The transformation of Mission Road (now called Icon at Mission) has been over a decade in the making—and we’re excited to see it take shape.
Back in the summer of 2011, the City of Calgary launched a forward-thinking planning initiative to explore new, more collaborative approaches to city-building. The goal was to bring together citizens, landowners, and City staff with an international consulting team to develop a vision for healthier growth along Mission Road. Central to this process was a multi-day design charrette led by renowned new urbanist Andrés Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), a firm previously involved in shaping MacKenzie Towne.
The resulting concept imagined a more pedestrian-friendly, human-scaled future for the corridor. Narrower streets, mixed-use buildings, and leafy green spaces painted a picture of vibrant urban living. These ideas were formally adopted into Calgary’s Parkhill Stanley Park Area Redevelopment Plan, where a Special Policy Area now outlines design controls and streetscape improvements to help guide development in line with the community-led vision.
In 2018, we were asked to prepare a feasibility study for a long, sloped site along Mission Road. Despite the steep topography, our team proved a mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial units, upper-level residences, and a private interior courtyard was a possible and an idea that could improve and enhance the surrounding community.
Carlisle Group later acquired the property, embraced the feasibility study, and engaged our team to design a contemporary, form-driven building. The result is a dynamic composition of three interlocking masses that float above a transparent entry level and glazed commercial frontage. The central courtyard opens toward a densely treed parcel next door, creating a quiet, green retreat for residents.
From a collaborative workshop over a decade ago to the construction site we see today, this project exemplifies how long-term planning and design excellence can create meaningful places in our city.
We’re proud to be part of bringing this vision to life. Stay tuned as construction continues on Icon at Mission!