Major residential and mixed-use project envisioned for Inglewood's historic brewery land

The majority owner of the Brewery-Rail Lands in the community of Inglewood has submitted its land use redesignation application to the city of Calgary.

Matco Development's vision for the historic site includes a series of new residential buildings that could house up to 2,000 people, as well as light industrial, commercial and office development.

The plan, if approved, would be developed over the next two decades, on the former Calgary Brewing and Malting site bounded by 17th Avenue S.E., the railway line south of that, and 15th Street S.E. at its east end.

While several of the 21 structures and buildings on the former Calgary Brewing and Malting site — which dates back to 1893 and was last used by Molson in the early 1990s — would be demolished, the plan calls for some of the heritage buildings and structures to be restored or reconfigured.

They include the industrial heritage precinct courtyard, a fish hatchery wall, engine room building, boiler building and smokestack and an administration building. The old grain silos would be relocated.

The plan is still in early stages, but Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra says the Inglewood brewery is an important site in one of Calgary's oldest communities.

"I'm very interested to see what the public has to say, and how much interest there is," he said.

Matco is not commenting on its plans yet, but will be holding two online consultation sessions in March.

'Huge potential'

Inglewood Community Association president Phil Levson said he still needs to learn more details about the project, but at first glance, he says there appear to be a number of positives.

"I think this is a massive development that has some huge potential for maintaining heritage and building a true, walkable community that is pedestrian friendly," said Levson.

"Without seeing all the details, we certainly welcome some of the benchmarks around establishing a true sense of preserving heritage opportunities, which we all have been pushing for for a long time."

Levson said he is interested in getting more information on whether or not the proposed taller buildings would create shadows on homes in the neighbourhood, and to find out whether the facade of the buildings in the development will match the look and feel of Inglewood.

The Inglewood Community Association will discuss the project proposal at its next board meeting.