The City of Calgary and cSPACE Projects have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore transforming two historic downtown buildings into a new arts and culture hub. The City and cSPACE are collaborating to find new uses for the Historic Fire Hall No. 1 (140 6 Avenue S.E.) and the North-West Travellers Building (515 1 Street S.E.) as vibrant spaces where artists can engage with Calgarians.
If the conceptual design and feasibility study are successful, these iconic buildings could become spaces for art, creative work, community events, and businesses. This project supports The City’s efforts to enhance Calgary’s downtown and create accessible spaces for creativity and culture.
A creative future for Calgary
“This agreement is a big step in bringing new energy to two of Calgary’s most famous heritage buildings,” says Ryan Meier, Manager of Facility Planning for The City of Calgary. “By partnering with cSPACE, we’re setting the stage for a unique space that will support Calgary’s growing arts community and offer a cultural hub in the heart of downtown.”
In spring 2024, after an expression of interest and a thorough evaluation process, The City chose cSPACE as the top candidate to reimagine these buildings. This decision was based on cSPACE’s success with similar projects, like the reimagined King Edward School in Marda Loop, which has become an important part of Calgary’s arts and cultural scene.
Deeter Schurig, President & CEO of cSPACE, added: “We’re excited to partner with The City of Calgary to turn these historic buildings into a dynamic, iconic destination. Our plan for a creative hub will not only preserve Calgary’s history but also bring new life into the buildings. It will create a place for artists to be creative and help Calgary’s creative economy grow.”
Revitalizing downtown with arts and culture
The Historic Fire Hall No. 1 (built in 1911) and the North-West Travellers Building (constructed in 1912) are City-owned, legally protected heritage resources. The Fire Hall served as the home of the Calgary Fire Department until 1973 and was later leased by Budget Rent-a-Car until 2019. The North-West Travellers Building, a four-story red brick structure, has housed various businesses over the years. Now, both buildings will be reimagined as vibrant, functional spaces that will contribute to Calgary’s arts and culture scene.
“This is an exciting opportunity to enhance Calgary’s downtown and bring more arts and culture to the city,” says Franca Gualtieri, Manager of Arts and Culture for The City of Calgary. “This project will create unique spaces that connect Calgarians with creativity. It also will help activate the area, strengthening our community’s cultural identity.”
Next steps
The City of Calgary and cSPACE are now moving ahead with a conceptual design and feasibility study to determine the best ways to use the spaces. They will work closely with the arts community to make sure the project meets their needs. The vision for the new creative hub will be shared in late-2025.
For more information about this historic site, visit https://engage.calgary.ca/HFH1-NWT. For more about cSPACE and their plans for the arts and culture hub, visit cspaceprojects.com.