Historic El Mirador building faces the wrecking ball: Thoughts on designing for sociability

Apr 2

Person walking past 'El Mirador' building with red tiled roof on a snowy day with bare tree and streetlight. — Photo: John Lucas / Edmonton Journal

Built in 1935, the Spanish Colonial Revival style of the El Mirador apartments is a rarity in Edmonton. Today the venerable and well-loved 45-unit building is at risk of being demolished as part of a two-tower redevelopment project. This has sparked a conversation about densification in downtown Edmonton, and the value of heritage buildings that build community through shared spaces like courtyards.

In this article from the Edmonton Journal, our Senior Housing Expert, Paty Rios, offers some thoughts on how developers and architects can design vibrant multi-unit buildings that foster sociability.

Check out the full article and video here.