ChazYEG
Senior Member
I don't think I need to justify my opinions and hatred for strip malls to anyone, or the fact that I'll never understand North America's fetish with them.
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The Parks | 146.91m | 45s | 35s | 13s | Pangman | Hariri Pontarini
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
thommyjo
Senior Member
I used to shop here consistently when I lived at the hendrix. I agree with most arguments made on both sides above. Would it be great for it to not be low rise, car centric...sure. Does it still serve many walking and transit using residents? Yes. Is it valuable to the community? Very. Could a condo and retail development in the future be amazing here? Totally. Are there other lots easier to develop sooner, yes. Will this be redeveloped soon? Doubt it.
David A
Senior Member
There is sometimes an evolution in developments. Before the strip mall with a parking lot, it was a rail yard, an empty lot and a parking lot. While it might not be the best place for a suburban style strip mall, it does serve the community around it both for people who can walk or take transit and those who drive. I actually lived across the street before it was developed and it was very bleak, so whatever one might think about strip malls it was quite an improvement. I suspect eventually it will be redeveloped to better fit the area, but probably not any time soon as the return and value of the land do not justify the cost to do so yet.
There are many other spaces that are under utilized nearby, including I think the Parks, which would do a a lot to improve the area. One step at a time.
There are many other spaces that are under utilized nearby, including I think the Parks, which would do a a lot to improve the area. One step at a time.
Baronmine
New Member
Just received our 3 month notice to vacate El Mirador. We have until the end of June. I will miss this place more than I can say. I imagine it will be coming down shortly afterwards. Good bye El Mirador, it's been a great 16 years.
IanO
Superstar
I can't help but think about the (great) loss of these places, even with an exciting development ahead.
Many wine/music/philosophical nights there in my late teens/early 20s.
Many wine/music/philosophical nights there in my late teens/early 20s.
IanO
Superstar
These should have been required to be reinvested in and brought back to life in exchange for height, density adjacent to it.
Alas.
Alas.
JayYEG
New Member
I really wish the El Mirador could be saved. It's such a unique building with a great history that you don't see much of in Edmonton. The Parks development will be a huge addition to the downtown core, but it's a shame that it will be at the expense of an architectural rarity here :/
Glenco
Senior Member
What is the great history?
_Citizen_Dane_
Active Member
^Probably its relation to an important, if forgotten architect, its application of a rare architectural style nigh unseen in Edmonton, its notoriety as the city's premier example of a Great Depression-era 'home-to-apartment' conversion project, its near unrivalled sense of community owing to its welcoming layout, or very its sense of place as downtown's weird Spanish oddity.
archited
Senior Member
Solace lies in the fact that there are (sans the Churrigueresque detailing found in SoCal) over 1,000 similar period-style buildings in Los Angeles and San Diego -- same courtyard, same adobe roof tiles, same Spanish arches, same white plaster walls. I suspect that Ralph Henry Trouth the builder who designed the Edmonton structure was so enamored with the "neighborliness" of the style that he thought that it would be a breath of fresh air for Edmonton.
Glenco
Senior Member
So what makes it historical? Did Marshal McLuhan live there? How about Robert Goulet? was it a land mark in architectural design? No it was a knock off. Will people be calling Manchester square historical in 50 years? It may or may not be a good example but of no historical value to say it is of great historical value is so much . hyperbole
IanO
Superstar
Which is exactly why we get what 'we' deserve.
Hqcan
New Member
Interesting...seems fast to me? I assumed they would wait till 22'. Aren't the retail bays still teeming with a....Money Mart and Queen Donair?
IanO
Superstar
QD is moving across the street, if it has not already.
The shoe repair is long gone...'fire'.
MM can exit very quickly.
The shoe repair is long gone...'fire'.
MM can exit very quickly.
Hqcan
New Member
Well it'll really be something to see those few blocks in a couple years. Add in the park development and the towers slated for the east/North sides and it will be a very unique node in the DT core.
Now if only that BPs can finally disappear
Now if only that BPs can finally disappear