The City of Calgary is working to revitalize downtown and create a lively core for locals and visitors to enjoy. Over the years, the ways Calgarians experience downtown have changed, and there’s now a surplus of unused office space. The City is bringing new life to these vacant spaces by transforming them into residential housing through the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program. More residential housing in the core will ensure downtown remains vibrant by encouraging Calgarians to visit outside of typical business hours.
“We want downtown Calgary to move beyond the traditional 9-5 business hub and become a destination that welcomes everyone to experience something unique and exciting,” says Thom Mahler, director of Downtown Strategy. “Supporting the development and use of our public spaces and activities builds community and creates those unique experiences and opportunities to connect and share.”
Repurposing office space to much-needed housing
Calgary’s Downtown Strategy focuses on upgrading vacant office space to stabilize downtown property values and adding more arts, culture and sports programming to the area. Within the strategy, the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program will assist office-to-residential conversions with financial incentives and funding through other programs such as the Housing Accelerator Fund. The strategy will also convert some vacant areas into more post-secondary spaces. The program will remove six million square feet of office space by 2031.
Currently, there are 11 approved residential conversion projects, creating over 1,400 new downtown homes in 2025 and 2026, with more projects coming soon. As a city facing a housing crisis, Calgary has an immediate need for more housing, and these downtown office conversions are an innovative solution for repurposing buildings and getting homes built quickly.
Creating more residences will increase the property value of downtown buildings and generate more property tax revenue. This will help alleviate the tax burden that has shifted to businesses and residents in other areas of Calgary. A thriving downtown means a thriving Calgary.
More arts and culture programming
To contribute to city- and community-building, The City and its partners are committed to creating a downtown with active streets and well-used public spaces: a place where people feel safe and welcome. By reimagining downtown public spaces, like with the Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza transformation projects, Calgarians and visitors will be able to experience world-class amenities in the heart of our city.
“Calgary has many civic and community partners who have great ideas that bring art, culture and sports into our public spaces, and we’re fortunate to work with them to bring their downtown ideas to life,” says Mahler.
The strategy’s programs and incentives work together to create a more connected, dynamic, diverse and resilient downtown. “The combined impact of these projects is going to change what downtown looks like and reimagine how residents and visitors experience it,” says Mahler.
“These projects are just the beginning of the evolution. We’re building the future of downtown Calgary as a vibrant and welcoming community for residents, an attractive investment opportunity and an innovative hub for industry and business.”
To learn more, visit calgary.ca/development/downtown-incentive.
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.
