Two non-profit organizations have joined forces to convert a vacant office tower in downtown Calgary into much-needed affordable housing. Sierra Place, located in a prime location on the C-Train line at the corner of 7th Avenue and 6th Street S.W, was purchased by HomeSpace Society, a leading affordable housing provider in Calgary. When complete, the 10-storey building will feature six floors and 82 units intended for vulnerable populations including low-income women, women with children, Indigenous people, and newcomers to the area. The remaining four floors will house shelter, transitional and support services to be provided by Inn from the Cold.

A first-of-its kind project in Calgary, Sierra Place will not only serve to address the city’s office vacancy issue, but will create 160 jobs for the private sector while helping to bring vibrancy and economic stimulation in the struggling downtown core.

To fund the vacant office conversion project, HomeSpace and Inn from the Cold are launching Project Thrive, a joint $28.5 million Capital Campaign.

“We are proud to count the City of Calgary as a project partner that sees this building renovation as an important first step to bolstering Calgary’s struggling downtown core,” the HomeSpace website proclaims. “The City has pledged $5.5 million to the project, situating the redevelopment of the Sierra Place family hub inside a larger commitment to reinvigorating Calgary’s downtown.”

Rendering by Gibbs Gage Architects. Visit Sierra Place – Home Space for more information.