The HSBC Bank Place Revitalization project has brought the '80s back with the recent application of its first row of mirrored glass panelling as captured on our Forum. Harkening back to the days of Gretzky Fever, the appearance of what promises to be one giant curtain wall of super reflective glass within the downtown core has left observers to wonder what other accoutrements of the decade will be rolled out as the redevelopment efforts continue. 

HSBC Bank Place, reflective glass curtain wall, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Strikingly similar to the original, the "new" look of the tower may yet harbour some surprises, the relatively large panels to come with a significantly higher efficiency rating than their 40-year-old predecessors. Visions of shoulder pads and skinny ties aside, the revamped 19-storey office tower at the corner of 101 St NW and 103 Ave NW will soon become the home to a mix of tenants, including owners and anchors AIMCo, and a host of others. 

HSBC Bank Place, curtain wall close-up, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Still to be begun in earnest, the most dramatic part of the revitalization will concern the base of the tower, the newly designed lobby and retail space to be made airy and open with the use of a clear wall of glass. The upgraded tower will move from Class A to AA, its modern design and materials on target to acquire LEED Gold certification. 

HSBC Bank Place, curtain wall installation in progress, image by Forum contributor Daveography

The completed tower will bring 317,000 square feet of state of the art commercial space to the core, its certifications to additionally include WELL Gold - making its the first office building in Western Canada to be Wired Certified. All gibes aside, the HSBC Bank Place Revitalization will be a positive addition to downtown Edmonton, its reflective glass to amplify the ever-rising skyline that has risen all around the tower since the days of its original construction. 

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.