The Livingston Commercial Centre has reached a development milestone with building permits now issued for the new retail project in north Calgary. The approval signals the formal transition from planning into construction for the grocery-anchored commercial centre, which is expected to deliver more than 100,000 sq. ft. of retail space to one of the city’s fastest-growing residential communities.
Located at 14390 1st Street NE, the Livingston Commercial Centre sits within the master-planned Livingston community, a large-scale residential development that continues to expand north of Stoney Trail. The issuance of building permits in December marks a key regulatory milestone and clears the way for active construction to move forward.
Designed as a neighbourhood-oriented commercial centre, the Livingston Commercial Centre will feature nine commercial retail unit buildings across a 5.04-acre site. In total, the project will deliver approximately 113,000 sq. ft. of retail space, with a tenant mix focused on everyday needs and service-driven retail categories.
The centre is planned to include a grocery store, pharmacy, gas bar with a convenience store, restaurants, fitness offerings, personal services, and health and wellness uses. This mix reflects a strategy focused on convenience and accessibility, providing essential retail and services within close proximity to residents and reducing the need for longer trips to other parts of the city.
The development is expected to serve not only Livingston residents but also surrounding northeast Calgary communities that continue to experience steady population growth and evolving retail demand.
Strategic Location Within a Growing Community
The Livingston Commercial Centre benefits from strong regional accessibility. The site offers convenient access from both Stoney Trail NE and 144 Avenue NE, positioning it well for neighbourhood traffic as well as commuters travelling through the area. Calgary International Airport is approximately 15 minutes away, and the site is located near major transportation corridors, including the QEII Highway, with future C-Train service planned as part of Calgary’s long-term transit expansion.
Surface parking is planned throughout the site to support convenience-oriented retail visits, reinforcing the centre’s role as a practical, day-to-day shopping destination rather than a discretionary retail draw.
Development Team and Ongoing Partnership
The Livingston Commercial Centre is being developed through a collaboration between Brookfield Residential and Elan Construction, with Zeidler Architecture serving as the project architect. The development represents the fifth retail project undertaken jointly by Elan Construction and Brookfield, reflecting an established working relationship between the two firms.
Construction activity on the project commenced earlier this year, with an estimated build timeline of approximately 22 months. With permits now in place, the project is expected to remain under construction through 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.
Brookfield’s involvement builds on its broader role as the master developer of the Livingston community, where residential, commercial, and institutional components are being delivered in coordinated phases.
Flexible Retail Space and Leasing Strategy
The Livingston Commercial Centre has been designed to accommodate a wide range of retail and service uses through flexible unit sizing. Retail units range from approximately 912 sq. ft. for smaller operators to more than 7,000 sq. ft. for larger tenants, allowing the centre to attract a diverse tenant mix.
Mid-sized units are expected to appeal to restaurants, fitness operators, pharmacies, and service-based retailers, while larger footprints are positioned to support anchor and high-traffic tenants. Lease terms are structured around five- to ten-year initial commitments, reflecting a long-term approach to tenant stability and community integration.
Leasing activity is underway, with a portion of the retail space still available as the project advances through construction.
Supporting the Livingston Master-Planned Community
Livingston is one of Calgary’s largest master-planned communities, with a projected population of approximately 30,000 residents upon full build-out. The community is expected to include more than 11,000 homes across multiple neighbourhoods, supported by schools, recreation facilities, and commercial infrastructure.
The Livingston Commercial Centre forms part of a broader vision that includes more than one million sq. ft. of planned commercial and institutional space within the community. This includes additional retail destinations, office space, and community services designed to support a more self-contained urban environment.
As one of the early major retail developments in Livingston, the centre is expected to play a central role in establishing the area’s retail and service offering as residential density continues to increase.
Economic Impact and Employment
During construction, the Livingston Commercial Centre represents a significant source of economic activity in northeast Calgary, supporting local trades, consultants, and suppliers over the project’s estimated 22-month build period. Once completed, the centre is expected to support between 100 and 150 permanent retail jobs, depending on the final tenant mix and store sizes.
Beyond employment, the development will contribute ongoing property tax revenue to the City of Calgary and support the broader economic sustainability of the Livingston community by keeping more consumer spending local.
