a delicious snack.

STEELING HOME
When this popular spot first opened in 1993, in an 11th Street location, it had a focus on hand-forged iron and steel. The store then evolved to include an array of interesting and practical house wares and objects that will add wit and whimsy to any home. In 2009 the store moved to its current location on 17th Avenue. From kitchen, home décor, jewelry, books and more this little store has a one-of-a-kind piece for everyone. When strolling down 17th Avenue be sure to pop in to Steeling Home to find that special something for your home or even just for you.

Tagged: Calgary Real Estate | Calgary Real Estate News | Downtown Calgary