Calgary's Downtown Dilemma

[Albertasaurus]

With all the conversions on the west side of downtown, combined with the U of C occupying space in the Nexen building, I am very excited to see how that part of downtown will evolve in the years ahead.

 

[Surrealplaces]

With all the conversions on the west side of downtown, combined with the U of C occupying space in the Nexen building, I am very excited to see how that part of downtown will evolve in the years ahead.

I think over the next 5 years or so, we will see the west half of downtown evolve into a different neighborhood much different than the east half of downtown. Here's my predictions for how things go for the west half of downtown (anything 5th street or west of that)

2022-Now) - West Village Towers, the two AHC buildings, Dominion, The Loft and Cornerstone have added or are just finishing the addition of approximately 2,000 residents

Now) - No real change for retail, but there are signs it begins to flourish due to extra residents, for example the Freshco opening in WVT. The west side of downtown now has an urban format grocery store

Now to 2027) - Conversions currently u/c add another 484 units and approximately 700 residents. New builds Plaza and Project 54 add another 591 units and approximately 900 residents. Retail presence slowly continues to increase.

2027-2030) - Planned conversions add 665 units and approximately 1000 residents. The 3rd WVT adds another 300 units and another 500 residents. 8th street upgrades are completed and the section between 8th ave and 5th ave becomes the epicenter for the west side and the west side as a whole continues to become more vibrant. Retail continues to take off, and now the west end begins to have its own sense of community and retail sphere of influence. Retail on the west side trends toward lower end, smaller more ethnically diverse retail drawing residents from the west side of downtown (which has also grown in population), and the Beltline. It even draws from other parts of the city as it takes on its new identity.

Of course things can change. Some of those conversions might not happen, or it could be a case of even more conversions. One thing I'm very certain of, is the office buildings in the west side won't fill up with office workers again. They'll be converted at some point, just a matter of when.

 

[Dkeirle]

Well put Surrealplaces. In 5 years someone will write a book titled "The Tale of Two Downtowns" The east and west sides will have their own vibe. In order to get the west end continuing to be more of a residential suited area, the city needs to spruce up the public realm and if we could ever make some of the roads two way, we'd really have something.
Another thing that would make a huge difference is getting more student campuses downtown. Maybe there's a possibility of opening a whole new school from scratch using downtown office buildings?

 

[trtcttc]

I think over the next 5 years or so, we will see the west half of downtown evolve into a different neighborhood much different than the east half of downtown. Here's my predictions for how things go for the west half of downtown (anything 5th street or west of that)

2022-Now) - West Village Towers, the two AHC buildings, Dominion, The Loft and Cornerstone have added or are just finishing the addition of approximately 2,000 residents

Now) - No real change for retail, but there are signs it begins to flourish due to extra residents, for example the Freshco opening in WVT. The west side of downtown now has an urban format grocery store

Now to 2027) - Conversions currently u/c add another 484 units and approximately 700 residents. New builds Plaza and Project 54 add another 591 units and approximately 900 residents. Retail presence slowly continues to increase.

2027-2030) - Planned conversions add 665 units and approximately 1000 residents. The 3rd WVT adds another 300 units and another 500 residents. 8th street upgrades are completed and the section between 8th ave and 5th ave becomes the epicenter for the west side and the west side as a whole continues to become more vibrant. Retail continues to take off, and now the west end begins to have its own sense of community and retail sphere of influence. Retail on the west side trends toward lower end, smaller more ethnically diverse retail drawing residents from the west side of downtown (which has also grown in population), and the Beltline. It even draws from other parts of the city as it takes on its new identity.

Of course things can change. Some of those conversions might not happen, or it could be a case of even more conversions. One thing I'm very certain of, is the office buildings in the west side won't fill up with office workers again. They'll be converted at some point, just a matter of when.

Quick note that WVT has a No Frills, but same idea.
Not to mention if the Contemporary Calgary plans go ahead, there'd be a cultural landmark in the area, since most of the other cultural items in the city are closer to the East.