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62-607: The Starlite Room is a 1925 brick building in Downtown Edmonton , Alberta , Canada , one block south of Jasper Avenue , the city's main street . The building was originally built as a " citadel " ( church or place of worship ) for the Salvation Army . By 1965 it was converted into the first venue of the Citadel Theatre company , with the company taking its name from the name of the building. After

124-454: A January 2015 Edmonton Journal article, Paula Simons described some of the additions and changes, which included a private caucus room on the tenth floor that cost $ 84,265, a $ 40,000 cabinet table, and a "new $ 602,000 main staircase". The new foyer was a glass atrium pavilion with a living wall and a living roof. A granite plaza which included water fountains, green spaces and gardens—now known as Violet King Henry Plaza—was built to extend

186-544: A dramatic decrease in oil revenues at a dramatic low, the cost of renovations had increased to $ 403 million. By the time Premier Jim Prentice took office on September 15, 2014, the renovations were almost finished. While Manmeet Bhullar was Infrastructure Minister, during the Prentice administration—from the fall of 2014 until the 2015 dissolution of the Legislature—the project was completed. When Premier Alison Redford

248-464: A fireplace, a powder room and a butler’s pantry"—had been revised. The space was transformed into meeting rooms and a conference hall. Nedlaw Living Walls, the company that built the living wall in the federal building's atrium lobby in 2014—a multi-level, 220-square-metre (2,400 sq ft) plant display—which served as a focal point for visitors and as a biofilter for the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, won

310-497: A members-only club. The lounge/bar downstairs is called "River City Revival House" which opened in 2018 . Boocha , the first kombucha brewery in Edmonton, moved into the historic building in the fall of 2017. The following are some of the artists that have performed at The Starlite Room: Downtown Edmonton Surrounding neighbourhoods include Oliver to the west, Queen Mary Park , Central McDougall and McCauley to

372-582: A new underground parking structure. Transit service is provided by the Government Centre Transit Centre located near the Federal Building and by Government Centre station located just to the west. Jasper Avenue is the city's "main street". It starts at 77 Street in the east, running south west along the south edge of Boyle Street until it reaches the downtown core. It then runs due west through downtown and

434-485: A number of shops. Also in the late 1990s (after the malls became one), the mall received a makeover itself. Edmonton Transit System 's light rail system runs beneath the downtown core, with one station at Churchill Square ( Churchill LRT Station ), three stations along Jasper Avenue ( Central , Bay/Enterprise Square , and Corona ) and next to the Legislature ( Government Centre ). From Government Centre station,

496-479: A second renovation was announced by Premier Ed Stelmach in 2008, with a budget of $ 356 million and an estimated completion date in 2011. Overseen by the Edmonton-based firm Kasian Architecture, the project began in 2010 and finished in 2015 at an estimated cost of $ 403 million. The renovations included the addition of an eleventh floor and an expansion of the property's plaza and recreational spaces for

558-577: A way to better connect Churchill Square with the fountains and some festivities on the plaza at City Hall. Government Centre is an informal district located at the southwest corner of the downtown core and is the home of the Alberta provincial government . The most notable feature of this part of downtown is the Alberta Legislature Building and its surrounding parks, fountains, and gardens. An underground pedway system connects

620-474: Is "inset with marble and nickel-plated metal works to create one of the liveliest Art Deco interiors in Alberta". The building was the last major project of MacDonald's "long and prolific career" starting as a draftsman in Nova Scotia, earning his architecture degree at McGill University , and working for H. A. Magoon architectural firm in Edmonton in 1911. It is LEED Gold certified. In 2006, during

682-462: Is a two part shopping mall with over 170 services on 102 Avenue. It is anchored by Sport Chek , Winners and Landmark Cinemas . It has four office towers (using the mall as a podium), plus a Delta hotel. When Edmonton Centre and the Eaton Centre became one in the late 1990s after the demise of Eaton's, a newer and larger pedestrian skyway was built to connect the two malls which also contains

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744-536: Is an important historical building located in downtown Edmonton. Named for Dr. William Morrison MacKay, a doctor with the Hudson's Bay Company and Alberta's first doctor. Construction began in 1904 when the cornerstone was laid by the Governor General of Canada , Lord Minto . The building was named a provincial historic resource in 1976. Due to declining enrollments, the school was closed in 1983. Today,

806-734: Is in the eastern part of the core with many award winning institutions like the Francis Winspear Centre for Music (home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra ) and the Citadel Theatre . Edmonton City Hall is also located here with all these buildings facing onto Sir Winston Churchill Square. It is also the site of the new Art Gallery of Alberta , which opened in early 2010, and the Stanley A. Milner Library , Edmonton Public Library's main branch. Churchill Square (Officially "Sir Winston Churchill Square")

868-539: Is located between 101 and 104 Street to 103 and 106 Avenue. It is a $ 2.5 billion mixed-use sports and entertainment district being developed on 10 hectares (25 acres; 120,000 sq yd) of land in Downtown. When completed it will be Canada’s largest mixed use and entertainment district. A new arena named Rogers Place , for the Edmonton Oilers , was approved in early 2013 and construction of

930-408: Is one of the major retail, living, commercial, and entertainment districts of the city. Rice Howard Way comprises 100A Street between Jasper Avenue and 102 Avenue and 101A Avenue between 100 Street and 101 Street. The portion of 101A Avenue between 100A Street and 101 Street was closed to traffic, making it an open-air pedestrian walkway. The rest of Rice Howard Way

992-484: Is open to vehicular traffic. Rice Howard Way has a few prominent office towers like Rice Howard Place and some restaurants. Rice Howard Way's southern edge (100A Street at Jasper Avenue) has an entrance to the Central LRT Station . The Warehouse District is located between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue and between 103 Street and 109 Street. During the first decade of the 20th century,

1054-697: Is the main downtown square in Edmonton , and is the heart of the Arts District. The square plays host to a large majority of festivals and events in Greater Edmonton . It is bordered on the north by 102A Avenue, on the west by 100 Street, on the south by 102 Avenue (Harbin Road) and on the east by Rue Hull (99) Street. In 2009, the portion of 102A Avenue that cut Churchill Square off from Edmonton's City Hall has been closed off to vehicular traffic as

1116-541: The Hotel Macdonald ) and some of Edmonton's tallest office towers , including Canadian Western Bank Place and Rice Howard Place ; however, the presence of the former limits that of the latter, and many tall buildings are found just off Jasper where land is easier to obtain. Together with help from nearby streets like 100 Avenue, 104 Street, 101 Street, and 102 Avenue, the Jasper West area (west of 97 Street)

1178-516: The Hudson's Bay Company began selling its land holdings in this area, and businesses were quick to move in. Between 1909 and 1914, no fewer than two dozen warehouses were constructed. In the later part of the century, warehouses closed and the buildings were redeveloped into commercial enterprises. In 1970s and 1980s, the Gay Alliance Toward Equality (GATE) had its location on 104th Street where they provided services to

1240-615: The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), opened in 2015. A third line, the Valley Line , connects downtown to Mill Woods , and as of 2024 , the Valley Line's west phase is under construction. The Edmonton Pedway is a pedestrian skywalk system that consists of bridges and tunnels connecting various buildings and LRT stations in the downtown area. A heritage streetcar line operates during

1302-541: The University of Guelph 's Controlled Environments Systems research facility led by a team led by Alan Darlington. It integrates both bio-filtration technology—which breaks down "air pollutants into benign components" and phytoremediation , through which plants "restore a contaminated environment." When he accepted the 2016 North American Cities Alive Conference's Interior Green Wall Award of Excellence, Darlington said that, this "biofilter actively removes pollutants from

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1364-484: The "sky palace" was made public, under pressure from an "escalating spending scandal", and was replaced by Dave Hancock . Shortly after CBC broke the story about the "sky palace" in March 2014, Ric McIver , who had served as Redford's Infrastructure Minister since December 2013, said the plans for a residential suite were cancelled after he took over the ministry. He said that he had changed "residential construction" on

1426-560: The 1930s, the building was part of a make-work project. The original design was inspired by architecture of the 1930s, such as the Empire State Building built in 1930–1931, and the 1930 Chrysler Building , both located in New York City . In the 1950s, MacDonald "only slightly updated" the design which meant that the federal building was "one of the last Art Deco interiors built anywhere." The federal building lobby

1488-426: The 2016 North American Cities Alive Conference's Interior Green Wall Award of Excellence for the living wall in the federal building. The green wall , and the renovation project in general, was built under the direction of Kasian Architects. The technology behind the green wall was the result of research on methods for recycling air in space stations, funded by space agencies in both Canada and Europe, and undertaken at

1550-469: The 2017–2020 phase. Station Lands will be a multi-use development in downtown Edmonton. It is being built in a 9.15-acre (37,030 m ) site north of CN Tower once occupied by the old Canadian National rail yard . Expected to be completed in 2019 to 2022, it will include four high-rise towers, a multi-story public plaza, and podium space. There will be 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m ) of office, retail, hotel, and residential space. The total cost of

1612-499: The Kasian Architecture firm directly to discuss the provision of "residential functions" on the eleventh floor, which included adding two side-by-side bedrooms with showers. Paula Simons described the addition as a $ 2.76 million "ultra-modern glass-walled" penthouse with its own dedicated elevator. The "sky palace", as it was dubbed, was intended as Redford's personal retreat. Redford resigned in March 2014 just before

1674-656: The LRT continues south over the North Saskatchewan River to three University of Alberta stations ( University , Health Sciences , and South Campus ), as a part of the South extension . From Churchill Station, the LRT travels northeast towards Commonwealth Stadium and Northlands Coliseum . A second LRT line, the Metro Line , connecting to MacEwan University , Royal Alexandra Hospital , Kingsway Mall , and

1736-414: The Legislature grounds to 99 Avenue and to increase public spaces at the grounds. The renovation added additional public elements such as the 80-seat theatre and a climate-controlled art gallery space. By the summer of 2014, the price of crude oil—including Alberta's benchmark Western Canadian Select —collapsed to near ten-year low prices, caused in part by a global oil glut . Against the backdrop of

1798-646: The Legislature to several of the surrounding buildings, including the historic Bowker Building and the Frederick W. Haultain Building. Federal government offices were housed in the Federal Building at the north-east corner of Government Centre until they relocated to Canada Place , located at the east edge of downtown, in the 1980s. The Federal Building is undergoing a $ 356 million renovation due to be completed in 2015 for provincial government offices and

1860-638: The Stelmach government was committed to adopting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in construction projects. Following the renovations, the federal building was LEED Gold certified. Following the resignation of Premier Stelmach in October 2011, during the premiership of Alison Redford there was a succession of infrastructure ministers— Jeff Johnson (2011–2012), Wayne Drysdale (2012–2013), and Ric McIver (2013–2014). The project

1922-661: The Violet King Henry Plaza. It hosts provincial government employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), and is considered one of Edmonton's most significant modern buildings. Designed in 1939 by a local architect, the building's construction was delayed by the outbreak of World War II , and took place from 1955 to 1958. It was originally owned by the Government of Canada and hosted its offices for Western Canada until 1988, when

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1984-514: The air, generation over 1,500 cfm (700 litres per second) of virtual fresh air...That's enough 'fresh' air to supply two thirds of the needs of over 150 people. And this virtual fresh air is generated using up to 90 per cent less energy than conventional air treatment systems." In September 2020, Prasad Panda , the Minister of Infrastructure during the Premiership of Jason Kenney said that

2046-497: The annual maintenance costs of the living wall amounted to $ 70,000. Panda announced that the living wall would be removed and "replaced with sculptures as part of an ongoing upgrade of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system." By the end of November, ahead of schedule, the wall had been dismantled because of a bug infestation. When the renovations were made in 2014, it was not anticipated that, by 2017, there would be four independent MLAs, who would need separate offices in

2108-626: The arena started in March 2014. It was named Rogers Place in December 2013 with an agreement from Rogers Communications for 10-year naming rights deal. It opened in September 2016. Phase One started after the Ice District announcement 2014–2016. It has A new Office tower, and attractions along with Rogers Place. Edmonton Tower , Winter Garden, and Grand Villa Casino Edmonton , are expected to open in 2016. The MacEwan LRT Station

2170-631: The building has a new lease on life, and is the home of the Edmonton Public School Board Archives and Museum. In addition to its educational role, the building was also used by the Alberta Legislature during 1906 and 1907, when the legislature's first two sittings were held here. The 1881 Schoolhouse, an older wood frame building and Edmonton's oldest school, is located on the same site. Edmonton City Centre (formerly Eaton Centre and Edmonton Centre)

2232-607: The company moved to a new purpose-built theatre building on Churchill Square in 1978, the building was converted to a concert hall and bar. The concert venue inside was for many years named the Rev Cabaret . Under this name, it hosted a variety of concerts including early 1990s shows of then-unknown American bands Nirvana and Green Day . In 2003 the Rev closed, and was reopened as the Starlite Room in 2004, which operates as

2294-597: The construction of the Fox Towers condo complex at the northwest corner of 104 Street and 102 Avenue underway. In 2016, Michael Phair Park , located in the Warehouse District was named after former City Councillor Michael Phair , in celebration of his political career, and community advocacy, as well as in acknowledgment of his many contributions to the LGBTQ2S+ community. The Ice District

2356-550: The creation of the Centennial Plaza—would transform the legislature grounds into a year-round appealing public space for all Albertans. Because of the economic climate in 2009 there were considerable cost savings on the Federal Building redevelopment project in 2010. Danyluk said in the 2010 Department of Infrastructure annual report, that was reviewed favourably by the Auditor General, Merwan N. Saher , that

2418-459: The curved Birks building as the entrance to 104 Street at Jasper Avenue, serving the residential population until its closure in 2014. 104 Street (in between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue) is the main street in the Warehouse District and features shops, restaurants, cafes and a variety of services. The area is also known for lofts in old warehouses. The street is very dense, and has seen new projects completed in 2009 and 2010 ( Icon I and II ) with

2480-559: The downtown core on McDonald Drive. The University of Alberta has redeveloped the site of the Bay building on Jasper Avenue between 102 Street and 103 Street as Enterprise Square (2008). "The building will house TEC Edmonton, a jointly operated research commercialization centre presently located in the U of A's Research Transition Facility." The opening of Enterprise Square marks the University's 100th Anniversary and first presence north of

2542-494: The downtown core. The largest of these is MacEwan University whose City Centre Campus is located along the northern edge of the downtown core between 105 Street and 112 Street, and between 104 Avenue and 105 Avenue. This site used to be part of an old Canadian National rail yard that started redevelopment in the 1990s. MacEwan University also operates the Alberta College Campus located near the southern edge of

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2604-407: The floor plans for the eleventh-floor suite based on the plans approved in 2012. The only change was related to the "planned use of space". It was to be used as a "meeting space rather than a residential space". By 2015, when the project was completed, Redford's original plans for the eleventh floor—which had included "bedrooms, bathrooms, a dining room, lounge area, room-by-room temperature controls,

2666-749: The general public. Provincial government staff and MLAs began moving into the building in February 2015, with the Capital Plaza and other public spaces opening in summer that year. On August 5, 2022, the Government of Alberta was granted permission from Buckingham Palace to rename the Federal Building to the Queen Elizabeth II Building, in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II . The building

2728-435: The government relocated its staff to Canada Place . The Government of Alberta acquired the property in 1983, anticipating the relocation; it sat vacant following the relocation. Major renovations were undertaken starting from 2009, with offices opening for use in early 2015 and public spaces opening later that year. As of 2020, there are around 600 government employees and MLAs working in the building. The eleventh floor, which

2790-527: The local community and acted in a political advocacy role. The street was also host in the same period to the Flashback club, a gay bar that is being featured in an upcoming film. In the late 1990s lofts were created in these former warehouses. In recent years, the area has seen a revival, with new lofts and condos being constructed or proposed, along with many designer shops. The area also included Canada's first urban format Sobey's Fresh Market, flanking

2852-407: The neighbourhood of Oliver until it reaches 125 Street. Jasper Avenue is a major public transit route as several of Edmonton's busiest bus routes travel along it. The LRT travels underneath Jasper Avenue between 99 and 110 Streets. Jasper Avenue has no street number but sits where 101 Avenue would otherwise be. Jasper Avenue is home to many of Edmonton's oldest heritage buildings (for example

2914-400: The new building's completion that year. In anticipation of the move, the Government of Alberta had purchased the building for $ 20.5 million in 1983. Though intended for re-use as provincial government offices, the building sat vacant following the relocation. A renovation announced by Infrastructure minister Lyle Oberg in 2006 failed to materialize after he was removed from his caucus ;

2976-636: The north, Boyle Street and Riverdale to the east, and Rossdale to the south. The residents of Downtown Edmonton are represented by the Downtown Edmonton Community League , established in 1999, which runs a community hall located at 100 Avenue and 103 Street. The Edmonton Oilers 's home arena, Rogers Place , is located in the north central part of downtown where it anchors the Ice District mixed-used development for sports and entertainment. The arts district

3038-494: The premier's suite to "meeting room construction," effectively "killing" the "sky palace" in mid-January 2014. However, an August 2014 Auditor General report revealed that the "penthouse ordered by Redford [had] continued to be built with the same layout and finishing she originally ordered" as of August 2014. The City of Edmonton confirmed in 2014 that the building permit allowed the eleventh floor space to be used as residential. The Department of Infrastructure continued to build

3100-444: The premiership of Ralph Klein , then infrastructure minister Lyle Oberg announced the renovation of the building with an "unspecified budget". When Oberg left office, the plans did not proceed. In 2008, then Premier Ed Stelmach announced the $ 356-million redevelopment plans, which included an underground parking lot for the 650 future tenants. In 2009, the Stelmach administration started the rejuvenation and construction project. It

3162-574: The project is estimated to be CA$ 240 million . On December 7, 2007, it was announced that EPCOR Utilities Inc. has entered into a 20-year lease to become the anchor tenant of Tower A (renamed EPCOR Tower ), a commercial office tower that was completed in 2011. As of the 2019 Edmonton Municipal Census, there were 12,423 people living in Downtown Edmonton. As of 2016, there were approximately 92,735 jobs in Downtown Edmonton. There are several institutions providing educational opportunities in

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3224-512: The provincially-owned federal building redevelopment plan for the tenth and eleventh floors, according to the August 2014 Special Duty Report by the Auditor General of Alberta. Under Redford's new administration significant changes were made in the use of space on the eleventh floor, from "open hosting for government caucus to a premier's suite" which included changing the original design and incurring additional costs. The premier's office contacted

3286-435: The river since it was founded in 1908. Enterprise Square also houses the University's Alumni Services, Faculty of Extension programs, and a U of A Bookstore. The Edmonton Public School Board operates a high school, Centre High, in the redeveloped Boardwalk and Revolution buildings. NorQuest College is located between 107 Street and 108 Street at 102 Avenue and provides upgrading and diploma services. McKay Avenue School

3348-565: The summer months from Jasper Avenue to Old Strathcona over the High Level Bridge . Federal Building, Edmonton The Queen Elizabeth II Building , previously known as the Federal Public Building , is an eleven-storey Art Deco building in downtown Edmonton, Alberta . Built with granite and Tyndall stone , the building is located in the northeast corner of the Alberta Legislature grounds, overlooking

3410-503: Was added during the renovations, offers views of the "Alberta legislature, the North Saskatchewan River valley and the downtown skyline." It was officially renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Building on September 27, 2022. The Federal Public Building was first proposed in the 1930s to host the Government of Canada 's federal offices in Western Canada . A local architect designed its Art Deco architecture in 1939, but construction

3472-545: Was considered to be one of the most significant modern buildings in Edmonton and a unique example of Art Deco architecture. The Federal Building was originally designed in 1939, by a prominent local architect George Heath MacDonald, but its construction was delayed until long after World War II. In a 1987 book about architecture in Alberta, the building that finally opened in 1958, was described as "rather tired and instantly dated", designed by an architect heading into retirement based on plans that were almost twenty years old. In

3534-491: Was delayed by World War II and by changes in governments and priorities. When construction began in 1955, the size of the building was doubled, but the original Art Deco architecture remained largely unchanged. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker officially opened the building on March 8, 1958, following its completion; federal staff worked in its offices for the next thirty years. In 1988, the federal government relocated its staff to Canada Place in downtown Edmonton , following

3596-424: Was expected that it would be completed by 2011 or 2012. Ray Danyluk , who was Stelmach's Minister of Infrastructure in 2010, said that the "$ 356 million Federal Building and Centennial Plaza (now known as Violet King Henry Plaza) renovation and redevelopment project" that started in 2009, blended the future with Alberta's history. It would preserve the "history and beauty of an architectural landmark", and—along with

3658-410: Was not officially renamed until September 27, after the death of Elizabeth II , with Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani and Premier Jason Kenney in attendance. The original ten-storey building, which has a steel frame, was made with Tyndall stone from Manitoba and granite. The interior of the building was finished with six different kinds of marble some of which came from England and France. It

3720-487: Was opened in September 2015. The next Phase X will is from 2017–2020. This includes Stantec Tower , and the JW Marriott Edmonton Ice District & Residences expected to open in 2018. Other projects include; A public plaza, future residences, and retail attractions, such as a Rexall pharmacy, Cineplex UltraAVX & VIP Cinemas , and grocery shopping centres. Opening throughout

3782-436: Was sworn in in October 2011, following Stelmach's resignation, Jeff Johnson served as Redford's first Minister of Infrastructure from October 2011 until the spring of 2012. Following the 2012 Alberta general election Redford named Wayne Drysdale as Minister of Infrastructure. In December 2013, during a cabinet reshuffle, Ric McIver replaced him. In May 2012, shortly after winning the election, Redford became involved in

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3844-418: Was the subject of an investigation and a 2014 Special Duty Report by the Auditor General of Alberta. By the time Redford left office in March 2014, under pressure from an "escalating spending scandal", the renovation project had been "dogged by cost overruns and controversy." Cost overruns included the removal of large quantities of asbestos, building reinforcements, as well as "new steel floor supports". In

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