Calgary Heritage Initiative forums

[newsposter]

This thread last updated Mar 2011, regarding a March 10 2011 event - see page 2 of this thread

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A strip of historic Calgary buildings, long hidden by a recently removed LRT station, from 121 to 127 7th Avenue SW, are up for sale. See the pdf at this link for information and photos. http://www.calgaryheritage.org/images/121%20to%20129%20-%207%20Avenue%20SW%20%20Calgary.pdf

This stretch of 7th Avenue includes the Central United Church at 131, the Calgary Stock Exchange at 129 (which is one of the buildings for sale), and the Canadian Bible Society at 117, which is just east of the properties that are on the block. These three building are on the heritage inventory, but are not protected. Further east is the popular Palamino Social Club in the old Sterling Furniture Building. There are several other buildings as well. Aside from 131, 129 and 117, the other buildings are not presently on the inventory.

In spite of what the real estate listing implies, it would be difficult to redevelop this strip because it is hemmed in by the LRT line and the Stephen Avenue National Historic District across the lane. Why not put in place a plan that restores the historic buildings and facades and also fills in some of the gaps on the streetscape? Between Art Central and the Grand, it would be a great addition to the Cultural District. http://www.culturaldistrict.ca/

Check back here for more. If you know anything about this block or would like to help develop a vision that restores and builds on its heritage, send a note to info@calgaryheritage.org

[Chris E]

Some photos:

(CLICK TO VIEW LARGER VERSION)



NOTE: if using Internet Explorer, once you click to view the large version, once it's done loading position your mouse over the image, and a orange square should appear in the bottom right corner, click that square to show the image full size, Internet Explorer by default shrinks images to fit the screen.

[newsposter]

The Canadian Bible Society building on 7th Avenue SW - just to the east of the buildings for sale noted above, easy to spot in the big version of the photo - has been nicely renovated and is the new storefront operation of Wood's Homes Exit Community Outreach.
http://www.woodshomes.ca/how_we_can_help/our_programs/crisis_and_outreach/exit_community_outreach.html

[Bob van Wegen]

The Calgary Heritage Authority has been researching the 7th Avenue buildings described above.

The following is from the minutes of the March 2007 CHA meeting. Some of the entries were incomplete as of that date:

Delamere Block
Address: 125/127 7 Av SW
Construction Date: 1912 Category A
This brick building is executed in a simplified Edwardian Commercial style and features – textured light brown brick, symmetrical façade with two glazed recessed storefronts, pressed tin signband cornice and two pediments with curves cap detail. It is part of a grouping of buildings which are compatible in era and design, and form a continuous streetscape..

Rochons
Address: 125/127 7 Av SW
Construction Date: 1912
Revisions to come back to the next E&R meeting
6. Calgary Electric Light Co./Hinds Meat Store
Address: 121 7 Av SW
Construction Date: c.1922 Category C
The building façade is a simplified Edwardian Commercial style featuring – light brown textured brick, traditional recessed storefront, central pressed metal cornice with pedimented parapet, and flanking parapets with recessed sign band panels containing patterned brick. The building is part of a grouping of buildings which are compatible in era and design, and form a continuous streetscape.

Self Serving Grocery
Address: 119 7 Av SW
Construction Date: c.1924 Category C
The building façade is a simplified Edwardian Commercial style featuring – light brown textured brick, traditional recessed storefront, central pressed metal cornice with pedimented parapet, and
flanking parapets with recessed signband panels containing patterned brick. The building is part of a grouping of buildings which are compatible in era and design, and form a continuous streetscape.

Calgary Plumbing & Heating Co./Tyndale Memorial Bible House
Address: 117 7 Av SW
Construction Date: c.1926 Category A
The building is designed in the Gothic Revival style and features – sandstone construction, large Gothic arch over recessed storefront, carved stone details of bible/building identification signage/monogram, and a parapet with small central pediment. The building is part of a grouping of buildings which are compatible in era and design, and form a continuous streetscape.

T.R. Stuart & Co.
Address: 115 7 Av SW
Construction Date: c1908

J.H. Ashdown Hardware Warehouse
Address: 111-113 7 Av SW
Construction Date: 1952

Army & Navy Store
Address: 109 7 Av SW
Construction Date: c1928

[Chris E]

A change of use permit has been approved for 115 7th Ave SW (Stuart block) to be used as a hostel, that's the 2 story brick building to the right of Palomino (Canadian Convenience and Gift Store), in the panorama above.

DP2007-1971
Address: 115 7 AV SW
Application Date: 2007/06/06
Applicant: CHAOLSHTOEULN, MICHAEL
Description: Change of Use - Hostel
Application Date: 2007/06/06
LUD: CM-2
Community: DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL CORE
Ward: 07
Units: 0

[newsposter]

There was a recent Historic Calgary Week tour of this block (August 2007). A report by CHI's Gary Ellis has some information:

Olympic Plaza cultural district tour

The tour began at the Palomino Cookhouse on 7th avenue and Centre St SW. The tour was led by the City of Calgary Heritage Planner- Darryl Cariou. The host of the tour was Meg Van Rosendaal, who is the General Manager of the Olympic Plaza cultural district. Meg is instrumental in trying to have the 7th avenue block be revitalized to restore the vibrancy back to the old mercantile days of a true market and corresponding retail. We actually went across the stret to the LRT station platform to listen to Darryl's presentation so we could get a better view of the buildings. The 7th Avenue block is owned by several different proprietors and there is talk about the entire site being acquired, but there is nothing definitive at this point.

The block was originally the first ' tent' area of Calgary and then slowly as the first boom was occuring in the early 1900's around 1908 it became more of a market. It was also known as Church Street, most notably for the several different denominational churches and the Bible academy that occupy the streetscape. It was noted that these churches were of grand sale for the time and obviously some visonaries saw Calgary developing into a major city.

We then proceeded to walk south on first street to the alley between 7th Avenue and 8th avenue. This is where Calgary built its first Plus 15. There is some debate about whether it was the first of its kind. What was interesting about the alley, was that the alley was actually where the front of the stores were and the backs were on 7th avenue. Most of these shops were warehouses and thus the carriages of the day would pull up and pick up and deliver goods. These warehouses had their retail stores on 8th avenue so it was convenient.

[newsposter]

Historic alley becomes art gallery for a day
'Little Sister' laneway has colourful past
Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, August 18, 2007

One of Calgary's most historic alleys will be transformed into an art gallery today as the city works to clean up the lanes in the downtown.

Affectionately named Stephen Avenue's Little Sister, the laneway -- in the 100 block between 7th and 8th avenues S.W. -- is the first to be reclaimed as part of the so-called "gALLErY" project.

Today, the freshly cleaned alley will be turned into an art gallery and street festival -- complete with magicians, stilt walkers, high-wire performers and clowns. Visitors will be able to play fair games, listen to music and paint the road with chalk...

Full story:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=31c97795-befe-4381-800e-bbff5856c85a

Festival Reclaims Downtown Alley - August 19

Full story:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=ac3fc726-cbc6-41e3-932e-356cff8cf076

[newsposter]

November 23 2007 Herald article on the 100 Block of 7th Avenue.

Dreams for dreary block hinge on finding a buyer
Business owners anxious for change
Sarah Chapman, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, November 23, 2007

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=25dae5e8-24c5-4039-b172-cbe3b843796b&k=74199

Much more about the 100 block in the forum above. CHI has been following this for quite some time.

[newsposter]

Good news for the 100 block of 7th Avenue. Neil Richardson (Lougheed Building restorer-owner, etc.) has acquired the The Stuart Block at 115 7th Ave. S.W - west of Palamino and has much of the rest of the block under contract. See the Herald Story, April 10 2008:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/calgarybusiness/story.html?id=1601a34a-104d-4a68-80d7-c431fe451739

[newsposter]

A March news report says that this project may go to Calgary Planning Commission in May 2009...

From the Winter 2009 newsletter of the Heritage Property Corporation:
http://corporate.heritageproperty.ca/Portals/0/HPC%20Newsletter%20-%20January%202009.pdf

Heritage Property Corporation recently purchased six historic properties located in the 100 Block of Seventh Avenue SW. This acquisition includes the historic Stuart Block located at 115 - 7th Avenue SW, as well as the Delamere Block and the historic Calgary Stock Exchange Building.

Preliminary plans for the block’s restoration include the rehabilitation of the facades and salvaging any historic interior fabrics that remain. Once restored, the buildings will provide spacious retail bays with ample space
that could be used for rooftop patios.

HPC is currently in discussions with The City to build a robotic parking facility in the space at the back of the 7th Avenue structures. Only used for parking vehicles, the garage's height would be equivalent to a six-storey building, but there will be space for some 360 vehicles. Drivers simply leave their car on the ground floor elevator and it is parked automatically.

[McMahon]

[newsposter]

More information on the proposal for the 100 block of 7th Avenue SW at the link below. Not sure it answers your questions. The image (not available electronically at the moment). Shows the parkade behind the buildings in mid-block. Uncertain if the lane would remain open to thru-traffic. Should be in the details going to CPC next month.

Herald story April 3, 2009:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Makeover+coming+Calgary+Avenue/1460134/story.html

[newsposter]

Herald Editorial April 7 2009

On track for a historic gift to Calgary

A promised facelift of 7th Avenue took a punch last week with news that the south phase of EnCana's Bow building has been "deferred" indefinitely. It hurts a little less, though, thanks to a local developer's reaffirmed commitment to a project with a far greater scope for the area. Heritage Property Corp.'s multimillion dollar plan to improve the derelict street, will reinvigorate it in the image of its pedestrian-friendly sister, Stephen Avenue...

Full editorial:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/track+historic+gift+Calgary/1472123/story.html

[newsposter]

There is a link here to an excellent Global TV story on Heritage Property Corporation's plans for the 100 block. March 19 2009. Supplementary to the news articles from April posted above.

http://corporate.heritageproperty.ca/NewsEvents/GlobalNewsHeritageProperty/tabid/87/Default.aspx

[newsposter]

More information and images of this interesting project from the Spring 2009 newsletter of the Heritage Property Corporation:

http://corporate.heritageproperty.ca/Portals/0/HPC%20Newsletter%20-%20May%202009.pdf