Altadore is one of Calgary's hottest inner-city communities, and its appeal just keeps on growing, as a stream of new mixed-use condo projects, funky boutiques, grocery stores and fitness centres is rising along the 33rd and 34th Avenue corridors. The new additions stack the deck for a community that's already known for its quality pubs and restaurants. The coffee shops alone – think Monogram, Phil & Sebastian, Starbucks and, the latest addition, NHBR – are enough to attract the lion's share of latte-sipping Calgarians on frosty February mornings.

South Calgary just keeps getting better and better. It's an area charged with arts and culture, natural beauty, public art, funky coffee shops, and stellar restaurants. It's also home to beach volleyball courts and a public outdoor swimming pool, one of only a handful still operating in the city.

"The community has so much culture and vibrancy. It's so fun to just walk down 33rd Avenue and people watch," said South Calgary resident Jude Savoy, who has lived in the community for almost five years.

Calgary's 12 business improvement areas (BIAs) represent 20 per cent of city businesses, with over $600 million in assessed property/business value, and $59 million in taxes. They go to bat for almost 5,500 businesses each day.

And while traditionally formed in and around Calgary's core, Iris Li, the City of Calgary's neighbourhood partnership co-ordinator, says four new BIAs are being considered across the city, including in suburban areas.