What do you think of this project?

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AntonK said:
So I dumped all of the posts from this thread into Chatgp and it came back telling me that IanO works for Westrich.
Seriously though, I don’t know IanO, but sounds like he only works for Westrich and being a developer their decisions are business based. It might not always work out for what we want, but we work within a free market economy.
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You are absolutely correct - their decisions are business based just like any other developer, contractor, architect, restaurant, grocer, shoe retailer or toy stores etc.

All businesses make business based decisions. That doesn't mean that it's up to the city to subsidize their decisions in order to make them economically viable. We don't do that for contractors, architects, restaurants, grocers, shoe retailers or toy stores etc. and we shouldn't do that for developers either.

If Westrich can't afford to buy the site at the price they negotiated, they have options other than a subsidy from the city. They can negotiate a lower price or they can pass and let someone else buy the site or let Regency continue to own it.

As for the condition of the site, that absolutely needs to be addressed by the city, starting by not permitting the circumstances that led to it being abandoned like this repeat themselves in the future). But subsidizing Westrich like this on order to achieve that oh so Edmonton solution of "oh well, it could be worse" is not how to do that.

And if it is somehow okay for Westrich to get concessions from the city so they can afford to purchase this site, what about giving the same concessions to purchase the Arlington site? the Dueck Sites? the city's Kinistinaw site in the Quarters? Alldritt's sites?
 
While it is suuuuper disappointing to see another parking lot be created, it's obvious that Westrich is playing the long game, guys. Edmonton's market for downtown construction has literally been at rock, and I mean ROCK 🪨 bottom for the past 6 years. There has been so little capacity for new construction downtown post-covid that it took a whole tax incentive program to get a decent amount of projects going at one time. Westrich, along with other companies like Maclab and Autograph, are most likely waiting for the market to improve in order to make their projects pencil out, then we'll see some renderings and shovels in the ground.

Developers really have one goal in the end: generate profit. Unfortunately, its kinda hard to do that in downtown Edmonton right now for various reasons. I have faith that Westrich will deliver a tower here in due time.

With that said, the subsidy discussion is an important one to have. I'm personally more on the side of no subsidy as it would likely open up a violent can of worms *cough* Arlington *cough*
 
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edmonton.taproot.news

The Pulse: Feb. 12, 2026

In this edition: Housing advocates on both sides unhappy with proposed infill changes; executive committee backs 'Happy Beer Street' entertainment district proposal; and more headlines and happenings
edmonton.taproot.news edmonton.taproot.news
  • In an online post, architect Josh Kjenner raised concerns over a proposal from Westrich Pacific for an interim parking lot at the vacant downtown Edmonton site of the former Bank of Montreal main branch, located at 101 Street NW and 102 Avenue NW. The site, empty since its 2017 demolition, was listed for sale in November 2025. Westrich Pacific presented its temporary plan to the Edmonton Design Committee on Jan. 20. Kjenner argues for the City of Edmonton to design development conditions through land acquisition and targeted subsidies to achieve desirable, high-quality buildings, rather than accepting stopgap measures that delay meaningful development.
 
It's too bad Mr. Kjenner will not address the elephant in the room. Investors don't want to invest too significantly in DT Edmonton. Not with tall towers, anyways. What the author should b advocating for is for the city to address safety and cleanliness and social disorder.

Yes, some private-sector development is underway. But it's come woefully too late (and not befitting of a city of more than a million people) and there are still a myriad of issues that need to be tackled. But city hall doesn't have a spine. It's more interested in spending tax dollars on one-off events, where a few pictures will be taken showing how 'busy' the core is. But it's a facade.

Heck, (and I will die on this hill) the city does not even lead by example and bring its staff back to the office full time. Something that would help struggling businesses etc.

If Toronto's financial district looked faded and dirty and zombie-filled like Edmonton's, people would be - rightfully - demanding changes. Here, due to social justice warriors, we just let our DT turn into a big homeless shelter.

DT doesn't need more subsidies. It needs tough love. Then the private capital will (hopefully) return. It's basic economics 101.
 
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