{"id":2159,"date":"2020-01-18T19:18:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T19:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calgaryheritage.org\/wp\/?p=2159"},"modified":"2020-01-27T23:32:07","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27T23:32:07","slug":"strategic-group-commercial-properties-in-receivership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calgaryheritage.org\/wp\/strategic-group-commercial-properties-in-receivership\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Group Commercial Properties in Receivership"},"content":{"rendered":"

Risk of Heritage Loss or Preservation Opportunity?<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the burning of the Enoch Sales House in Victoria Park (Feb 2, 2019) The Calgary Heritage Initiative (CHI) asks what\u2019s in store for other unprotected but recognized heritage properties in Calgary and specifically those heritage properties in Strategic Group\u2019s commercial portfolio.<\/p>\n

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Enoch Sales Feb 2 2019
Pic: City of Calgary<\/p><\/div>\n

In early January, the CBC<\/a> and other media reported that Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. had been  appointed as receiver of 58 commercial properties owned by Strategic Group.<\/p>\n

On Dec 11, CBC<\/a>  reported that \u201cCalgary’s overall office market stands at 32 per cent vacant or available for sublease.  Strategic said in its court affidavit, a number that only stands to increase with the recent completion of Brookfield Place and the soon-to-be completed Telus Sky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Between 2014 and 2019, Strategic had 78 tenants in their Calgary portfolio but in 2019, 21 tenants shut their doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe situation, the company said, was compounded by increased property taxes on businesses outside the downtown core. Since the economic downturn, buildings in Calgary’s core have lost a total value of $14 billion \u2014 leaving a $250-million hole in the city’s finances, leaving thousands of businesses to pick up the financial slack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh vacancy and default rates have reduced revenues and left the rental portfolio entities with no means of recovering the increased property tax burden placed on affected properties. Second, reduced rental revenue has led to a material reduction in the market value of many buildings and properties in the rental portfolio,” the company’s affidavit reads.<\/p>\n

Buildings at Risk<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CHI reviewed the list of properties placed in receivership (source<\/a>) and found that 3 are listed on Heritage Calgary\u2019s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources as having city-wide historic significance. None of these properties are designated (protected) and therefore could be at risk.  CHI is concerned that if these properties are liquidated at \u201cfire sale\u201d prices through the receivership process, they may be demolished with the land held for future speculative development or suffer demolition by neglect if not occupied and maintained.<\/p>\n

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  1. Wesley Church<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Wesley Church\/Opera Centre
    Pic: Inventory of Historic Resources<\/p><\/div>\n

    This red brick Beltline Church at 1315 7 ST SW was constructed in 1911 in the Renaissance Revival style. The plain Methodist design has \u201cround arched windows and simplified Palladian windows. A decorated cornice tops the square corner tower. A gallery was added to the auditorium in 1930, and an addition built at the rear in 1960.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In July of 2005, Calgary Opera took over the historic Wesley United Church, converting it into the Calgary Opera Centre. In 2015, the Calgary Opera entered a three-year partnership agreement with Riaz Mamdani, CEO of Strategic Group, that saw the building renamed as the Mamdani Opera Centre. \u201cThis commitment came about in an effort to keep the Calgary Opera at its historical location while plans developed around the Opera’s future new location.\u201d Source<\/a><\/p>\n

    In Dec. 2018, the CBC<\/a> reported that The Calgary Opera Community Arts Centre, is raising money and has plans to move to a new complex at 12th Avenue and Fifth Street SE in 2021 as part of the Stampede expansion.<\/p>\n

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    1. Louise Block<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      Louise Block
      Pic: Inventory of Historic Resources<\/p><\/div>\n

      In Victoria Park, 1018 Macleod Tr SE, built in 1910. An Edwardian style commercial\/residential block. \u201cLargely unaltered, the block is an excellent example of Calgary’s boomtime commercial architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n

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      1. Petro Fina Building<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        Petro Fina Building
        Pic: Inventory of Historic Resources<\/p><\/div>\n

        In the downtown commercial core, at 736 8 AV SW. Designed by Rule Wynn & Rule Architects and constructed in 1959.<\/p>\n

        \u201cThe building was designed in the Modern style and features; expressed structural grid with inset curtain wall glazing, arcaded front facade, and executive penthouse. The interior lobby configuration with marble cladding, clock, and, mail box remain intact. It is a modern office tower compatible with the dominant character of the block.\u201d<\/p>\n

        A handful of other at-risk buildings, owned by Strategic Group and placed in receivership, are arguably character buildings that contribute to the heritage fabric of Calgary\u2019s communities.  To date, none of these buildings have been evaluated by the Heritage Calgary for their historic significance. One such example is 1951 Strategic Centre<\/a> 630 8 Ave SW.<\/p>\n

        Opportunities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

        One opportunity for dealing with the crisis in commercial vacancies is to convert properties to residential. The Barron Building, one of Strategic Group\u2019s properties that has not been placed in receivership, is one such example.<\/p>\n

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        Barron Building
        Pic: CHI<\/p><\/div>\n

        Read more about the history and plans for the Barron building here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        Chi advocates for adaptive reuse of suitable buildings and particularly conversions for public use or community benefit, like the highly successful cSpace King Edward<\/a> conversion.<\/p>\n

        Since a contributor to high vacancy rates is high commercial property taxes a review of the City\u2019s tax exemptions list<\/a> (truncated below) reveals that many uses could be considered for these buildings including:<\/p>\n