buildings – Mack & Cheese

Episode 56: Budget 2015, Little Brick, Galleria, Best Streets in Edmonton

mastermaq — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 22:22:01 +0000

In our fifty-sixth episode, we discuss the Alberta budget, the incredible growth taking place downtown especially around the arena, Riverdale’s new cafe Little Brick, the Galleria project’s apparent demise, and the best streets in Edmonton.

We start with an interesting discussion about the buildings going up around town. Some of the new buildings going up will bring a splash of color to an otherwise beige array of structures. How do we feel about that? (hint: we love it). There’s also some great public art with the Alex Janvier’s selection for the winter garden and we share our thoughts on that too.

Then we get into the budget. Why was everyone so disappointed in the budget? What could Prentice have done differently? What does this mean for the election? Has the PC strategy backfired? The Galleria is not mentioned in the budget, so it looks like it won’t receive any funding required to go forward. What does that mean for the project?

We both like Little Brick, but what is it that we like about it? What could other local business owners learn from them? Metro has listed Edmonton’s best streets. Do we agree? What others should have been considered? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 29: Lots of projects underway in Edmonton!

mastermaq — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 20:56:12 +0000

In our 29th episode we have a discussion about the many exciting projects that are underway around Edmonton. New condo towers, hotels, and other projects are popping up all over the place. It’s one of our favorite topics – cranes dominating the skyline!

Where did all of the resources for these projects come from? What is the impact of our continued population growth? What does it mean for Edmonton to have so many projects underway? We discuss these questions and more.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 24: Election Recap, Air Canada, The Edmontonian

mastermaq — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 23:00:13 +0000

In our twenty-fourth episode we do a brief election recap, and also tackle a couple of issues that have been in the news lately.

Graham called it – a big win for Don Iveson. How did he get it right? We also talk about the disappointing turnout for 2013, just 34.5%. Why don’t more people vote? Did we get young people voting? Finally, we touch on what the new City Council looks like and what we can expect.

We also discuss the proposed 71-storey building known as The Edmontonian. While it is a positive sign for downtown, how realistic is the project really? What can we expect? What kind of track record does the developer have? How does it relate to the CRL?

While some seem pretty happy about Edmonton’s prospects, others appear to be non-believers. We’re talking about Air Canada and its decision to cancel the daily YEG-LHR flight. What gives? Why don’t they support Edmonton?

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 20: Condo Explosion

mastermaq — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:53:15 +0000

Can you believe we’ve done twenty episodes already? Time flies! In this episode we discuss Edmonton’s condominium explosion. Graham learned recently that there are an astounding 27 new high-rise condo towers in the design, permitting, or construction stages.

Whatever happened to “buy land”? Are condos worth the investment? What kind of architecture can we expect from all of these new towers? Why aren’t there more developers looking to operate rental buildings? Will the increased demand for condos last? Does car ownership have something to do with it? We discuss these questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 14: Attractive Architecture

mastermaq — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:55:14 +0000

In our fourteenth episode we discuss architecture and the improved look of new buildings in Edmonton. Are we really seeing less “crap” these days?

From the Art Gallery of Alberta to the new control tower at the Edmonton International Airport, we’re seeing some really exciting new architecture in our city. Will these and other projects collectively raise the game in Edmonton, forcing new developments to be attractively designed too?

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 6: Downtown Performing Arts Centre

mastermaq — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:26:08 +0000

We’re back with a discussion in episode #6 about the proposed downtown performing arts centre! This new complex would be built near the new EPCOR Tower and would house a 1700 seat theatre, three smaller theatres, a public square called The Galleria, and an office tower.

Representatives from the project’s committee presented an update of sorts to Executive Committee on February 25, and showed some sketches about what the building could look like. They’re still working on the business case, but they did announce the University of Alberta as a partner.

Do we need this new project? Does it really solve challenges facing the arts community? Wouldn’t this compete with the downtown arena? Is this the best way to leave a legacy? We explore these questions and more, and Graham puts forward a very interesting idea for how the money could be used instead.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

The next report is due back to Executive Committee on April 29, and it should give us more detail about the business case for the centre.

Thoughts? Feedback? Let us know!