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Today marks something of a milestone in the development of ICE District as the downtown Baccarat Casino meets the proverbial wrecking ball.
Designed by Dub Architects and built in 1996, the casino - located at the intersection of 101 Street and 104 Avenue - shut its doors in 2016 as it was replaced by the Grand Villa Casino just one block west at Rogers Place. The site has sat derelict since, while ICE District Properties - a joint venture between ONE Properties and Katz Group Properties - decided on the future of the site.
"Certainly this is something we’ve heard loud and clear from Edmontonians that this building has become an eyesore" says Tim Shipton, Senior Vice President of ICE District. "Taking down this casino really is an important step, and a milestone in the continued development of ICE District."
Originally, ICE District Properties applied in 2017 for permits to operate a temporary surface parking lot on the site, until market conditions would allow for development. The application was denied by city administration, a decision that was also upheld by the Subdivision Development Appeal Board (SDAB).
Now, the group has come forward with plans for a smaller temporary surface parking lot, along with a temporary public park on the southern portion, working with Next Architecture on the design.
"We’re still mapping out what exactly this is going to look like." says Shipton. "It’s got to be a safe, welcoming site. We’ve got some exciting ideas about how we can activate 104 Avenue, bringing in some urban design elements to get more people experiencing this side of our development. It’s a precursor to what our plans look like for phase two."
Allan Partridge, Principal at Next Architecture had this to say about the architecture of the now-doomed casino: "It used the style of its time. I think that sometimes we brand buildings as ugly in somewhat unfair ways, I think it’s just a building that was temporary in nature and needs to come down given its state."
Future plans for the site, known as Block IJ, are expected to include at least one residential tower on a commercial retail podium.
SkyriseEdmonton will continue to follow the progress of development of the former Baccarat Casino site. More information and images can be found in the project Database entry linked below. What do you think of the demolition of the casino, and the plans for the site? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation in our Forum.
