Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015)

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Speaking of BMO, it's now barricaded on all sides for demolition. Only problem is that all pedestrian access has been closed off as well, thus proving that once again this city gives zero fucks about walkability.

[Coldrsx]

West Block


www.twitter.com/ianoyeg

[Black Star]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Speaking of BMO, it's now barricaded on all sides for demolition. Only problem is that all pedestrian access has been closed off as well, thus proving that once again this city gives zero fucks about walkability.

You mean like this....I thought the city put in new regulations about blocking pedestrian traffic during construction?

IMG_4410 by BLACK STAR III, on Flickr

[240glt]

Originally Posted by CMD UW

I don't think we are any different than any other major municipality as it pertains to this. Just look at Toronto and its plans to expand the subway system, there are countless examples that one can pull from every municipality.

As for corruption, nothing holds a candle to Montreal. Case closed.

No I think Edmonton has displayed a particular lack of management and foresight that puts it in a league all its own. S211 is right, even local private companies display the same "good enough" attitude.

My last company looked for new multi res to buy, they toured two new buildings by local developers, they were both no up to the standards at the company expected. I've seen it countless times, having worked on buildings here and in Calgary and BC.

The whataboutism is part of the problem here. I think a lot of Edmontonians just aren't exposed to better.

[Coldrsx]

Symphony Tower. She is certainly going to stand out; a good thing.


www.twitter.com/ianoyeg

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by Black Star

You mean like this....I thought the city put in new regulations about blocking pedestrian traffic during construction?

IMG_4410 by BLACK STAR III, on Flickr

I assume that for demolitions they allow total sidewalk closures given that it's only for a limited amount of time (in this case maybe 1-month). Different for construction projects where the sidewalk is closed for 2+years.

[Black Star]

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

[itom 987]

Whatever replaces the BMO building has to be better than the existing building.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Black Star

BMO Fenced off for demo...Yay.

I'm surprised that the city would allow demolition without a firm project go-ahead.

[s211]

Originally Posted by CMD UW

I don't think we are any different than any other major municipality as it pertains to this. Just look at Toronto and its plans to expand the subway system, there are countless examples that one can pull from every municipality.

As for corruption, nothing holds a candle to Montreal. Case closed.

I wasn't speaking about corruption per se, but I'm with you on the Montreal front. I've seen it first-hand and it's shameful. Laval was run like the mayor's private business.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by s211

I'm surprised that the city would allow demolition without a firm project go-ahead.

There are plans being worked on, with the parkade/foundations being phase 1.

[Black Star]

Some Classic history enjoy......


https://youtu.be/gDN4c2wnx3E

[s211]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

There are plans being worked on, with the parkade/foundations being phase 1.

That's interesting, but in the end without a fully approved plan with all building permits issued (not just demo or foundation permits), I'd personally be against demolition. Otherwise, this is essentially a short/mid-term property tax avoidance play, and the rest of the market pays more as a result.

As far I know, there's no RZ or DP application in play. Is that correct?

[Black Star]

Originally Posted by s211

That's interesting, but in the end without a fully approved plan with all building permits issued (not just demo or foundation permits), I'd personally be against demolition. Otherwise, this is essentially a short/mid-term property tax avoidance play, and the rest of the market pays more as a result.

As far I know, there's no RZ or DP application in play. Is that correct?

They are trying to beat the LRT construction timeline with the demolition.

Wouldn't surprise me if it turns out to be a full on project/mix use tower.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

A prior news piece mentioned a mixed-use hotel/residential development, which makes sense given its proximity to ICE District.

[itom 987]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

There are plans being worked on, with the parkade/foundations being phase 1.

How do we know if "Phase 1" will be followed immediately with "Phase 2"? We need written guarantees that we won't be 🞵🞵🞵🞵 with just another parking lot.

[Coldrsx]

Nothing in life is guaranteed except for taxes and death.

This is a PRIMO site with a developer who has a good track record for building.

[Urban recluse]

I am optimistic we will see a stunning replacement based on the location. I can’t say the Emerald is a great design, but the Pearl is. I would love to see a design unlike anything we currently have.

[Skyisnolimit]

Over/under line set at 4.5 New proposals for 2018 30 stories or higher . I will take the over.

[s4.audios]

Hmm for over 30? I'm going to say under, but hoping I am wrong!

My question is, with The Hat in Five Corners to kick off a new construction project in the new year, what else down the pipes may we see starting in 2018?? 2017 was a great year for starts, with Augustana, MacLeran, Encore, West Block. We got a quite astonishing pace of residential towers going up, hope the trend keeps chugging along!!