The renowned yearly exhibition draws visitors from around the world each July, and for ten days Calgary is bursting at the seams with activity and excitement. However, there are those who would like visitors to see what a vibrant and diverse city Calgary is—even when the cowboy boots and hats have been put away. To this end, projects are underway in attempts to revitalize Victoria Park and to recreate an area that was once a thriving community in its own right. 

With its grand opening this summer, the new Stampede Casino unveiled 96,000 square- feet of gaming, restaurants and year-round entertainment. Stampede Trail is another attempt to stimulate growth in the area, with a proposed project encompassing eight city blocks and providing Victoria Park with 170,000 square-feet of retail space, 60,000 square-feet of office space, and an immense luxury hotel. With this and many other future plans, including art galleries and a variety of local shops and fine-dining venues, it only stands to reason that the area would require a number of permanent residence opportunities. The TORODE Group of Companies anticipated this need, and the company’s president, John Torode, shared the vision of a renewed community that includes innovative residential projects with an abundance of incorporated amenities.

The first of two recent Victoria Park projects by TORODE Residential Ltd. is arriVa, an aesthetically impressive three-tower condominium development that encompasses a full city block within Victoria Park. Situated between 3 Street and Olympic Way and covering 11 and 12 Avenues S.E., the first of the sparkling glass towers is already complete, and the second is on its way to becoming Alberta’s tallest residential tower, offering 43 stories of impressive architecture and beautiful living spaces. The vision behind Victoria Park’s revitalization includes a marriage of historic and contemporary architecture and aesthetics. 

In keeping with these ideals, arriVa has preserved two heritage school buildings built in the early 1900s, incorporating a brick-and-sandstone podium for the arriVa towers while retaining the historical character of the area. 

In addition to the abundant residential space offered by arriVa, the podium of the project includes restaurants, a spa, wine store and dental and medical centres, ensuring the project houses its fair share of the amenities that will facilitate the growth of this exceptional community.  

The newest TORODE Residential project is Viva. Located a few block east of arriVa, Viva offers a pair of residential towers just steps away from the Elbow River and its fantastic pathway system. Imagine avoiding the increasing gas prices and contributing to the health of the environment by being able to leave the car behind and enjoy a refreshing walk to work—just one of the advantages of investing in an inner-city community. With all the area’s future plans the established amenities already available, Victoria Park is a great place to call home and an important investment in the future. You could be enjoying the recreational facilities of the Talisman Centre, taking in a concert or a game at the Pengrowth Saddledome, or indulging in the many cultural venues practically on your doorstep when you live in one of Calgary’s most historic neighbourhoods.  

For more information about arriVa, Viva and the new Victoria Park, visit http://www.torode.com