Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015)

[240glt]

Originally Posted by Mikemike

Also, I wonder whether the death of the PC party might shift some voters to the NDP- and whether more liberal votes night shift to the NDP in an attempt to avoid a WRP government.

I've happily voted PC in the past but it's unlikely I will vote wild rose/Kenney left until it shifts centrist again, or the NDP goes farther left than WRP is right.

Oh I don't think you have to worry about any party under Kenney going centrist lol

[ExcaliburKid]

Tower crane was going up this morning for the tallest of the Signature Towers in Ambleside
17 Storeys I think?
http://www.sigtower.com/

[s13]

^ oh wow, I had no idea that was actually getting built soon... Thought for sure it would be a while yet.

[McBoo]

^^ 16.

Still don't see how it can be called a walkable community. Are there even sidewalks in that power centre?

(Mind you, I'd crawl to wine and beyond ....)

[rapid_business]

Pic of the glass going in at Stantec?

[technomad]

Originally Posted by 240glt

I see that Greg Christenson is a little miffed at the city's abandonment of the 105st project that was supposed to spur development of that ugly stretch of downtown. it was also supposed to tie the crosstown cycle track together from Westmount to the NE trail along the LRT

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

A link would be nice
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-ne...per-wants-answers-on-north-edge-failures

I am jack's total lack of surprise.. the city really needs to get some focus and prioritize these renewal projects according to market reality and not the dreams of urbanize everything immediately (ie blatchford, rossdale, most TOD fantasies)

What does surprise me is how many infill projects have been gradually filling out the north edge in absence of any real assist from the city. compare that to the money invested vs development spurred in the quarters..

not saying that it won't eventually prove worthwhile, I certainly hope it does.. but the developers and residents of the north edge have already voted with their presence and dollars. surely that could be rewarded with a prompt completion of 105 av upgrades, especially since it does tie in nicely to the arena area

[big W]

Originally Posted by s211

Just heard the COO of Bentall Kennedy on a panel say there's 20-25 years of office supply on the way to Edmonton. Certainly higher than other quotes I've heard but when you have institutional investors throwing out numbers like that, it gives you some insight into their perceptions of where things could end up going. It would be nice to prove him wrong, on the positive side of course.

Nothing new. In fact this is what people have been discussing for over a year now. One thing that could change things is depends how fast some buildings get repurposed or if they are able to do so. Interesting times.

[big W]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Many are basing demand on a 10-15yr avg. of 120-150k a yr absorption, so with 2.x mil sqft coming to the market, that is not far off*

*many assumptions including no change to a marketplace/city that is much different and going to be increasingly different over the next 10-20yrs.

Yes but these things go both ways. A huge expansion for Servus due to them going on a spending spree buying up financial institutions across Canada and moving downtown from the burbs causes them to need a significant amount of space or Embridge deciding that they want to consolidate Alberta employees into Edmonton (due to significant Spectra purchase) for example could speed up the time table. But then there is also the potential that many companies start having an increase of working remotely and you need less space per person. I know a couple employers who have testing out the unlimited vacation so long as your work is done. Thus far its working for them. The advantage for the companies on a go forward is less office space per employee which cuts their expenses. In addition, the employees are happier as they have better work life balance and the work is still getting done.

So depending on what the change is it could lead to greater or lower demand for space. In order to project its prudent to look at past history and extrapolate to the future and it makes sense, that this is what they have done.

[hilman]

Originally Posted by rapid_business

Pic of the glass going in at Stantec?

http://skyrisecities.com/forum/threads/e...rties-stantec.23658/page-20#post-1189217

Glass is going in on the first two floors of the podium facing the plaza as seen on the webcam feed.

[big W]

Originally Posted by technomad

What does surprise me is how many infill projects have been gradually filling out the north edge in absence of any real assist from the city. compare that to the money invested vs development spurred in the quarters..

not saying that it won't eventually prove worthwhile, I certainly hope it does.. but the developers and residents of the north edge have already voted with their presence and dollars. surely that could be rewarded with a prompt completion of 105 av upgrades, especially since it does tie in nicely to the arena area

Its all due to market conditions. Remember the cost to build in the quarters in the same as it is to build on the North Edge. But the North Edge has an advantage in that it is closer to schools, retail, more desirable neighborhoods (residential areas in Oliver or downtown are closer), less "unsavory characters" in peoples eyes etc and therefore seen as better for a developer as its less risk and developers can sell or rent units for more money. So better return and less risk for your money. Guess where they build.

[Xelebes]

I have moved the off-topic posts to Municipal politics thread.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by McBoo

^^ 16.

Still don't see how it can be called a walkable community. Are there even sidewalks in that power centre?

(Mind you, I'd crawl to wine and beyond ....)

There are sidewalks. Much more pedestrian friendly than SEC, but that's not saying much.

[hilman]

^^ Thank you

[s211]

Originally Posted by big W

Nothing new. In fact this is what people have been discussing for over a year now. One thing that could change things is depends how fast some buildings get repurposed or if they are able to do so. Interesting times.

I understand it's nothing new but it's the lengthening period until recovery that's new. Before, the quotes were more like ten years of supply.

[technomad]

Originally Posted by big W

Its all due to market conditions. Remember the cost to build in the quarters in the same as it is to build on the North Edge. But the North Edge has an advantage in that it is closer to schools, retail, more desirable neighborhoods (residential areas in Oliver or downtown are closer), less "unsavory characters" in peoples eyes etc and therefore seen as better for a developer as its less risk and developers can sell or rent units for more money. So better return and less risk for your money. Guess where they build.

yep, exactly what I was getting at! north edge is already getting the development, so prioritize their streetscape improvements.

hopefully that will accelerate buildout of the remaining lots, which should result in increased development pressure in neighboring warehouse district. when development sites there start running out.. then quarters will see a serious boom.

for all the reason you mentioned, just don't see quarters being a development leader, regardless of the stimulus project.. it's still going to take a while. and opening up new development areas in or around the core is only going to slow that process down..

[s4.audios]

Speaking of, any news on the pit in the quarters? Did the city sell it? Can't remember if a deal was struck.

[Airboy]

WSP Building Re Clad. Not to fond of the dark grey. Thought there was to be some alternating lighter shading.

[Black Star]

Thought is was green?

[s4.audios]

I maybe would have gone with a lighter grey but I think it looks great nonetheless. Better still have the lighting system it had in renders.

[craner]

Is the Scotia reclad underway up there ?