Design for Olympic Plaza Transformation Revealed
The $70M revitalization will reimagine the plaza as a more modern, inclusive, accessible and flexible public gathering space for generations to come
Arts Commons Transformation (ACT)
Tapping the transformative and city-building power of the arts
Dramatically transforming Calgary's creative future.
Overview
A catalyst project—and a big boon to Calgary’s arts community
ACT is the expansion and modernization of Calgary’s premier performing arts centre—part of a $660M investment that responds to the community’s swelling demand for flexible, accessible arts and performance venues that support diverse, relevant programming. A catalyst project in the city's core, ACT supports The City of Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan—a vision and commitment to build a thriving, future-focused downtown.
Location
Key Takeaways
- 1
$270 million Phase 1 expansion is fully funded
The design for the ACT expansion was revealed in April 2024 and reflects the spirit of the community is serves.
- 2
Extensive modernization of Arts Commons up next
Modernization of the existing facility—built in 1985—will follow once the next phase of funding is secured.
- 3
Connected to the Olympic Plaza Transformation
The campus is being designed to capitalize on its intimate connection with Olympic Plaza , whose redevelopment CMLC is also overseeing.
- 4
1,000-seat performance hall in a new building
The ACT expansion also includes a studio theatre and plenty of lobby spaces and gathering places for patrons and the public to connect.
Timeline
Next steps along the path to project delivery
The ACT team revealed the design for the ACT expansion in April 2024, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of the largest arts-focused infrastructure project currently underway in Canada. The ACT expansion broke ground in December 2024, with construction beginning in earnest in January 2025. To follow along as this exciting catalyst project unfolds, subscribe to our newsletter.
Triparty Agreement Signed
October 2020
Expansion Funding Announced
April 2021
Public Engagement
May 2021
Prime Design Team Announced
February 2022
Construction Manager Announced
September 2022
Expansion Design Reveal
April 2024
Expansion Groundbreaking
December 2024
Construction completion
2028/2029 Performance Season
Design
Construction
Media & Recognition
Globe & Mail
District
Partners
- Arts Commons
- The City of Calgary
Project Team9
KPMBPrime Design Consultant
Hindle ArchitectsPrime Design Consultant
TawawPrime Design Consultant
Colliers Project LeadersProject Manager
EllisDonConstruction Manager
Level Playing FieldAccessibility Consultant
Reinbold/Altieri Sebor WieberMechanical Engineer
Crossey Engineering (a Salas O'Brien Company) and Design CoreElectrical Engineer
Threshold AcousticsAcoustics Consultant
Articles20
Emerging Local Artists Transform Downtown Construction Hoarding into Vibrant Canvas for Temporary Art Installations
Public art initiative showcases Calgary's creative talent as part of the Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza Transformation projects
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation prepares for ambitious year of progress in Rivers District, expansion into new communities
New 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines continued Rivers District investment and application of community-building expertise beyond the District’s boundaries in support of City’s housing strategy
Building Big. Living Better. CMLC’s 2024 Year in Review.
For CMLC and our communities, 2024 was a banner year for grand openings and groundbreakings, for development progress and programming activations. Our 18th year of master-planning, community revitalization, and major project delivery in downtown Calgary’s east end was one for the books, enabled by innovative partnerships, strategic investment and bold city-building ambition. Here’s just a taste of what we delivered together in 2024.
Groundbreaking for Arts Commons Transformation expansion sets the stage for early January 2025 construction start
Project partners prepare to build first phase of largest cultural infrastructure project underway in Canada.
Olympic Plaza Transformation project advancing through engagement, design
CMLC shares key findings from public engagement and next steps for construction preparation, invites Calgarians to commemorate Olympic bricks.
One Iconic Plaza, Infinite Possibilities: CMLC launches public engagement for Olympic Plaza Transformation project
Calgarians are invited to participate in an online survey this month to share their ideas and aspirations to ensure that Olympic Plaza evolves as a beloved gathering place for many years to come.
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.
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.
CMLC Selects Construction Manager for The Arts Commons Transformation
CMLC and our partners at Arts Commons and The City of Calgary are pleased to announce the selection of EllisDon as construction manager for the Arts Commons Transformation.
City-Building in 2022 Underscored by Diversity and Healing
The hundreds of LED lights that illuminate Reconciliation Bridge were due to be upgraded this year and CMLC took the opportunity to re-evaluate its community lighting program and develop a new program that would prioritize Indigenous stories in the annual lighting calendar.
CMLC, Arts Commons and City of Calgary Announce Design Team for the Arts Commons Transformation
KPMB, Hindle Architects, Tawaw Architecture Collective, and SLA are announced as the prime design team for the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) project
Arts Commons Transformation: What Calgarians really want from their arts centre
CMLC recently led a multi-channel public engagement campaign to learn the aspirations of what Calgarians are looking for in their new arts centre. The results are in and we’re thrilled with the way Calgarians got involved and shared their ideas with us!
Placemakers - A CMLC Speaker Series
Placemakers is a series of conversations, lectures and events celebrating the power of placemaking in Calgary’s East Village and Culture + Entertainment Dsitrict.
First Phase of Arts Commons Transformation Gets Funding Go-Ahead
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), together with our partners at Arts Commons, is delighted by The City of Calgary’s announcement today to allocate $80 million towards the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) project through its Greater Downtown Plan .
Help Shape the Future of Arts Commons!
CMLC invites you to have your say on the city’s next major cultural infrastructure project. The Arts Commons Transformation (ACT)—a collaboration between Arts Commons, CMLC and The City of Calgary—will see the city’s premier arts and cultural centre expanded and modernized to better serve Calgary’s
Building Resilient Communities
We’ve been enthusiastically transforming downtown Calgary’s east end into one of the city’s most inviting destinations since 2007. Throughout 2021, with an unwavering focus on serving our community, CMLC will be kicking off the Arts Commons Transformation project; advancing three long-term city-bui
CMLC Year in Review
What a year it’s been! Hit by a global pandemic while the provincial economy was still reeling from low oil prices meant 2020 didn’t quite play out as anyone had imagined. But, despite the challenges of COVID-19, CMLC made significant progress on all the work we had lined up for the year. We saw ma
Arts Commons Transformation Project takes major step forward
Today, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), together with our partners at Arts Commons and The City of Calgary announced the completion of a tri-party development agreement that will initiate the design process for the Arts Commons Transformation Project (ACT) and position CMLC as development
Resources2
Arts Commons Transformation Engagement
As development manager of the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT), CMLC led an engagement program seeking and collecting input from area stakeholders, the arts community and the public at large on the most important features and considerations for ACT. Between January and May 2021, we engaged virtually with thousands of people who shared their ideas and aspirations for a future Arts Commons.
Published
Arts Commons Transformation Responses
As development manager of the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT), CMLC led an engagement program seeking and collecting input from area stakeholders, the arts community and the public at large on the most important features and considerations for ACT. Between January and May 2021, we engaged virtually with thousands of people who shared their ideas and aspirations for a future Arts Commons.
Published
Related Projects
Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT)
A timely restoration of a Calgary cultural landmark
