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Mastering Infill Development in Calgary: A Strategic Guide

Infill development is reshaping Calgary’s inner-city landscape, addressing housing demands through innovative, high-density projects. Pro Reliance Builds, a leader with over 25 years of expertise, excels in delivering infill homes that align with municipal priorities and market expectations. From 2014 to 2018, Calgary restricted suburban sprawl to incentivize inner-city revitalization, fostering infill projects like duplexes and triplexes. The City’s 2024 blanket rezoning to Residential – Grade-Oriented (R-CG) has accelerated this trend, permitting up to four units per lot. This blog outlines the strategic steps to construct a two-unit infill (single-detached homes) for resale or personal occupancy, leveraging Calgary’s evolving regulations and market dynamics.

The Opportunity of Infill Projects

Infill development involves demolishing older homes in established neighborhoods and building modern residences, such as two single-detached homes, for sale or rental. The 2024 R-CG rezoning, effective August 6, 2024, eliminates land-use redesignation for most lots, reducing permitting timelines by four months. Federal incentives, like the Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program ($80,000 at 2% interest, starting January 15, 2025), support projects that address Calgary’s housing shortage, making infills a lucrative investment.

Strategic Site Selection

Choosing the right location is paramount for profitability and feasibility:

  • Altadore and Hillhurst: These premium neighborhoods offer resale values of $1.1–$1.4 million per unit, driven by proximity to downtown and amenities like Elbow River Park. Lots cost $980,000–$1.2 million as of May 2025.
  • Bowness: With lots at $600,000–$700,000, Bowness suits cost-conscious projects, yielding $800,000–$1 million per unit.
  • Mount Pleasant: Lots at $900,000–$1.1 million support resale values of $1–$1.3 million, ideal for modern designs near Confederation Park.

Avoid northern areas like Harvest Hills, where HOAs and low density deter infills. Pro Reliance Builds conducts rigorous site evaluations to align lot costs with market potential.

Design Excellence

Designs must reflect neighborhood character and buyer expectations:

  • Luxury Features: In Altadore and Hillhurst, incorporate open-concept layouts, quartz countertops, and smart home systems to justify premium pricing.
  • Sustainability: Energy-efficient features (e.g., EnerGuide insulation) qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Loan ($40,000 at 2% interest), enhancing value.
  • Heritage Preservation: In Mount Pleasant, adhere to 2024 tree preservation policies to maintain community appeal.

Our award-winning architects craft bespoke designs that comply with R-CG zoning and elevate marketability.

Permitting Process

The R-CG rezoning simplifies permitting, with a total timeline of 8–12 months:

  • Zoning Confirmation (1–2 weeks): Verify R-CG status, setbacks (7.5m front, 1.2m side), and lot coverage (45%) via calgary.ca.
  • Development Permit (60–90 days): Submit site plans and elevations through ePermit. A 21-day public notice allows feedback, with appeals to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
  • Building Permit (3–5 weeks): Submit construction drawings and trade permits (e.g., plumbing for water lines). Safety Codes Officers review plans.
  • Construction Inspections (6–9 months): Includes foundation, plumbing groundwork (verifying pipe slopes), framing, and rough-in inspections, scheduled within 2 days via Job Access Code.
  • Occupancy Permit (1–2 weeks): Final inspections confirm compliance; suites require Secondary Suite Registry enrollment.

Pro Reliance Builds ensures seamless permitting, leveraging the 2024 prescreen review to avoid delays.

Construction Costs

Costs vary by finish quality and neighborhood:

  • Altadore/Hillhurst: $300–$400/sq. ft. for luxury finishes ($540,000–$960,000 per 1,800–2,400 sq. ft. unit).
  • Bowness: $230–$300/sq. ft. for standard finishes ($414,000–$720,000 per unit).
  • Additional Costs: Demolition ($20,000–$30,000), permitting ($10,000–$20,000), utilities ($15,000–$25,000).

Our modular construction reduces costs by 20%, ensuring efficiency.

Resale Value and Feasibility

Resale values reflect market trends (32 infill sales in April 2025):

  • Altadore: $1.1–$1.4 million/unit requires luxury designs.
  • Bowness: $800,000–$1 million suits standard finishes.

Feasibility Formula:
Profit = (Resale Value) – (Land Cost + Construction Cost + Additional Costs)
Example (Altadore): $2,500,000 (resale) – ($1,000,000 land + $1,200,000 construction + $60,000) = $240,000 profit.

For occupancy, factor in rental income from a suite ($1,500–$2,000/month). We provide comparative market analyses to optimize ROI.

Get in touch now to discover your next projects potential!

Let’s Build Your Infill Success Story

From lot assessment to permits and resale, we’ll guide your Calgary infill project every step of the way.