Real Estate for Sale in Downtown Alberni

About Downtown Port Alberni

Downtown Port Alberni, also known as “The Uptown”, is the core shopping district in South Alberni. It starts at the intersection of Third Avenue and Argyle Street, then radiates outward from there. It is one of the oldest and most established sections of the city but has seen some upgrades in recent times. The blending of historic with new, trendy shops and restaurants is one of many features that makes this shopping district so unique. The neighbourhood connects into the Harbour Quay (located at the bottom of Argyle Street) where tourists and locals alike migrate and spend their time. Surrounding areas are residential, which makes the shopping district a perfect addition to that part of town. 

Real Estate in Downtown Port Alberni

Downtown Port Alberni’s real estate is largely commercial with some character homes nearby. As it is primarily a shopping district, commercial properties tend to face one of the main streets with street-side parking. Surrounding areas are residential with pockets of character homes and parks nearby. Some side streets have a mixture of commercial and residential properties, as well.

The commercial properties include office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. The Arts District on Argyle Street has entertainment venues with four buildings devoted to theatre and the arts. Third Avenue is lined mostly with stores, while Argyle Street is a mixture of stores, entertainment venues, and some residential properties. Most of the commercial properties are being used as retail locations by local tenants.  

Residential properties are a combination of single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums. This is a great neighbourhood to find character homes with unique and hard-to-find features compared to modern builds. As Downtown is part of South Alberni, the area is slightly elevated compared to waterfront properties. This means that many homes have a great view of the inlet and the surrounding mountains and ridges. There are a few apartments and condominiums nearby that take advantage of these amazing views even further. 

Things To Do

The Uptown core is filled with many shops and venues. There are places to eat, special events, and beautiful gardens to explore. 

The Arts District Entertainment

Just up Argyle Street is the acclaimed Arts District. Here you will find Chars Landing, the Capitol Theatre, Landmark Cinema, and the Rollin’ Art Centre. Landmark Cinema plays the latest movies with freshly made popcorn. If you’re in the mood for something live, the Capitol Theatre has a variety of plays put on by the Portal Players Dramatic Society, and Chars Landing has a rotating schedule of live music, spoken word, and much more. A block or two away is the Rollin’ Art Centre, where artists display their artwork in the gallery. A gift shop and a beautifully manicured garden complete the centre. 

Afternoon Shopping

One-stop shopping is the name of the game for Uptown. There are banks, coffee shops, a butcher, a second-hand store, kitchen and bedding shops, a cannabis dispensary, a yoga and wellness studio, restaurants, hair salons, insurance brokers, theatres, a laundromat, an established health food store, and so much more! In just one block you can grab a coffee, do your banking, buy a few gifts, stop for lunch, get a massage, and then buy some fresh meat to bring home for dinner. There is a large variety of stores in a concentrated area, making it very pedestrian-friendly. Street parking and a couple of parking lots make it even more convenient for vehicle users. 

Date Night Locations

Downtown is the perfect place for date night. For casual first dates, it’s a great idea to grab a coffee and a snack from Steampunk Cafe. Their indoor lounge library is the perfect place to relax while you get to know your date. It is popular for its great tasting coffee beverages, quick lunch options, and central location on the main shopping strip. The friendly staff and quiet atmosphere make it a calm place to have a first date, or to use as a place to recharge while out shopping. Feel like going outside? No problem, there is a fantastic garden space just steps away called Gaiga Square. This area has a tranquil fountain and plenty of seating. 

A great lunch spot with a bit of a fancier flair is Wildflower Bakeshop & Cafe. They have handmade pizza, cakes, pastries, and other unique lunch and dinner options. Most of their seating is outdoor, on a patio decorated beautifully with a flower garden. 

A few steps down Argyle is a bistro called Brie & Barrel. If you are looking for premium, fine dining, then this is the place to go. They have a small menu using local, high-quality ingredients paired with hand-selected wines and beers. Their private, outdoor patio area is perfect for intimate dinners. If you want to impress your date, then this is the place to take them! 

If you want something a bit more casual, but don’t want to compromise on flavour then Dog Mountain Brewing is a great choice. They have a menu bursting with flavour, handcrafted beer, and a covered and heated rooftop patio that overlooks the Alberni Inlet. Their beers are classics with a twist and the occasional unique brew. They have the best comfort foods like donairs, pulled pork mac and cheese, and nachos. If you are looking for a place to let loose and have a good time with great people, great food, and even better beer - then look no further!. 

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