New Chinook Centre Expansion in Planning Stages

Cadillac Fairview Plans Massive Expansion onto Chinook Centre

If you think Chinook Centre is big now, just wait until you learn of what’s in store for Calgary’s go-to indoor shopping mall. Cadillac Fairview is planning on an expansion that could be the biggest in the malls history to date, one that will build both out and up.

Pedestrian-friendly storefronts along the street, several high-rise towers and a large above-ground parkade are the highlights of the planned expansion.

The towers could include hotel, office, residential and / or retail spaces. A combination of all four categories is likely, although exact details are not yet known as the plan is just in the conceptual stage of development.

The company has applied to the city for a rezoning of the entire east side of its current location as a first step in the process. The proposal for the new expansion will likely go to the city council sometime during summer of 2017.

New pedestrian bridge

If you’ve ever taken the train to Chinook Centre and walked to the mall, you know just how busy the intersection at Macleod Trail and 61st Avenue SW.

Both the City of Calgary and Cadillac Fairview have recognized how busy this intersection is and the benefits of having a new pedestrian thoroughfare. As a result, they have joined forces to build a new sky pedestrian bridge that will allow mall visitors to walk overtop of Macleod Trail directly from 61st Avenue SW with ease.

There are currently two other ways to get across Macleod Trail SW to Chinook Centre without having to wait at this busy intersection.

• #1- An existing pedestrian bridge found just south of the intersection

• #2 - An underground pathway near the corner of Macleod Trail and Glenmore Trail SW

The $13 million price tag of the project is being shared 50 / 50 by the City of Calgary and Cadillac Fairview.

Once completed, another private expansion will connected to Chinook Centre’s second floor and will be paid in full by the owner.

Easy-access ramp

One idea at the forefront of the Chinook Centre expansion was to build a ramp that would allow vehicles on Macleod Trail to access the mall directly without any lights.

This would, of course, act to ease an already congested area of the south Calgary throughway where backed up traffic is of the norm.

The latest expansion

The most recent expansion of Chinook Centre was completed back in 2012. According to PCL, it added 265,000 square feet of additional retail space in a new two-level wing with nearly 60 new store fronts. In addition, 475,000 square feet of underground parking was also part of the expansion.

Once completed, the 740,000 square foot projected saw an additional 54 new retail spaces, 23 redeveloped retail spaces and 1,200 new underground parking stalls added to Chinook Centre. See more about Chinook Centre's Latest Expansion here.

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