BM won an international design competition for the site. CMLC’s subsequent brief requested a mixed-use urban development for 11,000 residents. Existing roads and LRT were to be retained, and pedestrian links provided to the Bow and Elbow Rivers and St Patrick’s Island. Existing buildings were to be accommodated with the new storm-water pond and waste heat recycling station.
The under-utilised downtown area lies east of the city core, overlooking the river. Riverwalk Park was being planned by others while Fort Calgary, Stampede Showgrounds and Beltline railway framed the east and south sides, with City Hall and downtown core to the west.
The masterplan sought to transform the site into a contemporary urban village embracing cultural activity, outdoor dining, learning and commercial facilities in a parkland setting, with 11,000 new residents. A compact, development with pedestrian-friendly spaces connecting the city centre to its riverside via the promenade of Stephen Avenue, ensuring its accessibility and popularity.
The team devised a mid-rise European-style urban development with mixed tenure and a range of building types with active frontages framing busy pedestrian routes, urban squares and links to the riverside. The perimeter-block typology was proposed to maximize density with minimum impact on the wider area. This provided frontage opportunities to frame the key streets, links and spaces to bring the area to life. Low to mid-rise heights maximize solar penetration and reduce wind eddying for this ‘’winter city’’ environment.
