Painted on the back of the sandstone Hudson Block is a 100 x 40ft mural by artist Curtis Van Charles. It is centred around George Stephen, 8th Avenue’s namesake, surrounded by symbols of his life accomplishments.
Stephen was the first President of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1884. The CPR was instrumental in physically uniting the nation and shaping the city of Calgary.
The CPR built its station where the Calgary Tower stands today. It then began to lay out the streets that became the downtown core. This effectively moved the town from the east to the west side of the Elbow River. To learn more, explore Inglewood – Urban Sanctuary.
Exploring and Urban Lookouts
In 2002, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada declared Stephen Avenue a National Historic District. It is one of only three in Western Canada. It is one of the most walkable streets in the city. The avenue is full of heritage buildings, shops, restaurants, and patios in the summer.
It is also a connector to arts and culture. Arts Commons and a Reimagined Glenbow anchor the east end. They show the investment in the future of Stephen Avenue as part of the Downtown Strategy.
When exploring this historic site, the mural of Stephen is a great urban lookout. Located across from the Hyatt Regency on Centre Street and 7th Avenue. This lookout provides amazing sight lines of the iconic Calgary Tower, Telus Sky and The Bow.
It is a short walk up Centre Street to explore another lookout point at Wonderland. From this public art installation, you can observe how the tallest buildings in the city have impacted the urban landscape.
You can also see how they have affected the skyline. Further north is Chinatown, Centre Street Bridge, Bow RiverWalk and the surrounding pathway system.
A National Historic District
This hallmark downtown Mainstreet was constructed mainly from 1880 to 1930. It includes over thirty restored historic retail buildings. These buildings feature Victorian, Art Deco, and Beaux-Arts elements. These styles exemplify the construction era that led to Calgary’s reputation as the Sandstone City. Learn more about this period and vote for the best sandstone building using the link.
“Stephen Avenue demonstrates the central role that such retail streets have played, and continue to play, in the Canadian urban experience.” Parks Canada
Hudson’s Bay Company
The oldest trading company/retailer in Canada is the Hudson’s Bay Company. Its historical contribution to the growth of the city is reflected in three buildings.
In 1876, the HBC built a trading post near the fort. This location was east of the Elbow River. Learn more about this space and period of local history at this destination – Inglewood | Urban Sanctuary.
The trading post moved to the location of the Hudson Block when the CPR came to Calgary in 1883. A wood-frame structure was constructed in 1884 and replaced with a sandstone building in 1890–91. It doubled in size in 1895 and expanded again in 1905, with a larger store built between 1911 and 1913.
Hudson’s Bay store #4 was the first of HBC’s original six modern flagship department stores. It is a Chicago commercial-style building with Edwardian Classical features. Made from steel, concrete, and brick, clad with cream-glazed terracotta.
The site initially opened on the northern half of the property along 1st Street and 7th Avenue. In 1929, the 8th Avenue façade and the colonnade were added. The location saw a third stage of expansion to the west in 1957.
Outside the Hudson’s Bay building is arguably Calgary’s most recognizable public art installation since 1981. Conversation by Canadian sculptor William Hodd McElcheran depicts two bronze businessmen engaged just as the title describes.
Next Steps – Where to go from here
Across the intersection from HBC’s Store #4, at the SE corner is the historic Alberta Hotel. Built in 1888, it is one of the first buildings to use sandstone after the fire of 1886.
Behind it is another public art installation: Emergent, located on 9th Avenue and 1st Street. This urban lookout reflects the influence of the CPR on the early development of Calgary as an urban centre.
Heritage Calgary provides a walking tour where you can explore Stephen Avenue in more detail.
Explore the cityscape and your imagination in a Monopoly-styled, choose your adventure.
Wonderland – Building a Legacy is available on the Story City App and includes more destinations like this.
The Urban Explorer 