‘The community came out to support me’ on European-style plaza, developer says
A social media debate circling a European-style strip mall in Queen Mary Park has ignited support from residents across the city backing the new vision.
Anton Morgulis, CEO of the Manchester Square developer 76 Group Co., said thousands of people have reached out to say they like the colourful facade concept on the outside and can’t wait to visit when the 19 retailers open.
“What’s humbling and amazing is the way the community came out to support me, it’s unbelievable,” Morgulis said in an interview with Postmedia Monday. “People I don’t know totally supporting it, that’s what I call Edmonton.”
Pictures of the development under construction circulated on Twitter last week, generating some backlash toward the 105-spot parking lot and the connection to European design.
The 57,000-square-foot Manchester Square at 107 Avenue and 120 Street will be covered by 52 facades on the outside, varying in size and colour, to emulate the architectural look of Amsterdam and other European cities, Morgulis said.
University of Alberta industrial design graduate Max Amerongen said he admires the risk to try something different and also restore the warehouse structure, but feels they missed the boat in channelling Europe.
“They copied the wrong things about Europe I think. People don’t go to Europe from here only for the facades, we go there for the street life and we go there for having these narrower, more walkable streets and street fronts,” he said. “So it’s not a successful copy.”
But Morgulis said some of those elements will be added in the final stages, including an outdoor fountain, a 20-foot promenade with old-style lanterns and benches and outdoor patios for each retailer. There will also be an indoor alleyway filled with art pieces and patio space throughout the year.
“To be able to build a European city has been a dream of mine for five years,” he said. “The lifestyle and social aspects of Europe really attract people to this type of design.”
Area Coun. Scott Mckeen said he is pleased to see a bold idea to ignite the area and is hopeful it will focus on providing space for local retailers.
“He has his own vision and he’s taking the risk and so I’m not going to pile on,” he said.
“What would be more important than perhaps the sort of design ethics at play is the retail at play. Is it interesting, unique and are there independent shops in there? If it’s a lot of franchises and brands you can find elsewhere, it might be disappointing to people.”
Although the full list of tenants has yet to be finalized, Morgulis said the goal is to stay local with the restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons and retail businesses expected to fill the plaza. A cannabis store is also confirmed for the building.
Some of the prospective tenants backed out amid the COVID-19 pandemic over uncertainty of their future and the pandemic also forced a delay in opening plans, Morgulis said.
Now the first spaces are set to open by the fall with all retailers and elements of Europe in place by next spring.
To be able to build a European city has been a dream of mine for five years.