DEVELOPERS’ RELATIONSHIP RESULTS IN GREAT PROJECTS
A working relationship developed over the past 10 years between Certus Developments and David Lam of Meiga Developments has completed several outstanding projects. Among them is their work on singlestorey, rundown retail shops on the east side of Centre Street N. between 8th and 9th avenues.
Lam partnered with Certus to buy the whole block, with plans to build six storeys of 90 rental units above new retail.
Design by Nam Dang-Mitchell Design, along with Meiga architect Steven Ho, is completed, but until the project goes ahead the units are being renovated and leased to first-time business owners. Even though they can’t stay forever, the strategy gives them the opportunity to establish their businesses in newly constructed space with favourable rents.
Poke and Mi Noodle are already open and have attracted a regular following.
Poke is planning to open a second location on Kensington Road N.W., and a third next spring.
Meiga is currently renovating space for Sought and Found Coffee Roasters, a first-time business for Caleb and Kitty Chan.
Their new coffee shop — due to open shortly — is a trendy establishment where Lam has been able to save them costs by recycling materials such as wood planking, seating and lighting from other Certus buildings that are being renovated.
Next door, an electronic cigarette shop will open within a couple of weeks, and Meiga crews will soon be busy with Sweet Haven Ice Cream Shop.
Local historian Blane Hogue asked what would happen to the classic 1932 neon sign advertising the former home of Tigerstedt Studio — David Pidgeon of Certus assured him that the plan was to restore it and name the new development after it.
The partnership of Certus and Meiga built the 14th Street and 15th Avenue S.W. complex that is home to Ke Charcoal Grill, Cluck & Cleaver and JobJar, and the recently completed building on Elbow Drive S.W., which is home to Elbow Room and soon to be a third location for Monogram Coffee.
Certus is also developing what it calls the “Spider Site” at 24th Avenue and 14th Street S.W., where the big green spider has for many years advertised an automotive service station. It will be demolished to make way for a four-storey commercial building.
And on the west side of 11th Street S.E. in Ramsey, the former Yale Custom Cycle building will become a second location for Dandy Brewery; a new brewhouse for the locally owned company — but this one with a restaurant/tasting room.
Bow Valley College has welcomed Mario Siciliano as its new vice-president external. Siciliano has made a career of leading nonprofit organizations, previously serving as president and CDEO of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Brenda Stafford Foundation and Volunteer Canada. He holds a master’s degree in continuing education from the University of Calgary and has served on independent advisory committees at Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College. Siciliano’s portfolio will include marketing and communications, government and alumni relations and fund development.
For the fifth time in nine years, Benevity has been forced to move its Calgary headquarters. The company founded by Bryan de Lottinville in 2008 has become a global leader in online workplace giving, volunteering and community investment software, and with a current staff of more than 400 has relocated into the Meredith Block that sports the Benevity logo atop, facing over the Bow River into downtown.