Historic Nurses' Residence in Calgary Faces Demolition

In a troubling turn of events for heritage preservation advocates, a historic nurses' residence in northeast Calgary, which has served as a significant landmark since its construction in 1911, is at risk of demolition. This potential loss is due to a proposed multi-residential development that could substantially alter the landscape of the old Calgary General Hospital site.

This residence is notably the last remaining structure from the Bridgeland hospital complex, which was closed and demolished back in October 1998. Recently, the City of Calgary has been considering a development proposal submitted by Sphere Architecture, which includes plans for two three-storey buildings comprising 22 multi-family housing units. The proposal also suggests the demolition of three existing homes on McPherson Road N.E., where the nurses' residence is currently located at 845 McPherson Rd.

Community members and heritage enthusiasts are mounting a campaign to save this iconic building, urging city officials to explore options for its preservation or relocation. Alan Zakrison, a local resident, has been instrumental in raising awareness on social media, calling for anyone with available space to come forward to accommodate the house should relocation become necessary.

Ward 11 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra recently engaged with the developer about the possibility of incorporating the nurses' residence into the new project. "We explained to them that the opportunity exists to save the nurses’ house, and they seemed pretty excited about that," Carra noted, expressing hope that the developers might consider innovative solutions that align with heritage preservation.

However, while the house is included in the city's Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources, it presently lacks the designation of a historical site, meaning it does not have legal protection against demolition. As a result, the situation remains precarious as the city continues to review the development application.

Carra emphasized the importance of preserving Calgary's heritage sites, stating that the city could provide incentives such as a heritage tax rebate to support developers willing to protect historic properties. "There are creative possibilities we can explore, whether that means incorporating the building into their design or relocating it altogether," he added.

Despite these discussions, Heritage Calgary's executive director has voiced skepticism regarding the feasibility of relocating the house, citing challenges that typically accompany such endeavors.

As Calgary continues to grow and evolve, the fate of the nurses' residence presents a critical intersection of development and heritage preservation. The community's response to this issue underscores a broader dialogue about the value of historical landmarks in the face of urban expansion. Will advocates succeed in saving this piece of Calgary's history, or will it be lost forever to the pressures of new development? Your voice matters as we watch this story unfold!