Nearly two months since our last update, and progress at the Brighton Block redevelopment site has been moving along steadily. Dating to 1912, the historic Brighton Block (Ernest Brown Block) was once a photography shop, its hollowed out shell once the site of industry for Edwardian Edmontonians hard at work developing prints and mixing chemicals. 

Hollowed out Brighton Block, ready to rise anew, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Today however, the interior of the Brighton Block looks a little forlorn, the structure currently being stripped, dug out, and reinforced, ahead of its imminent redevelopment and expansion. 

Brighton Block, as it will appear upon completion, image via Primavera Development Group

Viewed above, the historic facade will be retained, the reinforced foundations to hold what will be a significant, multi-storey office block addition. 

Brighton Block, excavators hard at work, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Meanwhile, back inside, excavators have been hard at work, clearing out the mountains of demolition rubble that the retrofit has created. Significant engineering work has been necessary as well, the shell of the old structure in desperate need of stabilization and reinforcement in order to take the additional loads that will soon be required of it. 

Brighton Block, from back to front, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Viewed from the rear, the extent to which the structure has been cleared out is more than evident. While the back of the structure will become a loading entrance and parking bay, the front will be brought back to life with a 4,600 square-foot retail space facing onto Jasper Ave. 

SkyriseEdmonton will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.