If you've haven't had a chance to stop by the official box office or delegates lounge of this year's Calgary International Film Festival, you're actually missing out on a piece of history (it's been verified by the The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 2002).
Located at 207 - 8th Avenue S.W. on Stephen Avenue, The MacNaghten Block - now part of Fashion Central - has held various stores and restaurants in the past 100 years prior to it's use as our official box office. It's even been hit by fire - one that took away it's original second floor. The original facade has also been lost to time.
In recent years though, The MacNaghten Block was purchased along with the Hull and Alberta Blocks that neighbor it to form the new Fashion Central - the sequel to Art Central on 7th Avenue. These three buildings are currently in various states of renovation but should be open to the public in the near future.
The MacNaghten Block received a new, modern front facade made up of modern glass and steel. On the inside, the walls are made up of exposed brick from the other buildings that neighbor it, allowing the space to show off it's history. There's even a classic advertisement on the wall from the early days (hmm, that's an idea for CIFF). The actual ground floor may look like a work in progress, it's not. Feel free to step on it, dance on it, jump on it, whatever.
Fashion Central has generously permitted the Calgary International Film Festival the use of The MacNaghten Block this year, for the second year in a row in an effort to promote arts and culture within the city and the Stephen Avenue district. If you're out on a lunch break, take a quick look and pick up a few tickets for yourself too!
You can find more information on Fashion Central including a little more history at www.fashioncentral.ca
