While 2020 has been a very difficult year for Calgary on so many fronts, residential development in the City Centre continues to be strong as residential developers remain positive regarding its future.

The key to downtown and the City Center’s future is not filling up the empty office spaces (though that is important also) but adding more residential development and filling it up with Calgarians of all ages and backgrounds.

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A healthy City Center is one where the streets, parks, plazas and pathways are the front yard, back yard and playground for a critical mass of people. This is what every city in North America is striving for - Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Kitchener, Halifax, London, Portland, Boise, Atlanta, Austin etc etc.

An ambitious goal for Calgary would be 150,000+ people living in our City Centre (about the same number of people who work there) by 2030. Did you know 90,000 Calgarians currently live in the 17 communities within two kilometres (30 minute walk) of downtown core?

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Kensington Village

Currently, almost 2,500 new homes have either been recently completed or under construction which hopefully will attract about 4,000 new residents over the next two years. Here are some of the larger projects.

In Kensington the newest project, Graywood Developments’ Theodore, has started construction across from the Safeway and just a block from the LRT station.  This IBI-designed building is 10-storeys high and will add 114 new homes. &nbs… — In Kensington the newest project, Graywood Developments’ Theodore, has started construction across from the Safeway and just a block from the LRT station. This IBI-designed building is 10-storeys high and will add 114 new homes.

Just north on 5th Ave NW, half a block from 10th Street is Spray Group’s, The Vic on 5th designed by Calgary’s Casola Koppe Architects. This six-storey wood framed building will have 90 new homes, some backing onto Riley Park. — Just north on 5th Ave NW, half a block from 10th Street is Spray Group’s, The Vic on 5th designed by Calgary’s Casola Koppe Architects. This six-storey wood framed building will have 90 new homes, some backing onto Riley Park.

A third Kennsington project, The Annex, on 9A Street NW is a nine-storey Minto Communities Canada project, designed by Calgary’s Nyhoff Architects. It has 108 new homes and is a short walk to downtown, the river, as well as all of the shops, cafes a… — A third Kennsington project, The Annex, on 9A Street NW is a nine-storey Minto Communities Canada project, designed by Calgary’s Nyhoff Architects. It has 108 new homes and is a short walk to downtown, the river, as well as all of the shops, cafes and restaurants in Kensington Village.

Downtown West

Just across the Bow River in Downtown West, the first West Village Tower is nearing completion with the second tower rising and a third tower planned.

This Cidex project, designed by NORR’s Dubai and Calgary offices will vie with Telus Sky as Calgary’s signature residential building.

Making a bold architectural statement along 9th Avenue as you enter downtown, the two towers will add about 478 new homes just a hop skip and jump to LRT Station, Shaw Millennium Park and Bow River.

The first tower will welcome residents in summer of 2021 with 236 new homes.

Beltline

Head further east and phase one of Hine’s Park Central opened up last summer with 260 new homes at 4thSt and 12th Ave SW. Designed by Toronto’s Kirkor Architects and Planners, residents have Memorial Park/Library just out their front door and a… — Head further east and phase one of Hine’s Park Central opened up last summer with 260 new homes at 4thSt and 12th Ave SW. Designed by Toronto’s Kirkor Architects and Planners, residents have Memorial Park/Library just out their front door and an easiy walk to 17th Ave, Stephen Avenue, The Core, Olympic Plaza Arts District and the Bow River.

Go further east to find the recently completed 379-home, 38-storey Strategic Group’s UPTEN residence. It may well become better known as the Van Gogh Tower given the huge, dramatic sculpture of Van Gogh at the building’s entrance at the corner of 10… — Go further east to find the recently completed 379-home, 38-storey Strategic Group’s UPTEN residence. It may well become better known as the Van Gogh Tower given the huge, dramatic sculpture of Van Gogh at the building’s entrance at the corner of 10th Ave and 1st St SE.

Veer a few blocks south to find two of the three Curtis Block Towers (36 and 34-storeys) well on their way to completion (between 12th and 14th Ave SE along Macleod Trail.  This ONE Properties’ project, designed by Miami-based Arquitectoni… — Veer a few blocks south to find two of the three Curtis Block Towers (36 and 34-storeys) well on their way to completion (between 12th and 14th Ave SE along Macleod Trail. This ONE Properties’ project, designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica and Calgary’s DIAlOG will add 628 new homes as well as street level retail. Curtis Block residents will have the redeveloped Stampede Station, expanded BMO Centre and new arena just minutes away.

East Village

In East Village, the first of two planned residential towers above the Superstore is under construction. Arris by Embassy Bosa, is a 24-storey tower, designed by Vancouver’s Amanat and Calgary’s Gibbs Gage Architects. Its 190 new homes will open this summer.

Rendering of Arris’ two residential towers above the retail base building.

Bridgeland/Riverside

Each of the three Bridgeland/Riverside projects has a uniquely funky design and is conveniently located near the LRT station, St. Patrick’s Island, downtown and Bridgeland’s budding Main Street along 1st Ave NE.