On May 13, 2015, cSPACE Projects broke ground on its flagship project – the 47,000 square foot King Edward arts hub, in the south Calgary community of Marda Loop. cSPACE, Calgary Arts Development and the Calgary Foundation celebrated with supporters, including Guest of Honour Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Artist-designed hardhats by 12 local artists were presented to project champions and a temporary mural by Tyler Hochhalter was unveiled at the historic front entrance of the school building.
Opening in late 2016, cSPACE King Edward will support dozens of small non-profit organizations as tenants as well as hundreds of artists and entrepreneurs working across disciplines and sectors. The renovated 1912 sandstone school will be the first heritage adaptive reuse project by a nonprofit in Calgary designed to achieve LEED Gold standards. The project will feature highly adaptable production, rehearsal, presentation and office space as well as dedicated artist studios. A new public park will be infused with many opportunities for showcasing creative work, including mobile ‘art cubes’ and shifting public art displays. Sitting at the heart of two distinctive new residential developments by Rockwood Custom Homes and Section23 Developments, the building will become a vibrant mixed-use, multi-tenant arts and community hub.
“Collaboration is critical for making these types of projects work – momentum for realizing our vision for the King Edward has been built through the power of partnerships and an entrepreneurial approach to developing bold and innovative art space for Calgarians,” said Reid Henry, President and CEO of cSPACE Projects.
“cSPACE King Edward will be transformational for our city,” says Patti Pon, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “Not only will it support our creative community, enrich its neighbourhood and strengthen Calgary’s arts ecosystem, but the King Edward will also serve as a sustainable model for future arts incubators.”
“We could not be more thrilled that the cSPACE King Edward project breaks ground this week. The Calgary Foundation’s continued commitment to community and the arts is exemplified in this unique project that encourages exciting collaborations. It is this energy that revitalizes and builds our communities and neighbourhoods.” said Eva Friesen, President & CEO, the Calgary Foundation.
The unique capital structure for developing the $28.2M cSPACE King Edward includes social finance, real estate land sales, corporate sponsorship, individual philanthropy and multi-level government investment. The restoration and reuse of the 1912 school building, park space and site-work are fully funded with a campaign goal of $4.2M remaining to complete the new west wing.