Manchester is recognized as Calgary’s very first industrial district, located just southeast of the Stampede grounds. It is often considered the city’s premier industrial area, and here’s why this dynamic quadrant stands out. Read more below on calgary-name.
What is Manchester All About? A Brief History
Manchester Industrial lies east of Macleod Trail and south of 34th Avenue S (this section is also referred to as Burnsland). In 1914, it was initially a residential development located near Calgary’s oldest Central Industrial Area. By 1940, most of the residential homes on the second street had been built, and the 1950s ushered in a 30-year period of industrial warehouse construction.
The district continued to grow. For instance, Manchester Elementary School opened in 1956, and by 1968, the population reached 800 residents living across a total of 255 dwelling units.
The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of the suburbs, causing the population in the Manchester area to decline. The school closed in 1973, and old houses were either demolished or repurposed for commercial use. By 1982, the area featured a 14-story apartment building, three two-story office buildings, and two older houses repurposed into commercial premises.
Since then, Manchester Industrial has become an attractive location for carpentry shops, auto repair garages, and warehouses. The area draws tenants for office and commercial space, although its proximity to downtown Calgary has inevitably driven up land values.
Knowledge about the history of this location was compiled through “Heritage Inspires YYC,” a volunteer-driven company aimed at encouraging Calgarians to protect, repurpose, and support historical buildings, cultural heritage, and the character of local districts. The charitable company’s website notes that the project was made possible by a grant from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation and the Calgary Heritage Initiative, an organization called “Calgarians for Heritage Districts.”
Community Building and Vibrancy
This district is truly special because it fosters a spirit of cooperation and community building. Despite being primarily industrial, Manchester offers engaging activities and events, such as a culinary club, “Toddler and Me” groups, and a book club. By following the Manchester community’s Instagram page, you can always stay informed about the latest happenings. Attending these events is a great way to meet neighbours, learn something new, and have fun in a pleasant atmosphere.
For example, in September 2024, neighbours came together to build a new community garden where local residents can independently learn about and grow food, herbs, and flowers. The Manchester Garden also hosts interesting events like rock painting evenings and a kids’ gardening club. This provides an opportunity for everyone to learn about and engage with the new green space.
The area borders the Manchester industrial complex to the north, south, and east, while families, seniors, and students primarily reside near Macleod Trail to the west.
While this district doesn’t have a formal community association, a dedicated group of volunteers and Calgary staff helps run the neighbourhood organization.
Commercial Enterprises: The Creative Hub
Manchester Industrial in Calgary is home to a wide range of commercial enterprises.
- Auto body repair shops that service the city’s vehicle fleet. These shops specialize in restoring damaged vehicle bodies (e.g., after accidents or for other reasons). The convenience of these businesses being located within an industrial zone is highly valued by customers and suppliers.
- Bottle depots are part of Alberta’s recycling and container return system. Local residents and businesses drop off empty glass, plastic, and metal bottles at these locations and receive a small deposit refund. After receiving the containers, bottle depot workers sort, compress, and send them to recycling facilities.
- Alcohol collection sites specialize in the collection of alcoholic beverages in containers (bottles, cans). These businesses are important in the recycling system, as they help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. The collected containers are then processed.
- A notable highlight is that the Manchester district became the heart of craft brewing in 2013. The area attracted brewers due to its unique and eclectic spaces, convenient manufacturing conditions, accessibility, and central location. For example, brewing with a back room and street access was readily available here. Breweries were centrally located and easily accessible by bike or transit.
- Manchester also hosts several craft distilleries, including craft cideries and Calgary’s only urban winery. This underscores the district’s reputation as a centre for innovative production.
- The district is home to Alloy Restaurant, consistently ranked among the city’s best establishments. The venue has a unique charm and continually draws foodies who appreciate not only exquisite cuisine but also interesting, unusual locations.
- In the eastern part of the area, you can find Rick Rack Textiles. Calgarians attend sewing classes here and can find unique prints, indie patterns, and much more. Citizens who love to sew their own clothes or want to learn how to do so highly value Rick Rack.
James Stauch once said that Manchester Industrial in Calgary is an industrial area where unique and often unexpected businesses are found around every corner. This rings true, as the district successfully blends industrial activity with creative enterprises that invite continuous discovery.