Downtown

Originally situated west of the present-day legislature grounds, Fort Edmonton’s growth led to the town’s eastward expansion due to the nearby Hudson Bay Company Reserve lands. This shift relocated the bustling commercial center to Jasper Avenue and 97th Street by the turn of the century, shaping the area’s urban landscape. Today, Downtown Edmonton, bordered by 105th Avenue to the north and the North Saskatchewan River Valley escarpment to the south, is a vibrant mix of institutions, offices, retail spaces, and residences, complemented by convenient access to LRT stations and major transportation routes. Continuously evolving since the 1970s, Downtown has seen ongoing redevelopment, with a recent focus on residential intensification alongside planned projects like the Arena district and the Royal Alberta Museum, promising further enrichment of the neighborhood’s commercial and recreational offerings.