Renaissance Tower sets news standard for affordable living

Renaissance Tower is about more than its leading-edge energy saving and environmentally friendly technology. The senior and handicapped complex that celebrated its grand opening April 29 is about providing safe, comfortable living at an affordable rate in a community that is being revitalized.

The $22 million residential 90-unit complex, developed by the Métis Capital Housing Corporation, provides housing for Métis, Aboriginals and people with disabilities over the age of 55. It is the second phase of the Boyle Renaissance project, a community revitalization plan led by the City of Edmonton in The Quarters, which is on the eastern edge of the city’s downtown area.

“This part of the city is starting to feel safer.  We see more people, (it’s) more stable, more housing needs are being met, lives are being turned around and a community is being constructed,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson.

The city contributed $5.6 million toward the project, with the province and the federal governments each kicking in $4.1 million, and MCHC providing $6 million.

“(This is) the combined efforts of seven years of hard work to realize our vision, to provide our seniors and persons with disabilities with a residence they could be proud to call home,” said Darlene Lennie, executive director of MCHC, which is the largest Aboriginal housing developer in the province.

Mike Holmes, TV host for a variety of home renovation shows, and his organization the Holmes Group, was engaged by MCHC to provide expert consultation and project management on the Renaissance Tower. Holmes ensured the project met sustainable and energy-saving targets, while serving as a model for future affordable housing development.

“When you build for the right reasons you always have a great result,” said Holmes. “This building wasn’t just built for the environment, which I care about, or energy consumption, which I care about. It was really all about the people who were going to live here.”

Renaissance Tower has been accepting residents since last December. One-third of the units are outfitted with features designed for the disabled, including walk-in showers, five-foot turnaround free space in each room and adjustable counter tops for people with mobility issues. The building contains an innovative combined heat and power system which, mounted on the roof of Renaissance Tower, will also provide heat and hot water to the neighbouring 150-unit Melcor YMCA Village. There are also solar panels on the roof top of the seven-story building along with a green space. The ground floor provides approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial space.

“Renaissance Tower is a model for delivering quality, affordable housing designed to meet the unique needs of seniors and people with disabilities, while leading the way in energy efficiency and sustainability,” said Lennie.

MHCH and Arndt Tkalcic Bengert Architects were recently recognized with a Mayor’s Award for enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through Renaissance Tower. Thirteen individuals, organizations and businesses were awarded in four categories. The City of Edmonton Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities selected this year’s recipients from 28 nominees.

The Boyle Renaissance project provides new housing, social recreation and service facilities for residents in a two-and-a-half block area in The Quarters.

Photo caption: Mike Holmes addresses the crowd at the official opening of Renaissance Tower. On stage are (from left) Mayor Don Iveson; David Quest, Alberta associate minister for seniors; MP Scott Armstrong; and Darlene Lennie, CEO for Métis Capital Housing Corporation.