The Mystery Brutalist Building

Calgary has a number of brutalist buildings. In fact, the city came of age at a time when brutalist architecture was popular, and so we have religious buildings, education buildings and many office structures spread around the city. 

One of the acknowledged brutalist landmarks is Nelco Square. Nelco Square was completed in 1979 in the community of Franklin. According to Heritage Calgary, Nelco Square is considered "a superb example of a late Brutalist-style office building in Calgary."  

Designed like many brutalist buildings, Nelco Square has a multi-story building plan with the higher levels wider than the lower ground level floor. Nelco Square also has "symmetrical fenestration separated by pronounced vertical window fins at the top storey and decorative concrete panels with embossed rectangular motifs" while the "lower recessed two storeys have exaggerated pilasters and minimalist ribbon windows."  (Source, Heritage Calgary)



brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,

brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,

Discovering the Mystery Twin

Because I had never been to this area of town to photograph Nelco Square, I decided to visit the location to scout the spot for a future photography mission. I wasn't sure what the area was like or when the best time of day would be for architecture photography at this spot. 

When I go there I was very surprised that across the street from Nelco Square was another brutalist building, much larger but clearly built at or around the same time. 

Why was I surprised?  Nelco Square is on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources.  There are a significant amount of online resources about it, including numerous photographs.  But not once did I see reference to a large brutalist twin across the road from Nelco Square. I have since done some internet searching and still I have found that there is really nothing available. Perhaps a trip to City Hall might provide some details, although I have no time or patience for a trip like that. 

The Unknown Brutalist Structure

The mystery brutalist building is a large rectangular two-story structure; in fact, it is much larger than Nelco Square.  And unlike Nelco Square, this building has a second floor that is smaller in volume than the ground floor. Interestingly, the smaller second floor is complemented by a wrap around balcony that looks over the sizeable parking lot. 

Still, the buildings look very similar despite their differences. Perhaps it is the similar concrete paneling on the buildings that tie these two structures together so clearly. 

I would love to hear about this building and if you have any information please send me an email. 

brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,

brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,

brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,



brutalist, architecture, calgary, alberta, canada, facade, nelco square,


Check out more articles on brutalist architecture here and photographing brutalist architecture here. Thanks for reading! 

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Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

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