From Heritage to Housing: The Inglewood Livery and the Benefits of Infill Development in Calgary

Calgary is a city in constant motion. As our population grows, the way we design, approve, and build new homes must evolve to balance heritage, sustainability, and livability. Few projects capture this balance as well as the transformation of the Inglewood Livery Barn — a historic landmark that has been carefully incorporated into a modern infill housing project.

This unique development illustrates not only the importance of heritage preservation but also the power of infill development, a tool that helps Calgary make better use of land, add diverse housing options, and reduce suburban sprawl. Behind every successful infill project lies a story of careful planning, thoughtful design, and crucially, the city’s framework for development permits and building permits in Calgary.

In this blog, we’ll use the Inglewood Livery project as a case study to explore the six key benefits of infill development and how Calgary’s permit process plays a central role in turning these projects from vision into reality.

The Development Permit for Inglewood’s Stewart Livery Stable

A Spotlight on the Inglewood Livery Project

We were thrilled to be a part of one of Calgary’s more famous infill projects involving the preservation and integration of an old barn in Inglewood. Built during Calgary’s pre-First World War development boom, the Stewart Livery Barn is one of the city’s rare surviving stables. Over its lifetime, it served as a home for horses, a storage facility for mail trucks, and, most recently, a historic landmark preserved within Calgary’s official heritage inventory.

Instead of being demolished during redevelopment, the barn was given a new lease on life. Pen Lake Ventures incorporated the stable into a residential project featuring seven townhomes and seven secondary suites, creating a micro-community of 15 new residents in Inglewood.

The barn itself will serves garage bays on the main floor, while the upper hayloft has been reimagined as a work-live loft space for tenants. To protect its structural integrity, the barn was temporarily moved, given new foundations, and then carefully repositioned on the site.

This project is a remarkable example of how Calgary can balance historic preservation with new housing supply, all while navigating the requirements of development permits and building permits.

Why Infill Development Matters

Infill development is the practice of building new homes and spaces within existing communities rather than pushing growth to the edges of the city. For a fast-growing urban centre like Calgary, where tens of thousands of new residents arrive each year, infill is one of the most powerful tools we have to manage growth sustainably.

Here are six key benefits of infill — all of which are supported through Calgary’s development permit (DP) and building permit (BP) processes:

1. Housing for All

Calgary’s existing housing stock doesn’t always match people’s evolving needs. Families may want to stay in the same neighborhood but require more space. Seniors may wish to downsize while staying close to familiar amenities. Students and young professionals often seek affordable rental options near the city core.

Infill development allows for the creation of diverse housing types — townhomes, duplexes, secondary suites, and multiplexes — ensuring that Calgarians of all ages and incomes have a place to call home. The Inglewood Livery project is a great example, offering both primary residences and secondary suites within a walkable, historic community.

2. Financial Sustainability

Building new infrastructure on the outskirts of the city is costly. New roads, sewers, and public services must be extended, creating long-term financial strain. Infill makes better use of existing infrastructure, helping keep property taxes manageable for residents while ensuring city services reach more people efficiently.

From a household perspective, living in established communities can reduce commuting costs and boost property values, creating long-term financial sustainability for both the city and homeowners.

3. Keeping Neighbourhoods Alive

Without infill, many of Calgary’s mature neighborhoods risk stagnation as populations age and schools lose enrollment. By bringing new families into established areas, infill helps keep schools open, supports local businesses, and strengthens community associations.

Inglewood is a perfect example; the barn project doesn’t just add housing, it brings new energy to one of Calgary’s most historic neighborhoods.4. Multigenerational Living

Family structures are changing, and housing needs to reflect that reality. Infill provides options for multigenerational living, from garden suites for aging parents to secondary suites that help young adults live independently while staying close to family.

Projects like the Inglewood Livery showcase how creative infill design can accommodate multiple living arrangements within a single development.

5. Environmental Sustainability

One of the biggest advantages of infill is its role in environmental stewardship. By densifying existing neighborhoods, Calgary can limit urban sprawl and protect surrounding ecosystems. Residents in infill-rich neighborhoods are also more likely to walk, bike, or take transit, reducing vehicle emissions.

Additionally, new infill homes are built to modern building code standards, making them far more energy-efficient than older housing stock.

6. Health and Quality of Life

Infill creates walkable, accessible communities where residents spend less time commuting and more time enjoying local amenities. Walkable neighborhoods encourage active lifestyles, improve access to public transit, and support mental and social health by strengthening community connections.

For residents of new developments like the Inglewood Livery, the benefits are clear: historic charm, modern amenities, and a lifestyle rooted in accessibility.

The Role of Development Permits and Building Permits in Calgary

Behind every infill project is a rigorous process of approvals and inspections.

• Development Permits (DPs) ensure that projects align with Calgary’s land use bylaws, community design standards, and long-term planning goals.

• Building Permits (BPs) confirm that construction meets safety, structural, and environmental requirements.

Together, these permits protect homeowners, neighborhoods, and the city’s long-term growth strategy. For projects like the Inglewood Livery, the DP and BP processes ensure that historic assets are preserved while new housing meets today’s safety and livability standards.

Why This Matters for Calgary’s Future

As Calgary continues to grow, infill development supported by effective permitting processes is essential. With over 200,000 new residents arriving in the past four years, the pressure on housing supply is immense. By focusing on infill, the city can meet demand while preserving heritage, protecting the environment, and creating vibrant communities.

The Inglewood Livery is more than just a restored barn — it’s a blueprint for how Calgary can grow smarter, not just bigger. Through thoughtful infill, supported by strong systems for development permits and building permits in Calgary, we can create a city that works for everyone.