There are several considerations for supporting a "super tall" structure on this site
@Surrealplaces: 1. poor foundation soil and undetermined locations of mine shafts (from the "coal is king" days), requiring very deep footings no matter the structure above grade. The added expense of substantial footings makes the need for better economics above ground all the more salient. 2. the northward shadow cast of a super tall structure affects very little in the way of existing neighbourhood amenities in the Quarters, since that precinct remains largely undeveloped. The new Hyatt hotel would surely welcome this development, increasing its own viability (hospitality loves company) 3. the City is bound to be supportive of densification here because it matches its outlook for this portion of the Quarters and it increases the viability of the refurbished historic buildings across Jasper Avenue from the site and puts the Russian Orthodox Church and the RCMP complex in line for historic "repurposing". 4. This will encourage more development on the east end of Jasper Avenue, strengthening the viability of Edmonton's "main street". 5. There is no more valuable development site in all of Edmonton for a convergence of "views", "river valley access", "proximity to Edmonton's cherished arts precinct", and "proximity to the Convention Centre". 6. There is a huge P.R. plus for Alldritt in terms of viability and visibility. 7. Brad Kennedy is perhaps Edmonton's premiere architect at this point in time and this is bound, therefore, to be a bold vision -- Edmonton needs a super tall iconic structure to anchor its photogenic presence among world-class cities; while the Stantec tower is tall, it is hardly what one would call "iconic". 8. Edmonton has a strong shortage of class A hotel rooms and there is a new global trend combining hotels (and the amenities offered therein) with condominiums (a la Marriott in the ICE district). The more full and varied the lifestyle experience, the greater the demand for downtown living accommodation.
This particular site is
huge and so I can envision an number of conjoined uses that make grand use of the river views -- terraces, restaurants, sculpted landscape. All said, I believe that Alldritt will go for the "tallest" title and that they will do it in a very grand way. They have an impeccable image as a quality home builder and this would be a natural business expansion direction for them. They also have enough "juice" to attract a first class hotelier (maybe even a Four Seasons, the creme de la creme).
