The SPACEPILOT Takes Off

February 29, 2024

Introduction

Calgary’s artistic community is embarking on an exciting journey, thanks to the innovative SPACEPILOT initiative by cSPACE Projects. With support from Calgary Arts Development (CADA) and the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF), this groundbreaking project fosters curated partnerships between commercial real estate professionals and not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on those operating in the creative economy.

Background and Inspiration

Inspired by the United Kingdom’s popular Meanwhile Lease model, SPACEPILOT connects artists and creative entrepreneurs with underused commercial spaces, offering a unique leasing opportunity, The project’s aim is to address the growing need for affordable spaces for creatives, while offsetting costs for building owners through property tax mitigation and simultaneously contributing to the revitalization of Calgary’s mainstreets and downtown.

Addressing Vacancy Challenges

Since its quiet beginnings working with early adopters in the commercial real estate industry, SPACEPILOT has been gaining momentum, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship while addressing the serious commercial vacancy concerns in greater downtown Calgary.The commercial landscape of downtown Calgary has witnessed significant changes since 2020. As the global landscape evolves, the city’s downtown core has faced its share of challenges, with increasing commercial vacancies. The need for innovative solutions to revitalize and reinvigorate these spaces became paramount.

SPACEPILOT Initiative Overview

Enter SPACEPILOT, an initiative led by cSPACE Projects and spearheaded by cSPACE Projects’ Director of Space Development, Sean Dennie. It aims to provide artists and creative entrepreneurs with affordable, month-to-month access to vacant commercial spaces. The initiative draws inspiration from the “Meanwhile Lease” model, popular in the UK. This approach empowers not-for-profit organizations to utilize underused spaces that may be vacant for a month, a year, or even several years.

Win-Win Collaboration

This collaboration serves as a win-win for both artists navigating their first leasing experience and commercial landlords seeking to manage the costs of owning and operating temporarily vacant spaces. It not only supports the local creative community but also contributes to the revitalization of downtown Calgary by filling the void left by vacant commercial properties.

Versatile Utilization of Spaces

The spaces managed by SPACEPILOT are versatile, which may be used by artists and not-for-profits for office spaces, workshops, rehearsal studios, event venues, and exhibition areas, all at highly affordable rates. This not only benefits the artistic community but also presents an opportunity for commercial landlords to offset the costs associated with owning and operating temporarily vacant spaces.

Testimonials

“So exciting to see Calgarians invigorating these unused spaces with their artistic practices. Thank you to the commercial real estate folks who were early adopters in this pilot and to the Alberta Real Estate Foundation for their visionary funding. And thank you to our supporters at The City of Calgary for removing barriers.” 

— Joni Carroll, Arts Spaces Consultant with Calgary Arts Development (CADA)

“Thanks to the Spacepilot Meanwhile Lease program, my unoccupied commercial space found vibrant life through vetted temporary tenants from the arts and culture community. This initiative not only prevented vandalism and deterioration but also injected vitality into what was once an empty space. With a welcomed respite on property taxes until a long-term tenant emerges, this program proved invaluable. Sean Dennie’s seamless facilitation made the intimidating process of finding temporary tenants effortless. With him as my single point of contact, the journey couldn’t have been smoother. I’m thoroughly pleased with my experience.” 

— Brad Krizan, Director of Property Management with Artis REIT

Current Successes

Currently the SPACEPILOT program has brokered 43,000 square feet of space in the Calgary Beltline. Success stories include The Alcove Centre for the Arts. This collaborative art space emerged as a series of pop-up events in creative spaces, then landed a month-long residency at cSPACE Eau Claire Neighbourhood Hub. Following the success of that residency, The Alcove became a great candidate for a semi-permanent space as part of the SPACEPILOT program. They are now adding vibrancy through their community events, serving a diverse youth population of emerging artists, in their SPACEPILOT event space at 244-7th Avenue SW. 

Collaborative Impact

The SPACEPILOT initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration between cSPACE Projects, commercial landlords, and Calgary’s creatives. It offers a lifeline to the participating arts organizations, providing them with affordable and flexible spaces to nurture their creativity and entrepreneurial endeavors. Simultaneously, it supports commercial real estate professionals in managing vacant spaces, all the while revitalizing greater downtown Calgary. 

Acknowledgments and Future Outlook

Thanks again goes to AREF and CADA who have made this initiative possible. As the program continues to evolve, it promises a bright future for Calgary’s artistic and creative community, showcasing the potential for positive change when urban development drives innovation and supports local talent.