Following the approval of East Hills Crossing’s Outline Plan, Minto Communities partnered with O2 to create schematic concepts for two multi-residential sites in east Calgary. The sites are zoned to mixed-use (MU-1) and townhouse (M-1). The concepts were developed with 3D modelling, and then translated into development permit drawings.

The overall East Hills Crossing vision is to create an innovative, connected urban community, that offers housing diversity in east Calgary, and showcases the very best in sustainable neighbourhood development. As part of the overall East Hills Crossing community, the MU-1 and M-1 sites play a key role in incorporating transit, pedestrian, and bike-oriented design elements including ground-oriented commercial/retail, a public plaza, integrated connections to the parks and open space to the south, and multi-use pathways. The MU-1 site acts as a key gateway for residents of the adjacent south residential parcels travelling to downtown Calgary and beyond via the future Bus Rapid Transit at 17th Avenue SE.

The MU-1’s plaza acts as the key placemaker for the character and orientation of the site’s interface with 17th Avenue SE and the future BRT station. Overhead catenary lighting, feature paving, sculptural focal point, and raised planters create a appropriate space for human comfort between two four-storey buildings. Because the plaza is entirely over a parkade below, raised berms within the planters ensure sufficient planting soil and allow lower height landscape walls to double as seating opportunities. In collaboration with LOLA, the plaza integrates form and material with the adjacent interior building amenities (private condominium fitness gym).

Overall, the plaza fulfills several placemaking goals, including the creation of a local activity node, celebration of the area’s urban character and density, and the introduction of gateway elements that help communicate the area’s high-quality active modes connectivity.