West Hillhurst

Overview

West Hillhurst runs along the north bank of the Bow River just west of Kensington. It was annexed in 1907 but largely built after the Second World War, when Victory Homes went up for returning soldiers. A number of those original houses are still standing, now surrounded by decades of infill, and Crowchild Trail cuts through the middle of the community.

Lifestyle

The river is the draw. The Bow pathway runs along the southern edge straight into downtown and Prince’s Island Park, and the community has its own association centre, outdoor pool, parks and rinks. Foothills Medical Centre, the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the University of Calgary are all close, which shapes who ends up living here.

What you get here

The post war Victory Homes are the base layer here, small houses built quickly for returning soldiers, and some remain close to original. Everything since has been layered on top: 1970s and 1980s infill, newer detached builds, duplexes and low rise condo buildings, with roughly three in ten dwellings being condo or apartment as of the 2016 census. Teardown and rebuild activity has been steady for years, so expect a wide spread of house ages and quality on the same street.

Getting around

Crowchild Trail and Memorial Drive both serve the community, and downtown is a short drive, a ride along the Bow pathway, or a walk from the east end. There is no LRT station inside West Hillhurst, but Kensington and its train access sit immediately east. Crowchild splits the community, so your practical commute depends a lot on which side of it you live on.

Schools

The community is served by schools in and around West Hillhurst and neighbouring Hillhurst, including the Queen Elizabeth schools to the north. Because Crowchild Trail splits this community, designation can differ from one side of it to the other, so look up your specific address with the CBE or Calgary Catholic before you count on a school.

What to check before you buy here

• An original Victory Home was built as temporary housing. If you are buying one, understand that you are largely buying land and location, and have the structure properly assessed.
• Proximity to Crowchild Trail is the main pricing variable inside this community. Stand in the backyard and listen before you decide whether the discount works for you.
• The south end of this community sits close to the Bow. Check the City flood maps against the specific address, and get an insurer to confirm overland water coverage in writing before you firm up.
• Close to half the housing here was renter occupied as of the 2016 census. If you are buying to live in, look hard at the immediate block rather than the community average.

Market snapshot

Market Snapshot

West Hillhurst

Monthly Report·September 2026

Benchmark Price

$880,100▼down 3.0%vs. September 2025

Sales

9▲up 50.0%vs. September 2025

New Listings

23▼down 12.0%vs. September 2025

Days on Market

20

Months of Supply

6