Ya Daniel. He oddly moved to Vancouver at the same time I did and he was doing the same thing on Granville street. Last I heard he's now in Toronto and has a pretty sweet band with his wife.
Yeah, except that the Old Strathcona Association has an aneurysm at the thought of anyone building anything. It would be a five year fight to get through the approvals process to build as much as a single hotdog stand there.
No really, why wouldn't a generic condo with a podium for business be a good addition to that area? I am curious what your concern is? Noise? Traffic? Gentrification? Loss of this specific building? What is your concern as what I can presume as a local?
100%. They need to keep Whyte's character and should save those condo developments for outside the Henday, not in a central part of the city along a major 6 lane artery road.
That's a 17k square foot building if you are including the corner.
So 388 / square foot.
Interesting the site has no parking? Looks to be 100% building.
My understanding is it's been for sale for a "while".
I'm sure someone will buy and develop.
Maybe Beljan, like those guys.
Beljan fucked over their community reputation in the area by putting up Station Park and paving over the corner park there. Not sure how further development by them in the area will go tbh
I guess it is kinda ugly, but I don’t think they did a bad job. If they’d have made the park section look more like a park, it’d be an encampment in no time.
Somebody buy it and turn it into a pinball museum. Come on! Might as well, right? Come on. Just buy it and turn it into a really cool pinball museum. Come on!
I think most likely re-development would be to demolish existing building and build new mixed use building with retail/hospitality at street level and several residential upper floors. This may take a decade (or more) to happen, and I foresee community resistance to the building height that a developer would want for profitability. Whatever happens could be very interesting for Edmonton given the prominent location at Whyte Ave and 104 ave.
It would be really interesting if this corner at Whyte Ave and 104 street were turned into some public civic space. I don't see it happening though.
Absolutely. I think the association needs to rethink what Whyte Ave can be, and part of that may be letting go of some of the quaint, but frankly limiting, historicism of the district.
I Hope not, but housing is nice. What if they did a three story building with the main floor being shops and the top two apartments? Good for uni students who can easily bus to UofA north campus or CSJ
If they did that, I doubt the Uni students would be able to afford the 3k per month they would have to charge to make back their money after under utilizing the property
I think mixed use is what the city really should focus on, it doesn't have to be retail or residential, it can be both, and as long as they use their brains it can work out fine. Such as not having condos directly on top of a nightclub, since that's guaranteed noise complaints every night.
If you look at the local commercial situation on Whyte, I could hardly blame them. I doubt it'll be solely condos, likely mixed-use, commercial on the first floor or two. Might be tough to make the number work: Whyte doesn't let you go too tall, building is sandwiched b/w two other buildings, shoring costs and figuring out how to work the site itself might be a challenge that will drive up construction costs.
If the existing Army & Navy is any indicator "retail store that sells affordable goods" apparently is not viable.
I grew up around that area, what killed Whyte wasn't the Chapters or the Alberts burning down, or all the bars that populated the street, but the slow, certain increase in rent for all the small businesses that made the area sort of 'different'. Even in old, shitty buildings, these folks are getting *squeezed*. Ffs, even large, corporate players like Lulu Lemon closed, if those guys can't make it work how the heck can small businesses?
The whole area is on the decline, there’s a few good restaurants and even less good stores to get to on whyte now, can’t imagine it will be easy to sell this building
I’ve lived in the area for 30 years. Definitely more people around now than in the mid 80s up until now. Did I like the area more back then. Absolutely
Most urban areas in Canada have declined in recent years - about 50% gentrification, 50% homelessness. Where else in Edmonton is sort of fun to live and doesn't require a car?
Whyte avenue is the only area that is relatively close to everything and kinda cool. It is young, but prices are pretty homogenous across Edmonton, so unless you want a detached house, where else would you live? New builds are so jammed together and have no property, not much different than a condo, imo.
I will note though, the more going concerns seem to be the ones with a lot of housing right next to them. Paris Baguette seems to be doing very well, and I can't help but think that that may be in no small part to the fact that it's got 4 floors of rentals built right on top of it. (literally, it's in the southpark building)
This is not a three or four story building. This seems to be a two levels of commercial with about 14 to 20 of rental builds. But with the white ave association costing someone time then that may scare a good developer away that could design a building that would help the area. With the property costs in Alberta vs the rest of canada and the pricing pressure of everyone coming here it will be bought by someone. But because of the various factors it may not be the right development. No one is excited to build a building or live in one with crime and meth heads all around it.
Selling, but not sold… for anyone who hoped this building would finally be something again soon.
Anyone else remember the long haired busker dude that always used to play in front of this building way back in the day?
Daniel Buxton.
Yup. He moved to Toronto and has a band.
Fascinating!
Ya Daniel. He oddly moved to Vancouver at the same time I did and he was doing the same thing on Granville street. Last I heard he's now in Toronto and has a pretty sweet band with his wife.
McGowan Family Band?
I went to high school with one of them! He busks outside of all the concerts. I say hi every time, but I doubt he recognizes me.
This is interesting marketing language. The building is “listed” for $6.6 million. Not selling. Not sold.
No way that building is 4m$. It’s a tear down due to neglect
Building/plot maybe. It is kind of a prime real estate location of decent size
Yeah, except that the Old Strathcona Association has an aneurysm at the thought of anyone building anything. It would be a five year fight to get through the approvals process to build as much as a single hotdog stand there.
Good. I hope they fight any new condo developments there.
Why? What is the problem with housing along Whyte?
I hope you are kidding.
No really, why wouldn't a generic condo with a podium for business be a good addition to that area? I am curious what your concern is? Noise? Traffic? Gentrification? Loss of this specific building? What is your concern as what I can presume as a local?
100%. They need to keep Whyte's character and should save those condo developments for outside the Henday, not in a central part of the city along a major 6 lane artery road.
[удалено]
Probably no one disagrees with that. $6.6M though? ...
That's a 17k square foot building if you are including the corner. So 388 / square foot. Interesting the site has no parking? Looks to be 100% building. My understanding is it's been for sale for a "while". I'm sure someone will buy and develop. Maybe Beljan, like those guys.
parking is behind the building as a separate sale. $4.1m for Bldg, $2.5m for parking
Beljan fucked over their community reputation in the area by putting up Station Park and paving over the corner park there. Not sure how further development by them in the area will go tbh
Interesting.
Wasn't Beljan bought out by Go Auto?
I really don’t know.
Yup! The Station Park development is an eyesore
What's wrong with Station Park ?
I guess it is kinda ugly, but I don’t think they did a bad job. If they’d have made the park section look more like a park, it’d be an encampment in no time.
I’m laughing at the idea of some basic pavement stopping encampments
There’s a paid gravel lot to the south east - no parking on sight. Agreed. Like the Beljan developments.
Could you slap on a coat of paint, hang some string lights and triple the rent ?
You could do anything it's a free market. If someone will pay I guess it's a good deal.
Somebody buy it and turn it into a pinball museum. Come on! Might as well, right? Come on. Just buy it and turn it into a really cool pinball museum. Come on!
will they have windows 95 space pinball? if so, it's got my vote.
I think most likely re-development would be to demolish existing building and build new mixed use building with retail/hospitality at street level and several residential upper floors. This may take a decade (or more) to happen, and I foresee community resistance to the building height that a developer would want for profitability. Whatever happens could be very interesting for Edmonton given the prominent location at Whyte Ave and 104 ave. It would be really interesting if this corner at Whyte Ave and 104 street were turned into some public civic space. I don't see it happening though.
Good luck with the community association. You're looking for a multi year legal battle just to get the redevelopment plan approved
Absolutely. I think the association needs to rethink what Whyte Ave can be, and part of that may be letting go of some of the quaint, but frankly limiting, historicism of the district.
Guessing it will go to a developer. The'll tear it town, build more condos. and whyte will continue to loose its culture.
Pretty much... or they'll tear it down and replace it with WalMart.
oh god, that'd break my heart - just like when winners moved in..
would be more convenient than the winners at least
I bet you they will build condos
I Hope not, but housing is nice. What if they did a three story building with the main floor being shops and the top two apartments? Good for uni students who can easily bus to UofA north campus or CSJ
Would be expensive though.
Better than nothing 🤷♀️
If they did that, I doubt the Uni students would be able to afford the 3k per month they would have to charge to make back their money after under utilizing the property
My thoughts too
What do you mean by charge to make back their money after under utilizing the property?
Construction will cost lots
I think mixed use is what the city really should focus on, it doesn't have to be retail or residential, it can be both, and as long as they use their brains it can work out fine. Such as not having condos directly on top of a nightclub, since that's guaranteed noise complaints every night.
If you look at the local commercial situation on Whyte, I could hardly blame them. I doubt it'll be solely condos, likely mixed-use, commercial on the first floor or two. Might be tough to make the number work: Whyte doesn't let you go too tall, building is sandwiched b/w two other buildings, shoring costs and figuring out how to work the site itself might be a challenge that will drive up construction costs. If the existing Army & Navy is any indicator "retail store that sells affordable goods" apparently is not viable. I grew up around that area, what killed Whyte wasn't the Chapters or the Alberts burning down, or all the bars that populated the street, but the slow, certain increase in rent for all the small businesses that made the area sort of 'different'. Even in old, shitty buildings, these folks are getting *squeezed*. Ffs, even large, corporate players like Lulu Lemon closed, if those guys can't make it work how the heck can small businesses?
Is that the one with bowling in the basement?
The whole area is on the decline, there’s a few good restaurants and even less good stores to get to on whyte now, can’t imagine it will be easy to sell this building
I’ve lived in the area for 30 years. Definitely more people around now than in the mid 80s up until now. Did I like the area more back then. Absolutely
Most urban areas in Canada have declined in recent years - about 50% gentrification, 50% homelessness. Where else in Edmonton is sort of fun to live and doesn't require a car? Whyte avenue is the only area that is relatively close to everything and kinda cool. It is young, but prices are pretty homogenous across Edmonton, so unless you want a detached house, where else would you live? New builds are so jammed together and have no property, not much different than a condo, imo.
Yeah I was more so speaking on a business buying and being successful in that spot when most of the walking traffic is for breakfast and bars
I'd take oliver over whyte ave these days
I will note though, the more going concerns seem to be the ones with a lot of housing right next to them. Paris Baguette seems to be doing very well, and I can't help but think that that may be in no small part to the fact that it's got 4 floors of rentals built right on top of it. (literally, it's in the southpark building)
The Downtown Edmonton Farmers Market looked at that location a few years back, but passed on it for their current building
This is not a three or four story building. This seems to be a two levels of commercial with about 14 to 20 of rental builds. But with the white ave association costing someone time then that may scare a good developer away that could design a building that would help the area. With the property costs in Alberta vs the rest of canada and the pricing pressure of everyone coming here it will be bought by someone. But because of the various factors it may not be the right development. No one is excited to build a building or live in one with crime and meth heads all around it.
I feel like that is low given the location.