The Gibbard Block

[Daveography]

Edmonton looking at historical designation for Highlands landmark
The city wants to designate the building that houses a long-time Edmonton landmark as a municipal historic resource.

The three-storey Gibbard Block at 6427 112 Ave. has been the site since 1982 of La Boheme restaurant, which features bed-and-breakfast suites on the upper floors.

The brick structure was constructed at the height of Edmonton’s pre-First World War real estate boom in 1913 to provide luxury apartments and shops for the exclusive Highlands neighbourhood, promoted as a bedroom community for Edmonton’s elite, according to a report going to city council Tuesday.

The project was partly financed by William Magrath and Bidwell Holgate — the developers who created Highlands and whose mansions still stand on Ada Boulevard — along with Ontario businessman William Gibbard.

Technically just outside the Highlands boundary, the building featured such modern touches as a central gas plant to provide clean cooking fuel, and each suite had a telephone and a bath with hot water night and day, says a note by Alberta Heritage, which lists the site as a registered historic resource.

http://edmontonjournal.com/business...historical-designation-for-highlands-landmark

 

[Daveography]

Totally forgot there was a thread for this building.

La Boheme closing but owners excited about future of historic Gibbard Block
If the walls at La Boheme could talk, owner Mike Comeau is convinced they’d have endless stories to tell.

Comeau and his wife Connie took over the French restaurant and quaint bed and breakfast in 2006 but after more than a decade, the couple is closing its doors.

He said death in the family and yearning to spend more time with their grandchildren made the decision to retire La Boheme a bit easier.

But the couple is still sentimental about the building and the long-time customers.

The Comeaus hosted their elaborate wedding inside the venue and during the Edmonton Oilers’ glory days, it was where The Great One and friends used to dine in the private wine cellar.

“Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier — of course I call it the boys on the bus,” Comeau said. “They were here and they would actually enter through the back kitchen.”

Mike Comeau, owner of La Boheme, at the cellar table Wayne Gretzky and friends used to dine. La Boheme is shutting its doors on March 18, 2018.
Kendra Slugoski

The last dinner at La Boheme will be served on March 17, 2018 but the Comeaus are not walking away for good. They worked with the new owner to map out a future for the historic building known as Gibbard Block.

“The last thing the city needs is another new building or another parking lot.”

The Edmonton property developer said he plans to bring the piece of historic property back to its “former glory.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/4011331/edmonton-gibbard-block-la-boheme/

 

[Daveography]

From the Misc. construction thread:

Gibbard Block renewal by Next Architecture

View attachment 133375 View attachment 133376 View attachment 133377

The project sees an intelligent retention of the historic core, brick and main character defining elements of the original 1913 building, and significantly updating the commercial and residential finishes with a modern aesthetic. Keeping the building in place is the most sustainable strategy possible, retaining the embodied energy and materials for another generation.

Estimated 2019 Completion.
http://nextarchitecture.ca/project/gibbard-block/

Edmonton's historic Gibbard Block to get makeover
La Boheme, at 6427 112th Avenue, will close its doors on March 18, she said. The sale of the building to Sparrow Capital will become official on March 31.

Antoine Palmer of Sparrow Capital said the company spent $1.5 million to buy the building and will spend another $2.5 million on the renovations. That includes a grant of $430,000 from the City of Edmonton, which he said "makes a huge difference" in terms of the company being able to take on the project.

Construction is scheduled to begin April 1. The project is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.

The building was designated a municipal historic resource in 2017. It will keep its historic exterior cornices, interior stamped tin ceiling, and skylights, Palmer said.

The rest of the interior will be torn out, and the building will be insulated and an elevator added, he said.

The main floor will include a restaurant, a bistro and craft beer and wine boutique. The second floor will be offices, and the third floor be an eight-unit B & B, though some suites could be long-term rentals.

The Gibbard Block, which houses La Boheme Restaurant Bed & Breakfast, has been sold. (Edmonton Historical Board)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/la-boheme-gibbard-block-edmonton-highlands-sparrow-comeau-1.4508898

Two new local restaurants coming to Highlands' Gibbard Block
Watch for two new restaurants to open in Highlands, now that the historic Gibbard Block has been purchased by new owners.

Home since 1982 to the La Boheme restaurant and bed and breakfast, the Gibbard Block (6427 112 Ave.) was purchased by Connie Comeau and her husband, Mike Comeau, in 2005. After shepherding the building through the process of municipal historic designation last year, Connie Comeau felt the time was right to move on. While retaining a piece of the business, Comeau sold the Gibbard Block to local developers, Sparrow Capital, who have big plans for the space.

Antoine Palmer of Sparrow Capital says the building will undergo an extensive renovation after the deal closes March 31, and he hopes to be open for business in early 2019. The first floor of the 1913 building (which features the original Edwardian pressed tin ceiling) will be turned into two separate restaurants and a boutique wine shop, all with local operators. The second floor will contain office space. The third floor will be reserved for residential/hotel rooms.

http://edmontonjournal.com/life/food/two-new-local-restaurants-coming-to-highlands-gibbard-block

 

[Daveography]

Permit Class Class A
Permit Date Aug 22, 2018
Status Approved
Description of Development To redevelop a building to allow mixed Commercial / Residential Uses (3 Restaurants on the main / basement floors: change the Use from Apartment Housing Dwellings (one-bedroom) to Professional, Financial and Office Support Service on the 2nd floor; change 4 one-bedroom Dwellings to 8 Studios on the 3rd floor; add an Accessory outdoor patio, to the Restaurants on the roof); remove one parking space and construct interior (demising walls to accommodate Uses) & exterior alterations (roof patio, stairwell enclosure on the roof.
Address B1, 6425 - 112 AVENUE NW
Legal Description Plan 7190ET Blk 23 Lot A
Neighbourhood HIGHLANDS
Neighbourhood Classification Mature
Ward Ward 7
Zoning DC1, CNC

 

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I like the fact that the developer is specifically calling for restaurants to anchor the building.

 

[Daveography]

Rezoning to DC1 goes to Council Oct. 22:
http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=2115&doctype=AGENDA (Items 3.1 & 3.2)

Nate Box is kickstarting a project to open three new ventures in the building: a burger joint, a deli, and a liquor store:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bbhg/the-gibbard-block-burgers-bagels-beers-and-more

And it looks like they're opening the upper floors as co-working space:
https://www.gibbardblock.com/co-work/

 

[Daveography]

Five days left on the Kickstarter, help bring new delicious businesses to Highlands!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bbhg/the-gibbard-block-burgers-bagels-beers-and-more

 

[Daveography]

A New Beginning...
Posted by Black Box Hospitality Group (Creator)

Hey Y'all.

Wanted to take a few minutes to provide a quick update on the happenings at the Gibbard Block. We've just received confirmation from the building owners that we will be taking possession of the space on March 15th, 2019. As you can imagine, there were some unforeseen hiccups in the renovation causing significant delays. It's what one can expect when thoroughly restoring an aged heritage building.

To say we're excited, would be the under-statement of the year. Giddy, ecstatic, etc. Time to dust of those steel-toes, make sure the Carhartt's still fit (after a winter of eating burger tests), and get at it.

We are going to push to open in phases now, as some of the entities are going to be easier to complete. Our tentative timeline is Highlands Liquor by May, and June's Delicatessen and Fox Burger by June, if not earlier.

Here's some pics we took a week and a bit ago:

Boiler Room

This is the original boiler that heated the building up to last spring. It's since been decommissioned (trust me, it needed to be), however, we wanted to preserve it as a historical design component. We'll be cleaning it up, clear coating in, and then build a speakeasy-style 20-person standup bar around it. The Boiler Room will be warm, intimate, and private. Dim lights, great drinks, and low ceilings that'll host all manner of gatherings. Nope, not just private events. We'll be hosting tastings and classes here too, and keep your eyes out for pop-ups in conjunction with some of the city's best barkeepers.

June's Delicatessen

This is the first look into June's Delicatessen. Situated on the northwest corner of the building, with tons of light that'll pour in through the beautiful frontages, you'll be able to bask in the sheer joy of a fresh bagel, housemade pastrami-cured salmon, buttered eggs, and a glass of sparkling should you so desire. The wall pictured in the foreground here shows some of the incredible building from centuries past, and this particular wall will be the division between Highlands Liquor and June's. And even more specifically, this wall will be entirely dedicated to a curated list of great Alberta-focussed beers.

Oh, and a little side note. June's Delicatessen is named after Mike's mom. June is an incredible woman, soft-spirited, vibrant, hilarious, and truly and infectious ray of sunshine.

Heritage Ceiling Component

One of the exciting, and challenging, parts of building out the Gibbard Block is trying to find a way to preserve the historical components, and mix them seamlessly with new materials. Pictured here are original tin ceiling panels that can be seen throughout the main floor spaces. These are just some of protected entities, which we're delicately working around. A true testament of the elegance and craft that existed ages ago.

Ok. So, that's it for the update this time. Now that were weeks from actually building out, which means closer to opening, we'll have a lot more to update. Excited to kick the doors open and get you all in and redeem those rewards with you!

If you have any questions, fire me a message.

Big respect, and stay tuned.

-Nate (and Mike)

Update 7: A New Beginning... · The Gibbard Block -- burgers, bagels, beers, and more...

Hey Y'all. Wanted to take a few minutes to provide a quick update on the happenings at the Gibbard Block. We've just received confirmation from the building owners that we will be taking possession of the space on March 15th, 2019. As you can imagine, there were some unforeseen hiccups in the...

www.kickstarter.com

 

[Daveography]

So Close You Can (Almost) Taste It!!!
Posted by Black Box Hospitality Group

Jul 11, 2019

In the midst of ordering fibreglass reinforced paneling, coordinating bar lighting fixtures, and reviewing order lists, we thought it'd be cool to take a minute and give y'all an update.

We're close. Like really close.

Highlands Liquor is mere weeks from opening. Alls we need is a final inspection, a door on a bathroom, and then we'll get our biz license, which allows us to get our liquor license, which allows us to order, which allows us to stock up, which allows us to kick the doors open. Highlands Liquor is tiny, clean, simple, and curated. For months we've been pouring over lists and lists of great wines, local beers, and craft spirits, and we've got it down to an initial 150 or so of each to open. Something for everyone in that room, and if you snagged one of the coveted sneak peek pre-opening party tickets, hawt damn you're in for a treat!

An entire wall of exciting new craft Alberta beer! ?

June's Delicatessen is sure to be a gem, and rightly so as it's named after a true gem of a woman -- more on that later. We left the paper off the windows for the last couple months of build out as we, one, needed some natural light as our Vitamin D levels were on heavy decline as it was feeling a bit cavernous. With the beautiful big windows, all the natural light began to pour in, and we really started to see the vision we had come to life. Our designer, Andrea Tonn, really knocked it out of the park with this space, classic, refined, fresh. And then last week we got to sit down together and work through the menu with Chef Allan Suddaby, who will be at the helm. Think of enjoying rich, buttery eggs and toast, or crisp, satisfying salads while catching up with a friend, on the news, or on some much needed solo time to breath and watch the traffic pass by.

June's Delicatessen awaiting an espresso machine, deli cold case, and then chairs for all y'alls nice bums ?

And last, but certainly not least, we're moving like crazy on Fox Burger, the biggest and most complicated build of the whole building. Just yesterday they boomed the massive air-handling units in, and now it's really just tying in a bunch of equipment (like a dishwasher that requires more power than your house). Mike and I were both giddy as can be when we saw the beer guys show up with the trunk line that'll pull all 10 crisp cold beers from the kegs in the cooler. So, ya, that'll be fun. Can't wait until executive chef and partner Sean O'Connor is unleashed on this place. Smash burgers and fries for Friday date night? Heck yes.

Lights above the Fox Burger bar with century-old tin ceiling in the background.

So there you have it. Quick little whistle-whetter of an update for this Thursday am. More deets to come, including schedules for reward redemptions!!!! Finally we can say that with the end in sight.

Get out there and spread some love to friends, family, co-workers and neighbours today! Lots of love to you all, and thanks for supporting us as we build this dream.

Respec'

-Nate (& Mike)

Update 9: So Close You Can (Almost) Taste It!!! · The Gibbard Block -- burgers, bagels, beers, and more...

In the midst of ordering fibreglass reinforced paneling, coordinating bar lighting fixtures, and reviewing order lists, we thought it'd be cool to take a minute and give y'all an update. We're close. Like really close. Highlands Liquor is mere weeks from opening. Alls we need is a final...

www.kickstarter.com

 

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?

 

[Daveography]

June's Delicatessen is now open, Fox Burger opens at 5 today.

Update 11: The Next Chapter... · The Gibbard Block -- burgers, bagels, beers, and more...

We're here, the night before! I couldn't decide on whether to reference Drake's starting from the bottom, or the late, great Robin Williams as Peter Pan in Hook when all the Lost Boys tell him that they believe in him, or to just post the same Fresh Prince vid we did when you all helped knock...

www.kickstarter.com

 

[Daveography]

Century-old building reopens after a year of revitalization

The historic Gibbard Block may not be fully complete, but most of the reconstruction efforts have finally borne fruit in the Highlands neighbourhood.

edmonton.ctvnews.ca