More than three months since our last update, and progress at the site of Underwood Tower has been moving along nicely. The 31-storey residential high-rise by Western Securities and Zeidler BKDI Architects is now structurally complete, with work crews soon to move inside for the finishing touches. 

Underwood Tower, standing tall in Beltline, image by Forum contributor 1875

The imminent completion of the project will mark roughly a decade since the arrival of the adjacent Union Square development in 2009. Part of the total reimagining of the (once) historic Underwood Block, Underwood Tower completes the makeup of the new streetscape, the wall of retail along this portion of 1 St SW (below) to go a long way towards reanimating this corner of the Beltline.

Underwood Tower (left), street view, image by Forum contributor 1875

Upwards of 200 new residents will soon call this project home, the influx to represent a boost to the neighbourhood and local services. For while only one historic edifice has been saved of the original Underwood Block, its incorporation into the new streetscape, ampified by fine grain retail, has returned a great deal of street life to the area. 

Underwood Tower, from 13 Avenue Park, image by Forum contributor 1875

Viewed from the park (above), both towers, along with other developments, now define the neighbourhood, the Beltline, like East Village, and other areas within the core, now in the midst of a major building boom. Once complete, Underwood Tower will bring a decade-long transformation to an end, the development to likely be a welcome addition to the area. 

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.