The Bridge: Living in a modern art gallery

It has now been almost 25 years since Calgary’s General Hospital was demolished and 20 years since “The Bridges” master plan was approved.  Like all master plans (be they suburban or urban, private or government managed) they take decades to complete.  

“The Bridges” master plan identified 16 residential development sites, of which all but one has now been completed - each one adapting to new economic challenges, market demands and site opportunities and challenges.   

Recently I toured “The Bridge”, by JEMM Properties, the latest, largest and most unique residential project to be built - not only in Bridgeland/Riverside, but north of the Bow River. Designed by Zeidler Architecture it has a unique massing with a 16-storey main tower, with attached 12 and 10 storey secondary towers to create 258 new homes.  It is quickly filling up with digital nomads from around the word.

It includes several commercial spaces along the 9th Street NE side of the building. A new Good Earth Café will open this year. It is ideally situated within easy walking distance to the Bridgeland/Riverside LRT station, Murdoch and St. Patrick’s Island Parks, as well as Tom Campbell’s Hill Natural Park, First Ave NE main street and of course downtown. 

And it is just minutes from the Bridgeland/Riverside LRT Station, making it the perfect 15-minute neighbourhood.

The Bridge residential complex, is part of a massive redevelopment of Calgary’s Bridgeland/Riverside neighbourhood into a 15-minute urban village.

The Residents

Having access to a podcast studio is a unique amenity.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is these days is “Who is moving into all of these new residential towers in the City Centre?” 

My typical answer is young professionals and empty nesters, who want to enjoy the benefits of a walkable urban community i.e., access to diversity of restaurants, cafes, shops, gyms, bars, pubs, lounges, shops, parks, pathways, festivals and events.

What I was surprised to learn is about 25% of the people who have moved into The Bridge are recent international immigrants to Calgary, many of them the digital nomads we hear so much about today.

Digital nomads are people who live and work where they want, rather than moving to where there is work. They are social media influencers, content creators, software designer and developers who can work remotely from anywhere if they have access to the internet and other modern technology infrastructure.  One of the unique amenities is a dedicated room to create your own podcasts. Definitely an amenity to attract the nomads.

The Amenities / The Technology

The Bridge has an impressive list of amenities from a bike storage, wash and repair area with its own elevator and E-bike charging station, to the Valet Smart Building system that allows you to control everything in your home with your phone. There is even face recognition to enter the buildings. 

Of course, there is high speed Wi-Fi, a 6,500 sqft main floor fitness area and a 12th floor lounge with kitchen, outdoor BBQs and fire tables, with spectacular views of the Bow River, St. Patrick’s Island, the Zoo and downtown skyline.

The building is not only pet friendly, but there are also no restrictions on the size of dogs. It even has its own roof-top dog park, with one of the best views of the downtown skyline in the city.

What you won’t find is lot of underground parking, as there is only one level of parking – 75 spots for residents.  The developer’s research indicated that given the building’s location next to the LRT station and it high walk and bike scores, the demand for parking would less than a typical highrise; this has turned out to be true. 

The building is filling up quickly, with full occupancy expected by Spring 2023.

Close ups of the elevator street art murals.

The Art Gallery

As I approached the building I was immediately impressed by the sculpture on the corner of 9th St and McDougall Rd NE, “Wishing Well” a reflective ball split in half that invites you to walk inside for an interactive experience. Yes, you can text a wish to the sculpture which will trigger a light and sound show from within the sculpture.  The “Wishing Well” has a storied history, that we won’t get into here, just know the piece has been modified so it is safe walk inside.

Cory Nespor’s lobby artwork is very welcoming

When you enter the bright south-facing lobby you are immediately greeted by a large lightbox work by Calgary artist Cory Nespor that combines words and leaves to create a playful first impression.  Nespor has six separate installations in lounge, podcast room and workshare spaces.

Once you are at the elevators you are treated to neon-like large wall murals, by one of Calgary’s best muralists – Alex Kwong.  Very urban, very contemporary.  Kwong has created 17 bold elevator lobby murals - 16 floors, plus parkade lobby.  Michelle Hoogveld has four mural installations all in the common areas. 

The Bridge’s art collection is not your usual conservative mass-produced art decor that you quickly forget, these are big, bold and brilliant artworks that demand your attention.  

Kudos to JEMM for commissioning Calgary artists, Nespor, Kwong and Michelle Hoogveld early in the design process to create site specific artworks throughout the building as part of their branding and overall design of the building.

The “Wishing Well” installation at the entrance to The Bridge is very cool.

Last Word

The Bridge is the first project by JEMM Properties (Joe Osinski, Edan Lindenbach, Martin Langlois, and Michael Broadfoot), the new kids on the block when it comes to urban residential development in Calgary.  And it won’t be the last as they have already started on their second project The HIVE in Sunnyside (yes there will be rooftop beehives) near the Sunnyside LRT Station and have several others in the works.  All are close to LRT, in walkable urban communities.

PS: The two show suites I toured were bright with great open kitchen and living areas and lots of closets in the bedrooms.  I left thinking this is like a funky hotel, I could live here. FYI:  I am NOT getting paid to say this.

Learn more about Bridgeland/Riverside Renaissance:

Bridgeland/Riverside is booming or should I say blooming?

Calgary Gardens: CNIB’s Fragrant Garden

Calgary needs to foster more TOD communities