It's been nearly five months since we did an in-depth check-in on Beljan Development's @81 project, as exterior work had slowed down significantly while interior work was ramped up.

Exterior cladding starting, photo by Forum contributor Kaizen

New photos from our Forum show scaffolding and protective weather covering going up around the building, which will allow workers to perform the exterior cladding work in a more controlled climate.

Weather protection on the north face, photo by Forum contributor Kaizen

Located at the corner of 101 Street and 81 Avenue (hence the name), the L7 Architecture-designed building is actually a new three-storey addition to a 1977-built single-storey commercial building. Renderings of the project show a fairly simple square volume with some modest architectural accents, brick cladding on the corners and along the retail sections, as well as splashes of vibrant colours within inset balconies to brighten up the public realm.

Rendering of @81, image via Beljan Development

Anticipated to be complete this year, the $5-million project will bring 36 units of residential units and 11,000 square-feet of retail space to this rapidly growing corner of the Ritchie neighbourhood, just off Whyte Avenue.

Rendering of 101 Street face, image via Beljan Development

SkyriseEdmonton will continue to follow this project as it progresses. More images and information can be found in the project Database entry linked below. What do you think of @81? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation in our Forum!