University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) is a 76-acres destination that is currently being revitalized to become a world-class innovation district.
Imagine UIQ as a driving force for the future of innovation in Calgary. The outcome is unmatched. A dense destination where research and discoveries are made and talent clusters. A place where people gather to discuss and propel big ideas. A place where progressive advancements flourish in vital areas such as health and life sciences, quantum research, advanced manufacturing, and industries alike in alignment with the University of Calgary’s trans-disciplinary research areas of focus.
The vibrant corridors and gateways make it easy to connect and commute to the University of Calgary (UCalgary), established surrounding neighbourhoods, and essential medical facilities. Projects and ideas are put on display in the heart of UIQ – a versatile demonstration site where people come to congregate, connect, and relax. The activities in the heart ebb and flow with events, public art, and creative nooks inviting people to take a break or ponder on big ideas in an active, lush and colourful space.
A fully transit oriented development with an active light rail transit station just a five-minute walk away connecting activity and movement to the downtown core and all corners of the city. The streets are enlivened with future-forward public autonomous vehicles weaving through the quarter. Transportation is easily accessible and convenient, yielding a reduced environmental footprint and sustainable outcome. With residential and hotel options located within walking distance, UIQ provides premium opportunities to house the brightest minds.
The diversity of lab spaces, offices, specialized equipment, and advanced manufacturing make it a prime destination to work and do research. It’s an inviting place that encourages visiting international researchers to do business, where they can stay in a well-established hotel next door, visit the lab across the street and have lunch downstairs. The activity throughout the quarter advances Calgary as a leading city grasping international attention as a hot spot for research and innovation. This is the inspired future of UIQ – the bold step towards innovation.
BRIEF HISTORY OF UIQ
1966 The province of Alberta announced that the 80 acres north of the University of Calgary main campus would be home to University Research Park. Its purpose was to become a nationally recognized research facility that would cooperate with the University to advance knowledge through experimentation, testing, and investigation.
2020 The Government of Alberta transferred ownership of the park to the University outlining the University’s intention to reinvent the research park into Calgary’s innovation hub for research and entrepreneurial thinking.
2020 University of Calgary Properties Group (UCPG) was announced to lead the development framework for the management and development of the park.
2021 University Research Park is rebranded to University Innovation Quarter.
THE VISION
University Innovation Quarter will be a place for research, collaboration, ideation, incubation and entrepreneurship – a dense, mixed-use environment where University of Calgary research creates scalable solutions for improving our world.
By developing and revitalizing UIQ, University of Calgary Properties Group will create a visible and programmatic connection not only to the University campus, but to Calgary’s innovation ecosystem. UIQ is dedicated to cultivating purpose-built facilities that promote interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship, and collaborative industry partners.
UIQ’s unique location in the city promotes a prime opportunity to revitalize the area into a fully immersive and connected experience with a distinct sense of place.
Beyond the acceleration of innovation, UIQ will be a place with character – a complete district with distinct hubs, retail, residential, and greenspaces optimized to attract visionaries from across the globe in the pursuit for collaboration, new ideas and advancements in various sectors. Through commercial and residential opportunities, the congregation of bright minds and the revitalization of a bourgeoning area, UIQ will actively complement Calgary’s innovation ecosystem as an engine for economic prosperity and job diversification.
UIQ AT A GLANCE
- 76-acre site with 4.5 M ft2 of potential development
- Located north of University of Calgary, a top 10 research university in Canada
- 5-minute walk to the Brentwood Light Rail Transit Station (LRT) with access to regional pathways and on-street cycle lanes
- 15-minute drive to downtown Calgary
- 30-minute transit ride to downtown Calgary
WITHIN A 3 KM RADIUS, UIQ IS IN PROXIMITY TO:
- University District: an award-winning mixed-use community by
- University of Calgary Properties Group
- Leading medical facilities: Alberta Children’s Hospital,
- Foothills Medical Centre, and the second largest cancer centre in
- North America
- University of Calgary: 15-minute walk to the heart of the main campus
UIQ TODAY
UIQ is comprised of an existing innovation ecosystem on the cutting edge of science and research with 1.24 million sq. ft. of office and lab space ranging in size, age, and quality of construction. Transitioning away from traditional research parks, UIQ will enhance the 76-acres into choreographed innovation hubs with the addition of new infrastructure and buildings, thoughtful streets that lead to corridors of connections, and spaces that generate more opportunities to collaborate.
Revitalizing the current ecosystem will regenerate a place that is active and energetic attracting more businesses, talent, and academic pursuits which leads to economic diversification. Remarkable things are already happening in UIQ and there’s more coming.
JOB DIVERSIFICATION
Innovation districts are supercharged by the diversity of disciplines. UIQ will be a thoughtfully developed innovation district with five main innovation hubs:
- health & life sciences
- social innovation
- quantum digital worlds
- aerospace/advanced manufacturing
- energy transformation
These interdisciplinary hubs will enrich the area and attract world-wide talent pushing UIQ to the forefront of innovation.
DYNAMIC COLLABORATION
Pursuing the goal of transforming UIQ into a rich innovation ecosystem requires dynamic collaboration and partnerships. University of Calgary Properties Group maintains collaborative relationships with the University of Calgary and Innovate Calgary in this pursuit. University of Calgary Properties Group is the development arm, University of Calgary is the academic arm, and Innovate Calgary is the business arm.
University of Calgary Properties Group was created by the University of Calgary in 2011 to oversee the development and management of university land projects with proven results as the trusted developer for the award-winning community of University District. University of Calgary Properties Group will steward the revitalization of UIQ as the developer for the area leading the design and execution of the UIQ Development Framework.
University of Calgary is leading the academic programming and supporting UIQ’s vision of becoming a world-class destination. As a top 10 research university, University of Calgary connects innovation businesses to a community of experts and unique opportunities including CDL Rockies and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.
Innovate Calgary is University of Calgary’s business incubator and exists to provide services that enable emerging entrepreneurs to commercialize their research including resources, programs and funding, and online courses for innovators.
All three key players work in concert with one another to advance an important and impactful innovation agenda. Together, this powerful partnership will lead the revitalization and forge UIQ as a destination for excellence where innovation is brought to life.
