'A really awesome place': El Mirador demolition underway, making room for highrise towers
Crews were demolishing the historic El Mirador apartments in downtown Edmonton Wednesday.
“It was a really awesome place, the community here was really great,” former resident Daniel Snow said as he watched heavy equipment tear the buildings down.
Built in 1935, the building became known for its distinctive, Spanish style, reminiscent of southern California, with its red roof and spiral staircases.
The lots, just north of Jasper Avenue on 108 Street, will be part of a new residential complex by Pangman Developments.
“The Parks” will see new 35 and 45-storey towers for a total of at least 1,000 new condo and apartment units.
The main floor will also have retail bays, the company’s website said.
Snow said he and his fellow residents were given 90 days to leave the building, and many were sad to go.
“I understand the march of progress, they’re going to build a big new condo tower, but we are losing something that was really special,” he said.
The best part of El Mirador was the large courtyard, Snow said. A resident was married there, and all of the residents were invited to the party.
“There’s not a lot of buildings that have shared space where you can connect with your neighbours. I met more people here than I ever did living in your standard walk-up apartments,” he recalled.
The new development will also have greenspace on a rooftop.
It’s expected to be built in the fall of 2022, Pangman’s website said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.