Arts hub Ortona Armoury reopens after overhaul

An artist's space inside the Ortona Armoury in central Edmonton on Dec. 12, 2024. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

The restoration of a historic Edmonton landmark is complete.

The city formally re-opened the Ortona Armoury building, now called the ArtsHub Ortona, in the central neighbourhood of Rossdale on Thursday.

The 110-year-old facility has been used as leased studio space for artists and arts groups for the last 30 years.

The city designated the red brick building a municipal historic resource 20 years ago.

The renovation of the Ortona Armoury, which was emptied of tenants five years ago and closed for two years for construction work, brought it up to current building codes while maintaining its historic aspects, according to a city news release on Monday. Work included removal of hazardous material, restoration of windows and the interior, extensive upgrades to the foundation, and the replacement of mechanical and electrical systems.

The renovation also saw the addition of an elevator and a new covered courtyard, new connections to utilities, and new lighting and landscaping.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Thursday the city is "very proud" of artists who call Edmonton home and strives to support them through efforts such as making creative spaces such as those at Ortona available.

"They bring so much creativity to our city, but they're also a driver of economic growth," Sohi said. "(They) make Edmonton an attractive place for people to live, continue to make their home in Edmonton, but also to attract talent to our city."

Arts Habitat organizes programming, and leases and books creative space to artists at the ArtsHub Ortona.

Over its history, the building has served several purposes, including as a warehouse and stable for the Hudson's Bay Company, as an armoury for military and cadet training, and as home to the Ortona Gymnastics Club.