The value of the Nimmons Residence extends beyond its prominent location at 1827 14 St. SW
In an era of rapid urban development, saving old houses is about more than just preserving physical structures. It is about safeguarding our collective heritage, celebrating architectural diversity, and fostering sustainable practices.
The significance of the Nimmons Residence goes beyond just appreciating one of the last surviving examples of grand ranch houses. It represents an aspect of the community’s heritage. The current political environment surrounding Blanket Rezoning in Calgary has been challenging for both sides of the debate. We wanted to separate any opinions about the surrounding development and recognize the effort that went into saving this home.
Pioneer William Nimmons purchased a half-section of land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1882 for eight dollars an acre. The home was built in 1898, overlooking the prairie with a view of the village of Calgary in the distance
Nimmons established one of the most well-known ranches in the area, the 3-D-Bar Ranch. He operated a quarry and brickwork on the property. This material, especially sandstone, made a significant contribution to the early construction of the city. He subdivided the property in 1905, and again in 1912. This subdivision became the community of Bankview, which is part of the city of Calgary today.
The completion of Nimmons Court, by Brava Development Corp. and designed by Casola Koppe Architects, marks the culmination of decades of consultation by the City of Calgary. The 1981 Bankview Area Redevelopment Plan aimed to facilitate the preservation of the Nimmons Residence. It included designating it as a Municipal Historic Resource and allowing for its adaptive reuse.
In 2018, an accommodation was made to relocate the home. This resulted in the structure being lifted and moved from its original foundation to the SE corner of the property. This allowed it to be incorporated into the new development. Today, a six-story, 84-unit apartment wraps around the two-story Victorian Queen Anne revival-style residence
Local Area Planning
Communities change and evolve over time. Buildings gain character. Demographics change, trees mature, local amenities and businesses evolve. Just as the 1981 Bankview Area Redevelopment Plan served in the past. Local area plans provide direction on development and community improvements to help guide change within a specific area.
We updated this page in 2026. We wanted to thank everyone who heard our call to action and participated in the planning process. People who helped shape how this community and the surrounding area will evolve over the next 30 years. On May 7, 2025, Council approved three readings of the West Elbow Communities Local Area Plan. You can get more information by visiting the link to The City of Calgary website here.
This was the culmination of nearly two years of engagement with participants. These included residents, business owners, community associations, development industry representatives, and dedicated and diverse working groups.
Redevelopment is a natural part of a community’s life cycle. But here is also an intrinsic value in saving these historical structures that goes beyond sentimentality.
The Value of Saving Old Houses
Environmental Considerations
Preserving old houses is an environmentally responsible choice. Retrofitting and renovating existing structures is often more sustainable than demolishing and rebuilding. The greenest building is the one that is already there. Even if they reach net zero energy, all buildings start with a carbon deficit. Environmental costs of building replacement include:
- Embodied Energy: This is the energy necessary to demolish and dispose of an existing building. Then, it involves building a new one. This energy is measured in gigajoules (Gj). The non-renewable energy consumed to acquire and transport materials, construct, keep up, and run a new build.
- Embodied Carbon: The monetized value of a building’s carbon footprint measured in tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG).
- Landfill cost of demolition materials.
Reuse is climate action; deconstruction is waste reduction.
If Calgary retained the identified pre-1945 residential heritage assets, 150,000 metric tonnes of GHG emissions could be saved. This is from wood alone. The City of Vancouver passed a Green Demolition bylaw in 2014. This bylaw requires three-quarters of the materials from homes built before 1950 to be recycled. A city report concluded that the bylaw stopped 40,000 tons of construction waste from going to the landfill. Portland is the leader in this field. It requires deconstruction for all homes older than 1940. Since 2014, they have recovered more than 300 million pounds of material for reuse.
Old houses are often built with durable materials. These include solid old forest wood and brick. Such materials can have a longer lifespan than some modern construction materials. Retrofitting them with energy-efficient systems can significantly reduce their environmental impact.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Old houses are irreplaceable. They often have unique features and details. These are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in modern construction. This makes them invaluable artifacts of our cultural heritage.
Old houses serve as tangible links to our cultural and historical roots. They offer a glimpse into the architectural styles, craftsmanship, and lifestyles of the past.
ARCHITECTURAL DIVERSITY AND AESTHETICS
Old houses contribute to the architectural diversity of our communities. They showcase design styles, from Victorian and Georgian to Craftsman and Colonial. These distinctive architectural features add character and charm to neighbourhoods. They create a sense of place and identity. These features ensure that neighbourhoods stay visually appealing and keep their unique character.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Saving old houses can have positive economic effects on both individual homeowners and communities as a whole. Rehabilitating historic properties creates job opportunities for skilled craftspeople, architects, and contractors. It also attracts heritage tourism, generating revenue for local businesses. Studies have shown that neighbourhoods with preserved historical architecture tend to have higher property values and can become attractive destinations for businesses and residents
Next Steps – Where to go from here
If you like old houses, walk or wheel up 14th Street and explore the historic residential community of Mount Royal. Unlike Bankview, this unique community was conceived as an elite residential area. The landscape was inspired by the City Beautiful movement, with many tree-lined streets trailing the contours of the topography. It was designed to create a “park-like” urban environment. It offers a great place to spend the day, enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
The Best 5K Urban Hike features lookouts of the city skyline, green space, heritage buildings, public art and urban design. There is a mix of terrain and elevation, great for an inner-city workout. The journey also includes retail and entertainment districts to grab a bite or a drink:
The Urban Explorer 