Today, East Village is on the rise with a multi-million dollar development plan that will see it return to its previous status as a hub of activity — a place where people will live, shop and work, and that will draw people from all over the city.

“The idea of bringing this neglected area back to life began in 2005,” says Clare Nolan, Manager of Marketing Communications at the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, the city-owned group that is directing the development. “The master plan for East Village is inspired by some of the most livable places in the world and provides a framework for the development of a vibrant, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly community.” Since then over $100 million has already been spent improving pathways, the 4th Street underpass and other infrastructure. 

The East Village development is being divided into four areas. Gateway links the neighbourhood to downtown Calgary and Bridgeland, and will be the main entry point from the west. The Crossing just to the south will be a vibrant area with shopping, culture and residences, and will also include the recently announced National Music Centre at the King Eddy hotel and a pedestrian thoroughfare called the Riff. River’s Edge is where the majority of the residential development will be located, ideally situated close to the Bow and the RiverWalk, a new pathway system recently completed. Last is Parkside, just to the east of Fort Calgary. As the name suggests, it will have the area’s largest green space, and will also be home to lower-density townhouses and low-rise condos. The announcement in August that the new central library would be located in East Village is yet another draw for residents and visitors, and historians will pleased to hear that in addition to the renovation of the King Eddy, the St. Louis Hotel and the Hillier Block are being refurbished. 

East Village currently has two residential property developers on board, Embassy Bosa out of Vancouver, and FRAM+Slokker, from Ontario. Both companies plan to build homes for all income levels, ensuring that the East Village will truly be a community for everyone.

FRAM+Slokker plans on four phases of construction, beginning with the aptly titled First, an 18-storey mid-rise building with 191 units for sale, a blend of studio, one- and two-bedroom condos. Later phases will incorporate both condos and townhomes, with appealing locations near the river’s edge, park land and the LRT.

“We see ourselves contributing and enhancing the work that has been done to date by CMLC by creating an exciting new community,” says FRAM’s VP of development and construction, Fred Serrafero. “This requires a lot more than just designing a condo, selling and building it. Our projects incorporate commercial and retail space as well as special and unique private spaces for residents and visitors to the community.”

Embassy Bosa was the first developer to purchase property in East Village in over a decade. Their first project will be a 20-storey tower with 223 units called Evolution, a name that evokes the transformation the neighbourhood is going through. 

“It’s all going to be new, fresh,” says Dennis Serraglio, the director of sales and marketing at Embassy Bosa. “The CMLC is doing a great job of spearheading [the development]. Everyone involved is moving in the right direction,” just as evolution dictates. Embassy Bosa also plans to build a series of three-storey townhomes with rooftop decks in the future. The highrise developments will incorporate ground-floor retail units, as well as a rooftop deck for all residents to enjoy. 

Sales for homes from both developers will commence in early 2012, with the opening of a new, joint one-stop sales centre where visitors can learn more about the entire redevelopment of East Village as well as the residential projects by FRAM+Slokker and Embassy Bosa. The 8,000-square-foot East Village Experience Centre will be located on the corner of Riverfront Avenue and Confluence Way S.E. 

“East Village is creating a new type of urban living that Calgary has never seen,” says Nolan . “East Village will be a vibrant, creative community that brings together innovative design, cultural facilities and innovative public spaces to create a true live/work/play urban village that some 11,000 residents will call home.”

Construction of residential units begins this year and the first units will be available to move into in early 2013.