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As the saying goes, "good things come in small packages," and Beljan Development has managed to successfully apply this mantra to its latest foray into heritage preservation and redevelopment.
With its large shop windows, pressed-metal cladding, and modest architectural details, many visitors to Whyte Avenue have crossed paths with the Tipton Investment Company Building - having perhaps even shopped at one of the many retailers that has come and gone over the years - all while likely missing the fine architectural details that make this a true standout piece.
Like many of the buildings in the Old Strathcona Provincial Historic Area, the Tipton building dates back to the early 1900s, and represents one of the last all-wood "Boom Town" commercial buildings remaining in the area. Named for John Gaddis Tipton and his company which occupied the building from about 1911 to 1914, the structure has been recognized for its heritage value by municipal and provincial heritage regulators not only for its style, construction, and architecture, but for John Tipton's prominence as one of the aldermen who negotiated the merger of Strathcona with Edmonton across the North Saskatchewan River.
Beljan and Hodgson Schilf Evans Architects worked closely with heritage experts in their rehabilitation of the building. The structure was carefully lifted off of its original foundation, moved just a few feet west to abut the adjacent building, and returned to a new foundation that was constructed underneath.
A modest addition including a second story was added to the rear of the building, while the newly opened space on the east forms a pedestrian mews connecting to additional retail space and the lane-way to the rear.
The project was lauded by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, which awarded the project their 2018 Heritage Conservation Award.
The large retail bay fronting Whyte Avenue is now occupied by Cacao 70's second Edmonton location, and the remaining space will no doubt find suitable tenants shortly.
What do you think of this historical renewal project? Leave a comment below, or visit our Forum thread to join the conversation. Additional details can also be found in the Database file.
