It has been an exciting few months for development in the core of the city. Qualico Properties recently broke ground on their master-planned residential community, Station Lands, immediately north of EPCOR Tower. The first phase of this development will see two buildings constructed, one mid-rise and one high-rise, containing 285 and 326 residential units, respectively. These buildings will also include commercial and family-friendly public spaces that will connect to EPCOR Tower and Buco Pizzeria directly by pedway. Their anticipated opening of 2024 is just on the horizon and will inject density mere steps away from Churchill Square, Stanley Milner Public Library, and of course, ICE District. 1

On the other side of 101st Street, the recent proposal for Village at ICE District has generated a lot of buzz and excitement. The development would consist of mixed-use commercial, retail, and industrial space, in addition to adding up to 2,500 residential units just north of Rogers Place. With a carefully designed mix of high and mid-rise buildings, enviable views of Downtown will be available to as many as possible. Though the project still requires approval from the City of Edmonton, it was approved by the Edmonton Design Committee and has the support of O-day’min Councillor Anne Stevenson and Vice-President of the Central McDougall Community League, Warren Champion.2

These new and invigorating developments will revitalize the area and attract activity back to Downtown (we’re excited to monitor the Vitality Index in a few years time), but there is something to be said about preserving Edmonton’s heritage. Take for example the Affordable Mini-Storage Building, formerly the Horne Pitfield Warehouse, on the northeast corner of 104th Street and 103rd Avenue. The historical façade of this 111-year-old brick warehouse will become the new exterior cladding of a mixed-use, 40-to-45 storey tower, developed by Limak Investments Inc. Compromises such as these allow a growing city and densifying Downtown to remain connected to the humble roots of Edmonton in the early 1900s.3

What do New York and Edmonton have in common? A vibrant theatre scene, outstanding multi-cultural cuisine, and as soon as summer 2025, a central park in the heart of the city. Warehouse Park will be nearly four acres of multi-use greenspace, bordered by Jasper & 102nd Avenue and 106th & 108th Street. This type of slow-paced, relaxational amenity will be an excellent compliment to our more recreational river valley. In some ways, it might be the most impressive development of this report – stay tuned for the City of Edmonton to release their “What We Heard Report” soon.6

Who better to support enjoy this outdoor haven than the future residents of The Parks on the northeast corner of Jasper Avenue and 108th Street? Pangman Developments and Maclab Development Group broke ground on this 1,050 unit building early in the quarter. The two towers (45- and 35-storeys) will be connected by a thirteen-storey podium and incorporate affordable housing without ostracizing lower-income residents. This massive project will certainly redefine both the skyline of Downtown Edmonton and the street-front of Jasper Avenue.7

By now, careful readers will have noticed that in a single quarter, construction began on 2,000 residential units with an additional 2,500 proposed at Village at ICE District (more, if the Horne Pitfield Warehouse Tower incorporates residential space). These 4,500 residential units will be contained exclusively within the Financial, Warehouse, and ICE Districts. To put that number into perspective, it is 800 units more than the record 3,700 that were completed across Edmonton in 2021.8

It's important to take a moment to temper expectations about the pace of this transformation. It will take years, if not the better part of this decade, to actualize as it has been proposed. These are pioneering developments, but Edmonton is a homesteading city. It takes time and patience to build a city right, but we will enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Each new tenant is a net positive in a revitalizing city core and this blend of strategically aligned density will be sure to create its own success by momentum.

Despite the headlines, Downtown Edmonton has a lot going for it – all that is missing is more foot traffic. We look forward to sharing the results of our Vitality Index with readers on an ongoing basis to demonstrate the impact of density on demand for office space and retail amenities.