Construction begins on the first of five new residential developments in East Village
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation looks ahead to year of development growth, construction progress, and continued community-building in downtown and beyond
Rivers District Master Plan
Advancing a bold vision for an urban culture & entertainment district
CMLC and Calgary Stampede are underway with the delivery of a 20-year master plan for The Culture + Entertainment District (The C+E).
Overview
Guiding east Victoria Park’s transformation into Calgary’s C+E
CMLC’s 20-year vision for east Victoria Park describes a mixed-use community that’s home to 8,000 additional residents and four million sq ft of new development. The Rivers District Master Plan was crafted to flexibly imagine and integrate modernized amenities like a new Event Centre, an expanded BMO Centre, the Stampede Trail retail corridor and other entertainment and cultural amenities.
Location
Key Takeaways
- 1
20-year vision for a city-building transformation
In 2018, CMLC and Calgary Stampede unveiled the Rivers District Master Plan—our roadmap for east Victoria Park’s transformation into The C+E.
- 2
Four million sq ft of mixed-use development
Our vision for The C+E is already attracting private investment as developers recognize the neighbourhood’s growing momentum.
- 3
Kickstarted by major infrastructure investments
The BMO Centre expansion, 17th Avenue extension and Stampede Trail are already catalyzing further development.
- 4
Hotel investment responds to growing demand
Local developer Truman, in collaboration with Marriott International, will bring three new hotel developments to The Culture + Entertainment District – two of which will offer a combined hotel-residential format – further enhancing hospitality and residential options in the area.
Media & Recognition
Mayor’s Urban Design Award
Canadian Architects
Dates
Approved January 2018
Partner
- Calgary Stampede
Project Team2
Civitas Studio
GGA Architecture
Articles31
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.
Behind The Build: Infrastructure that Connects a Community
The 17 Avenue SE extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station rebuild—our largest street-level infrastructure improvement initiative to date—is a tangible expression of our commitment to connectivity. Here’s how we brought the vision to life.
Excitement is Building: Culture + Entertainment District prepares to celebrate more milestones in 2024
Big year of development progress in The C+E continues with preparations for 17 Ave S.E. Extension & Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild grand opening and warm welcome back to hockey fans.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion, Calgary's new hub for world-class events
Now that the BMO Centre expansion has officially opened and visitors are experiencing its offerings, we conclude our Countdown to Completion series by highlighting how this impressive 565,000-square-foot building represents a significant leap forward for Calgary's events and hospitality industry and energizes Calgary's Culture + Entertainment District.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion – Looking Back, The Making of the BMO Centre Expansion
Reflecting on the vision behind the landmark design and the monumental team effort that went into designing and building the BMO Centre expansion and the design elements that make it a world-class gathering place.
BMO Centre at Stampede Park Welcomes the World to Western Canada’s Largest Convention Centre
$500M expansion officially opens its doors and puts Calgary on the map as a world-class convention destination.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion – The 100,000 square foot outdoor plaza
Highlighting the vast outdoor plaza, spanning nearly 100,000 square feet, this all-season gathering area boasts art installations, nods to the Calgary Stampede’s history, and a rich variety of flora inspired by Alberta's natural scenery.
Installation of Spirit of Water complete at BMO Centre Expansion at Stampede Park
Gerry Judah’s landmark public art piece successfully installed ahead of June 5 expansion grand opening.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion—Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Highlighting the sustainability initiatives and approach to reducing environmental impact that informed design and construction on the BMO Centre expansion project.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion, Design Elements
Showcasing some never before seen design elements including the Brand Room's leather-wrapped doors, the reimagined Neon Cowboy and Canada's largest indoor fireplace.
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.
Countdown to Completion: BMO Centre Expansion, Pavilion Lights
Creating a sense of wonder and anticipation through exterior marquee lighting feature.
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.
Victoria Park/Stampede Station Switch Complete
Victoria Park/Stampede Station switch complete, regular transit service resumes today. Transit customers now using new station platforms, final phases of station construction to occur through spring.
Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild project prepares to switch to new station platform
Important phase in Victoria Park/Stampede Station rebuild to require nine-day closure of Red Line between City Hall/Bow Valley College and Chinook stations, lane closures on northbound Macleod Trail.
Culture + Entertainment District Access Update: August 2023
After pausing road works for Stampede 2023, construction on more than $600M in major city-building projects is ramping back up in The Culture + Entertainment District. This week, the intersection of 11 Ave and 4 St S.E. will close to enable the Green Line LRT’s Beltline and Downtown Utilities Relocation Project, effectively closing the 4 St S.E. Underpass to vehicles until late 2023. Pedestrian and cycling access will be maintained.
Stampede Trail Redevelopment project breaks ground in Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and the Calgary Stampede, as partners in the delivery of the Rivers District Master Plan, are pleased to break ground on the redevelopment of Stampede Trail (formerly Olympic Way). Construction on the vibrant retail corridor and multi-modal connector begins this month.
CMLC and Calgary Stampede announce Matthews Southwest Hospitality as development partner for new BMO Centre Convention hotel
CMLC and the Calgary Stampede are pleased to announce a joint partnership with Matthews Southwest Hospitality (MSWH) for the development of a new convention centre hotel that will complement the dramatic expansion of Calgary’s BMO Centre.
Rivers District Partners Remain Focused on Long-Term Vision for Culture + Entertainment District
CMLC and the Calgary Stampede are committed to the long-term success of the district and remain optimistic that ongoing discussions being led by the City of Calgary ultimately result in a positive outcome for Calgarians and the Rivers District.
Full Steam Ahead 2020
CMLC’s on a roll with city-building infrastructure and construction in downtown Calgary’s east end, transforming the area into one of the city’s most exciting and inviting destinations.
Warehouse District revealed!
Calgary’s Warehouse District—one of the city’s most unassuming but historically significant neighbourhoods—will be centre stage at the Calgary Heritage Authority’s Heritage Matters event on Thursday, November 21st.
Momentum in the Culture + Entertainment District
Just eight months after receiving the City’s stamp of approval on the Rivers District Master Plan, CMLC's vision for east Victoria Park is rapidly—and dramatically—taking shape. A major expansion of BMO centre, a new event centre, and the much-anticipated extension of 17th Avenue SE into Stampede Park are just the beginning…
CMLC and Calgary Stampede Partner on Major Development Opportunity in East Victoria Park
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is on a mission. Again. As it leads the effort to transform downtown Calgary’s east end into one of the city’s most exciting and inviting destinations, CMLC is determined to bring the same energy, appeal and investment to east Victoria Park that its redevelo
CMLC Moves Forward on Major Redevelopment Initiative in East Victoria Park
Find out how we're getting to work with our plans for a major redevelopment initiative in Calgary's East Victoria Park. Learn more.
Thousands of Calgarians Weigh In on the Vision for Calgary’s Future Cultural and Entertainment District
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC)—the placemaking and development team leading the revitalization and redevelopment of the Rivers District (including the dramatic resurrection and transformation of East Village) has spent nine months engaging with Calgarians about Calgary’s future Culture and Entertainment District in and around east Victoria Park.
Temporary Mural Installation Lands in East Victoria Park
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the placemaking and development team that is leading the Rivers District Master Plan for east Victoria Park has partnered with Springboard Performance to help realize a temporary mural installation adjacent to Enoch Park. The installation marks the second
A Bold Vision for Calgary's Cultural and Entertainment District
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the placemaking and development team that accomplished the seemingly impossible by bringing Calgary’s oldest and most neglected neighbourhood, East Village, dramatically back to life—has spent the past 12 months creating an imaginative, practical, forward-
CMLC Kick-Starts Creation of a Master Plan Vision for Victoria Park
Planning gets underway for master-planned district on downtown Calgary’s east end with $150 million commitment to infrastructure investment.
CMLC and Calgary Stampede create strategic alliance
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and Calgary Stampede have been neighbours, literally, since 2007 when the development company moved into East Village and began to deliver a master plan vision for the East Village neighbourhood. Like all good neighbours, the two organizations have had many occasio
Resources5
2024 Business Plan
CMLC's 2024 Business Plan, as approved by our shareholder - The City of Calgary.
Published
2022 Annual Report
A detailed report of CMLC's revitalization work in the Rivers District in 2022.
Published
Calgary Event Centre Public Engagement Results
The Event Centre Engagement Strategy—approved by the multiparty Event Centre Assessment Committee in September 2019—sets out a phased, city-wide approach for gathering public opinion and insights on the new facility. The strategy included an online survey, roundtable discussions with project and community stakeholders, and in-person engagement events in each of Calgary’s 14 municipal wards. Between January 29 and March 27, 2020, we solicited feedback from thousands of community stakeholders on the design of the facility and the public programming it will deliver. In this time, we directly reached 1,977 community members at 23 in-person engagement events, collected 14,549 online surveys and chaired five roundtable discussions with representatives from 22 community organizations.
Published
Rivers District Master Plan
Led by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and approved by Calgary City Council in 2018, the Rivers District Master Plan is a 20-year vision for the redevelopment of Stampede Park and east Victoria Park as Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District. It will result in four million square feet of mixed-use development and over 8,000 new residents moving into a vibrant community nestled on 286 acres of Calgary’s downtown east side.
Published
Rivers District Engagement Report
This report provides an overview of the engagement efforts led by CMLC specific to the Master Plan process starting in 2017. It details findings of a joint public engagement program in collaboration with the City of Calgary.
Published
Related Projects
17th Avenue SE Extension & Victoria Park / Stampede Station Rebuild
Connecting communities and opening up Stampede Park 365 days a year
Rivers District Streetscape Guidelines
Important measures to uphold the integrity of our placemaking practice
9th Avenue SE Bridge Replacement
A modern and versatile link between Inglewood and the Rivers District
Culture + Entertainment District Hotel Development
Enabling hotel development to meet rising demand
