Vancouver-based Open Sky Developments has announced it's first project in Edmonton, a 16-story mixed-use building - dubbed 121st Street Project for now - set to join nearly two dozen major development projects in the Oliver neighbourhood.

Preliminary rendering of Open Sky 121st Street Project, image courtesy Open Sky Developments

Located on the northeast corner of 102 Avenue and 121 Street, Acton Ostry Architects-designed mid-rise building will consist of 138 residential rental units, spread across a mix of one and two bedroom units, as well as seven three-bedroom townhouses located in the podium. The proposal also includes a small commercial unit on the southwest corner.

Location of Open Sky 121st Street Project proposal, image courtesy Open Sky Developments

"It's just a great neighbourhood," says Robert Horvath, principal at Open Sky, of the Oliver community. Horvath is no stranger to Edmonton, having come from Edgar Development which saw The Hendrix built in the Grandin area.

Preliminary rendering of Open Sky 121st Street Project, image courtesy Open Sky Developments

"We really believe in quality, building a place people want to live." To Horvath, that quality relies on providing rich amenities. As such, this project proposes to provide valuable tenant services such as package delivery lockers, cold rooms for holding grocery deliveries, community gardens on the rooftop, as well communal barbecues. He hopes to encourage year-round use of outdoor amenities as well, with as firepits and heaters.

Being located directly on the 102 Avenue cycletrack, affectionately referred to as the Oliverbahn, Horvath feels there's a great opportunity to integrate with that infrastructure and support its use through ample bicycle parking and by providing repair stations, including potentially a public repair station.

102 Avenue Cycletrack, "the Oliverbahn", photo by Dave Sutherland

The proposed project would be ideally located near many great amenities, including the newly renovated Oliver Exchange building directly south, as well as being just two blocks from the Brewery District, and just a few blocks east of the 124 Street shopping and gallery district.

Oliver Exchange, photo by forum contributor _Citizen_Dane_

The project is still in the early stages, and will require a rezoning approval from City Council. Open Sky is aiming for a public open house in October, at which point more details and a more refined design should be available. The company is hoping to break ground in the fall of 2020, and complete construction by 2023.

SkyriseEdmonton will continue to follow the progress of this project. What do you think of Open Sky's 121st Street Project? Leave a comment below, or join our discussion forum, where you can find more information on the proposal. More details can also be found in our project database.