Firstly, here is a definition of what waterfront means in Calgary real estate.
In the Calgary MLS and local real estate market, waterfront properties are generally categorized into three main types based on the body of water they border:
- Lakefront Homes: These are properties located directly on one of Calgary’s many man-made residential lakes. Key lake communities include Lake Bonavista, Mahogany, Auburn Bay and McKenzie Lake
- Riverfront Properties: This category includes homes and luxury condos situated along the Bow River or Elbow River. Notable areas for riverfront living include Eau Claire (home to the "Waterfront" condo complex), Riverdale and Hillhurst.
- Waterfront Communities: While not every home in these neighborhoods is directly on the water, the Waterfront Communities (often designated as C1 or C8 in MLS searches) refer to urban areas designed around water access or river views, particularly in the downtown core.
Waterfront By Location/Quadrant
- SE Calgary Waterfront: Includes Mahogany (including Mahogany Bay), Auburn Bay, and McKenzie Lake.
- SW Calgary Waterfront: Includes homes in areas like Britannia, Riverdale, and various new developments.
- NW Calgary Waterfront: Features areas like Arbour Lake, Tuscany, and Bowness.
- NE Calgary Waterfront: Includes communities like Coral Springs
Key waterfront categories in the Calgary MLS include:
- Riverfront / River View: Properties, often in areas like Bowness (Bow Crescent), West Hillhurst (Parkdale Blvd), Rideau-Roxboro, and Inglewood, that back directly onto the Bow River or Elbow River.
- Canal / Canal Front: Specifically in communities like Airdrie's "The Canals," these homes have direct access to artificial canal systems for activities like canoeing or rafting.
- Lakefront / Lake Access: Found in communities with managed lakes, such as Lake Bonavista, Mahogany, Auburn Bay, and McKenzie Lake.
- Wetlands / Natural Water Features: Properties listed as bordering ponds or natural, protected wetland areas, sometimes in developing areas like southwest Calgary.