The owner of the iconic Ship and Anchor Pub on 17 Avenue SW fears a proposed development could mean the demise of their Beltline establishment.

Calgary city councillors ultimately voted in favour of a policy amendment and land-use redesignation for a parcel of land that includes the Ship and Anchor as a ground-level commercial tenant.

The development proposes demolishing a 1948 apartment building next to the Ship and Anchor to build a six-storey mixed-use building and also build two-storeys over top the current four-storey building where the Ship is located.

Julie Brache with Strategic Group, the site developer, said that they intend to maintain operations at the Ship and Anchor during construction.

“Our building and our new services are going to be actually separate from them, so they will remain open,” she said.

“We have an in-house property management team and leasing team, which is a benefit to this type of situation, where we can have immediate lines of communication between our in-house development team, our in-house construction team, and property management leasing. So, any concerns that come up, we all are kind of in direct communication with them.”

James Ballantyne, long-time majority shareholder in the Ship and Anchor, said that the last time he’d spoken with anyone from Strategic Group was in February 2025. He said they’re opposed to the current application, though they understand the need for greater density along the 17 Avenue SW corridor.

“What we are greatly concerned about is the viability of a busy live music venue operating directly beneath and in the same structure as residential housing, notwithstanding the fact that acoustic shielding can be added, which will lessen the transfer of the higher pitch sounds through the floor of the apartments above,” he said.

Councillor hopes sides can work together

Ballantyne added that at one point, the Ship offices were located above the pub for several years, and it was very loud when bands played.

“It is unrealistic to think that the music can be muted to the point that it will be acceptable to someone trying to sleep in the apartments. It will almost certainly lead to complaints, which bylaw officers will have to respond to and we will have to address,” he said.

“If, however, this project is approved as currently presented, then putting on live shows as we have for 35 years, free to our customers as they’ve always been, at the same volume as they’ve always been presented, could, in fact, contribute to our demise.”

There was also concern expressed over potential conflict between residents in the new units and Ship customers.

“We don’t think Ship customers are going to be nearly as comfortable in that setting, and that would compromise what has become a very popular spot for the Beltline community further,” Ballantyne said.

“If we were in a situation that some of the residents overlooking the patio are also bothered by the music or crowds on the patio, it might not just be awkward. It is conceivable that it could become openly hostile.”

Ballantyne said there could be sound-dampening options available, but that would require further conversations with the developer.

The Ship and Anchor still has 16 more years on their lease at that location, Ballantyne said.

“We’re not going anywhere, and the use of all the areas we currently have are all our exclusive use areas,” he said.

“So… it’s going to require a conversation, put it that way, for them to move ahead with any sort of development.”

Ward 8 Coun. Nathan Schmidt said this was a difficult decision for him.

“We certainly don’t want a strong local business that is contributing to the music scene, is a live music venue, suffer from this,” he said.

“But it’s tough, because that is something that we can’t really factor into our decisions here, and given this is 17th Avenue, right by Fifth Street, many amenities, access to transportation, this land use is certainly appropriate for that area.”

Coun. Schmidt voted in favour of the changes, but urged the developer to work with his office and the Ship and Anchor to find a solution.

Couns. John Pantazopoulos, Rob Ward and Kim Tyers voted against the proposal.