The future of a historic Calgary estate could be at risk if a developer is allowed to proceed with a proposal to turn the space into multi-residential development. The Sayre Estate, built in 1905, sits on a one-acre piece of land on 717 Royal Ave S.W. It’s the last surviving example of the hillside estates built in the first phase of the Mount Royal neighbourhood, but the city is considering a land use application to redesignate the land to allow up with up to 20 units. Sander Duncanson, his wife and young daughter live across the street and would like to see the estate preserved. “Our house is about 115 years old. This house (the Sayre Estate) is over 120 years old, so I think it’s one of the oldest houses left in Calgary,” Duncanson told CTV News. “I would hope that the city would really fight hard to protect as much as it is as they could.” The proposal suggests buildings that could be up to 18 metres high, which is about twice the height of the average Mount Royal home and taller than nearby townhomes and apartment buildings. Duncanson said many nearby residents are concerned. “We would be really sad emotionally, but also concerned about what the city is doing in terms of protecting areas like this,” Duncanson said. He added he’s worried a precedent could be set for the neighbourhood if the proposed development were allowed to move forward. The historic estate includes a two and a half storey Tudor-style home made of sandstone and brick and a detached coach house. It was originally owned by Calgary businessman A. J. Sayre, who moved to the city from Iowa and bought the land from Canadian Pacific Railway. Sayre built his fortune through land development, mining, lumber, coal and early oil ventures. The Catholic church acquired the property in 1923, and the Ursuline Sisters of Calgary adapted it as Villa Angela, a convent, hospital and music college between 1925 and 1979. It has been a single-family home again for more than four decades. Earlier this year, the City of Calgary assessed the home on the estate at $6.86 million. Heritage Calgary says the proposal goes against both the heritage guideline for the area and the West Elbow local area plan. “Once we lose something like this, we can’t just get it back,” said Heritage Calgary executive director Erika Topola. “Yes, we can make a commemorative or something like that but it’s not the same as having the actual structure, and this specific structure still has a sandstone foundation.” This property has not been designated as a heritage site by the city or province. Heritage Calgary said the estate has been identified as historically significant, but only a property owner can apply to get a heritage designation. That designation comes with legal protections to preserve the home, as well as also tax incentives to help with costs. The property was purchased in 2015 for $4.6 million by the Calgary family that founded international development company Walton Global. Neighbours say the family hasn’t been living at the home for years and now resides in the United States. CTV News reached out to Walton Global, the proposed developer Urban Systems and the proposed land use change applicant Mike Coldwell for comment but did not immediately hear back. The city is accepting comments from any interested parties, affected neighbours and all Mount Royal Community residents by Sept. 24. Residents can also reach out to their city councillor. Duncanson says his family isn’t alone in voicing concerns about losing a unique piece of Calgary history. “I’m quite pleased actually to see how many people care about this… not just in this area but more broadly across the city,” he said. “(It shows) the importance for our kids and grandkids to see how Calgary started out and some of those lessons from our history that are easily forgotten.”
