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Two months since we last checked in at the site of M2 Block in East Village, and progress has been moving along swiftly. The nArchitects-designed 4-storey structure by XYC Design + Development has now risen a floor above grade, the stacked, irregular-shaped development to feature three levels of mixed-use space above a strip of ground-floor retail facing onto the adjacent Bow River.
Over the last few months, work crews have been busy bringing the structure above grade, with pilings now solidified into the concrete shell of the first floor. Arranged as an off-kilter layer cake of sorts, the oblong development will feature a series of angular setbacks, allowing for several outdoor terraces, and minimal shadow impacts on passersby down below.
Located towards the eastern edge of East Village, along the Bow River waterfront path at the foot of the George C. King Bridge, M2 Block will soon deliver 25,000 square feet of commercial space to the neighbourhood, in addition to the aforementioned mix of retail and residential space. The first floor will feature retail, while the two middle floors will be devoted to office space, leaving the top floor to become a sprawling, 2,000 square-foot penthouse suite - all with commanding views of the river.
Once complete, M2 will serve many different functions, its commercial and retail spaces first and foremost to add some much needed vitality and daily foot traffic to the far reaches of the East Village waterfront. Meanwhile, the exclusive penthouse suite, perched solo above a bustling office and retail strip, will likely become a coveted address for one very fortunate Calgarian.
SkyriseCalgary will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
