Oh, I'd totally believe that the reason is economic, but that doesn't mean that there won't be benefits for downtown to having a large number of new car-free residents.

Even downtown, and even when it's not -20, a lot of folks will just drive from one parkade to another without really stepping outside. It's terrible for street life. This is why I'm glad Westrich and others are beginning to experiment with reduced/no parking.

No photo, but I've been by a couple times lately and this building looks good.

Yeah, I also guessed it was some sort of combined solar power/shade thing. The building also has some great lighting. I'll try to capture it next time I'm there at night, which won't be for a while since I'm in the UK and then India for the next month.

Yeah, on a practical level I'm skeptical of how well these will rent. Maybe if the interiors are really thoughtfully designed, but if the exteriors are this bland that doesn't seem likely. I think a certain kind of developer thinks that students are undiscerning and will put up with...

Sent as well. I don't hate it as much as most of you do, but we can and should expect more from a project that will occupy such a huge footprint.

Verve on 100 Ave has been replaced by El Taco Loco. I've never seen anyone eating in any of the restaurants occupying that location.

First Peoples' House as of three weeks ago.

Keep in mind that the Conservatory of Music will be moving here. I think it will be a big deal to have more people coming into the Winspear during the day, not just for concerts.

I tried Fattoush, the new Lebanese place on Whyte. It's pretty good! (And I grew up in one of the most Arab areas of this continent, so my standards are high.)

Apparently Chvrch of John is closing at the end of the month.

I hope it's back in it's old spot, because that's a bit of a black hole at the moment...

I don't think many of the genuinely cool and hip and happening people of Edmonton have the money to eat at Olia.

Kind of a silly name (was it chosen by Owen Wilson's character in Midnight in Paris?), but could be an interesting concept.

I'm obviously sympathetic to this sort of concern, and for some reason Garneau and Strathcona are getting hit particularly hard with ugly infill. (Maybe developers assume students are less discerning? I don't think things are nearly so dire on the north side.) But I'm not sure there's any actual...