bar & restaurants construction project

Brand: Shake Shack
Project location:9253 Macleod Trl, Calgary, AB T2J 0P6, Canada.

Following the success of their CF Chinook Centre location we built, Shake Shack partnered with BUILD IT to execute a major brand milestone: their first-ever drive-thru location in Canada. Located at 9253 Macleod Trail S.W., this standalone ground-up project required a seamless blend of heavy site development, high-performance mechanical infrastructure, and premium architectural finishes.

Building a dual-service restaurant meant engineering a space capable of handling massive daily volume from both dine-in and drive-thru customers simultaneously. Our team managed the complete site transformation, carving out the necessary underground infrastructure for the new drive-thru lanes, digital menu boards, and vehicle sensors. On the exterior, we modernized the building envelope with dark metal composite cladding, custom structural steel awnings, and expansive windows to maximize natural light. We also executed specialized weatherproofing and surface preparation to turn the exterior walls into a canvas for Shake Shack’s first Canadian exterior mural, coordinating closely with a local Calgary artist.

Inside, the build focused on operational power and precise brand execution. BUILD IT coordinated a massive upgrade to the building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support an industrial-grade kitchen built for continuous, high-heat output. We installed heavy-duty commercial HVAC and exhaust systems to keep the dual-line kitchen running flawlessly under pressure.

To bring the dining room to life, our team installed Shake Shack’s signature modern aesthetic with exacting precision. The interior fit-out features warm white-oak custom millwork, the brand’s iconic green subway tiles, corrugated metal paneling, and heavy-duty architectural flooring designed to withstand harsh Calgary winters. The result is a landmark drive-thru facility engineered for relentless volume, all while perfectly capturing the premium, welcoming atmosphere Shake Shack is known for worldwide.

Services provided: General Contracting

See our Bar & Restaurant Construction Service
Find our Bar & Restaurant construction services for Calgary here: BUILD IT Calgary