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In less than four years, the ballooning Downtown Edmonton skyline has become nearly unrecognizable. Most of its vertical growth has been contained within the dimensions of the ICE District, which has granted the core a new cultural mecca in the form of Rogers Place, and mixed-use skyscrapers that redefine the way Edmontonians experience the city. From one oblique angle of the skyline, Edmonton's unrelenting expansion is especially evident.
In 2014, from an elevated perspective along 104 Street south of 102 Avenue NW, the central business district hadn't seen many visible additions. The Epcor Tower was the most substantial in recent memory, which was then the tallest building in the city if including its twin set of spires, and had been delivered three years prior. But what was forthcoming — indicated by a single tower crane — would have a much more transformative impact on the face of the city.
Fast forward to March 2018 and the difference is palpable. The undulating Rogers Place obscures the now-shuttered Baccarat Casino as that structure awaits demolition. A little further south stands Ultima, Westrich Pacific's 32-storey condominium, which contains Edmonton's priciest penthouse. By far the biggest addition, and soon to become the city's tallest building, the Stantec Tower continues progress on its residential floors. Epcor Tower and JW Marriott and The Legends Private Residences, which is enjoying a brief reign as Edmonton's tallest, are both completely blocked by the two volumes.
A slice of the Edmonton Tower is visible to the right of the Stantec Tower, completing the ICE District's dominance from this angle. Panning to the right further and in the far distance is Hyatt Place, which aims to have a similar rejuvenating effect on a forgotten part of the city centre. A crane in the centre of 102 Avenue signals work for the Valley Line LRT, which will leave an indelible mark on the streetscape and hopefully, the transportation patterns of Edmontonians.
Closest to the camera is the pit for the Encore Tower, Westrich Pacific's next highrise endeavour. Crews are inching their way up to grade, and eventually, the building will climb 43 storeys above the street grid. What do the next four years have in store? Check out the Forum to find out.
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