Alberta Block Historical Building

Williams Engineering Canada (WEC) recognizes the importance of keeping Edmonton’s history alive through the restoration of historical buildings. This is well illustrated through projects such as the modernization of the Alberta Block building, located in the City’s downtown. WEC had the pleasure of providing mechanical and electrical engineering services for the building which was originally constructed in 1909. The Alberta Block building has been home to a variety of different companies over the years including law offices, tailors, music teachers and CKUA Radio for over 50 years.

Working with an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) team, WEC provided a full base building modernization to the historical building along with design and construction support for tenant infills within the building including the Station on Jasper (previously Needle Vinyl Tavern), Mr. Barber School on the second floor, and the Digital Arts College and additional office space that spans from the third to the sixth floors. The project was designed in Revit and demonstrated that the IPD process can be effectively used to achieve construction success.

The modernization of historical buildings is always a unique challenge as it’s important that the respective building maintain its original character and façade elements, while providing tenants and owners with modern and energy efficient systems.

WEC’s experience with the modernization of historical buildings has grown over the last several years. WEC is currently providing mechanical and electrical consulting services for a modernization project at the Gibbard Block Building, originally built in 1913 and has been involved with many restoration projects for LeMarchand Mansion, originally built in 1912, and recently started the Ortona Armoury rehabilitation project, which was originally built in 1914.

WEC values Edmonton’s history and believes rehabilitating and modernizing historical buildings is essential to ensuring historical sites are preserved for future tenants and the public to use, admire and enjoy.