An administration report heading to the Calgary Planning Commission is shedding some light on fruitful plans to develop a major Beltline property. Known as the 500 Block — bordered by 12 Avenue SW to the south, 11 Avenue SW to the north and 4 Street SW to the east — the current site is occupied by a Resource Furniture store and a surface parking lot. Hines, a prolific developer with a global portfolio of projects, has long-sought to build a significant residential highrise complex on this lot.

Current rendering of the development, image via City of Calgary

A development application submitted in early June by Stantec Consulting reveals the ask: a multi-residential building about 35 storeys in height housing 463 units. The tower would hold 277 residences, with a seven-storey podium structure containing 186 residences. The administration report goes into further detail, describing the development's "campus-like approach connecting two separate residential towers, each with a commercial podium, connected by a common courtyard." The first tower is pictured in an attached rendering, showing a slightly beveled facade, while the future second phase is depicted by a ghostly mass. Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Kirkor Architects have been appointed to the project.

Draft development concept, image via City of Calgary

The application also seeks a transfer of available density from the Nellie McClung building site at 803 15 Avenue SW to the contiguous parcels 505, 509 and 513 11 Avenue SW and 1101 4 Street SW. City Heritage Planners have endorsed the transfer as a maximum of 8,094.47 square metres from the Nellie McClung site, translating to an additional 2.82 FAR available to the subject proposal.

The proposed courtyard necessitates the closure of the east-west public lane currently transecting the property. The application seeks the closure of the lane upon construction of the development and the rerouting of traffic through an existing connection to 12 Avenue SW. 

The subject site, image retrieved from Google Street View

The report calls the development a "multi-year project" which "totals nearly 1,000 units." The submission of a development permit demonstrates a commitment to the project by Hines, and given the scale of the complex, is sure to maintain a steady stream of enthusiasm by our Forumers. 

We'll continue to follow the development as more information becomes available. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.