In a recent story, we overviewed the changes currently reshaping Edmonton's Warehouse District. Located between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue, and between 102 and 109 Streets, this downtown neighbourhood is gradually becoming one of the most appreciated areas of the city. New trendy cafes, restaurants, and shops are opening up in repurposed industrial buildings and in the podiums of the many new residential towers replacing local empty lots. It is in the heart of this vibrant and growing community that Westrich Pacific Corp. has chosen to erect what will be the future tallest residential-only tower in Edmonton, Encore Condominiums. 

Encore Condominiums will be the tallest all-residential building in Edmonton, image courtesy of Westrich Pacific

At the corner of 103 Street NW and 102 Avenue NW, less than a block away from Ultima, another project from the same developer, Dub Architects has designed a 40-storey, 129-metre condominium building set to replace a surface parking lot. Boasting an energy-efficient, triple-glazed glass exterior and a three-storey brick podium conceived to match the surrounding historical buildings, the $100-million CAD project includes a total of 164 two-bedroom, two-bathroom luxury units. While floors five through 34 feature dwellings approximately 75 to 138 square metres in size, levels 35 through 40 are composed of 11 penthouse suites ranging from 120 to 259 square metres — some of which span an entire floor — that all offer private terraces with unobstructed views.

The highest levels of the tower will boast luxury penthouse suites, image courtesy of Westrich Pacific

All residents will have access to indoor/outdoor amenities situated on the podium's roof, as well as five levels of underground parking. With a starting price in the high $300,000s, it was reported that 93% — or 154 — of the suites were reserved during Encore's launch last October. In the context of an economic downturn in the energy industry, the success of this project further illustrates the attractiveness of the Warehouse District, but also the success of Edmonton's efforts to make the downtown area a more livable and desirable place for urbanites. Finally, by the time Encore is completed in 2020, residents will be able to enjoy the district's newest park less than two blocks away from their new home, at the corner of 102 Avenue and 105 Street. Construction on the park is expected to start in the spring of 2016 while Encore is anticipated to begin work next fall.

The podium is designed to blend with the surrounding historical structures, image courtesy of Westrich Pacific