For many years now I have heard a few Calgarians lament about how the “monster” new infill homes are destroying Calgary’s inner-city neighbourhoods by their demolishment of the tiny cottage homes they most often replace - asking the City to do something about it.

It would be great to preserve this block of early 21st century cottage houses in Sunnyside as a reminder of how Calgarians lived the past. Obviously these homeowners take pride in their historic homes, which means they might be willing to form some… — It would be great to preserve this block of early 21st century cottage houses in Sunnyside as a reminder of how Calgarians lived the past. Obviously these homeowners take pride in their historic homes, which means they might be willing to form some sort association to make sure they are preserved in the future.

This photo was taken a few years ago in West Hillhurst. Already one of the houses has been replaced by an infill house. This would be a great block to preserve for future generations so see how families lived in the middle of the 20th century.

This street in Inglewood would also be an ideal block for preservation.

Neighbourhood Revitalization

And while I too lament the loss of some of the nicer older homes, I also realize these new “monster” homes will enable our inner-city communities to thrive, as they offer the space and amenities young families want in a home today. And it is these young families who will help older neighborhoods evolve from declining 20thcentury communities into vibrant 21st century ones. They will, in turn also repopulate our inner-city schools (the same people who lament the close of inner-city schools are often the same ones who want to preserve the outdated homes). Thirdly, it is these new families who will help advocate to upgrade our playgrounds, parks, community centers and rejuvenate tired old neighbourhood main streets.

Let’s face reality, most parents of young families want big houses. They aren’t going to live in an old, two bedroom, 1,000 +/- square foot home with no closet space, no ensuite and no kitchen space. I know some will, but they are a small minority.

In my opinion, what the heritage home preservationists need to do is form a Foundation that would buy up older homes, fix them up, rent them out and maintain them. Perhaps something like the Parks Foundation Calgary, which raises funds to provide Calgarians with enhanced parks and amateur sports facilities.

Is this something the existing Century Homes or Heritage Calgary groups might do? They could identify significant heritage homes (or blocks of homes) and work with the current owners to sell to them when they are ready to move. In this way, they could ensure the homes would be preserved for future generations.

Link: Century Homes

Link: Heritage Calgary

It is not too late. In my daily walks of Calgary’s inner-city neighbourhoods, there are thousands of pre ‘70s homes a hypothetical Calgary Historical Home Preservation Foundation could purchase. A recent walk in Inglewood behind the historic Colonel Walker School in Inglewood, uncovered so many older homes I felt like I was walking in a rural village in the 1950s.

Mole Hill Model

A few years ago while hanging out in Vancouver, I discovered Mole Hill Community Housing Society, a block of preserved Victorian and Edwardian homes across from Nelson Park in the city centre. There sat 35 heritage homes on the block that offers 170 social housing suites, three daycares and a group home all in a park-like setting. It truly is remarkable. I would often walk two or three blocks out of my way just to wander by or through Mole Hill.

Vancouver has several housing cooperatives like Mole Hill that have successfully preserved clusters of heritage homes. This could be one model Calgary preservationists to pursue in helping to ensure that the best of our older homes are preserved.