Minto Communities is reimagining 2501 Richmond Road SW, the former Viscount Bennett School site.

About the project

Minto Communities has submitted a Land Use Redesignation application to the City of Calgary to support the future redevelopment of 2501 Richmond.

Redeveloping this site presents an opportunity to deliver enhanced public amenities and housing options currently unavailable in the neighbourhood. Successful placemaking can help ensure economic prosperity, social well-being and a sense of community – all contributing to a vibrant urban environment.

Visit the updates tab for the latest project updates.

2501 Richmond Location within Calgary

Vision

The vision for this site is to incorporate multi-unit residential buildings, with distinctive open green spaces that will connect to the existing community. The proposed plan is based on the belief that diverse and connected places contribute to resilient neighbourhoods. Site design thoughtfully ensures that buildings and spaces in between coalesce into a place of comfort, convenience, usability, and enjoyment. 

Redeveloping 2501 Richmond will contribute to the community and future generations through: 

  • Safe removal of the school and hazards at the site 
  • Open spaces for gathering, playing and relaxing 
  • Enhanced walking and cycling pathways 
  • Improvements to roads and intersections 
  • Thoughtful streetscape design 
  • Provide a variety of housing options for the community  
Revised Concept June 2024

About the area

The Viscount Bennett site is located on the 2500 block of Richmond Rd SW, in the community of Richmond. The school was built in the 1950s. The site is amenity-rich and well-connected, 10 minutes to downtown Calgary and less than five minutes to the Marda Loop high street shopping district. The project area is steps from the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop on Crowchild Trail and a primary bike pathway.

Adjacent Context:

Residential streets define the south and west edges with existing detached homes. Across from the existing building on the north end are a combination of single-level, small-format commercial and a mid-rise, mixed-use building. The east edge has a regional pathway immediately bordering Crowchild Trail. The draft Westbrook LAP calls for the west streetscape to redevelop as low-scale multi-residential buildings up to four storeys. A new five-storey building is already under construction immediately north of the site.

Project resources

The City of Calgary has issued its second Detailed Review letter (DR2) in response to the July 5, 2024, resubmitted application.

View the DR2 letter

 

The supporting information document was submitted to the City of Calgary on July 5, 2024. This document responds to the feedback we received on the initial application and shares the updated site concept. 

View the supporting information document 

The information session will share the revised concept plan and details on the resubmitted Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA).

View the virtual presentation slides

View the virtual presentation recording

The shadow studies were submitted to the City of Calgary on July 5, 2024. The hourly shadow studies demonstrate how shade from the proposed development moves throughout a day. 

Minto is proposing the Subject Lands be redesignated from R-C1 to a Direct Control District that is separated into four separate sites.  

View the direct control district details

 

The Outline plan was submitted to the City of Calgary on July 5, 2024. This document with land use statistics is also outlined in the supporting information document. 

View the outline plan 

The Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA) was resubmitted to the City of Calgary along with the revised Land Use Application and Outline Plan on July 5, 2024.

View the Transportation Impact Assessment

Minto Communities appreciates the feedback received from all stakeholders. We are pleased to share a summary of what we heard through engagement and how the feedback is shaping updates to our application.

The 2501 Richmond project team hosted a virtual information session over Zoom on November 29, 2023, and an in-person information session on November 30, 2023 at the Richmond Knob Hill Community Association. Details about the vision for the 2501 Richmond site and land use application were shared with the public.

View the in-person session project boards

View the virtual presentation recording

View the virtual presentation slides

The Land Use Redesignation supporting information document was submitted to the City of Calgary on November 15, 2023

View the Supporting Information Document

Minto and project team members met with the Richmond Knob Hill Community Association to provide an update on the land use redesignation application, details on the project vision, and information on next steps.

View the presentation

Get involved

Minto is committed to creating a thoughtful vision for the site, consulting with the community and sharing information about our plans as they develop. Please reach out to our project team with questions or comments. 

  • 403.351.0234

  • engage@minto.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will the demolition begin to the site’s existing structures?

Demolition and abatement began October 2024.  
 
View the full update and timeline here.  

Where is the site?

The subject site is +/- 11.49 acres located at 2501 Richmond Road SW, previously known as the Viscount Bennett School. It is in the community of Richmond. 

Minto Communities purchased the land from the Calgary Board of Education. Learn more about Minto by visiting our website at www.minto.com.

Minto will continue to update this website with the latest project information. Click here to fill out the form to register for email updates with the latest project updates.

The property is currently zoned RC-1, which is consistent with neighbouring adjacent parcels to the south and west. 

 

Minto is proposing the Subject Lands be redesignated from R-C1 to a Direct Control District that is separated into four separate sites. Three of the sites are based on the Multi-Residential – High Density Low Rise (M-H1) District and one site is based on the Multi-Residential – High Density Medium Rise (M-H2) District. Each site has specific rules on setbacks, overall building heights, and the building height transitions. More information on the proposed Direct Control District can be found under the Project Resources section. 

The vision for this site is to incorporate multi-unit residential buildings, with distinctive open green spaces that will connect to the existing community. 

Minto has submitted a land use redesignation application to the City to support future redevelopment. Further permitting applications will be required in the future. Relevant information on each of these applications will be made available on this site and to registered subscribers. 

There are many hazards on the property due to the degraded nature of the site following years of limited maintenance. Signage and fencing have been placed at the building to identify the personal health hazards that exist from the use of the site. 

The unsafe playground equipment was successfully removed in August 2023. Site improvements that included barricading windows and doors were also completed to ensure effective safety measures. Landscaping was undertaken to improve sight lines and adjacent streetlight outages were repaired. The demolition and abatement process to remove the decommissioned school has begun in October 2024.

The unsafe playground equipment has been successfully removed. 

A safety audit was performed at the site during the purchase process. Many years of zero maintenance have left the structure unsafe and beyond remediation, necessitating its removal. 

Minto is committed to creating great community spaces when redeveloping sites, including engagement features for all age groups. 

Yes. Physical monitoring and camera surveillance will be maintained at the site to support the safety of the surrounding neighbours. The full-time security presence includes added cameras, lighting and 24-hour security guards that monitor the site.  

Interim site improvements were completed shortly after Minto took ownership of the property. These included new site signage, removal of unsafe playground equipment, restoring power and lighting to the site, and securing the former school building. 

Demolition and abatement began in the fall of 2024. Further site work is expected to begin in 2025.  

Minto submitted a land use redesignation application to the City of Calgary on November 15, 2023. Following community and City feedback, the application has been revised and resubmitted on July 5, 2024. 

We will continue to share project updates throughout the land use redesignation process that concludes with a Public Hearing of City Council prior to a Council decision.