New Uses for Old Buildings- Restaurants
Here’s a smattering of some of Calgary’s best heritage homes, factories, and commercial buildings that found new life as romantic restaurants, trendy dining establishments or wedding venues. Heritage buildings deliver a unique, authentic experience valued by their patrons, giving a competitive edge to the proprietors. They are true destinations, drawing people from all over the city and beyond. Now that’s atmosphere!
![© “Bow Valley Ranch house, Calgary, Alberta,” Glenbow Archives, PB-896-2, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1-Bow-Valley-Ranch-Glenbow.jpg)
![© “Ranche Restaurant”, City of Calgary Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2-Ranche-Restaurant-Calgary-Inventory-Historic-Resources--e1612062190848.jpg)
The Bow Valley Ranch House in Fish Creek Park
- It was the 1896 home of William Roper Hull, A Provincial Historic Resource
- Now it's the The Ranche Restaurant
![© “Deane house, Inglewood, 1977,” HS Record](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/3.-Inglewood-1977-Deane-house-hsrecord.jpg)
![Deane House](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/4.-Inglewood-nd-Deane-House-Inventory-Historic-Resources-e1612062735658.jpg)
The Deane House in Inglewood
- Built in 1906 on the Fort Calgary site and since moved twice
- The home of the last serving North West Mounted Police Superintendent in Calgary
- Now the Deane House Restaurant and event venue, it's rumoured to be haunted
![© “Residence of Alfred E. Cross, Calgary, Alberta,” Glenbow Archives, NA-1586-1, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/5.-Inglewood-c1900-AE-Cross-House-Glenbow.jpg)
![© “Rouge Restaurant, Inglewood, nd,” Inventory of Historic Resources, City of Calgary](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/6.-Inglewood-nd-Rouge-Restaurant-Inventory-of-Historic-Resources-e1612064916998.jpg)
Cross Residence in Inglewood
- The “Brewery House” was named for AE Cross, one of the “Big Four” and founder of the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company
- It was donated by the family to the City of Calgary, Parks in 1973
- Now it's the Rouge Restaurant at 1240 8 Ave SE
![© “Vegan Street, Beltline, nd,” Vegan Street](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/7.-Beltline-nd-George-Stanley-House-veganstreeteats.ca_-scaled-e1612069861407.jpg)
![© “Vegan Street, Beltline, 2021,” Vegan Street](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rsz_8_beltline_2021_veganstreet_veganstreeteats-e1612069970368.jpg)
George Stanley House (1908) in the Beltline
- George F. G. Stanley was the designer of the Canadian Maple Leaf flag (1965)
- It's now Vegan Street Kitchen and Lounge at 1111 7th Street S.W.
![© “Jenkins’ Groceteria ca 1941-1945, Calgary, Alberta,” Glenbow Archives, PA-2453-22936, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jenkins-ca-1941-1945-Glenbow-pa-2453-229-e1612805111283.jpg)
![© “Analog Coffee, Beltline,” Analog Coffee](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Analog-Coffee-2000s--e1612074665283.jpg)
Jenkins Groceteria #12 in the Beltline
- This 1926 store operated at 738 17th Ave SW for 25 years. It was one of 17 Calgary groceterias owned by Henry Marshall Jenkins. Later it was the Buy-Rite Store.
- The typical single-storey Edwardian design featured three recessed storefronts, each with large display windows and a pressed metal sign band cornice
- Retaining its early commercial charm, it is now home to a couple of well loved Calgary business including Analog Coffee and Big Cheese Poutinerie
![© “Eau Claire lumber mill office and cash warehouse, Calgary, Alberta,” Glenbow Archives, NA-1015-3, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Eau-Claire-1928-Lumber-Mill-Glenbow.jpg)
![© “Eau Claire 1886 Buffalo Cafe, 2017,” Calgary Heritage Initiative](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EauCliare20171886-Buffalo-Cafe-CHI-scaled-e1612072840121.jpg)
The Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co. (est 1886)
- The largest supplier of lumber in the North West Territories gave the name "Eau Claire" to this part of town
- This wood sided building was it’s second office, built c.1903-04. The sawmill closed in 1945 and the office became a private residence in 1953
- Since 1978, 187 Barclay Parade SW has been home to 1886 Buffalo Cafe near Prince’s Island
- The Cafe is slated to close, and the building will be moved as part of area flood mitigation work. 1886 Buffalo Cafe launches letter-writing campaign to stop eviction | CBC News
![© “Hudson Bay Company, Calgary, Alberta” Photo by Valentine-Black Co. Ltd., Toronto, ‘Bond St…’, Calgary Public Library](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7a.-Downtown-Undated-HBC-Glenbow-e1612508839149.jpg)
![© The Guild, Hudson’s Bay DT (theguildrestaurant.com)](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TheGuild-Hudsons-Bay-DT-theguildrestaurant.com_-e1612978042578.jpg)
Downtown Hudson's Bay Store
- Hudson’s Bay Company has been an active retail force in Calgary since 1875.
- In 1913 HBC opened its downtown modern flagship department store, having relocated several times as the city grew. It symbolized the confidence in Calgary’s bright future.
- Six years in the making. The Guild Restaurant spans two floors, and spills out onto Stephen Avenue (#200 SW) taking up the entire south colonnade to create one of Canada’s largest covered patio.
![© “Dominion Bank building, Calgary, Alberta,” Glenbow Archives, PD-322-14, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8a.-Downtown-1912-Dominion-Glenbow-e1612508589526.jpg)
![© “Dominion Bank Building, 2020,” M. Kurtz](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8b-Downtown-2020-Teatro-MK-CHI-e1612978638365.jpeg)
The (Toronto) Dominion Bank Building on Stephen Avenue
- This prominent downtown bank at 200 8th Ave SE was constructed in 1911 of sandstone and marble building with a terra cotta facade
- Its 3-storey symmetrical design with prominent columns was typical of many large governmental, commercial and financial buildings in the early 1990s
- Since 1993, Teatro Restaurant has dazzled diners with its beautiful interior.
![© “Alaska Western Bedding Company Limited, building, Calgary, Alberta.” Glenbow Archives, NA-3795-5, Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9a.-East-Village-1912-Simmons-Glenbow.jpg)
![© “East Village (2020) Simmons Building” (MK-CHI)](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9b.-East-Village-2020-Simmons-MK-CHI.jpeg)
Alaska Bedding Co/Simmons Mattress Factory in the East Village
- No longer an abandoned mattress factory building thanks to the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s regeneration project to restore and repurpose.
- This one-of-kind concept is home to three of the city’s most revered food and drink establishments: Charbar, Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery at 618 Confluence Way SE.
![© “Beltline (undated) Model Milk”, Cameron G. Calgary Heritage Initiative – Forum](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10a-Beltline-undated-Model-Milk-CHI-Forum.jpg)
![© “Model Milk Building, Calgary, Alberta” Beltline Heritage Group.](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10a.-Beltline-undated-Model-Milk-BHG-e1612585405467.jpg)
The Model Milk Co. in the Beltline
- Springbank dairy farmer, James Colpitts, established this dairy in order to sell his milk production directly to city consumers.
- Built in 1933, no wood was used in its construction because it would be unsanitary in case of spillage.
- The name "Model Milk" and milk bottles in relief are carved atop the pilaster strips on the facade.
- Now home to Pigeonhole Restaurant at 306 17 Ave SW, part snack bar, one part wine bar and dash of dive bar.
![© “Beltline (2018) Bridgette Bar” (CHI)](https://www.heritageinspiresyyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/11b.-Beltline-2018-Bridgette-Bar-CHI.jpg)
Lake of the Woods Milling Company in the Beltline
- Built in 1922 as the Calgary headquarters and distribution centre for Five Roses Flour.
- The building features Medicine Hat brick wrapped around heavy fir beams in a split-level structure. Several original nooks and crannies create pockets of unique seating areas and the large industrial windows open to the street in summer.
- It’s now Bridgette Bar at 739 - 10 Ave SW.