Construction & Renovation Services in Kensington & Hillhurst

In most cases, yes — but it's not as simple as applying for a demolition permit. The City of Calgary maintains an Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources, and if the home appears on that list, the demolition application triggers a heritage review. This doesn't necessarily prevent demolition, but it adds time (potentially months) and may result in conditions like documenting the home before demolition or incorporating design elements of the original into the new build. Even if the home isn't on the heritage inventory, the development permit for the infill replacement will be reviewed against the local area plan and may draw comments from the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association, which actively monitors development applications. Budget 6-12 months from initial application to breaking ground on an infill in this neighbourhood.

For a typical 800-1,000 sq ft bungalow footprint, basement underpinning in Kensington-Hillhurst runs $40,000-$80,000 for the structural work alone — excavating below existing footings in controlled sections, pouring new deeper footings and walls, and waterproofing the exterior. The wide range reflects variables like soil conditions (alluvial gravel near the river drains easily; clay farther from the river holds water and requires more careful dewatering), the type of existing foundation (poured concrete is simpler than rubble stone), and access constraints on tight 25-foot lots where equipment can't reach the back of the house. Add $30,000-$60,000 for finishing the newly deepened basement (framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring) and $15,000-$25,000 for an egress window well if one doesn't exist. Total all-in for underpinning plus finishing a character home basement: $85,000-$165,000.

The process typically runs in this order: purchase the lot (or the existing house you plan to demolish), engage an architect or designer familiar with Hillhurst's design sensitivities, apply for a demolition permit for the existing structure (4-8 weeks, longer if heritage-flagged), apply for a development permit for the new build (8-16 weeks, depending on complexity and whether the community association raises concerns), then apply for a building permit once the DP is approved (4-8 weeks). Total pre-construction timeline: 6-12 months. Construction for a typical infill takes 8-12 months. Key approvals to navigate include height and setback compliance with the land use bylaw, tree protection requirements (the City may require arborist reports and tree preservation plans), and stormwater management — the City increasingly requires on-site stormwater retention for new builds in established inner-city areas.

The risk is moderate and concentrated toward the eastern edge near the Bow River. Sunnyside, immediately east, bore the brunt of the 2013 flood, and the $50 million Sunnyside Flood Barrier (under construction, expected completion spring 2026) is designed to address that vulnerability with 2.4 kilometres of permanent and deployable barriers. Hillhurst proper sits on somewhat higher ground, but properties along Memorial Drive and near the Bow River pathway should still check the City's flood hazard maps. Even if your property isn't in a mapped flood zone, proximity to the river means higher groundwater levels and a greater likelihood of sump pump dependence for basement dryness. If you're finishing a basement in the lower-lying parts of the neighbourhood, specify a sump system with battery backup and consider interior waterproofing as insurance.