Bridgeland Place refurbishment pushed to late 2028 as exterior work begins this week

Exterior work on Calgary's Bridgeland Place affordable housing tower begins this week as part of a $90 million refurbishment that will now stretch into late 2028.

The project was originally expected to welcome new tenants in 2027, but Calgary Housing confirmed the timeline has slipped by a year. Bo Jiang, the interim chief executive of Calgary Housing, said the delay reflects the scale of the work required. "We had hoped for confirmation of full funding requirements as well as the development permit design process," he said. "That was delayed in terms of what we thought we could accomplish versus what reality was."

The 1971-built tower on the north side of Memorial Drive was decommissioned and vacated in 2023 after the Alberta Utilities Commission deemed it past its serviceable life, with water and ventilation issues. In 2024, its interior was stripped to the concrete core to prepare for new electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.

Now the exterior envelope is being upgraded with new cladding and windows to improve weather resistance and energy efficiency. Balconies will be removed. Calgary Housing preserved the building's concrete structure after inspections confirmed it remained in good condition, avoiding demolition.

When complete, Bridgeland Place will provide 203 rental units — 7 fewer than the 210 it housed before. Jiang noted the broader outcome: "Overall, I think we have a better product now, especially with the engagement with the Bridgeland community and the various stakeholders." Tony Imbrogno, a Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association board member, confirmed area residents support the project.