Design for Arts Commons Transformation expansion revealed
The first phase of the $660M transformation project will add a new building with a 1,000-seat theatre and 200-seat studio theatre to the Arts Commons campus.
Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT)
A timely restoration of a Calgary cultural landmark
Olympic Plaza is envisioned as a seamless extension of the greater Arts Commons campus.
Overview
Expanding the Arts Commons vision in support of downtown revitalization.
The Olympic Plaza Transformation will reimagine the 35-year-old urban gathering place as an innovative, flexible, arts-focused gathering space in the core, building on the momentum of the investment and work already underway in downtown Calgary. As development manager for the project, CMLC will steward design and construction on behalf of our partners, Arts Commons and The City of Calgary.
Location
Key Takeaways
- 1
An initial $40 million investment
The City of Calgary has allocated $40 million for CMLC to initiate the project, procure the design team and complete the design for OPT.
- 2
Intimately connected to Arts Commons
Arts Commons will lead curated programming, operations and maintenance for the revitalized plaza after construction is complete.
- 3
An organic connection between indoors and out
Through imaginative design and creative programming, OPT will forge stronger connections, both physical and conceptual, with Arts Commons.
- 4
Elevating an entire downtown block
CMLC’s oversight of three concurrent projects in a single block creates design synergies, construction efficiencies and economies of scale.
Media & Recognition
Global News
District
Partners
- Arts Commons
- The City of Calgary
Project Team9
gh3* Architecture, Urban Design & Landscape ArchitecturePrime Design Consultant
CCxA Landscape Architecture & Urban DesignPrime Design Consultant
Belleville PlacemakingPrime Design Consultant
Colliers Project LeadersProject Manager
EllisDonConstruction Manager
AecomCivil Engineering & Planning
Level Playing FieldAccessibility Consultant
Domingo Gonzalez AssociatesLighting Design
Trizart AllianceAcoustic & Theatre Planning
Articles5
CMLC to advance more than $1B in major project completions and initiations in 2024
As several major city-building projects near completion in The Culture + Entertainment District, CMLC advances new 6 St S.E. Underpass project and prepares for construction on Arts Commons Transformation project.
A look back at 2023 as we ready ourselves for the year ahead
Critical infrastructure, major vertical builds, development progress, innovative placemaking and collaborative partnerships underpin CMLC’s major accomplishments from 2023. These achievements not only solidify CMLC's role in shaping the city's future but also lay the groundwork for continued urban development and transformative growth for Calgary’s east end in the year ahead.
Prime Design Team Announced for Olympic Plaza Transformation
Leading landscape architecture and placemaking firms from Toronto, Montreal, New York and Calgary will reimagine the beloved outdoor gathering space.
Olympic Plaza Transformation Set To Begin
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and its partners, The City of Calgary and Arts Commons, are thrilled to announce the Olympic Plaza Transformation—a new city-building initiative to renew an important but aging downtown cultural space, amplify the potential of the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) and foster continued revitalization of the downtown core.
