Inglewood's 114-year-old white barn to be saved under townhouse development plan

The Stewart Livery Stable has stood for more than a century in Calgary's Inglewood neighbourhood, and the landmark will continue to stand as a municipal heritage resource. 

City council approved on Tuesday a plan to build townhomes on the vacant land beside the white barn on 14th Street S.E. Council also gave the go-ahead to apply for municipal heritage resource status for the 114-year-old white barn. 

Ryan Doherty, the owner and developer of the land, said a key tenet of his plan was protecting the timber-framed structure, which once held horses and buggies. 

"It was a resource of significance for the city of Calgary," Doherty said, noting he's been working with the city's heritage team to preserve the structure's south- and west-facing facades. 

Built in 1909 in the vernacular style, the Stewart Livery Stable has long been a landmark in Inglewood, which is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood. 

"The fact that we are preserving this historic livery stable — which is one of two stables in Inglewood now both preserved for all time — it's super exciting," said Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, who represents Ward 9. 

For decades, the land beside the barn has been empty. But the proposal, which was unanimously approved by council, would see up to seven units built around the barn. 

Five townhomes would face west onto 14th Street S.E., and two units would front north onto Eighth Avenue S.E. 

The barn itself would be turned into a parking garage, while the upper level would become part of a live/work unit attached to the barn.

"I think it's an innovative solution that they've come up with for this site, it's very much in keeping with the surrounding area," said Coun. Andre Chabot, who represents Ward 10. 

For Carra, a long-time resident of the area, he's seen other development plans for the site fail over the years.

This time, he's "over the moon" that something is finally in the works and the barn will be preserved. 

"To get it over the line and to get it over the line with a quality project like this, something the community can live with in terms of not being too dense … I think everyone's very pleased with that," he said.

A development permit has yet to be submitted.

However, renderings presented to council show new units will surround the barn and there could be an internal courtyard for the future residents.

Clay Israelson, the lead designer of the project and the applicant on the land use designation, said it's fitting that the historic stable will be repurposed to hold five parking stalls. 

Bruce MacDonnell, with the Inglewood Community Association, said the developer's plan would integrate well with other townhouse projects in the area. 

"We're happy to have this go ahead," he said.