The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation announced on Oct. 27 that the final empty plot along the East Village Riverwalk will, come 2023, be turned into mixed-use housing.

Minto Communities was selected through a competitive request-for-proposal process by CMLC. The project, which is expected to break ground in 2023, will be called Vita in reference to the Bow River.

“It’s really a signature site, first for CMLC and for Calgary,” said Kate Thompson, president and CEO of CMLC.

“It’s really exciting, and what it is is a further commitment to see the vision of the master plan and bring it to life for Calgarians.”

Vita will transform the 27,000 square foot corner lot along the Riverwalk and 6 Avenue SE into 100,000 sq. ft. building, with 100 residential units. Currently the plot has is being used as a parking lot by the Calgary Parking Authority.

Thompson said that Minto was the right partner for the site, given the complexity of the site and the bylaws that prevent shadowing over the river.

“We knew that we had to choose a great partner, and also like all of those riverside sites, they’re all constrained by the shadowing restrictions on the river. So that is going to produce a really interesting solution for that site,” she said.

“We like to present challenges and opportunities to our developers, and then really interestingly, they rise to them. And because of the ways the roads were designed, and the ways the river influences the site, you can’t help but have some unique buildings along that corridor.”

More development underway in the East Village

CMLC has called the plot of land Vita will be built on, the "signature site for the East Village."

"The Riverwalk has become one of our most successful pieces of infrastructure—stroller to stroller, shoulders to shoulder—that is where Calgarians are congregating, and really taking advantage of our natural waterways," said Thompson.

"We realized that our rivers are really important to Calgarians. So, this is the signature river site of the overall East Village plan... it is a big, a big step in the master plan, but it's it's one of many that has been happening over the last 15 years."

Minto in a statement, said that they were excited to launch their next project in Calgary's East Village.

"The master plan for this vibrant and diverse community is directly aligned with our goal to create innovative, inclusive and sustainable places to live, work and play," said Norah Fraser, vice president of development for Minto Communities Calgary.

Work is also underway by BOSA Development and Alston Development on a pair of projects on and near the Riverwalk.

Alston Development is developing EV606, a 44-unit mixed-use development along Riverfront Avenue and Confluence Way. The ground breaking for that project is expected to begin in early 2023.

BOSA Development is currently working on a 42-storey, 337-unit tower which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.