Calgary Chinese Fight Back Development



Chinatown Vancouver - Courtesy Westbank Corp

Calgary Chinese Fight Back Development

The Chinese community came out to protest. Many in the area are against plans for a 27-storey development in Calgary's Chinatown. The area has one of the largest vacant lots existing. Terry Wong, spokesman for Chinatown’s recently founded Business Revitalization Zone stated publicly that, "Policy documents like this should be reviewed every five years."  He added, “…so it’s 25 years overdue."

Local Architect Caused the Uproar!

The developer has asked for the removal of Chinatown’s 15-storey height restriction including rezoning for two-thirds commercial usage when the limit is currently 50 per cent. Mr. Chugh, the architect, says the intention is, "to contribute to the revitalization of Chinatown by developing a significant parcel of land which has been empty for more than 20 years." Mr. Chugh says he’s been "a bit surprised" by the scale of the reaction.

Development Challenges 3 Zoning Regulations

According to Wong, "They’ve requested a land-use change to allow them a broader variety of commercial use than the land is currently zoned for." With the recent public protest the application’s progress at City Hall has been stalled - now deferred until December, 2016.

Needs to Feel Like China Town

Concerned business owners and residents explain that the development poses too great a risk. According to Wong, "They [the developers] haven’t provided the answers we’re looking for. We’re not concerned with the process; we’re concerned with the intention." Ensuring the neighbourhood, "feels like Chinatown," remains one of Mr. Wong’s top priorities for Calgary.

Fears from Young and Old Alike

Older members of the community are concerned about the new development destroying their heritage. Young Chinese Calgarians are also showing their support. They have formed a group called I Love YYC Chinatown to raise awareness. Sylvia Leong, one of the founding members believes the development challenge is one being faced by all North American Chinatowns.  "There’s a need to evolve but also a need to maintain links to the past." https://www.facebook.com/SaveCalgaryChinatown/photos/a.

This prompted a comment from one of the news followers, "Why do the Chinese people have a problem with integration?"

Do you feel the same? Do you think preserving heritage is important? Are you interested in buying or selling property in Chinatown? Give Chris a call #403-680-4479

Demolish Century-old Cecil Hotel?

Demolish Century-old Cecil Hotel?

Recent news reports have stated that a notorious downtown Cecil Hotel at the eastern edge of downtown Calgary, abandoned for years, might soon be demolished. The Cecil is one of only six pre-First World War hotels that are still standing now for over 100 years.

Said to be a Dark and Evil Place

The Cecil has had more than its share of fires, bad paint jobs, poor renovations and more homicides than anyone’s bothered to count. It has been described as a place brimming with evil, darkness and death. In its final year of operation, police were called 1,700 times. The city shut the hotel down and purchased the land for $10.9-million in 2009.

Not Many Interested in Saving it. Hold on!

The structure has been described as being in tolerable good shape. The heritage authority has declared the building salvageable. It retains much of its turn-of-the-century brick, wood and sandstone infrastructure. The site has been used for an Indie Film produced by Ritika Anand who enthused that it was a pretty cool place to shoot a film.

Thought to be Haunted!

Those involved in the filming of the movie thought it was interesting albeit creepy. “My crew thought it was haunted,” said Shailender Vyas, the Calgary-based director of Three Colours and A Canvas. “We were hearing sounds…footsteps from other floors.”

The Cecil Not Notorious Enough Says Wikipedia

Wikipedia's page for the Cecil Hotel (Calgary) has been deleted! "[The] concern was: No indication of notability. It appears that the place had a certain level of ''notoriety'', but it doesn't meet Wikipedia's notability requirements."

Hotel's Future Uncertain

The hotel area is soon be surrounded by modern monuments such as shops and restaurants slated as part of a 49-hectare condo development. The hotel is being used as a staging area for nearby construction work. When that’s done next year, the city’s attention will turn to the hotel’s future.

Damaged from Flood

Since the building was damaged in last year’s flood Mayor Naheed Nenshi says, “So this is a really good opportunity for us…looking forward to the ideas.”

Has the Mayor Heard of the Gladstone in Toronto?

A similar situation occurred in downtown Toronto with the historic Gladstone Hotel. A group of developers rescued it and now it's a thriving creative artist space with live music, a restaurant and 37 unique artist-designed rooms to choose from. You’ll find art everywhere. Rooms book for $179 per night.

Interested in buying a historic building? Call Chris for more info 403-680-4479

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