Peoplefirst Developments: Impact Development Partner
Peoplefirst, our development company, collaborates seamlessly with the rest of Astra to enhance lives through socially responsible development. This partnership involves integrating the core principles of affordability, accessibility, and sustainability into our projects.
To achieve our goals, we convert underutilized properties, particularly empty downtown office towers, into multifamily properties.
Through repurposing buildings that can no longer fulfill their intended purpose, prioritizing accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, we strive to develop properties that more effectively meet the needs of individuals and communities. We ensure our developments create positive impact and remain ecologically viable into the future.
Current Developments
Our major developments are currently concentrated in Calgary’s Downtown West End.
The Cornerstone
Office Conversion
±129,000 SF
112 Residential Units
Petro Fina
Office Conversion
±165,000 SF
103 Residential Units
Place 800
Office Conversion
±205,000 SF
204 Residential Units
Skylight I
Office Conversion
±109,000 SF
91 Residential Units
Skylight II
Office Conversion
±109,000 SF
90 Residential Units
Plaza 1000
Commercial Renovation
±160,000 SF
Featured project
The Cornerstone
New downtown housing Calgarians can afford
The Cornerstone is our most recently completed development. It is a 10-floor office-to-residential conversion, that introduced 112, two- and three-bedroom suites, including affordable and accessible units, to downtown Calgary and is certified Built Green Gold.
Two years ago, this tower sat empty and unused, depleting Calgary’s downtown vitality. Now completed it has become a vibrant centre that brings households and foot traffic to the Downtown West End.
We are partnering with community organizations to ensure we maximize housing access and benefit to the downtown community.
- The Cornerstone was completed in 2024 and fully leased within approximately three months of project completion.
Vibrant communities, urban living
Our buildings are strategically located in neighbourhoods where many families and other households want to be—close to jobs, public services, parks, shopping, entertainment, and more.
Sustainability, social impact, and community
With a firm commitment to sustainable practices, community well-being, affordability, and accessibility, we aim to embody our core values in all of our projects by prioritizing principles that create a long-term and far-reaching impact.
68,258 tonnes
total estimated embodied carbon savings across our office-to-residential conversions
$1,005,000
projected annual rent savings from our office-to-residential conversions
±2,000 local jobs
supported through mandated local construction
> 25% savings
Our developments mandate >25% in energy and GHG savings (NECB 2017)
Social Impact reporting
We are committed to clear and transparent reporting on the social impact of our projects. Our approach prioritizes tangible outcomes that improve communities, enhance accessibility, and contribute to economic and social well-being. A full report on our 2024–25 social impact initiatives will be available in Q4 2025.
Our commitment
We are committed to delivering housing that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and energy efficiency – revitalizing communities, creating lasting impact, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Affordability
Everyone deserves a home
We intend for each of our multifamily buildings to improve housing affordability, attainability, and inclusivity.
Sustainability
Homes, cities, and a planet to thrive
We aim for our buildings to be socially and ecologically viable and economically sustainable well into the future.
Revitalization
Repurpose, reimagine, and revitalize
We aim to repurpose existing structures through creative solutions that revitalize buildings and communities.
Impact
Seen, felt, and measured
We seek development and design opportunities that tangibly support people, community, and the environment.
Governance
We aim to identify, understand, and manage risks while acting ethically and transparently with integrity. This means fostering growth and inspiring trust in all our stakeholders, and encouraging diversity throughout our organization.
Ethical conduct
Ensure that our leaders, teams, and partners represent ethical conduct and transparency in all endeavours.
Core values
Ensure that our core values of affordability, sustainability, revitalization, and impact are modelled by our business decisions.
Risk management
Set a foundation for identifying, analyzing, and managing material and systemic risks.
