Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Edmonton’s hot new tourist spot brings a touch of Europe to the Prairies

Manchester Square in Edmonton collects a creative selection of local businesses in a walkable hub that feels more than a little like Europe.

Edmonton’s hot new tourist spot brings a touch of Europe to the Prairies

April 26, 2022 //  by Amy Attas

Share this:

When you think of Edmonton, Europe probably isn’t the first thing to jump to mind. There’s the Oilers hockey team, the enormous West Edmonton Mall, the Alberta Legislature and an economy founded on resource extraction.

Sure, there are a number of vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods in Alberta’s capital city (Whyte and Jasper Avenues, to name two), but they’re the exception, not the norm. So when local development firm 76 Group purchased a city lot on 107 Avenue NW, most people probably expected them to turn the former big box furniture store into one of those uninspiring gas station-fast food chains. Instead, they built Manchester Square.

“We’ll never be able to replicate Europe, but we wanted to emulate Europe,” says Giordano Morgulis, vice-president of the family-owned 76 Group, which still has strong ties to their European heritage. “We wanted to add some extra cultural flair to Edmonton. It’s all about the atmosphere.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel | Explore | Discover (@thewestcoasttraveller)

So instead of building a simple, rectangular strip mall, they drew up designs for a series of unique brick storefronts, each a different height, different colour, different style. The effect is more than just pleasing to the eye — it encourages community building, inspires creativity, and has turned a nondescript intersection into a new focal point for locals, tourists and influencers alike.

“We did unveil it at the worst possible time, in March 2020,” Morgulis says, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

With the surge in people taking neighbourhood walks at the beginning of the pandemic, locals stumbled across Manchester Square and started taking photos. It became a hotspot for influencers on Instagram and TikTok, and a favourite location for wedding and graduation photos.

“It gave us two years of amazing PR, and now that’s paying off with more local businesses moving in.”

The first tenant to open up shop was Arcadia Brewing Co., which pours local craft beers in a friendly atmosphere. Owner Darren McGeown was inspired by pubs in Northern Ireland, so the European feel of Manchester Square was a fitting venue for his brewery.

“When you come through the doors at the brewery, you can expect to feel like you’re at a block party or BBQ surrounded by old friends,” the Arcadia website writes.

Each storefront at Manchester Square includes a mezzanine as well as a ground-floor space, and Arcadia is using theirs for a live music stage, second bar and added seating. A few doors down, Morgulis says a gourmet pretzel shop will soon be moving in, using their upstairs space for community baking classes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manchester Square (@manchester_yeg)

“We’re focused on attracting local businesses. The local coffee shop, the local bakery, a place where you can get to know the owner and have a feeling of belonging,” he says.

One way developers have encouraged that sense of belonging is by offering space for others to be creative. Tenants have a large degree of flexibility when it comes to interior design and store signage, so strolling the square is an opportunity for discovery. Local artist Alixandra Jade was commissioned to paint two vibrant murals, free to leave her own mark. During construction, the developers encouraged Scorpio Masonry to go off-script and use their own creativity to enhance the unique brick work.

Alixandra Jade at the West Wall mural at Manchester Square in Edmonton. Photo courtesy Alixandra Jade

“As developers we know our vision, but it takes the creativity of every person on the team. We didn’t want to handcuff anyone to a specific idea,” Morgulis says.

The result is a burgeoning tourist destination. If travel is about surprise, discovery and culture, the unpredictability of Manchester Square is the perfect place to explore. Like any creative project designed to turn heads, Manchester Square has its skeptics. But Morgulis is choosing to keep his attention on those who are enthusiastic.

“No project is going to please 100 per cent of people, and that’s OK. We’re focusing on the people who love it, who say it’s a breath of fresh air.”

Wander the unique shops and restaurants of Manchester Square, including the one-of-a-kind artisan creations at Majesty and Friends.

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Canada, Edmonton, Places to Visit in Alberta, Staycation secrets

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

The three Western Canadian locations on FishingBooker.com’s list of Canada’s best fishing destinations reveal the…

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in CanadaRead More

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

A property that includes fescue grasslands, forests and wetlands near Waterton Lakes National Park in…

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern AlbertaRead More

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

Parks Canada says visitors will be able to start booking reservations for camping and other…

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activitiesRead More

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

What is an ‘easy’ hike? For a mountaineer, an easy hike might be one that…

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trailsRead More

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

A Kelowna photographer captured images of a pack of wolves while on a weekend hike…

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in KelownaRead More

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

He might be a better skier and influencer than any Gen Z could imagine, possibly…

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in GoldenRead More

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

What’s going on around the West Coast? Here’s your inside guide to what’s happening where,…

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!Read More

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

Many travellers believe spring and summer are the best times to explore. That means the…

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf IslandsRead More

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contest

A dramatic image by professional Vancouver Island photographer Anthony Bucci will represent Canada in a…

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contestRead More

Previous Post: « Scope of Salish Heron ferry design captivates artist
Next Post: Vancouver’s Celebration of Light to return in July with traditional flare »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Recent Posts

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved