AlexisHomes is well-known in Edmonton when it comes to real estate. The thing about buildings is this: sometimes they change uses over time. What once was a single family home could become offices. An old Wal-Mart could turn into an auto museum. Even something like a former prison could end up seeing new life as something else.
With real estate, change is inevitable. This is especially true with bigger buildings, like the Edmonton Remand Centre. Built as a correctional facility in 1979, the original building since became too small to handle all the prisoners. So, a second, newer facility was built, aptly named the New Edmonton Remand Centre. It opened in 2013. It’s Canada’s largest prison.
So what can be done about the original Edmonton Remand Centre in downtown Edmonton? It closed in 2013.
The Alberta government is thinking about handing over the building to the city for them to deal with. Some have thought it should be torn down, while others propose adaptive reuses.
It’s not that unusual anymore for buildings to change their purpose completely thanks to new owners with new visions. For instance, an old church in Buffalo, New York, got turned into a performance space thanks to singer Ani DiFranco. As for jails, one in Ottawa got converted into a hostel while one in Virginia became a museum.
What could the original Edmonton Remand Centre become? Perhaps it could be a youth shelter, a hospice, or used for student housing? With its vaulted ceilings, the building could serve as a living/work space for artists, too.
Time will tell what will become of the old building. Lots of factors are involved, from building codes to lighting and ventilation, as well as political intervention.
Downtown Edmonton is ever-changing, just like most cities should be. If you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate in Edmonton, call Alexis Hlady today. Her number at AlexisHomes is 780-483-4848.
