Calgary’s 17th Avenue SW is in the midst of a major transformation—one driven by bold private investment, visionary planning, and a renewed push toward a vibrant mix of retail, residential, and services.
At the heart of it all is Arlington Street Investments. CEO Frank Lonardelli isn’t shy about his ambitions.
“We’ve got a bunch of stuff going on,” he said.
The company’s latest completed project is Enzo, where occupancy was granted a few weeks ago, and residents began moving in shortly thereafter. “We opened Chipotle, and then we’ve got Running Room, Anian, and Silk and Snow,” Lonardelli said.
Anian, he explained, is a Vancouver-based competitor to DUER jeans, while Silk and Snow is owned by Sleep Country, part of Prem Watsa’s Fairfax empire. “Chipotle is the second-largest quick-service restaurant in the world. Running Room has been around for a long time, and Anian is a strong retail brand.”
But Enzo is just one part of a much broader strategy.
Four Developments, One Bold Vision
Lonardelli laid out Arlington’s real estate footprint along 17th Avenue:
“The four projects are: Fifth (our first, right across from my office), Francesco (the old Fishman’s Dry Cleaning site), Enzo, and then Sentinel at 17th Avenue and 14th Street SW which is the biggest assembly in the Beltline at 66,000 square feet.”
By the numbers:
- 743 residential units across the portfolio
- 60,000 square feet of retail across all sites
- 25 new retailers introduced
- $450+ million in construction enterprise value
“Fifth is complete,” he continued. “Francesco will be the first 16-storey concrete building on the 17th Avenue corridor. It’ll have 209 rental units, 12,000 square feet of retail, and a public amenity with public art.”
Enzo, which is also complete, has 70 residential units and 8,500 square feet of retail.
Completion of Francesco is targeted for Q4 2026, with the building topping off before Christmas this year. “You’ll see a 16-storey building with a podium setback. It’s going to look spectacular,” Lonardelli said.
Sentinel, Arlington’s most ambitious project yet, breaks ground in the near future.
The scope?
- 312 rental units
- 13,000 square feet of retail
- Completion: Q3 2027
“Technically it’s one building but designed in three sections with a courtyard and interior amenity space.”
The Philosophy Behind the Billions
“We’ve been at this for eight years. People thought I was nuts,” said Lonardelli. “But I’ve always believed every great city has a great street. For Calgary, 17th Avenue has that potential—to be a live-work-play-shop environment.”
Back in their first CBC feature almost a decade ago, Arlington made a bold claim: buy 42 buildings, create eight development sites, and generate $1 billion in enterprise value. “People thought I was crazy—some said worse. But here we are.”
The transformation is evident. “There are new restaurants, retail, and more density. People are moving in. The city feels safer when it’s activated..”
Lonardelli added, “Once 17th is punched through into the Entertainment District (connected through Calgary Stampede Park), the street becomes even more important. It’s the coolest street in the city, no doubt.”
A Retail Bellwether: Lululemon Moves In
One high-profile new arrival: Lululemon.
“It’s going to be a flagship location,” said Tulene Steiestol, Executive Director of the 17th Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA). “It’s significantly larger than their current store on 4th Street.
“Retail is always good. The trend that we’re seeing for 2025 is that there are more retailers that are coming on the avenue.”
Lonardelli agrees. “It’s a serious data point—a bellwether of confidence from the retail market. And as a Canadian success story, it’s great to see them investing here.”
Steiestol noted the corridor’s shift toward a more retail-oriented mix. “In 2025 alone, 33 new businesses have opened, and the majority are retail.
“There’s an energy that’s here.”
Building a Safer, More Vibrant Street
The BIA, now 41 years old and home to 730 businesses across 40+ blocks, is committed to safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy.
“We want to be the safest, the cleanest, and the most welcoming of the BIAs,” said Steiestol. “When we host events or programming, we ensure it’s welcoming for families and everyone else who comes down here.”
Programs like Summer on 17th and the Extended Patio Program are aimed at enhancing street-level energy. “We run free programming every weekend from June through September—live music, performances, and more,” she added.
The patios—red-railed extensions now common along the street—are BIA-funded. “We wanted to ensure patios were accessible for everyone, especially those with mobility challenges.”
Still, challenges remain.
“It’s definitely the unhoused population,” Steiestol acknowledged. “There aren’t enough services, especially daytime services. We try to be respectful and inclusive, but it’s a fine balance.”
Also a recent survey indicated support for closing a part of 17th Avenue from vehicle traffic – a topic that has been discussed for years.
Sentinel’s Role in the Western Revival
Much of 17th’s buzz traditionally centered around the stretch from the Ship and Anchor to Mount Royal Village. But with Sentinel coming to the corner of 14th Street, that’s about to change.
“A hundred per cent, it’s going to be a huge catalyst,” said Lonardelli. “When the buildings come down, people will realize how massive that 66,000 square feet site really is.”
He pointed out the area’s complexity—flanked by affluent neighborhoods like Scarboro and Lower Mount Royal, but historically less vibrant than the eastern stretch.
“Sentinel will be the anchor that transforms that entire corridor. Our hope is others between 8th and 14th follow suit, turning over buildings and creating a cohesive stretch.”
Steiestol echoed the sentiment. “Right now, if you look online, there are multiple development permits for small buildings to be demolished and replaced with mixed-use developments. Our eyes are definitely on the west side.”
The Future of 17th
Despite economic pressures, shifting demographics, and urban challenges, Calgary’s 17th Avenue is experiencing a retail and residential resurgence like never before.
“This is the time,” Lonardelli said. “The energy is back, and we’re proud to be part of building something iconic.”
For Steiestol and the BIA, it’s about keeping that momentum going: “We ask, how do we keep the neighbourhood relevant, safe, and clean so businesses stay—and new ones come in?”
If the past few years are any indication, 17th Avenue’s best chapters are still being written.
Michael Kehoe, Broker of Record, Fairfield Commercial Real Estate, said the densification of Calgary’s inner city districts continues at an unprecedented rate with many new mixed-use development and redevelopments.
“Numerous mixed-use projects along 17th Avenue SW are under construction or in the final planning stages which have retail as a key component to the building’s infrastructure. The owners of these mixed-use projects are adding retailers and food service operators who will flourish in this successful pedestrian-oriented environment,” he said.
“Inner-city retail space is in high demand in Calgary and commands premium rents with high levels of occupancy. One of the current hotbeds for retail development and redevelopment in Calgary is 17th Avenue SW often referred to as the Red Mile in homage to the NHL Calgary Flames.
“There seems to be a universal longing to find and recapture that special place – the main street – in many North American urban markets. 17th Avenue SW in Calgary is an excellent example of this process at work where all the elements of a vibrant main street have come together. The Red Mile is a retail and entertainment focused pedestrian oasis . . . 17th Avenue SW has a human scale, it is a pedestrian-oriented place with a diversity of uses and users. It’s not a formula place but it is definitely the unique place that you will find in every Canadian city where the merchants, the bars and restaurants are unique. This is the street level, public realm where people come together and the diversity of people, buildings, retailers, restaurants, signage, sights and sounds truly create the special place called main street. It’s a seven day a week, 15 to 18 hour day environment where the abundance of coffee of shops add to the street dynamics by creating motion and energy.“
As a retail real estate broker, Kehoe said he sees renewed interest in urban business districts such as 17th Avenue SW.
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