Breaking Ground at EVER Square
On Thursday, October 6, 2022, EVER Real Estate Developments celebrated the groundbreaking of EVER Square, a 5.78-acre development and the newest addition to the Gateway to Edmonton: Edmonton’s direct commercial corridor stretching from the Edmonton International Airport to Downtown Edmonton, routing the majority of north–south traffic.
The morning event welcomed more than 100 guests, including project shareholders, future tenants, vendors, suppliers, partners, and local dignitaries. The program began with the ceremonial “shoveling,” symbolizing the official start of construction.
Project Vision
Bijan Mannani, Partner and CEO, opened the formal program by highlighting the goals of this development and its role within the city.
“Our vision for EVER Square is to lead our industry in starting the transformation and redevelopment of Gateway to Edmonton. This vision is to have a balanced approach in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations, delivering as sold to our stakeholders, collaborating with municipal and all levels of governments, industry, and business partners, to have a vibrant development that stands the test of time, has extraordinary elegance, adding value to quality and caliber of life of Edmontonians and those visiting our beautiful city.”
Behind Bijan and visible to all attendees stood an enormous pit, 40 feet deep and nearly 450 feet long, marking the excavation of the underground parkade. Fillmore Construction, serving as General Contractor and valued partner, will now begin piling activity before constructing the underground parkade foundation. The expected completion of the development is approximately 20 months, targeted for Q2 2024.
Remarks from the Mayor
Honourable Mayor Amarjeet Sohi congratulated the project team, expressing relief that a group with the right vision and leadership had finally mobilized to make the best use of this significant parcel of land, which had remained vacant for nearly two decades. He commended EVER RED and Stantec for working closely with the Edmonton Design Committee to finalize the design and flow of the site, which will elevate and enliven a highly visible stretch of the Gateway to Edmonton. Mayor Sohi also reiterated his commitment to reducing permitting and approval timelines for Edmonton developers and businesses.
Tenancy at EVER Square
EVER Square distinguishes itself through its design and its prime location at the Gateway to Edmonton. Marketing Manager, Danya LeBlanc, explained how these factors shaped the tenant mix:
“Essentially, we are right in the middle of the roadway that connects Edmonton to our regional and international business. For our retail tenants, this means reaching a target market that extends beyond Edmontonians and reaches visitors to our city as well. This is one of the reasons EVER Square is fully reserved on all retail units, and we are thrilled to share that this development will be the future home of some national brands not yet seen in Alberta, and in very few places in Canada.”
The professional tower will feature upper floors dedicated to professional services in construction, real estate, and development. EVER RED will occupy the fifth floor, Fillmore Construction the fourth floor, and the third floor is under negotiation with a national real estate firm.
The main and second floors of the tower will host medical users, including General Practice and Pharmacy, a Pediatric Specialty and Sub-Specialists Practice, an Autism and Lifespan Centre, and a specialty Psychology Office. Together these tenants will form a medical hub within the site, which still has limited space available.
Industry Recognition
RE/MAX Excellence Commercial Division played a key role in both the acquisition of the parcel and the tenancy agreements for EVER Square. Christopher Alexander, President of RE/MAX Canada, attended the program and offered congratulations to EVER RED, expressed appreciation to the #1 RE/MAX Commercial Team Worldwide, and reiterated his commitment to supporting the growth of RE/MAX Commercial in Alberta.
Commitment to Community
Throughout the event, the EVER RED team emphasized its values and long-term approach to development. Mrs. LeBlanc shared that the EVER Excellence Foundation was launched in the summer with seed capital of over $203,000, and that the endowment fund will continue to grow with each project developed.
Closing the program, Bijan Mannani reflected:
“For each of our developments, we strive to make a lasting impact and leave a positive legacy in the communities we build. With this perspective today, we set the foundation for our expansion and for our team members to consider quality, client, and community in all of our development decisions.”
About EVER Square
EVER Square will include a six-story professional tower with main-level retail, three standalone drive-thru sites, and a single-story retail building. The south portion of the development will host two tenants on land leases, including a lube-service station with purpose-built buildings designed to complement the overall look and flow of the project.
Located just north of Whitemud Drive on Calgary Trl & Gateway Blvd, EVER Square will be home to national food and service franchises, a comprehensive medical hub, and professional firms in the real estate and construction industries.
For more information or to inquire about leasing opportunities at EVER Square, please contact our sales team.
