A Brief History of The Calgary Warehouse District

The Calgary Warehouse District, situated between the Olympic Way SE to 4 Street SW, between 10 and 12 Avenues SW, has held a significant place in the city's history. In the early 20th century, it served as an integral wholesale and distribution center bridging Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Calgary's population began to flourish with a barrage of settlers and immigrants moving into the transportation hub and energizing its economic structure. The city rapidly evolved into a commercial nucleus, boasting an impressive array of goods varying from farm machinery to hardware supplies.

Historic Landmarks Within the District

The Calgary Warehouse District is replete with 14 heritage buildings constructed between 1900 and 1920, and the area has one of the highest concentrations of historic structures in Calgary. 

The Simmons Warehouse and King Edward Hotel are iconic examples that have been repurposed for modern use (now hosting hip cafes and restaurants) without laying waste to their historic appeal.

Another example is St Louis Hotel which was meticulously restored in 2016 along with Hillier Block to encompass modern offices, eateries, and entertainment venues. 

One final brilliant example is the renovated Biscuit Block building, now serving as a uniquely shaped office tower and tying the historic aspects of the neighborhood with the demands of modern society.

These renovation projects all exemplify Calgary’s commitment to conserving architectural links to its history while integrating them within contemporary urban life.

The Evolving Landscape of Calgary's Warehousing District

The landscape of the Calgary Warehouse District has witnessed remarkable changes over the decades. Today, it is a vibrant neighbourhood filled with mixed commercial spaces and residential apartments, breathing fresh life into the historic space.

A large part of this change has been the Calgary Heritage Authority (CHA) working diligently towards identifying, preserving, and promoting Calgary’s heritage resources. They make concerted efforts to shine a light on the Warehouse District, catering to an important element of the Rivers District Master Plan.

The Rivers District Master Plan (RDMP) is a 20-year Calgary redevelopment plan that identified the Warehouse District as one of six character areas targeted for development. The commitment from the city is to showcase and preserve its historical essence while simultaneously creating a welcoming environment for new residents, businesses, and visitors.

Under its guidance, Civitas and GGA Architecture, both renowned urban design and planning firms, collaborated with CMLC to craft the RDMP. Guided by this master plan, many architecture firms like Abugov-Kaspar have actively participated in revitalizing several heritage buildings in the Warehouse District.

Efforts of these collaborators continue to restore interest in old warehousing structures among locals and tourists alike who are drawn into its distinctive ethos.

Warehouses Have Helped Shaped Calgary

From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to becoming a hub for wholesale trade & railway transport across Canada—Calgary's Warehouse District represents a fascinating journey through time. Its heritage buildings and ongoing transformation embody Calgary’s spirit—an amalgamation of respect for history combined with an inviting subtlety that welcomes growth & development.

The Warehouse District today stands as both a temporal testament and a dynamic model for other cities seeking to balance sustainability with growth.

The Pacific Coast Distribution Calgary Warehouse is a state of facility providing full-service transportation and warehouse storage services to manufacturers across Canada and the US.

Our asset-based freight transportation, industry knowledge, and strategic location can vastly improve your supply chain and distribution services.