WATCH ABOVE: The plan for a new residential tower just south of Whyte Ave on 105 Street is being met with some opposition. Vinesh Pratap explains.
EDMONTON – A proposal for a new residential tower in Old Strathcona is being met with some opposition.
Edmonton-based developer Mat McLash’s plan is to build a 20-storey building on 105 Street just south of Whyte Avenue. The residential tower would house 217 apartments, and have commercial space. It would be built on a piece of land on 81 Avenue, which is currently home to a 1940s church building. McLash sees it as a chance for renewal.
“These are people that are going to live there. So it’s live, work and play all in one place, and still pays significant attention to the architecture and the history of the area,” said McLash.
But not everyone is sold on the idea.
“This building is projected to be 63 metres tall which is completely out of context, it’s against the bylaw,” said Karen Tabor with the Old Strathcona Foundation, an organization that aims to preserve and protect the historical story of Old Strathcona.
New developments in the provincial heritage area are limited to about four stories. The Old Strathcona Foundation worries about precedent if a 20-storey tower is built.
“We’ve created an ecosystem here that’s worth defending and once things are lost, they’re lost forever,” said Tabor.
An exception was recently made, though. A six-storey building will go up on the corner of Whyte Avenue and 105 Street. The Old Strathcona Foundation is okay with the variance partly because the site was a former contamination gas station and sat empty for nearly two decades.
“Nothing against infill and density, it can be done right and it’s being done right here,” said Tabor. “We hope that this group will also realize that and work with the community towards that.”
WestOak Development has reached out to various groups knowing there’s hesitation.
“I know that a developer’s financial performance isn’t a private citizen’s care,” said McLash. “But in order for me to build something that they are proud of as a citizen I need them to engage me in making this financially feasible.”
Tabor says she’s very encouraged the developer is engaging with the community.
“I want to work with the community,” said McLash. “So if we can collaborate on something that works, that’s the goal.”
The church on 105 Street and 81 Avenue is currently being rented out as a dance studio.
The developer hopes to break ground next year.
With files from Vinesh Pratap Global News.
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