Brookfield Properties has unveiled plans to give the Suncor Energy Centre (SEC) office building a $90 million worth of upgrades that will feature an amphitheatre, food hall, restaurant, terrace, and gathering spaces.

The redevelopment project has been in the works for months. In the summer of 2024, a historic bush plane that had been in the building’s atrium for 40 years was relocated to make way for the renovations.

The multi-year project, spearheaded by Brookfield Properties and ARCI, is scheduled for completion in 2027, according to reports based on a press release that was not widely circulated.

“Redevelopment projects like these underscore Calgary’s momentum as a city enhancing community vibrancy and downtown revitalization,” Brad Parry, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development and CEO of Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, said in the press release according to Postmedia.

The redesigned SEC’s new amphitheatre will have cascading seating for 300 people, nestled among greenery. The amphitheatre, in partnership with local arts and culture non-profits, will host year-round programming, such as film screenings, live music, art exhibitions, dance performances, wellness activities, workshops, pop-up markets, and lectures, Postmedia reported.

The food hall, open throughout the day and evening, will feature diverse culinary offerings and a full-service bar, providing a space for after-work socializing or enjoying performances. Visitors will also have access to a rooftop patio and outdoor lounge overlooking the city.

The project will transform the public areas between the SEC’s two iconic red granite towers, originally completed in 1984. According to KPMB Architects, one of the design firms involved, the redevelopment will create a vibrant, collaborative environment centred around a tree-filled “forum.” The multi-purpose atrium will incorporate forest-like settings and Indigenous design elements, offering a four-season space for informal gatherings and cultural events.

“The existing atrium will be transformed into a green, multipurpose forum with forest-like settings that integrate Indigenous design and storytelling into a variety of accessible seating options,” noted Toronto-based KPMB on its website.

Enhanced connectivity will also be a priority, with reimagined tower entrances, a new south entrance, and centralized escalators creating seamless pathways through the complex, said KPMB. A mobility hub for cyclists will further promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable transportation.

Mississauga-Ont.-based EllisDon will complete the renovations, said Calgary-based Kassian in a Linkedin post.

Kassian added that the this “revitalized destination will enhance and energize downtown Calgary.”

Rendering: KPMB Architects