We may develop the buildings, but it’s the people who live and work in them that bring them to life. Characters from all walks of life occupy our buildings across the city, and we want to get to know them better. 

Faith sat down with Jeff, a COLOURS resident, to find out more about him and his opinions on living in inner-city Calgary.

 

How long have you lived in COLOURS?

We moved into COLOURS in 2012. Initially, we rented, and then we bought in the building. Now our family has grown, and I work from home, we’re looking to move somewhere a bit bigger (although still in the city), but I love the condo lifestyle. I love being able to watch the world go by; I love the floor to ceiling windows and the fact that my son sits and watches the world go by with me. I love feeling like I’m part of something. When I take the dog for a walk at 10 pm and see people lining up outside habitat, it makes me smile.

 

Did you grow up here?

I’m born and raised Calgarian, but I grew up in the suburbs. So I was used to driving everywhere, I got my license at 16, and that was what I knew. My wife, on the other hand, grew up in Kensington and was used to walking everywhere and being in the center of everything.

 

What attracted you to the building and the neighbourhood?

When it came time to move out/in together, we’d decided that location was one of the most important factors. I had friends/colleagues who lived Downtown who were able to walk to work, and that’s what we wanted. There was a revitalization of the area happening at the time, and we loved the architecture of the building. When we first tried to rent in the building, we were shown around with two other couples, and my wife said, this is it. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it. A few months later, we came across a listing that had just been posted for the same floor plan only on the 15th floor, so we messaged the guy, and we got it! We were lucky, though, he told us that his phone had been blowing up. It was a totally different time back then! Then we were lucky enough to be able to buy in COLOURS and have lived there ever since.

 

What changes have you noticed in the neighbourhood?

When we first moved into the area, it didn’t have the best reputation; however, it was on the up. Since 2012 I genuinely believe that the arrival of businesses such as 10-foot Henry, Two Penny and most recently Leopold’s Tavern have completely transformed 1st and it’s reputation. It’s now a street that people want to come to.

 

What’s something you hope to see happen in the area in the future?

I’d like to see the Green Line go in. Decent public transport for cities is so important, and the Green Line will really help boost the area. I’d also like to see more of a connection to 17th AVE. At the moment, there’s some dead space, and I believe that once it’s filled and there’s a connection between 17th and 1st, it will be great for the area. 

 

What’s your favourite thing about Victoria Park? 

The location is key. As young 20, something’s we were right in the midst of things, and we were able to walk to work. Now, as parents, we’re still in the midst of things, although the places we tend to go to are a bit different. One of the best things about the area is the Beltline Aquatic and Fitness Centre. It’s truly the heart of the community. It’s cheap, it serves so many purposes, there’s a free after school program, and I even run a floor hockey game there every Monday.