Author/Contributor: City of Calgary
Alberta Context:
The case study highlights an office-to-residential retrofit project in downtown Calgary. As part of efforts to revitalize the area, the City of Calgary introduced initiatives like the Downtown Retrofit Challenge and the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program. These programs encourage converting vacant office spaces into residential units, addressing both high vacancy rates and growing housing demand.
Summary:
This study focuses on the Dominion Centre retrofit, a project supported by Calgary’s Downtown Retrofit Challenge. The initiative provided funding and technical assistance to guide the conversion of office space into residential units.
The project showcases both the potential and challenges of retrofitting existing buildings to meet sustainability targets. Although it fell short of initial energy reduction goals, the study offers valuable insights into design strategies, cost considerations, and the importance of accounting for climate risks.
The lessons learned from this project can inform future office-to-residential retrofit projects to revitalize downtown while advancing a more efficient and sustainable built environment.
Read the whole study here.
