By JR Mercantile Real Estate Advisors Inc.
As Calgary continues to evolve, a powerful trend is reshaping the downtown core: the conversion of underutilized office buildings into vibrant residential communities with commercial spaces on the ground floor. At JR Mercantile, we see this shift as a smart, sustainable response to changing market demands—and a win for both developers and tenants alike.
🏢 Why Office Conversions Make Sense Now
The remote work revolution and changing corporate space needs have left many traditional office buildings with high vacancy rates. Meanwhile, the demand for well-located, amenity-rich urban living continues to grow. The City of Calgary has supported this movement through incentive programs like the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program, which encourages the revitalization of the core through residential transformation.
By repurposing existing infrastructure, developers can breathe new life into older buildings while maintaining affordability and sustainability. These buildings often boast prime locations, solid structural bones, and excellent access to transit and amenities.
🏙️ Our Listings Reflecting the Shift
The Loft – 744 4th Avenue SW
The Loft is a prime example of this transformation. Once an office property, it has been reimagined into a boutique mixed-use building with residential lofts above and ground-floor retail space available for lease. Located steps from the Beltline and the Culture + Entertainment District, this property offers the perfect opportunity for boutique retailers, coffee shops, or service-based businesses to capture foot traffic from both residents and visitors in this vibrant, fast-growing area.
708 11th Avenue SW
Another standout is 708 11th Avenue SW, a unique opportunity in a converted mid-rise building blending modern residential living with flexible main-floor commercial units. This location offers excellent street visibility and accessibility in the heart of Calgary’s west Beltline. Whether you’re a café owner, fitness operator, or wellness provider, this space connects you to a growing community of downtown residents eager for walkable services.
(Project by Alston Properties)
🛍️ The New Mixed-Use Urban Experience
Mixed-use properties are no longer the exception—they’re the expectation. Today’s urban residents want the convenience of living above their favorite local coffee shop, wellness studio, or boutique grocer. For business owners, this creates built-in customer bases and increased exposure.
At JR Mercantile, we specialize in leasing boutique commercial spaces within mixed-use environments, and we’re proud to support the shift toward more adaptive, resilient, and community-focused real estate.
💡 Looking Ahead
As Calgary continues to reposition its downtown, we anticipate more developers will embrace office-to-residential conversions—bringing density, vibrancy, and opportunity to previously overlooked properties.
Interested in leasing ground-floor retail in one of these growing mixed-use hubs?
📩 Contact us today to learn more about our available spaces at The Loft, 708 11th Avenue SW, and other exciting opportunities in Calgary’s evolving commercial landscape.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your commercial real estate objectives with confidence and certainty. You can reach out to us at either http://www.jrmercantile.com , 403-770-3071 or at hello@jrmercantile.com.