Progress report on the brewery site from the owners:
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
September 23, 2011
Past and present brewing up a recipe for future development
(Calgary, AB) To local residents, passersby, and the public in general it may not appear as if there are any visible signs of major activity or change at the former Calgary Brewing & Malting Company site in the community of Inglewood, but appearances are definitely deceiving! Not only is the brewery site’s two-year Historic Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) in advanced stages of completion, there are now also thoughts to future redevelopment on a much larger scale.
In June 2009, an HRIA was mandated by the Government of Alberta following an application to bring down a small portion of the original brewery site, including a set of dilapidated structures with increasing structural integrity issues which pose a safety concern for the entire site. The proposed demolition created a significant amount of unexpected attention and publicity around the proposal designed to address safety concerns. On a positive note, AECO Holdings Ltd. is pleased to report that these studies have provided valuable information which will aid in understanding the site’s history and heritage, and its potential to be a vibrant, active addition to the area in the future.
AECO engaged Simpson Roberts Architecture Ltd., one of the most highly regarded historical preservation specialists in Alberta, to conduct the study which is nearing the advanced stage of data collection and detailed inventory cataloguing required to complete the HRIA. Iain G. McCorkindale, VP Real Estate Development of Matco Investments Ltd. representing site owner AECO reports, “Due to the many physical constraints within the compromised buildings, this has proven to be a very labour intensive and comprehensive process, but a critical piece of the puzzle to identify elements and themes of historical significance in relation to the site’s industrial use and activity”.
McCorkindale further reports that in conjunction with the HRIA, U.S.-based Sasaki Associates Inc., a leading, world class planning and urban design group, has been engaged as prime consultant to create a master plan that includes the former brewery site. McCorkindale observes that “Inglewood is a community primed for redevelopment given its proximity to Calgary’s downtown and the unique character of the community”. “As our new city council seeks to increase inner city densities and combat Calgary’s suburban sprawl, the creation of a comprehensive master plan, while a significant investment, was considered to be the appropriate way to address the former brewery’s heritage, and to put in place plans to repurpose obsolete industrial uses that are no longer compatible with the community”.
“It’s exciting to consider potential development options for the site; especially given the re-generation potential and connection to the local community. Although at a very early stage, we are confident that we have the right team in place to develop concepts that will be both economically feasible and in line with the needs of the local community,” concludes McCorkindale.
“It’s an important project for the community and for Calgary. Not only do we want to ensure a thoughtful, engaged and thorough process but the ability to capture the best and brightest concepts of mixed-use development and urban design is just as critical,” adds Eileen Stan, Development Program Manager who has been heavily involved in the project since 2009 and is now overseeing the master plan. “To accomplish this we sought out top design firms to compete for the opportunity to develop and achieve the best solution for this site.” Sasaki and their team, including local subconsultants Kasian Architecture and BSEI, have already commenced working on assembling background studies and baseline site information for the master plan.
Although the past and the future are key focus items driven by the HRIA process, present activities and contributions to the community are considered just as important. The site includes many tenants and businesses that have been operating successfully and contributing to the local economy by generating employment, as the site has done consistently for over 100 years. Any viable potential re-generation options will continue to respect these social and economic influences to the community.
AECO Holdings Ltd. is a privately held business corporation located in Calgary, Alberta which owns the former Calgary Brewery and Malting Company site. Matco Investments Ltd. is also a privately held business corporation located in Calgary, Alberta and is acting as the Owner’s Representative on behalf of AECO Holdings Ltd.
More about Sasaski Associates Inc.: Sasaki is an interdisciplinary design firm with offices in Boston and San Francisco who has recently received top ranking by Architecture Magazine in 2011 as one of top US architectural firms, most notably for their master planning work. The firm also led the development of the Master Plan for The University of Calgary’s West Campus Lands. More information about the firm may be found at: www.sasaki.com
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For more information, please contact:
Eileen A. Stan
Development Program Manager
Matco Investments Ltd.Statistics: Posted by newsposter — Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:35 pm
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