In 2015, S2 Architecture was commissioned to rejuvenate the Legion’s lands in the heart of Calgary’s West Hillhurst community. Spanning 0.89 hectares, this project required a thoughtful and grounded approach to revitalization. Our objective was to transform this site into a thriving mixed-use urban center, made possible through a partnership between a private developer-builder and a local community organization.
The Legion Branch 264 was reimagined as a versatile space designed to accommodate a mix of market-rate office facilities, as well as a welcoming area for Legion members and the general public to engage in various social, recreational, and cultural activities. This proposed mixed-use residential building has a boutique organic grocery store and consists of approximately 200,000 square feet of diverse residential units within its 26,000 square feet of ground-level retail space.
We implemented a public engagement program that placed the community’s voices at the forefront of our vision. Both the local community and the City were invited to provide their insights on critical aspects of the project, fostering a profound sense of shared ownership. This approach resulted in the first-ever concurrent land use development in Calgary, receiving unanimous approval from the City of Calgary Council and was recognized through the 2016 Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Merit.
The new Legion 264 building was conceptualized as three distinct yet complementary intersecting building forms, symbolizing the three unique branches of the Canadian Military. Together, they make up the entire building envelope, structure, and visual expression. While the building has a contemporary feel, it maintains the dignity and respect fitting for the Legion’s military heritage. The streetscape has created a vibrant at-grade public realm akin to a ‘main street.’ Notable features include designed landscaping, a commemorative plaza, a streetside patio, high-quality paving and sidewalk materials, and plenty of bicycle parking. Innovative sustainable design elements include a rooftop podium and garden covering the at-grade delivery and commercial parking space, along with a striking stepped building profile that minimizes shadowing.
