A vacant provincial building in Calgary’s beltline office district will be set up for repositioning. The Alberta government has announced plans to bring the 44-year-old, six-storey structure back into active service, in keeping with the recommendations that a provincial taskforce on revitalizing downtown Calgary submitted earlier this year.

“This project is part of Alberta Infrastructure’s goal to effectively use existing spaces, revamping these buildings and getting them in the best shape to serve Albertans for many years to come,” says the Minister of Infrastructure, Nicolas Milliken.

Known as the Red Cross building, it has been empty since Canadian Blood Services ended its tenancy in 2020 — contributing the current 32.9 per cent office vacancy rate in downtown Calgary. Construction and abatement crews are slated to begin what’s expected to be a six-month interior demolition and hazardous materials remediation project in the winter of 2023. From there, redevelopment and new uses are meant to be reflective of guiding principles affirmed in the taskforce report, which endorse downtown vibrancy, diversity, safety, security and quality of life.

“These kinds of initiatives are key to boosting our local economy, as they offer clean, modern spaces that will keep business in downtown Calgary and offer new opportunities for expansion in the years to come,” asserts Deborah Yedlin, president and chief executive officer of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.