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.