June 21, 2011
(Calgary, Alberta) – Embassy Bosa Inc. (Embassy Bosa) is launching a month-long contest today to name its newest mixed-use development in Calgary’s East Village, with the winner nabbing a trip for two to New York’s East Village. The contest runs until July 20, 2011, and the winning name will be announced later this summer.
The project has been designed by Vancouver-based James Cheng, an architect who studied with Arthur Erickson and has earned worldwide acclaim as a residential tower designer. Cheng will design roughly 700,000 square feet of mixed-use development in East Village. The project is expected to deliver approximately 600 residential units over five years, with pre-sales beginning in February, 2012.
“This is a very special project, and it deserves a very special name,” said Ryan Bosa, president of Embassy Bosa Inc. “James doesn’t just design a building; he incorporates the neighbourhood and the natural surroundings into his vision and creates a unique environment for the building’s residents. We are eager to have Calgarians interpret his design and to provide their suggestions for a great name”.
Calgarians are encouraged to submit ideas that reflect both the neighbourhood’s history and Cheng’s design vision for a true urban village. All contest details are available at www.evexperience.com or facebook.com/ev.calgary.
Cheng is known for his focus on sustainability and master-planning communities; his buildings are famous for respecting and embracing the surrounding landscape. In East Village, his architectural design will incorporate the Bow River and vast prairie sky, while including elements of brick and wood to mirror the historic Simmons Building, located just across the street. The ultimate goal – to rebuild a neighbourhood from the inside out.
“One of the guiding principles of my work is how people live in the space between the buildings” said Cheng. “If we can create a social and cultural interface where people can connect and neighbours can meet one another, then we can establish the social scene of a true village.”
Although best known for his residential buildings, Cheng’s projects include the Shangri-La, a mixed-use skyscraper and currently the tallest building in Metro Vancouver. He also designed the proposed King George Tower in Surrey, B.C. If completed, the tower would be one of the tallest buildings in Canada.
“To have someone of Mr. Cheng’s stature and reputation attached to the East Village redevelopment project is tremendously exciting,” said Susan Veres, CMLC spokesperson. “We believe his involvement will not only boost the profile of this development, but will attract interest from buyers right across the country.”
The East Village redevelopment is being stewarded by CMLC, a company of passionate, experienced placemakers who bring new energy to old neighbourhoods, create credibility and confidence, and inspire communities to build, grow and believe.