Overview
The Montgomery Rowhouses project is a four-unit rowhouse development on a prominent corner parcel in the established inner-city community of Montgomery, within walking distance of the Bow River pathways, the University District, and downtown Calgary. Designed under the City of Calgary's R-CG land use district, the project replaces a single detached dwelling with four grade-oriented units, each with a private street-facing entry and a legal secondary suite accessible from the rear lane.
Design Challenge
Corner parcels present a heightened design challenge — the building's relationship to both street frontages must be resolved carefully, and the exposure on two streets demands a composition that reads well in the round. The R-CG setback, height, and amenity requirements must be met while maximizing the development potential of the larger corner lot.
Design Response
The design responds to the prominent corner condition at 20 Avenue and 48 Street NW with a layered material palette of cultured stone, vertical Hardie panel, longboard wood-grain accents, and stucco — a combination that provides visual interest, durability, and a contemporary character appropriate to the evolving Montgomery streetscape. Vehicle parking and mobility storage are located in a detached carport off the rear lane, keeping both street frontages pedestrian-oriented. Each legal basement suite has its own separate rear-lane entrance for privacy. Both Development and Building Permits were secured on an efficient timeline through close coordination with the City.