John Torode of Arriva and Ramsay Exchange profiled

[newsposter]

On May 6 the Herald ran a major article on John Torode, a major Calgary developer that has been incorporating heritage buildings into projects like Arriva and Ramsay Exchange. (see other threads on this website)

His major projects are making a big impression on inner city communities like Vic Crossing an Ramsay.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 43bab9f6f2

Arriva: http://calgaryheritage.org/CHIForum/viewtopic.php?p=89#89

Ramsay Exchange: http://calgaryheritage.org/CHIForum/viewto ... ght=ramsay

[newsposter]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 7a5e1c95aa

John Torode towers over Victoria Crossing

David Parker, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, September 19, 2008

The beltline district of Victoria Crossing has seen a remarkable transformation in the past few recent years.

It started with the revitalization of the Warehouse District including the new Ribtor tower, followed by classy projects such as Stampede Station, IBM Campus, Keynote, Elbow River Casino, 1st Street S.W. with its fashion stores and condo towers and the ongoing additions to Stampede Park.

But the developer that has made the biggest impact in the area has to be John Torode, who was seen by many as a pioneer willing to take risks.

His Hotel Arts complex has been a wonderful addition; the hotel has become a place to be seen and the two-storey retail/office area under construction along 1st Street and 13th Avenue is already nearly fully leased. Then there is Arriva that no question has become the dominant edifice in the entire district.

Torode saved Victoria Park School buildings, residents are moving into tower one, and Olives Restaurant and 100 Wines have both opened on the main floor of Arriva to rave reviews.

Now Torode Commercial has announced plans for another Victoria Crossing development just a block west of Arriva. The application is for a 293,000-square-foot residential/commercial development comprising two 12-storey mid-rise towers above a 38,700-square-foot retail podium. The 11th Avenue tower will offer approximately 90 residential condos and the 12th Avenue south side will become a 161-room boutique hotel.

They sit above three levels of parking with 383 stalls that provide the required parking for hotel, residential and retail/restaurant use.

Eileen Stan joined Torode as vice-president of development from her position as executive director of Victoria Crossing BRZ so she has a keen interest in the planned growth of the area. She appreciates that the first two storeys of masonry and concrete complement the historic character of the Warehouse District.

Designed by KA Architects of Cleveland, Ohio, in collaboration with Calgary's Abugov Kaspar Architect, the remaining floors are glass, topped by green roofs. A terrace between the two buildings is above a large glass lobby set back on the west side facing toward Macleod Trail, which will provide a gallery for displaying public art.

A restaurant, retail stores, the hotel lobby at grade and a high percentage of landscaped areas will do much to create a vibrant pedestrian environment that will help make Victoria Crossing the desirable district city planners and developers are working hard to achieve.

Subject to the necessary approvals, Torode expects to begin construction by mid-2009.