Here's an article from the Edmonton Journal some years ago... I don't think that the proposal is moving ahead and the existing building that had been scheduled for demo is still boarded up...
Proposed rendering for The Wedge, an 11-storey mixed-use residential development next to the Birks Building on Jasper Avenue. (Provided by Holo-Blok)
The small building currently on the property at 10344 Jasper Ave. has sat empty for many years, with the historic Birks Building as its direct neighbour to the west at the corner of 104 Street.
Lead designer Brendan Lawlor said they received approval from the Edmonton Design Committee on the development permit just last week and hope to begin construction in the spring.
The existing structure will be demolished, Lawlor said, but the design for the new tower takes the surrounding heritage area zone into consideration after extensive consultation with the city and neighbouring businesses. ACI Architects also are involved in the design.
This included consideration of the three-dimensional diamond hanging on the east side of the Birks Building, which Holo-Blok is hoping to conserve on the new building. Without relocation, the highlight art piece would be covered up by the 11-storey structure. The dilemma is still unresolved, but Handa said they will continue to discuss with the Birks Building developers and all neighbours to work through problems as they arise.
“It’s up to the Birks Building if they want to be participants,” he said. “We’re going to try to keep those lines of communication open.”
Design elements of the tight-quartered building include stretched out balconies on the upper levels with large windows running down the front of the building.
Needing to have solid concrete on the east and west outside walls, Handa said the plan is to have them shine with large murals designed by local artists.
“We think it’s important to showcase that, especially when we have an opportunity on a site like this,” he added. “We thought of it as an opportunity to add a little something extra to the building.”
Holo-Blok is still in talks about what form the residential units will take — whether they be apartments or condos — but there will be two different layouts, one 600 square feet and a larger 900-square-foot unit.
Once construction begins, Lawlor said it is expected to take 10-12 months to complete.
Rendering of the kitchen design for the residential units in The Wedge. (Provided by Holo-Blok)