We have been following the rise of Edmonton’s Kelly Ramsey tower for many months now, showcasing the stunning modern glass facade juxtaposed with the rebuilt historical brick and sandstone podium. The tower's distinct heritage elements were saved from the two namesake buildings that were heavily damaged by a 2009 fire.

Kelly Ramsey Tower, image by Dave Sutherland

Now that construction on the tower is entering its final phases, City Ambassador Daveography was able to get a preview inside the tower courtesy of developers John Day, Pangman Development, and Ledcor Construction.

The large uninterrupted floor plates of the office floors, image by Dave Sutherland

The 111-metre, 28-storey building was constructed using a post-tension cable system, a construction technique which, according to one of the guides, has not been used in an Edmonton highrise in nearly three decades. The system allows for a large, uninterrupted floor plate between the building core and columns.

Looking south to the river valley, image by Dave Sutherland

The curtain wall exterior now wraps all occupiable floors of the building. No spandrel is used — only an interior shade covers the spaces between floors — ensuring near nine-foot floor-to-ceiling views of downtown Edmonton and the river valley to the south.

The ICE District as seen from the 25th floor, image by Dave Sutherland

The building is built with efficiency in mind, targeting a LEED Gold certification. Sustainability features include an HVAC system that can be controlled individually on each floor, an Otis Compass elevator system for fast efficient movement of people across floors, and energy-efficient lighting throughout the building.

The sandstone facade restoration, image by Dave Sutherland

Restoration of the sandstone facade has been progressing under a climate-controlled wrap for several months. The wrap has started to come down since the tour took place, but we were able to get a close-up sneak peek at the progress while on the tour!

The sandstone facade being unveiled, image by Dave Sutherland

Back on the ground floor, this 8,000-square-foot space — facing the pedestrian-oriented Rice Howard Way — is awaiting a restaurant tenant. While no names could be provided, it is expected to be a Canadian restaurateur’s first foray into Edmonton.

The future restaurant space, image by Dave Sutherland

On the opposite side of the building facing 101 Street, a “very downtown” retail tenant is being lined up with a deal expected to close for that space very soon as well.

Lobby and architectural staircase, image by Dave Sutherland

Inside the lobby, we can see the steel in place for the architectural staircase that will lead visitors to Enbridge’s lobby on the second floor. The second floor also connects to a 23-foot-wide elevated pedestrian walkway (locally called a 'Pedway') across 101 Street to Manulife Place.

An underground Pedway will also connect Kelly Ramsey to Scotia Place next door, providing access to the popular food court in that building’s basement, as well as a direct connection to Central LRT Station.

Vertical panorama from the east, image by Dave Sutherland

The 550,000-square-foot tower is now 90% leased, with KPMG and Enbridge as the two largest tenants. A few full floors and some half floors are still available for lease, and occupancy is expected to begin in August of this year.

Inside the presentation centre looking out at Kelly Ramsey, image by Dave Sutherland

From the tragedy of a fire has risen an amazing new addition to Edmonton’s downtown, bringing with it new life into the city’s core, and ensuring a piece of the city’s history lives on.

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