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Downtown

policyenthusiast said:
I would speculate that small bay commercial & retail is a lacking niche in Downtown. We have way too many Wal-mart sized rental spaces and not enough boutique store-sized shops.
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I feel some of the newer buildings in particular were built with some vague expectation they would attract a large retail tenant well just because they were downtown, because that happens in other cities.

However, despite many other cities having Apple Stores or large Best Buys right in the downtown core, Edmonton remains generally oddly resistant to having almost any such larger retailers downtown.
 
David A said:
I feel some of the newer buildings in particular were built with some vague expectation they would attract a large retail tenant well just because they were downtown, because that happens in other cities.

However, despite many other cities having Apple Stores or large Best Buys right in the downtown core, Edmonton remains generally oddly resistant to having almost any such larger retailers downtown.
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We do have a Best Buy, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went under based on the near-constant parking lot vacancy.
 
policyenthusiast said:
We do have a Best Buy, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went under based on the near-constant parking lot vacancy.
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Yes, I know. I was thinking more of of residential or commercial buildings closer to the core with large empty spaces facing the street, you know like 102 Ave, Jasper Ave, 104 Street ...

These are the type of buildings that actually do have such retailers in many other cities, but the concept seems totally foreign here.
 
degrandprix said:
That location has felt like it's "about to go under" for the past 10 years I feel like, and yet it keeps on truckin' somehow.
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Because now it is really almost the only place left close to downtown where you can buy a computer or appliances any more. They sell a variety of items, many of them larger, so they don't really need huge volume.

There has also been talk over the years of redeveloping the strip mall like space here, which really isn't as suited for the more dense urban environment that has developed around it since it was built.

I feel that will probably eventually happen, but not right away. Perhaps at that time they may move to a space closer to the downtown core or maybe they will surprise us and do this sooner.
 
Really, really well done, but the Hallway Cafe not open, neither is the Chancery spot and obviously 3 Bananas now long gone... literally nowhere in sight to get coffee, hot chocolate or dessert.

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Hopefully the new developments on 106th street across from the new park will have some retail spots to host cafe's and such. Would be nice to grab a coffee and stroll the park, or sit on some chairs outside the cafe and people watch in the park. As pointed out above, creating a destination without the opportunity, or the proper retail like in Ice Distrct, doesn't create a thriving scene.
 
Ohman said:
Hopefully the new developments on 106th street across from the new park will have some retail spots to host cafe's and such. Would be nice to grab a coffee and stroll the park, or sit on some chairs outside the cafe and people watch in the park. As pointed out above, creating a destination without the opportunity, or the proper retail like in Ice Distrct, doesn't create a thriving scene.
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Bar Oro is right there and would welcome more business. Autograph will have a few CRUs and so that area will have options.

What the park needs is a coffee kiosk similar to what you find in many European parks for May-Oct.

There's also, at least in my mind, about ground floor residences fronting a park, in that it is the sign of a maturing Downtown and provides new options for future residents.
 
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Ohman said:
Hopefully the new developments on 106th street across from the new park will have some retail spots to host cafe's and such. Would be nice to grab a coffee and stroll the park, or sit on some chairs outside the cafe and people watch in the park. As pointed out above, creating a destination without the opportunity, or the proper retail like in Ice Distrct, doesn't create a thriving scene.
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There are two very nice cafe's right down the street on Jasper and 106 Street, so it would probably be better to have something else there such as a restaurant or other retail. I agree it would be a nice place for chairs outside to take in the afternoon sun and scenery across the street..
 
Wiikwemkoong First Nation, located on Manitoulin Island, acquired Edmonton’s Connect Centre in the ICE District for $65 million. It plans to add 35 residential storeys to the two-storey commercial building. Chief Tim Ominika said the investment aims for financial self-sustainability for the community, funding healthcare, transportation, and housing. The building was developed by Katz Group Real Estate and ONE Properties.

I'm sure this is pretty well-known among other forum visitors but I had no idea it was going to be 35 storeys taller. That's massive.
 
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