Tenants in Calgary’s historic Old Y building are facing uncertainty as they holdover their leases amidst ongoing renovations.
The Old Y building, located in the city’s Beltline neighborhood, has been a hub for artists and non-profit organizations for over a century. However, the building’s new owners, Strategic Group, have announced plans to renovate the space and turn it into a modern office building.
This has left many tenants, who have been operating out of the building for years, in a state of limbo. According to the tenants, they were given a 90-day notice to vacate the premises, but many have chosen to holdover their leases in hopes of finding a new space within the building.
One of the tenants, the Calgary Arts Development, has been in the Old Y building for over 20 years. They have been working closely with Strategic Group to find a suitable space within the building, but have yet to reach a resolution.
In a statement, the Calgary Arts Development expressed their concerns about the uncertainty of their future in the Old Y building. They stated, “We are committed to finding a solution that allows us to continue our work in the community, but the lack of communication and clarity from Strategic Group has made it difficult for us to plan for the future.”
Other tenants, such as the Calgary Centre for Global Community, have already found new spaces outside of the Old Y building. However, they are still facing challenges as they try to move out of the building amidst the ongoing renovations.
In response to the tenants’ concerns, Strategic Group has stated that they are committed to working with the tenants to find suitable solutions. They have also assured that the renovations will not displace any of the tenants, and that they will have the opportunity to return to the building once the renovations are complete.
The Old Y building has a rich history and has been a vital part of Calgary’s arts and non-profit community. As the renovations continue, it is important for all parties involved to work together to find a solution that benefits both the tenants and the building’s new owners.
