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Old Royal Alberta Museum

Think of it this way -- Municipal and Provincial governments hire on staff designers and aligned professionals who can't "make it" in the private world (too timid -- like job security; lack daring and ambition) and it is these people who make or support the decisions of their governmental superiors. Is it any wonder then that any bold moves by Private Enterprise are overlooked altogether. I would add this -- the last thing Edmonton needs is another park when the river valley below this site is notably 12 times larger than NYC's Central Park.
 
I really, really hope someone can find a way to save this building. Getting rid of it would continue the tragic trend of just tearing down old buildings because it would require some work to get them back to a workable state. So many memories for me personally and I'm sure many more at the Old Museum.

Echoing the general sentiment that I think the UCP is almost 100% looking to demolish this thing, even if private interest wants to take on the responsibility of preserving it.
 
Between this and the demolition of the annex building, the provincial government is directly contributing to the loss of historical buildings and character in Edmonton. Many still don't think if it now, but many of these mid-century modern buildings will be historic assets one day.
 
archited said:
Think of it this way -- Municipal and Provincial governments hire on staff designers and aligned professionals who can't "make it" in the private world (too timid -- like job security; lack daring and ambition) and it is these people who make or support the decisions of their governmental superiors. Is it any wonder then that any bold moves by Private Enterprise are overlooked altogether. I would add this -- the last thing Edmonton needs is another park when the river valley below this site is notably 12 times larger than NYC's Central Park.
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I feel that is the case for some other professions too. It is often the downside of the government environment, better job security and benefits, but it is a more politically influenced and cautious environment.

Unfortunately, the top leadership doesn't care much about what is best for the city and the easy (unimaginative) solution in this case is to tear it down. I hope the local private sector people who are wanting to take some initiative here can still convince them that there are better options.
 
^ same goes for the Coliseum building and the City's purview and overview. City and Province are riding in the same boat in this instance. I would put both Buildings in the category of "re-usable" and to grand effect at that!
 
Platinum107 said:
Between this and the demolition of the annex building, the provincial government is directly contributing to the loss of historical buildings and character in Edmonton. Many still don't think if it now, but many of these mid-century modern buildings will be historic assets one day.
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I can't speak directly to many buildings but the annex building, while having some architectural significance (first curtainwall building in Canada to my knowledge), it was well beyond the point of restoration and was unfit/unsafe for use.
It is definitely unfortunate but not all structures of significance can be saved, especially if they are left in disrepair.
 
archited said:
^ same goes for the Coliseum building and the City's purview and overview. City and Province are riding in the same boat in this instance. I would put both Buildings in the category of "re-usable" and to grand effect at that!
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You could add the remand centre to that as well although it’s already moot as demolition is well underway…
 
It is too bad we do not keep more of these historical buildings. I feel the location of the annex building was also an issue.

The good thing about the old Museum is the site and the building itself offers a lot of opportunities and flexibility for redevelopment, if only the government would let it happen.
 
edmo14 said:
I can't speak directly to many buildings but the annex building, while having some architectural significance (first curtainwall building in Canada to my knowledge), it was well beyond the point of restoration and was unfit/unsafe for use.
It is definitely unfortunate but not all structures of significance can be saved, especially if they are left in disrepair.
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There were discussions about enclosing the annex from the roof down in/with a “glazed winter garden” on the east and south facade (similar to the British Museum Galleria and similar spaces). The west and north facade would have been enclosed with a “glazed plenum space” similar to the Manitoba Hydro Building. This would have retained the building without the need to try and retrofit/restore/upgrade the existing envelope. Converting the circulation from centre core to side core at the same time with the new core being added outside the existing structure would have made the floor plates more efficient and allowed for easy retrofitting of washrooms to meet handicapped criteria.
 
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IanO said:
Show me a business case, buy-in, added market and non-market residential of say 100-150 units or 200-250+ new residents and then let's talk.
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I agree. The renderings are almost beyond aspirational, and the business case marginal even if you got the property for free (and the province paid for any required environmental remediation).
 
Gronk! said:
The NDP's reaction to the demolition is pretty weak if you ask me

edmonton.ctvnews.ca

Developer makes plea to Alberta government to reconsider plan to demolish old museum

An Edmonton property developer known for reimaging old buildings says it's bewildered the Alberta government has moved ahead with a plan to tear down the former provincial museum.
edmonton.ctvnews.ca edmonton.ctvnews.ca
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The UCP will do what is wants regardless if the opposition sets itself on fire or chains itself to trees and this issue will not change many votes.
 
Offworld said:
I agree. The renderings are almost beyond aspirational, and the business case marginal even if you got the property for free (and the province paid for any required environmental remediation).
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The province can save the demolition costs and can probably work out a deal on remediation so they can come out ahead on that too. Then it will be up to whoever gets the property to make whatever they want to do, work.
 
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