Edmonton Brewery District
Mixed-Use
Historic styles host contemporary shops and restaurants in one of Edmonton’s trendiest new spots. This mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development brings renewed vitality to this significant semi-urban location with retail opportunities, commercial offices, and residential uses, while strengthening important links through the site to surrounding precincts and their associated amenities. Strategic use of landscaping and street furniture with pedestrian scale lighting ensure passersby are tempted to stay awhile.
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
- Size
- 300,000 sq ft
- Client
- First Capital Realty
- Completion
- 2017
- Sustainability LEED® Silver certified
- Collaborators
Bunt & Associates Engineering
ISL Engineering
SMP Engineering
Chandos Construction
KFR Engineering
Protostatix Engineering Consultants
Synergy Projects Ltd- DIALOG Services
Architecture
The central locale coupled with the future LRT gives this transit-oriented development the opportunity to increase density and pursue a mix and density of uses not seen before in Downtown Edmonton.
The design builds on qualities of historic buildings in Edmonton. Traditional architectural styles and building materials such as brick are used while also incorporating newer materials.
The district includes the adaptive reuse of the original 1913 Molson Brewery and the 1924 administration building, as well as new construction.
The Molson building itself houses various tenants, extending its already 100-year-plus lifetime.
The historical sign of the Molson Brewery has been replaced with an identical replica. The original beacon was built with a large steel girder and is reborn with a lighter version.
The site is arranged in contemporary rhythms and scales to create a ‘developed over time’ character. It sits on a 12 acre site, with almost 400,000 sf of built area.
The Team
Part of the fun of the project was the connection to some of Edmonton’s earliest designers from the 19th century past. The contemporary site design was inspired by the original concept of the Molson building.
The overall design concept builds on the inherent qualities of the historic buildings to create a ‘developed over time’ character, while looking towards the future as a transit-oriented development.
Pedestrians were prioritized in the design, with the knowledge that a future LRT will connect to the Brewery District along the south edge. Extra wide sidewalks, street furniture, outdoor music, landscaping, and lighting come together to encourage patrons to walk between businesses and sit outdoors.
Sustainability was a priority from the very beginning. An erosion and sedimentation control plan was designed and implemented. Potable water use for irrigation is reduced by over 50%, using high efficiency technology and drought tolerant plants. 88% of construction waste was diverted from landfill during construction.
Developing retail centers in Edmonton has traditionally required expansive parking lots to maintain the minimum parking ratios retailers typically ask for. Given the constraints of this urban site, as well as a desire of both the community and the developer to increase density, a massive 6-acre underground parkade was built. It houses two thirds of the District’s available parking.