NOW IN COLOR: BRINGING CALGARY’S EAST VILLAGE RIVERWALK TO LIFE
Spanning 4 kilometers along the river, East Village's RiverWalk invites Calgarians to walk, cycle and gather in a space for everyday use.
In a city that enjoys 333 days of sunshine a year, public space plays an outsized role in how people live. Calgary’s Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk was designed to bring people back outside, back to the east side and back to a district that defines Calgary’s beginnings.
More than a century ago, East Village was a hive of activity — a thriving commercial and industrial hub driven by rail expansion and early industry. Over time, this hard use degraded and challenged the area, and East Village lost its momentum,
Fast forward to 2009, and the East Village Master Plan (EVMP) was approved by Calgary City Council and led by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC). The plan outlined a bold 20-year vision to transform the inner-city area into a vibrant, mixed-use, creative neighborhood.
Revitalizing East Village meant restoring confidence in Calgary’s eastern riverfront and giving the area a renewed sense of purpose. The completion of RiverWalk Stage 1 in 2012 marked one of the earliest commitments to a reimagined public experience, signaling the start of a new chapter for East Village.
OUR AMBITION: BUILD A PUBLIC SPACE WORTH GATHERING IN
The plaza, styled to look like a jigsaw puzzle, explores color and texture in concrete. Photo courtesy: Marmot Construction
The plaza, styled to look like a jigsaw puzzle, explores color and texture in concrete. Photo courtesy: Marmot Construction
RiverWalk needed to provide more than a way to get from point A to point B. It was an opportunity to reconnect Calgarians with the Bow River and a way to show that revitalization was well underway in East Village.
The project called for large volumes of concrete, but the design team was clear that the space could not feel utilitarian. Surfaces would help define the experience. Color, texture and pattern would turn the plaza into a place where people would choose to spend time.
Amrize worked closely with project partners to translate that intent into reality. Our advanced concrete solutions supported architectural expression and construction momentum.
THE SOLUTION: ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE DELIVERING FORM AND FUNCTION
RiverWalk’s design incorporated three colors and distinct stamps for the panels, along with exposed concrete and broom finishes. Photo courtesy: Marmot Construction
To achieve the desired aesthetic for RiverWalk, Amrize supplied:
- 2,061 m³ [2,696 yd³] IMAGItect color and exposed concrete
- 1,870 m³ [2,446 yd³] performance-enhanced tailored concrete mixes
Three IMAGItect color tones, Executive Slate, Standard Slate and Standard Limestone, were incorporated alongside exposed aggregate panels. Stamped patterns, broom finishes and embedded design elements introduced variation across the promenade and plaza.
As Jordan Phillips, project manager at Marmot Concrete Services Ltd. said at the time, the concrete products allowed them to pour high volumes to keep up with a demanding schedule while still producing the highest-quality finishes. The product's workability also enabled them to integrate design features such as embedded glass and ground surfaces.
More than a decade on, Josh Sartorelli, Senior District Infrastructure Manager at Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, echoes the impact of the material choice. “It has stood the test of time. Nearly 15 years later, the material continues to perform and look great.”
THE RESULTS: A RIVERFRONT THAT ENERGIZES AND REVITALIZES A COMMUNITY
Stretching along the Bow River, Phase 1 of this build connects Centre Street Bridge to 9 Avenue SE with space built for activity, culture and connection. Photo by Mark Shannon, courtesy of CMLC.
Photo courtesy: Marmot Construction
Photo by Mark Shannon, courtesy of CMLC.
Completed in 2012, East Village Riverwalk Phase I helped build momentum on Calgary’s east side. What was once characterized as underused land began to emerge as a welcoming riverfront destination designed for movement, gathering and everyday recreation.
Today, RiverWalk has become one of Calgary’s most cherished public spaces — an award-winning promenade that hosts live music, food vendors and seasonal events throughout the year. The pathway connects directly to one of the city’s most extensive biking networks and remains busy year-round.
Since the East Village Master Plan was first introduced, more than 4,000 new residents and 65 retailers have made the neighborhood their home — drawn by its vibrancy, walkability, activities, public spaces and natural beauty. And the renaissance continues.
Additional investments in infrastructure, mixed-use development, and public plazas and parks are continuing the march toward a district that will welcome 11,500 residents and 300,000 sq. ft of commercial space once the vision is fully realized.
