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Canada Lands Company (CLC) recently unveiled new plans for an exciting master planned development in Calgary known as Currie, a nod to the site's history as a former Canadian Forces Base. While some of the existing military buildings will be refurbished, the remaining brownfield land will be redeveloped. The project is a mixed-use, high-density development that is expected to house up to 12,000 residents, supported by approximately 600,000 square feet of office space, 245,000 square feet of retail, and 23 acres of open space.
SkyriseCities recently caught up with Chris Elkey from CLC to discuss the overall plan. According to Elkey, Currie is the third piece of a three-project, 400-acre redevelopment of what were formerly the CFB Calgary lands. The first two projects — Garrison Woods and Garrison Green — are complete, and Currie is the third and final project.
While parts of the 195-acre development are complete or under construction, a revised plan recently came out for the remaining 147 acres, which will be built out over eight to ten phases. Elkey refers to Currie as a large diverse site featuring “everything from single family homes all the way up to 30-storey buildings and everything in between.” The first development permit for the 147-acre portion has already been submitted by Embassy Bosa, CLC's joint venture partner for a portion of the lands.
Currie will be made up of three distinct neighbourhoods: The Core, The Commons, and The Campus. The Core will be a vibrant, high-street area flanked with diverse shopping and dining venues, and an abundance of residential options. The Campus is specifically designed for office and commercial spaces to provide employment opportunities for Currie residents. The Commons will be made up mostly of low-rise residential options and greenspace.
The timeline for completion is roughly 15 years. Although the scheme is being unveiled at a time when the local economy is in a downturn, Elkey points out that this is a long-range plan. “We have a long-term vision and a long-term view which we adjust and evaluate annually just like other developers,” said Elkey, adding that “Calgary and the province go through cycles and we recognize that.” Elkey also pointed out that Currie’s location would be considered an ‘A’ location and highlighted that “’A’ locations like Currie are the last locations to be affected by a downturn and the first to recover.”
Although the site is not on a current LRT line, transit is a key consideration for the plan. Elkey said that CLC is working with the city to ensure the highest level of transit service possible. Local bus routes currently serve the project, with plans for BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) in the next few years as needed with demand. The city also has a long-term vision for an LRT line or spur to that area.
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