For Shelby Krishka, living downtown is about enjoying her vibrant, busy lifestyle with ease and convenience. Every day offers something new, from cafés to restaurants to live music and the never-ending excitement of the Ice District. And, as an Oilers fan, the best part about living near 104 Street is enjoying hockey with friends—without paying for parking!
Krishka recently moved into Falcon Tower, the newest addition to Edmonton’s downtown core supported by the 2021 Edmonton Economic Incentive Construction Grant. The 30-storey building, constructed by Langham Developments, began welcoming residents to its 234 units at the end of August 2024.
Krishka’s choice was easy. As soon as she stepped foot into the building, located at 10023 104 St. NW, she knew it was home.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. The unit sizes, walk-in closets and balconies are larger than what you’d typically see downtown, and the amenity areas are breathtaking. It’s very comparable to what you would get in a condo but in a rental suite,” she said.
The high-end building features a rooftop patio and lounge, a dog run, a communal workspace, a gym and an underground parkade, making it a welcoming space for working professionals, families and pets alike. It is located in a prime location just off Jasper Avenue where residents can enjoy local businesses like Desi-Licious Indian Cuisine, Fu’s Repair Shop and The Coffee Bureau.
Living at Falcon Tower means Krishka can walk to work and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of downtown while still being able to connect with nature. The river valley is steps away, along with other green spaces like Beatrice Carmichael Park and Warehouse Park—set to open in 2025.
“I think it’s a great area, especially if you have dogs or pets. I see a lot of people walking their dogs around. It’s a friendly spot where we’re at,” said Krishka.
Bringing vibrancy back to downtown
In 2020, the pandemic brought widespread uncertainty, and Council’s approval of the 2021 Edmonton Economic Incentive Construction Grant created a pathway for much-needed growth and revitalization in the heart of our city.
The grant saw 10 successful applicants representing $551 million worth of construction, creating 2,341 new residential units and approximately 4,050 jobs. For every $1 allocated through this grant, the City leveraged $24 of private investment to help downtown thrive.
One of these successful applicants was Langham Developments.
“I broke ground on Falcon Tower in the fall of 2021, and in 2022 and 2023 there was a lot of cost escalation and interest rates went up. It was a tough environment,” said Reza Mostashari, president and owner of Langham Developments. “Without the grant, I wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with the project.”
Langham Developments is a key player in revitalizing 104 Street with other projects, such as Icon Tower and Fox Tower, bringing more residents to the downtown core. Falcon Tower was the next progression in this journey, with Falcon Two on the horizon for 2025.
Mostashari’s innovative vision for downtown living takes into account post-pandemic work environments. Residents who are hybrid or remote workers can either work in the privacy of their own suite or they can use Falcon Tower’s communal workspaces including seating areas in the Rooftop Lounge and a boardroom on the amenities floor. And, by bringing more residents to downtown, local businesses see increased traffic which helps them to thrive.
The City Plan in action
Residential growth in Edmonton’s core has the potential to unlock economic benefits for a variety of retail, hospitality, infrastructure and post-secondary institutions that are key to downtown vibrancy. The development of residential buildings, like Falcon Tower, not only creates jobs but attracts new residents to live, work and engage with existing amenities, businesses and infrastructure.
Investing in downtown supports the City Plan by building more connected, vibrant and dense communities, while utilizing an existing amenity-rich neighborhood.
“I would definitely count this program as a huge success. For a small municipal investment, we were able to leverage significant private investment into our city,” said Councillor Anne Stevenson. Her ward, O-day’min, includes downtown.
“In addition to supporting the economy, in addition to helping us realize our City Plan goals, it’s also creating wonderful opportunities for people to enjoy a high quality of life in a beautiful building, in a beautiful part of our city.”
The 2021 Edmonton Economic Incentive Construction Grant brought new opportunities and energy to downtown, setting up a strong foundation for future growth and for new residents and businesses to feel welcomed.
Editor’s note: the pic at the top of the posts show Falcon Tower.