The transformation of Calgary’s East Village continues with a handful of major housing and hotel projects slated to make progress this year. As part of its 2026 outlook, the Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC) outlined four residential projects and a hotel set to be built right along the river. “This is the most development activity we’ve seen in East Village since the pandemic,” said Kate Thompson, CMLC president and CEO. Altogether, the five projects will bring more than 600 housing units and 130 hotel rooms to the area, Thompson said. A groundbreaking was held Monday morning for the first new project, a two-tower 160-unit development called Library Square. The six-storey buildings will rise immediately to the east of the Central Library. “Whenever we look at sites, we really look for amenities that we don’t have to create within our property lines. And when you look around the East Village, it’s got that in spades if you think about shops, restaurants and then all the natural amenities that are already here,” said Cole Richardson, managing partner for Bankside Properties, which is developing the project. A hotel at the corner of Confluence Way and 6th Street SE will be five storeys and have 132 units. “Calgary’s tourism industry is booming, and there’s a lot of opportunity there. And we need to be ready to welcome the world when they come visit,” said Tony Trutina of Truman Homes, the development partner for the hotel. Additional projects nearing the construction phase in East Village include: Nearby, work is continuing to improve access around the new event centre in Victoria Park. “CMLC also is advancing a suite of district infrastructure projects along 14th Avenue S.W., 5A Street and Flores LaDue Parade, and this will all support the seamless integration of Scotia Place into the culture and entertainment district and really make it a vibrant district experience for everyone,” Thompson said. Scotia Place construction is well underway, and the new home for the Calgary Flames is scheduled to be open next year. The smaller rink in that project will be called the Esso Community Arena, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation announced on Monday morning. CMLC is also moving ahead with planning for more transit-oriented development as the city looks to build more housing near CTrain lines. Park-and-ride lots at Anderson, Fish Creek-Lacombe and Dalhousie are currently slated to be developed into affordable housing, and community engagement is just starting.
