Meet the 2013 Excellence in Building Design Nominees 

Dub Architects/Five Oaks Inc – Grand Manor Hotel

Built in 1913, The Grand Manor Hotel was completely renovated from a maze of run-down hotel rooms into 18 one-bedroom and studio affordable housing units, including universally accessible units. Renovations included new mechanical, electrical and elevator systems and new floors and walls. The original exterior was restored, or replicated where restoration was not feasible, and new energy efficient windows were designed to be compatible with the original design. 

The project received a City of Edmonton Heritage Grant of $230,000 to repair structural problems and to retain heritage elements of the building. The project also received $900,000 from the Government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Program to ensure the rents remain affordable. Rents are under $500 per unit and any future increase require submission of residents annual income for qualification by the Government of Alberta. 

Cam McDonald, Executive Director, 
Edmonton Inner City Housing Society & Arnie Gable, Gable Investments - North Point

North Point apartment complex is a new development with 27 affordable housing units for singles and couples on low incomes. This project features green technologies such as a geothermal solar power hybrid system to heat hot water, Argon Gas windows and a high efficiency boiler, which reduces utility costs to help keep rent affordable. 

Residents have access to amenities in the community, as well as the ability to meet with support workers in the building’s office space.

Wings of Providence “House Next Door”

Wings of Providence built and manages “The House Next Door”, a project to meet the need for affordable housing for women and their families who have experienced family violence. The project was built with contributions from individual donor partners and with capital funds from the City of Edmonton’s Cornerstones Affordable Housing Program. 

This 30-unit self-contained residential project, was designed to fully serve the families living there.The layout and construction details were selected with durability, efficiency, energy cost savings and a sense of community in mind. The majority of units are two-bedroom with six swing suites designed to allow flexibility to add a third bedroom when the need arises. 

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Thursday, March 7, these Nominees will be honoured at the 2013 ROOPH Awards. Join the conversation on twitter #yegROOPH with @HomewardTrust