Renderings for an 80-storey tower surfaced online last fall, putting Edmonton's planners, architects, and urbanists in a frenzy over its transformative potential. Put forth by Alldritt Land Corporation and architectural practice KENNEDY, the skyscraper proposed for a site just east of the Shaw Conference Centre could become the tallest building not only in Edmonton, but in Western Canada.

The subject site, image by Forum contributor Daveography

The 280-metre-tall Quarters Hotel and Residences proposal has been in a state of flux since it debuted, as City officials grapple with the impacts of what would undeniably be a defining development for the neighbourhood. The tower and its associated public realm would occupy a triangular lot bordered by 96 Street, 101 Avenue, and Jasper Avenue, where a pair of disused low-rises currently stands next to a parkette. It would stretch across 101 Avenue to a patch of green space serving as a buffer zone between Jasper Avenue and Grierson Hill NW to the south. Louise McKinney Riverfront Park is located just beyond this road.

Conceptual landscape plan, image via KENNEDY and City of Edmonton

According to the Edmonton Journal, planners have come out in support of the proposed development, even though the City would be required to give up parkland to make it happen. That parkland, steep and difficult to traverse, has little value for any programmatic purposes. Furthermore, the loss of green space could actually improve connectivity to the larger community amenity just south. Alldritt would create a landscaped set of terraces leading down to the river valley, with the possibility of a future footbridge over Grierson Hill. The base of the tower would be clad in glass to ensure visual permeability, maintaining sightlines to the river valley as much as possible. 

South elevation, image via KENNEDY and City of Edmonton

The placement of the tower has been shifted west slightly to preserve views from the Hyatt Place hotel and accommodate an "urban balcony" as part of The Armature project. Former coal mines underneath the property, where a parking garage will be placed, will add some geotechnical challenges to the development. 

West elevation, image via KENNEDY and City of Edmonton

The land sale will be addressed by the Executive Committee on January 31. Rezoning to permit a tower height of 280 metres, a FAR of 12.0, a maximum of 700 units, and street-level commercial space will be considered at a City Council Public Hearing on February 6. Amendments to five associated bylaws — Quarters Area Redevelopment Plan, North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan, Capital City Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan, the Zoning Bylaw Section 811, 860 and 910, and closure of portions of 101 Avenue NW, a laneway and portion of Grierson Hill Road — will be addressed concurrently with the rezoning. 

Views of the tower's base and public realm, image via KENNEDY and City of Edmonton

We'll continue to track the evolution of this major proposal as it makes its way through the planning process. Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page?