4K 
As Canada's fastest growing metropolis, Calgary is seeing a highrise construction boom. Last week we looked at projects going up in the Downtown Commercial Core and Eau Claire as well as the East Village and Downtown West End. Today we are shifting our focus to the Beltline and Mission.
Beltline
Just south of Calgary's downtown, the Beltline is the city's most densely populated neighbourhood, with 21,939 residents as of May 2015. Experiencing a strong demographic growth, it aims to become home to 40,000 people by 2035. It is bounded by 9th Avenue to the north, 17th Avenue to the south, on the west by 14th Street West and on the east by the Elbow River.
The Royal: This project will take over a whole block, fronting on 16th Avenue from 8th to 9th Streets SW. Developed by Bosa Properties and First Capital Realty, this luxury 36-storey development will boast a large retail component with a grocery store, a coffee shop and other businesses animating the podium of the tower. Amenities for residents will include a full fitness facility, a steam sauna and an elevated garden. The 223 units will be delivered in the summer of 2018.
10th Avenue SW: In the northern part of the Beltline, on 10th Avenue SW at the corner of 9th Street SW, a two-tower development will soon be completed. 440 appartments across 17 and 34 storeys will be added to the ever-developing 10th Avenue, as well as two floors of retail on the ground and second floors of the podium. WAM Development Group currently plans for a Summer 2016 delivery.
Mark on 10th: Immediately next to 10th Avenue SW—and visible in the rendering above—is Mark on 10th, a 34-storey, 275-unit development designed by BKDI Architects and Rafii Architect. With a highly colourful design, extensive amenities, and expansive commercial units at its base, it will provide a strong sense of urban living to its residents. Steps away from the financial district at the corner of 10th Avenue SW and 8th Street SW, the tower will open its doors to the first inhabitants by December 2015.
The Guardian: To the east, the Victoria Park area is developing at a fast pace as well. This 44-storey, 143-metre twin tower complex is located steps away from the famous Calgary Stampede facilities along 3rd Street SE, between 11th and 12th Avenues SE. Almost complete, the Hon Developments towers are currently the tallest residential building in the city, with residents already moving into the first building, while the owners of units located in the second tower will have to wait until the Spring of 2016.
Mission
With a population of 4,325, the Mission neighbourhood is located south of the Beltline. 94.6% of the existing buildings in this district are condominiums or apartment, with 70% of them used as rentals. A redevelopment plan aims to improve the neighbourhood while increasing the population to a maximum of 24,000.
The River: Featuring a 15-storey tower as well as a series of town homes at its base, this development by 26th Avenue River Investments Inc. is aiming for completion this fall. This project set a new record in 2012, when a 5,600-square-foot penthouse unit was sold for $8.99 million CAD. High quality materials such as limestone cladding and views over the Elbow River and Valley may explain the high prices of these 38 units.
Calgary is definitely going through a major transition, with more and more people moving into the central neighbourhoods and gradually animating the streets of downtown while new housing projects are filling the empty lots along the city's streets. High housing prices and a strong demand for luxury dwellings is also changing the market, with a significant number of new projects now boasting high-end amenities and finishings. Additional information and renderings about the projects featured in this article can be found in our dataBase files, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
| Related Companies: | Arcadis, First Capital, KIRKOR Architects and Planners |
