‘We’re getting everything ready’: How the Army and Navy building is preparing to re-open

The new owner of Whyte Avenue's former Army & Navy building says people can expect to see changes to the iconic Old Strathcona locale.

Changes are coming to the old Army and Navy building on Whyte Avenue that’s sat empty for years. People walking by will soon see what’s in store for the future.

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Leder Investments bought the building last summer after the former department store closed in 2020. While there have been some delays, Leder Investments vice-president of real estate Kevin Petterson says change is coming soon.

“We’re excited to bring it on and we’re chomping at the bit just like everybody else,” Petterson told CTV Edmonton.

• New owners aim to maintain heritage of Army & Navy with new name, renovation plan

Petterson says another group came along wanting to buy the project outright so interior work on the building was halted. That buyout fell through so Leder Investments is now planning to move ahead itself.

Units are up for sale and permits are pending. The empty space will be transformed into a retail space, restaurants and a patio rooftop.

“We have to get a building permit so that’s already in, we’re ordering materials, we’re getting everything ready so that we can launch it as quickly as possible,” Petterson said.

These details are what he calls “phase one” of the project.

The city has approved a storefront improvement grant for the project, so more money can be spent on the facade.

“We want to continue to invest in the storefronts, including the heritage storefronts, that gives this neighbourhood such character,” said ward papastew councillor Michael Janz.

He says Whyte Avenue has been slow to rebound from the pandemic. With new apartments going up nearby, revitalizing businesses like the Army and Navy building is something “everyone” wants to see.

“It’s something that I think is an ongoing consideration, we have a Heritage Places strategy coming forward, whether it directly funds or supports in some other way,” Janz said.

Since the building has been vacant for so many years, Petterson says Edmontonians will see work begin in the next three to four months.