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Thanks to growth boosted by the energy industry, Fort McMurray has experienced tremendous demographic changes over the past two decades, as recent census data estimates the city's population at 73,000 compared to 33,000 in 1996. The pressure on the local real estate industry and city's infrastructure including health, transportation, entertainment and shopping facilities has created the need for an adapted urban development strategy. As a result of the City Centre Area Redevelopment Plan passed in 2012, Golden Buffalo Development proposed a 56,000-square-metre mixed-use complex in 2014 to be constructed in the city's burgeoning downtown core, kitty corner to City Hall.
Known as the Golden Buffalo Centre, the IBI/HB Architects-designed development would consist of two towers rising at 101 and 106 metres above a 25-metre podium. A shopping and dining venue would occupy a total area of 12,200 square metres across levels one through five of the buildings' base, where the developer aims to attract a mix of high-end and mid-tier retail tenants. Also fronting onto Hardin Street, a medical centre would provide medical and ambulatory care, including a pharmacy and several medical practices.
Atop the podium, the 22- and 21-storey office towers would bring 36,500 square metres of Class A office spaces to the northern municipality, a first for the region. Additionally, a new 200-room hotel would complement the other over-crowded establishments in the city, although it remains unclear which hotel group would take on the space. A helicopter pad could even be positioned on the roof of one of the office towers. Aiming for a LEED Gold Certification, the complex would be wrapped in a double glass facade — a curtain wall would seal the building from the elements and a second glass veil would cover the facade — for better thermal insulation, and be deprived of accute angles to prevent snow and ice from collecting on the structure.
Not only does the Golden Buffalo Centre aim to become the hub of Fort McMurray's commercial, cultural, and social activities, it also hopes to reflect the region's heritage and natural environment through its architecture. The curves, materials, and copper-toned hues boasted by the complex were chosen to reflect the seasonal colour of the northern landscape. Finally, the street level landscaping imagined by PFS Studios would feature double-toned granite paving, a double row of trees and consistent street furniture.
After a year of economic downturn experienced by the oil industry, the fate of the project remains highly uncertain. Until further updates are released by the developer, additional renderings and information about the Golden Buffalo Centre can be found on the dedicated Database file linked below. You can also share your opinion about this development by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page, or by visiting the Forum thread for this project.
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