City council OKs rezoning for tower project near U of A

Edmonton city council has approved the rezoning of two plots of land near the University of Alberta, one for a tower up to 27 stories.

A high-rise condo/commercial project is set to rise close to the University of Alberta main campus.

Edmonton city council unanimously approved rezoning the land on which a mixed-use tower of up to 27 storeys on 87 Avenue at 117 Street and a four-storey building to the north of it are slated to be built after a public hearing for the project on Tuesday.

Developer Westrich Pacific said in a Thursday media release it will now start work on development permit drawings and anticipates beginning construction of the project in late 2027 or early 2028.

The Edmonton-based firm said the development “will complement our two other projects in the area and support a more walkable, urban built form, near transit and bike lanes.”

The project, Westrich Pacific’s third in the Windsor Park neighbourhood, will rise a block west of the U of A campus, across the street from Lister Centre, the school’s main student residential complex, and from other private multifamily dwellings. The complex would take the place of a strip mall that houses a convenience store, bank, hair salon and a restaurant that was once the home to campus hangout Duke’s Diner, and two neighbouring houses.

Westrich Pacific said the tower fronting 87 Avenue will include 260 rental units with layouts ranging from bachelor to three-bedroom suites, two floors of commercial space and underground parking.