New details were revealed at an open house on Tuesday evening for a major development near the University of Alberta. Maclab Development Group is proposing a two-tower, 444-unit complex on 86 Avenue between 111 and 112 Streets in the Garneau Neighbourhood.

Aerial rendering of Maclab Garneau project, image by Maclab Development Group, photo by Dave Sutherland

The Diamond Schmitt-designed building's west tower would contain up to 174 student housing units, while the east tower would contain up to 270 market rental units. Retail frontage is shown facing 112 Street, and ten townhouse units are proposed to line 86 Avenue. If built to the maximum proposed height of 108 metres, the east tower would become Edmonton's tallest building south of the river, edging out the nearby Windsor Park Plaza towers (approximately 96 metres each).

112 Street view of Maclab Garneau project, image by Maclab Development Group, photo by Dave Sutherland

The draft rezoning for the development indicates a low parking ratio of just 0.4 stalls per unit - likely the lowest of any similarly scaled developments recently proposed or built in Edmonton. In what might also be a precedent-setting ratio, 274 bicycle parking spaces are to be provided on the main floor. According to 2016 census data, over half of the current residents in Garneau walk, bike, and take transit daily, and this proposal is just three blocks south of the University LRT station.

Townhouse detail view of Maclab Garneau project, image by Maclab Development Group, photo by Dave Sutherland

SkyriseEdmonton will be sure to follow this project as it progresses through the planning stages. Check out the project Database for more information. Let us know what you think of the project in the comments below, or join the conversation in our discussion forum, where you can also find more images and diagrams for the project.