Torode Commercial Ltd. has earmarked the neighbourhood for its latest historic restoration and modernization project, called Ramsay Exchange.
At an open house in early February, Torode introduced its proposed development to the public. The next step will be to bring the proposal to the city of Calgary for rezoning – a process that is expected to take up to a year.

Most recently Torode Commercial redeveloped the Hotel Arts into a boutique style hotel with expansion plans to include a three-storey retail/office complex on First Street and is soon to complete the first tower of the Arriva complex, a three highrise residential apartment tower. Other projects include the restoration of two historic schools and the construction of 8 West, a modern office tower in Calgary’s downtown.
In Ramsay Exchange, Torode will bring both types of development together with expansion plans to include an adaptive reuse of the historic Dominion Bridge building and a mix of new town homes and a modern residential tower and commercial buildings.

The site will also include a hotel and a central piazza.
The 21-acre former industrial site will centre around the existing historic Dominion Building and the Blue Whale building, formerly occupied by Plains Fabrication. The land was originally developed in the 1920s and the Dominion Bridge building was erected in 1929 by the Dominion Bridge Company, which continued to expand over the next 45 years.

Currently the warehouse is being restored to make way for commercial and industrial use, exposing the character of the historic brick construction.
Plans for 2,000 residential units, including town homes, highrise condominiums and work and live spaces are underway. The live and work spaces could provide space for artisans for example, and other Calgarians who work from their homes.

Two glass highrises will flank the historic Dominion Building and the Blue Whale, while low-rise residential structures, some with ground floor retail space will surround most of the site’s perimeter.
The mix of old and new will be eye-catching, says Torode Commercial’s development manager Eileen Stan.

“A great way to highlight historic buildings is with some unique modern architecture that complements these buildings,” Stan said.
The plan for Ramsay Exchange also is a good fit with the existing community, Stan added.

“It is a real eclectic mix – a place of contrast,” she said. “It has a good character and a sense of pride.”

Sandwiched between an industrial area and the Erlton C-train station and the Stampede Grounds, Ramsay is only minutes away from trendy 17th Avenue and the downtown core.

“It is a great inner-city location,” Stan said. “There is good road access and transportation.”

To learn more about Ramsay Exchange visit http://www.torode.com