Stephen Avenue Place Podium Redevelopment
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Stephen Avenue Place
Location
Calgary, AB
Project Size
150,000 sq. ft.
Year Completed
2021

The laws of (tenant) attraction.

Developer Zeidler had a vision for the podium of Stephen Avenue Place, which faces Calgary’s famous Stephen Avenue Walk: to transform it into a destination in itself. Therefore, the goal of the project was two-fold: create a modern interior space to attract a mix of exciting tenants, and reinvent the four-storey podium in its entirety as a welcoming conduit to draw pedestrians to the retail within.

Smith + Andersen was engaged as the mechanical and electrical consultant for this revitalization, and has since carried out a number of tenant improvement projects in the office tower.

The laws of (tenant) attraction.

Developer Zeidler had a vision for the podium of Stephen Avenue Place, which faces Calgary’s famous Stephen Avenue Walk: to transform it into a destination in itself. Therefore, the goal of the project was two-fold: create a modern interior space to attract a mix of exciting tenants, and reinvent the four-storey podium in its entirety as a welcoming conduit to draw pedestrians to the retail within.

Smith + Andersen was engaged as the mechanical and electrical consultant for this revitalization, and has since carried out a number of tenant improvement projects in the office tower.

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Stephen Avenue Place
This podium redevelopment created a welcoming exterior space and modern interiors to attract tenants and pedestrians.

A complete reimagining, inside and out.

The podium’s existing precast concrete exterior was replaced with a contemporary update that both increases the building’s visibility, and better integrates it with the surrounding area. The design emphasizes a fluid connection between the outside environment and the podium’s interior, which was also extensively refreshed.

Inside, retail layouts required extensive revisions, including converting a former bank into a restaurant, as well as accommodating new, interconnected spaces. Other features include three innovative dining experiences, connections to the +15 bridge system (including direct connections to the Core, TD Square, Bankers Hall, and Brookfield Place), a tenant game lounge, and a patio. The space also includes a new tenant fitness and conference centre, and new tenant lounge, which were both completed in 2019.

 

Upgraded systems for new lease of life.

Existing mechanical and electrical system layouts required extensive updates to suit these upgraded retail and hospitality spaces. This work will also extend the lifespan of the existing building by optimizing the value of the existing structure.

The mechanical design included upgrades to the air handling system to improve ventilation and energy efficiency through the use of variable speed drives. Our team also carried out feasibility studies, and created an operational sequence for the modernization of other existing equipment, such as the new Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems.

 

Flexibility for the future.

Electrical upgrades to Stephen Avenue Place included a new metering system for retail units to offer tenants more concise billing (by usage rather than by square footage). A new communications backbone for the podium was also introduced, along with a brand-new fire alarm upgrade (beyond code requirements).

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Stephen Avenue Place
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Stephen Avenue Place
Mechanical and electrical layouts were updated to suit new spaces and uses.

Project Team