Well .. I live in Arris East and have since the tower opened. It's a great building - the units are spacious and the amenities are second to none. My wife and I left the housing market after years living in the inner city and owning a home in a nice neighbourhood. We decided renting is our preferred way to go for the foreseeable future as we won't be tied down.
I am told by Arris mgmt that the east tower is at 100% occupancy. (Although this fluctuates as people are moving out/in each month). EV has a whole lot going for it - BUT - the DIC issue is a growing AND serious problem down here. It has only gotten worse over the past two years that I've been here. Drug problems, public injecting, crack smoking, violence, fights, theft, public urination and deification abound down here in plain sight every day. I have seen several bodies removed and was here during one murder. It's a massive juxtaposition of purposes given the amazing architecture and work the developers have put in place to then allow this entire neighbourhood to go into the toilet with the DIC issues and the street drug problem.
I have met many (MANY) young tenants in the building (especially young women) who do not feel safe to go out the front door in the daytime (let alone at night). I have friends who don't like visiting us due to the street issues (although maybe that's just an excuse so they don't have to visit - LOL).
I am told the West tower is being marketed initially to Vancouver real estate investors who will then try to rent the units out.
I just cannot see a young Calgary couple looking for a home having to step over crack users to get to the show suite wanting to even enter the front door.
I am hopeful this ongoing street problem can be cleaned up - time will tell. It's not just the druggies who are victims - the entire community is.