This week has been so full of exciting news and announcements related to 104 Street downtown that I figured a quick recap would be helpful.
It started on Tuesday with some coverage of the renovations taking place at the historic Mercer Warehouse, located on the corner of 104 Avenue and 104 Street. Owned by the Pope family, the building will soon be home to a flower shop, a restaurant and bar called Mercer Tavern, a high-end furniture rental company, and Roast Coffeehouse, among other tenants. I got to tour the building this week, and while there’s a lot of work still ahead, it is fantastic to see the building coming back to life.
On Wednesday we learned that The Confederation Building, which has been undergoing a much-needed facelift since late last year, will soon be home to a 7-11 as well as a whisky bar. I love the idea of a whisky bar as opposed to just another pub, and though you might scoff at first, the 7-11 is a big deal. Alex makes the point: “I see a new 7-11 as a sign that there’s a permanent population that justifies its creation (many new residences have been created on or around 104th).”
Yesterday the news came out that Langham Developments Ltd., the developer behind the Icon towers, has purchased the land at the northwest corner of 104 Street and 102 Avenue. Currently home to a parking lot, we’ve heard for many years that condos would be going up on that site, but it sounds like it might actually happen now. Langham is planning something similar to the Icon, with two towers. I think they did a great job of keeping the Icon towers in line with the Heritage Zone, so I am looking forward to the new development.
There have of course been lots of other things happening on 104 Street as well:
Oodle Noodle’s latest restaurant, located just around the corner on Jasper Avenue, opened recently and has been busy.
The film I Think I Do is filming in and around Edmonton, and was located on 104 Street in the Armstrong Block most of last week.
The façade improvements to the Birks Building are ongoing and so far look great!
There are more announcements on the way in the next couple of weeks, including the launch of our new website, so stay tuned!
MasterMaq's Blog 
The new windows in the Birks building are 150% more efficient!
Now to have the head adjusted for that savings 🙂
I had a similar thought about downtown population, at the 7-11 mention, when I saw that new Papa Johns Pizza open beside MRKT over by 105 Street. Also, I hope the whiskey bar is classy, I need some nice, adult beverages in another walkable neighbourhood.
Just for clarification – getting Langham to do their podium ‘right’ was like pulling teeth for the Heritage Department. Unfortunately, I think it’s only really 50% there. We don’t need faux historical, but there are some basic principles that could be adhered to better. Adding contemporary into the mix can be exciting, but needs to be done sensitively. I’m looking forward to what they propose for the ‘Urbia’ site and if they have learned anything from their previous designs.
I look forward to reading more about this on the new DECL blog 🙂
I never thought updates on street developments could be this interesting. Hopefully these are signs of lots more to come.
Please please please someone fix the burnt out lights in the Birks, I know they went with non-period style fixtures for maintainability but it would be really nice if they had all those lights humming.
I hear that Kelly’s Pub, formally on Jasper Ave. near The Druid is moving into a spot on 104 St. Can anyone confirm?
mmm… whiskey bar…
The old Roost is also being fixed up. I’ve also heard that realtor Terry Paranych is looking to build one 40-storey and one 50-storey condo at 104 Street/103 Avenue, once the arena details are finalized.
Wish you lived in my neighbourhood. I would love to know what is going on around here! These “burbs” with front drive garages are so mysterious, no one rears their heads until the summer and then half of the neighbours are new as old neighbours moved through winter months… It is Canada. We are a friendly lot, but hardly rear our heads at -25 when snow shoveling… I think I need to move back downtown!
🙂
V
I
listened to your interview on CBC radio this morning and I had to find your
blog to give my insight. I lived in downtown Denver and it is designed so
nicely for pedestrians and the downtown residential community…extra wide
sidewalks with benches, pedestrian only street of at least 12 blocks (this
includes many restaurants, wine bars, martini bars, shops, hotels…there is so
much available in the blocks surrounding this area (such as the Convention
Center and various social venues) and a free shuttle bus (I believe it is
electric so it is very quiet). Denver has such
an enjoyable downtown and I would love to see Edmonton adopt some of these qualities. The
other thing that is quite noticeable in downtown Denver is the cleanliness…there is a committed
cleaning city crew that maintains the quality of cleanliness. If you ever have
a chance to stay in downtown Denver
I hope you take the opportunity as you will see a very pedestrian and
residential friendly environment.