Cities tend to be thought about in terms of the big things like tall towers and stacked freeways, but it's often the little places that feel the most city-like - places like the new laneway that is now open alongside the recently restored Tipton Investment Building.

Laneway retail in the Tipton Investment Building, photo by Dave Sutherland

After moving the building a few feet west, Beljan Development has created a new pedestrian realm between the boom-town era Tipton building and the Edwardian era Richards Block to the east.

Decorative lighting and big windows bringing warmth, photo by Dave Sutherland

The intimate laneway has access to the two ground-floor retail spaces; one is now occupied by Cacao 70, the second is a 1,022 square-foot space still available for lease. Access to the second-floor retail space is also available via the new laneway. According to a representative from Beljan on Twitter, that space has been leased to an unnamed tenant for a restaurant and lounge.

Access to the second-floor retail space via decorative stairs, photo by Dave Sutherland

Decorative lighting and large windows create a sense of warmth even on a cold winter day, though the real excitement should arrive in the spring, when patios start pouring out from the Cacao 70 restaurant (and hopefully from the second retail space) into the new open-sky area.

Tipton Investment Building as seen from Whyte Avenue, photo by Dave Sutherland

Though this project is now completed, SkyriseEdmonton will be sure to return in the warmer months to see how the space is used and what new and exciting tenants have joined the mix in Old Strathcona. More information and photos on the project can be found in the project database. What do you think of this project and its public realm? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation in our discussion forum.