Saskatoon is Saskatchewan's most populous city of about 240,000 people. Its setting on the South Saskatchewan River and seven river crossings have earned it such nicknames as "City of Bridges" and "Paris of the Prairies." Recently, Saskatoon has attracted national and international attention as Saskatchewan booms and Saskatoon leads most Canadian cities in economic growth. Last year, Britain's Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine named Saskatoon one of North America's "Top 10 Cities of the Future."
I took these photos on a Monday evening which explains the quiet street life. However, the pathways along the river were bustling with walkers, joggers and people enjoying the weather. Saskatoon has a relatively healthy downtown core that is steadily improving. Last year, the vacancy rate for downtown retail space was pegged at less than one percent. Office vacancy rates are plummeting too as 2 new office towers are predicted to be announced by year's end. Along with that, multiple warehouse conversions are underway that will add residential units to the core. A major re-development of the south downtown known as "River Landing" is apt to transform downtown in the coming years. It is very likely that Saskatoon's skyline will include many cranes and new buildings in the coming years.
Welcome to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Enjoy!
The Broadway Bridge
The iconic Bessborough Hotel
St. John's Cathedral
The University Bridge and University of Saskatchewan
Spadina Crescent
In Kiwanis Park
Saskatoon Square on 22nd Street
The much loved "Bez"
This nice lady invited me to take her picture so I gladly obliged.
21st Street
Looking west down 21st Street to Midtown Plaza and the CN Tower (centre)
Avord Towers
The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival puts Saskatoon on the map in the jazz world.
The former Eaton's Department Store. Now school board offices.
The Glengarry Building was recently sold to a New Yorker who plans to fully restore it.
The beautiful Avenue Building.
Hotel Senator first opened as the Flanagan Hotel in 1908.
Centre: Hallmark Place. Foreground: Saskatoon's first downtown office development since 1993 u/c (and more to come!)
PotashCorp Tower left, Princeton Tower right.
Third Avenue eats.
2nd Avenue
Midtown Plaza on First Avenue
Federal Building
The Canada Building, Saskatoon's first "skyscraper."
Looking east down 21st.
In 1911, Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier stepped off a train in Saskatoon and bought a newspaper from a young boy whom he conversed with. The conversation was cut short when the boy told the PM he couldn't talk anymore as he had work to do. That boy was John Diefenbaker, who would later become Prime Minister himself.
Canada Bldg.
Even Gandhi knows downtown Saskatoon is where it's at.
The historic King George Hotel being converted to condos.
Decent residential density.
The view of the University Bridge down 24th Street.
Looking up the Broadway Bridge to trendy and historic Nutana.
Friendship Park
Broadway Bridge
Saskatoon's first river crossing which allowed the formation of the city, known officially as the "Traffic Bridge." Also known as "Victoria Bridge."
Riverwalk at River Landing Phase I. Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge (Idylwyld Freeway) in background.
Interactive water play feature u/c at River Landing that depicts the SS River basin.
Nutana
Prairie Wind sculpture and newly completed Persephone Theatre at River Landing.
Construction is slated to begin this fall. I can't wait!
4th Avenue
Thanks for viewing!
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