We've all heard that Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Calgary, which continues to undergo an urban renaissance. Over the next five days, CREB®Now will present a series where it has sat down with five influencers who have helped develop the city as we know it today.

CMLC boss follows his heart

Through several significant career changes, Michael Brown has always taken to heart his mother's advice growing up: "I don't care what you do; just make a difference."

As president and CEO of Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC) since 2011, Brown is doing just that as he leads the rejuvenation of the massive 20-hectare, mixed-use, inner city community of East Village, one of the largest urban re-developments in North America.

So how did this political science university graduate, who jumped into economic development and then helped build one of Calgary's iconic corporate headquarters, get involved in urban renewal?

Calgary still the place to be for new developments

Despite a dip in the economy, Calgary is still a sought-after destination for developers, say industry experts.

"There's a western resiliency and an entrepreneurial spirit that [Calgary] rolls with it and looks for a brighter day in the future," said Christopher Wein, president of Toronto's Great Gulf Residential, which has submitted a development application to the City to develop a two-tower condo development in the East Village at 304 Macleod Trail S.E. across from the Harry Hayes Building.

The final architectural design of Calgary's New Central Library was unveiled today.

CREB®Now was on hand for the showcasing of the structure which, when completed by 2018, will connect the East Village to the downtown including the encapsulation of the LRT line. Here's some quotes from the event.

Lyle Edwards, chairman for Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC)

"One of the most important things we did along the journey to the design you're going to see today was engage with Calgarians to find out their needs and their vision for the new central library."

"To ensure the new library meets citizens needs we worked with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Public Library to run a robust public engagement program, through that program more than 16,000 Calgarians shared their ideas, aspirations and hopes  for the new central library."

New Central Library design highlights Calgary's increasing stature

Calgary's transition into architectural adulthood continued this week with the public getting its first look at the newly announced Central Library.

Replacing the 1960s-era bunker-like WR Castell Library, the new library, to be located at Third Street and Seventh Avenue S.E., will feature a four-storey "chinook arch-esque" atrium built over top of a section of LRT line.

Not only will the building bring 240,000 square feet of usable library space to Calgary's East Village, its ambitious design represents another step forward for a city that many believe is finally growing up.

New development to bring restaurants, retail to RiverWalk

East Village's historic Simmons Building will soon have a fashionable new neighbour.

A fitting mix of Calgary's past and future, the new project will bring 17,000 to 20,000 square feet of retail and office space to M2 – a quarter-acre lot alongside the Bow River in downtown Calgary.

"M2 is a highly visible site and, even though it's small, it will have a huge presence in East Village," said Kate MacGregor, president of Calgary's XYC Design + Development.

* photo courtesy CMLC

Calgary's past will blend with the future as the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is installing five Sentinels at the corner of Sixth Street and Ninth Avenue S.E.

The Sentinels, made of heavy glass and concrete will depict historical Calgary figures, suspended from a steel framework.

The backers of East Village won't let recent flooding get in the way of their goal of making it one of the city's most sought-after neighbourhoods.

According to flood maps released by the Province of Alberta, East Village is in a pink zone or flood fringe, despite flood mitigation measures undertaken by the community.

The East village just announced the revitalization of the Simmons Building to include retailers Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, CHARCUT by chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson.

As a part of the East Village, CMLC (Calgary Municipal Land Corporation) has included the previously mentioned retailers to compliment the over $1.1 billion of planned investment to the neighbourhood.