Calgary’s infill trend

Infill developments have been a staple in Calgary’s inner-city communities since the ‘70s. But in recent years, the number of lots being redeveloped for infill housing has been gaining momentum, as more homebuyers rediscover the charms of living in an established community.
How are infills changing the city, why are homebuyers choosing to purchase infills, and where are Calgary’s infills being built now? We attempt to give a few insights into this growing trend.

A New Voice

Infills can take a variety of forms. The Calgary Inner City Builders Association (CICBA) defines an infill as “the process or development of a vacant or under-used land within existing urban areas that are already developed.” It includes demolishing an existing building and replacing it with something new or developing vacant lots in existing neighbourhoods. Building time for an infill ranges from eight to 24 months, depending on the size, complexity of the design and any possible delays with funding or permits.

The CICB is a non-profit organization that aims to give a bigger voice to infill builders and developers. They are a relatively new voice founded only in fall last year, but they are working to improve Calgary’s already established communities, promote the benefits of redevelopment, create affordability in the industry and establish credibility and accountability.

“We believe that we can create affordability in infills by cutting red tape in the processing of applications,” CICBA chairman Shameer Gaidhar, tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide.

Addressing Calgary’s Growth Goals

Nearly all of Calgary’s population growth has been in new communities on the outer edges of the city which require investments in infrastructure and city services. In 2009, the City of Calgary Municipal Development Plan (MDP) set out goals for aggressive growth within established communities to make better use of existing land, reduce the cost of City services and locate Calgary residents closer to work, recreation, and service hubs. By 2069, Calgary aims to have 50 per cent of population growth occurring within developed areas, which is defined as the inner city and established communities that were completely built out in 2006.

As reported in the City of Calgary’s most recent draft of the 2020 MDP & CTP (Calgary Transportation Plan): “Between 2009-2019, Calgary’s population increased by nearly a quarter of a million people, with 10 per cent of growth being accommodated in built-out neighbourhoods, and 90 per cent in new communities on the outer edges of the city.” The City has set an interim goal to have 33 per cent of Calgary’s future population growth within developed areas by 2039, which means many more new homes will need to be built within established areas in the city in the coming years.

The redevelopment of land for large condo complexes in the inner city is one component of meeting this goal but infill houses have a role to play as well. Building more infill homes provides inner city housing options for homebuyers who are not interested in condos and seek larger family style homes. Redeveloping a lot that has one single-family home and replacing it with a duplex that can house two families will increase the number of residents living within a neighbourhood block, potentially doubling the population in a neighbourhood over time.

Infills are not a new solution within Calgary’s home market even though they are now a core component to the city’s sustainable growth. Since the 1970s infills have been built in Calgary’s communities, says Richard White, a respected local journalist and blogger who keeps tabs on Calgary’s redevelopment.
“Thanks to a strong (urban core) and lots of amenities in the downtown, living in Calgary’s inner city is very attractive,” he says. He cites for example that living in the inner-city benefits in shorter commutes and access to more amenities.

So, what continues to drive most people to purchase homes on the outer edges of the city? Likely lower pricing, larger lots, and the convenience of purchasing a brand-new house in a new community. Can infill builders complete with this draw?

Infill Living in Calgary

For many individuals, couples, families, and downsizers, infills present the best of both worlds. Developed communities have more school options, community centers, retail and business centers, parks, and mature trees that most new communities lack. While new communities on the outer edges of the city have longer commute times, with less public transit options, and often, fewer options for urban comforts like meal deliveries and ride sharing services.
CICBA’s Gaidhar says it is the cost of building infill homes that deter many from this option. “It’s the higher land cost that is affecting demand, but among our organization’s goals is to bring this cost down by streamlining the application process.”
In terms of lot sizing, infill homes are limited by existing space, which may be a drawback for an individual looking for a large backyard. For infill homebuyers, creative use of front yard space, custom design of backyard features, and accessing nearby public parks and recreation spaces may be an alternative.

Building an Infill Home

It starts with finding a reliable, established builder and developer. Referrals are important in the industry but the CICBA can also provide a stable of highly qualified, certified professionals.

Infill buyers are typically only limited by their imagination as far as design goes, and budget of course. The ability to have greater customization allows homebuyers to design their home to fit exact preferences and needs. There are also many new trends in infill design that allow these homes to be more accessible to a larger variety of homebuyers.

Alex Wang from Gold Homes, a custom home builder in Calgary since 2008, explains that units with legal basement suites or backyard suites are trending. “With low rates these days, a working couple may be able to own an infill, it used to be a far reach, but now they can rent out the basement with separate suite for mortgage help.” There is also the opportunity to build with more environmentally friendly options, energy saving materials and green design features reducing the environmental impact and often providing homeowners with utility bill savings.

There are other perks to consider an infill investment that might not be initially apparent. White lives in an infill and found that because he does not have a six-foot fence between his and his neighbour’s property, he’s enjoyed having more interactions with the neighbour children, who come by to play or “sometimes they just want to give us a hug before they go to bed. Priceless…”

Top Communities for Inner-city Infills

House hunters who are considering purchasing or building a new infill have many great inner-city communities to consider. Here are our top 5 picks:

Killarney-Glengarry, SW

A hotspot for trendy restaurants and community gardens, there is a surge of infills in this community. Many young Calgary families have moved in as there are two elementary schools in the neighbourhood and plenty of community playgrounds and recreation centers to enjoy.

Altadore, SW

With easy access off Crowchild, Altadore is less than 15 minutes from downtown Calgary, just south of the trendy Marda Loop, and right next to the parks along the Elbow River. It’s a very convenient place to live within Calgary and it’s hard to find a street within the community that doesn’t have a recently completed infill, or one under construction.

West Hillhurst, NW

West Hillhurst is very accessible to public transportation, close to Kensington and the river pathway system. West Hillhurst has a very engaged community organization with a long history of fostering community cohesion and development. With several public schools, this community is an easy pick for young families.

Crescent Heights, NW/NE

Crescent Heights is well situated with the downtown core and easy access to the Bow pathway to the south, and a straight route west to the mountains with 16th Ave NE to the north. Plenty of greenspaces, and close access to other hot spots like Bridgeland and Kensington make this a sought-after area.

Bridgeland & Renfrew, NE

Bridgeland is very popular due to the proximity to downtown, easy transit access, plenty of trendy shops and proximity to the river. It has been a hot area for redevelopment as one of Calgary’s redevelopment zones. Renfrew is an up-and-coming area for infill development because it’s close enough to the action in Bridgeland that you could walk over and access all the amenities.