Calgary city council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone the site of Inglewood's iconic 'Blue Store' corner store, paving the way for its demolition and replacement with a mixed-use condo development. The 14-0 vote followed a public hearing on a land use amendment for the two parcels at the corner of 9th Avenue and 13th Street S.E.
Redevelopment plans
The project, proposed by O2 Planning and Design on behalf of Brava Development Corp., will include an L-shaped apartment building up to six storeys tall with 65 housing units. The development will wrap around the neighbouring Carson Block, a 1912 building on the city's inventory of evaluated heritage resources, which will be retained and integrated into the project. The Carson Block currently houses the Dirty Duck Pub and other commercial tenants.
Colin Netka, an urban planner for O2 Planning and Design, said the proposal would legally protect the Carson Block as a designated heritage site. He noted the site is well served by transit, with a future Green Line LRT station less than half a kilometre away, the existing Max Purple BRT line, and other Calgary Transit bus routes along 9th Avenue.
Heritage considerations
The 'Blue Store' building, also known as the Blyth Block, was built in 1923 and originally housed a dance hall. According to the city's heritage inventory, it is a rare example of an inter-war commercial building on Inglewood's main street and a distinctive example of Spanish colonial revival style architecture. Despite its heritage value, the building will be demolished to make way for the new development.
“It's always going to be a difficult conversation and contemplation about how we best move forward with 9th Avenue,” said area councillor, acknowledging the trade-off between preserving historic structures and enabling new housing.
Community impact
The development aims to strengthen the walkable main street character of Inglewood. Netka told council, “This proposed land use change enables a mixed-use development that adds both housing options and neighbourhood amenities. By requiring commercial uses at-grade along the street and locating residential uses in the upper levels, the project strengthens the walkable and main street vision of the area while creating an active and engaging street edge.”
Parking for tenants will be underground, with access off 13th Street rather than 9th Avenue. The Bow River and Elbow River pathway networks are within walking distance, providing connections to surrounding communities and downtown.
