[Oilers99]

This project did not run into trouble due to COVID. It had problems prior to COVID.

 

[archited]

^^^^ That is probably true -- but COVID looked a lot like nails in the coffin.

 

[Abba]

I don't have any inside knowledge, so I can only go by what I see from the outside.

However, in my experience it would not be surprising that questionable choices and bad management go together and are fairly closely related.

As @IanO mentioned, this was an internal issue with the company, unfortunately, and there certainly were some poor choices made. Things just never seemed to work out and this was dead long before the pandemic. Same group as the failed Windsor Terrace.

 

[IanO]

Mezzo no more: Lot off Whyte Avenue vacant as developer abandons project
'Now we’re left with a mess,' Coun. Ben Henderson says
Natasha Riebe · CBC News

A prime lot in the heart of Old Strathcona is covered with grass and dandelions, five years after city council approved a controversial condo complex for the site.

Westoak Development planned to build a 16-storey tower called the Mezzo on 81st Avenue and 105th Street.

The company's real estate office across the street is vacant with blinds pulled down and a 'for sale' sign in one of the windows.

City councillor Ben Henderson opposed the project when Westoak CEO Matthew McLash pitched it in 2016.

Henderson argued it was too high for the historic Old Strathcona, directly behind the historic post office on Whyte Avenue.

"Now we're left with a mess," Henderson said. "We just have an empty lot."

City council approves controversial highrise just off Whyte Avenue

Chris Dulaba, a placemaker with Beljan Developments, said the failed Mezzo reflects an inherent risk in the development game.

"This is an example of one that ultimately couldn't get past the goal line," Dulaba said. "Here we are left with a site that has a hole and is fenced up and become a little bit of a pockmark in the neighbourhood."

The lot is for sale with an asking price of $5.3 million.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/city-council-beljan-development-1.6063450?utm_source=Taproot+Edmonton&utm_campaign=f4c19d685b-TAPROOTYEG_PULSE_2021_06_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef1adf0932-f4c19d685b-420411302&mc_cid=f4c19d685b&mc_eid=b81cde227f

 

[Platinum107]

Mezzo no more: Lot off Whyte Avenue vacant as developer abandons project
'Now we’re left with a mess,' Coun. Ben Henderson says
Natasha Riebe · CBC News

A prime lot in the heart of Old Strathcona is covered with grass and dandelions, five years after city council approved a controversial condo complex for the site.

Westoak Development planned to build a 16-storey tower called the Mezzo on 81st Avenue and 105th Street.

The company's real estate office across the street is vacant with blinds pulled down and a 'for sale' sign in one of the windows.

City councillor Ben Henderson opposed the project when Westoak CEO Matthew McLash pitched it in 2016.

Henderson argued it was too high for the historic Old Strathcona, directly behind the historic post office on Whyte Avenue.

"Now we're left with a mess," Henderson said. "We just have an empty lot."

City council approves controversial highrise just off Whyte Avenue

Chris Dulaba, a placemaker with Beljan Developments, said the failed Mezzo reflects an inherent risk in the development game.

"This is an example of one that ultimately couldn't get past the goal line," Dulaba said. "Here we are left with a site that has a hole and is fenced up and become a little bit of a pockmark in the neighbourhood."

The lot is for sale with an asking price of $5.3 million.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/city-council-beljan-development-1.6063450?utm_source=Taproot+Edmonton&utm_campaign=f4c19d685b-TAPROOTYEG_PULSE_2021_06_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef1adf0932-f4c19d685b-420411302&mc_cid=f4c19d685b&mc_eid=b81cde227f

Oh well, we saw it coming I guess. Still a great site for somebody to pick up though!

 

[Marcel]

It had less to do with sales or demographics and more to do with a company in turmoil.

I don't know if that's even accurate. I attended some meetings very early on with the Windsor project, and it seemed like it was a one man show. I didn't and still don't know much about Matt, other than people said he was a good person and had come from Triple 5. If he had partners or other backing, I have no idea. But it was pretty apparent from the couple meetings I attended that he was a babe in the woods. I ended my involvement in the project very early as I knew it was likely going to be a giant waste of time chasing someone's dreams. Hopefully we can figure something out with Pagnotta on the resurrection.

First post here. Please be gentle.

 

[IanO]

Nice to see you here good sir and always appreciate your contributions here, there, other.

Mat has big dreams, good ideas and has pissed off a lot of folks here and there.

 

[cmd uw]

I don't know if that's even accurate. I attended some meetings very early on with the Windsor project, and it seemed like it was a one man show. I didn't and still don't know much about Matt, other than people said he was a good person and had come from Triple 5. If he had partners or other backing, I have no idea. But it was pretty apparent from the couple meetings I attended that he was a babe in the woods. I ended my involvement in the project very early as I knew it was likely going to be a giant waste of time chasing someone's dreams. Hopefully we can figure something out with Pagnotta on the resurrection.

First post here. Please be gentle.

At the end of the day it isn't how fancy the project or renderings are, it's the ability to execute. Matt had a big vision but imo lacked the team to execute. The fact that two of his projects ended up in receivership demonstrates this. At the end of the day track record counts.

 

[Platinum107]

I don't know if that's even accurate. I attended some meetings very early on with the Windsor project, and it seemed like it was a one man show. I didn't and still don't know much about Matt, other than people said he was a good person and had come from Triple 5. If he had partners or other backing, I have no idea. But it was pretty apparent from the couple meetings I attended that he was a babe in the woods. I ended my involvement in the project very early as I knew it was likely going to be a giant waste of time chasing someone's dreams. Hopefully we can figure something out with Pagnotta on the resurrection.

First post here. Please be gentle.

Welcome to Skyrise! Thanks for the info, and we're a pretty chill group so no need to worry haha

 

[quit]

I don't know if that's even accurate. I attended some meetings very early on with the Windsor project, and it seemed like it was a one man show. I didn't and still don't know much about Matt, other than people said he was a good person and had come from Triple 5. If he had partners or other backing, I have no idea. But it was pretty apparent from the couple meetings I attended that he was a babe in the woods. I ended my involvement in the project very early as I knew it was likely going to be a giant waste of time chasing someone's dreams. Hopefully we can figure something out with Pagnotta on the resurrection.

First post here. Please be gentle.

Welcome aboard. Always appreciated your previous contributions in other conversations. Look forward to your insights on various projects/threads here as well!

 

[IanO]

It was a pretty sad site/sight when I walked by last weekend.

Anyone hearing anything with this?

 

[archited]

The mezzo is out-of-tune and uncommonly silent -- pianissimo you might say.

 

[Avenuer]

It was a pretty sad site/sight when I walked by last weekend.

Anyone hearing anything with this?

Nothing, seems like Mr. McLash skipped town and got out of Dodge when his project fell through.

 

[MacLac]

So now what? We’re left with a slag heap pile of rubbish, dirt already amidst of bar hopping uriners at 2am on a Sunday morning? Can this clown sell it?

 

[IanO]

Was it not for sale (judicial?)?