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A diverse mix of housing types in East Village supports a complete, mixed-use community in the heart of downtown Calgary.<\/p>\nSince 2007, CMLC been transforming Calgary\u2014brick by brick, block by block, idea by idea\u2014creating places that connect, inspire, and redefine the way people experience our city.<\/p>\n
Guided by the East Village Master Plan, CMLC rebuilt Calgary\u2019s oldest neighbourhood from the ground up, weaving together new housing, shops, restaurants, pathways, parks and culture into a cohesive, connected whole.<\/p>\n
The results speak for themselves. More than $3 billion in new public spaces and private investment. National recognition for urban design and placemaking. And\u2014most important\u2014a thriving community where Calgarians live, work and belong.<\/p>\n
East Village was CMLC\u2019s first master planned community. A proof of concept that we continue to apply to The Culture + Entertainment District and to Transit-Oriented Communities along the Red Line. East Village showed what\u2019s possible when clear vision, thoughtful master planning and steadfast delivery come together.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how we do it.<\/p>\n
The art and science of a great master plan<\/p>\n
A great master plan starts with people. It begins by asking: How do we want to live? How do we want to move? How do we want to feel? Then it layers in the systems\u2014streets, parks, housing, transit\u2014that bring those answers to life.<\/p>\n
Far more than just a blueprint on paper, it\u2019s a powerful, future-focused vision\u2014deeply layered, thoughtful, crafted to connect, to invite, to endure.<\/p>\n
CMLC\u2019s planning philosophy is built on four pillars that turn plans into places.<\/p>\n
A video showing an aerial of East Village before CMLC began its work in the neighbourhood transitioning to an aerial of East Village in 2025.<\/p>\n
Pillar 1: Delivering strategic mixed-use development<\/p>\n
Every master plan we create is a blueprint for a complete, vibrant community\u2014a place where people can live, work and play within a few city blocks.<\/p>\n
That calls for a healthy mix of housing typologies and densities\u2014high-rise, mid-rise, affordable, market, rental\u2014each crafted to reflect the site\u2019s context and potential.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s about leveraging opportunity\u2014seeing a single station or an underused parcel as a catalyst for transformation and sparking economic growth that radiates through the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n
A diverse mix of housing types in East Village supports a complete, mixed-use community in the heart of downtown Calgary.<\/p>\n
Pillar 2: Enabling multi-modal connectivity<\/p>\n
Our plans prioritize multimodal transportation, making sure every path leads somewhere worth going. We design connections that are safe, intuitive and human scale. We balance = parking with pedestrian vibrancy. We make the first and last steps of every journey delightful because when it\u2019s easier to move, it\u2019s easier to belong.<\/p>\n
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Phase I of the Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk opened in November 2010 and was one of the first pieces of infrastructure completed in East Village. This integrated pathway provides a continuous, accessible connection along the Bow River \u2014 setting the foundation for a more connected, walkable, and people-centred neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
Pillar 3: Facilitating placemaking + public realm activation<\/p>\n
The spaces between buildings matter as much as the buildings themselves. That\u2019s where connection happens.<\/p>\n
Our master plans layer plazas, parks, riverwalks and retail corridors into the urban fabric\u2014public spaces that invite people to linger, connect and celebrate daily life. Landscaping, art, light and texture work together to create a sense of place that\u2019s unmistakably Calgary.<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t just build infrastructure. We stage experiences.<\/p>\n
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The Open, East Village\u2019s accessible public washroom and pickleball court, opened in January 2025, providing a lively, inclusive gathering place in East Village.<\/p>\n
Pillar 4: Supporting long-term sustainability<\/p>\n
Sustainability isn\u2019t an add-on. It\u2019s a design principle\u2014a sincere commitment.<\/p>\n
Our plans promote walking, cycling and transit use. They reduce emissions by design. They\u2019re resilient and adaptive, built to handle Calgary\u2019s evolving climate and population. With each project, our goal is to advance a greener, more sustainable urban future.<\/p>\n
A great master plan is never static. It evolves with its community, adapts to new realities and grows stronger with time. That\u2019s the art of community building\u2014the delicate balance between structure and spontaneity, between guiding the evolution of a place and letting it become what it\u2019s meant to be.<\/p>\n
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Completed in 2008, East Village\u2019s Storm Pond is Calgary\u2019s first and only inner-city stormwater wetland\u2014designed to capture and filter runoff before it reaches the Bow River, while also supporting urban wildlife and long-term flood resilience in a dense urban setting.A proven formula for city-building<\/p>\n
These principles are more than planning terminology. They\u2019re the DNA of every CMLC project\u2014from the river\u2019s edge to the city\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re why our developments attract both public trust and private investment. Why our streets and squares fill with life long after construction crews have gone. Why other cities look to Calgary as a model of how to get city-building right.<\/p>\n