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Out of the ashes of the failed Glenora Skyline development in Edmonton, a publicly unpopular condo project which had stalled under financial difficulties back in 2011 and again in 2014, a brand new, completely redesigned project by Beaverbrook Developments, to be named West Block, is now underway. To feature three new towers, at 45, 60, and 90 metres in height, centred around a 1.4-hectare site just 80 metres away from a future LRT stop, the Glenora development, just across the Saskatchewan River from the University of Alberta and a quick commute to the city centre, will bring up to 550 units of high-density living to the site.
Designed by Alberta-based GEC Architecture, West Block will be centred around a public plaza, lined by a mixture of retail, cafes, restaurants, and other services. Positioned to create a sun trap, the plaza will be low on cross-breezes and high on sunshine, a double victory for a type of space that is more often associated with high winds and shadows, especially in Edmonton's northerly climate.
Conceived as a mixed-use development, West Block will be comprised of a 16-storey residential and commercial building, to be formed out of the partially built former Glenora Skyline structure abandoned on the site, along with a 20- to 25-storey tower to the east with a 3- to 4-storey commercial building jutting out from its base, as well as a series of town houses to the north of the site which will be joined in the future by a 10- to 12-storey residential tower.
As for parking, the new development has been granted special zoning privileges from City Hall, allowing for the placement of just 0.8 spots per one-bedroom unit, as opposed to the usual 1-1 ratio favoured by Edmonton City Planners. Justified in large part by the City's LRT plans, the arrangement has drawn the ire of several of Edmonton's more car-centric councillors, a common thread being the unknown completion date for the future line and proposed station, upon which the developer is basing its estimates. For the time being, the parking plan will remain, with more than ninety percent of the spots to be placed underground.
For now, it appears that West Block will provide a vastly improved urban development than its beleagured predecessor, with public opinion about the project having dramatically turned around since its takeover by Beaverbrook Developments. Already into pre-sales and with an anticipated 2017/2018 completion date, interested parties can register today or peruse the developer's site.
SkyriseCities will be sure to return with updates on this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
