Edmonton's BMO building to be demolished

The old Bank of Montreal building in downtown Edmonton

City hall will not step in to save the old Bank of Montreal building in downtown Edmonton.

The owner, GE Capital Real Estate, plans to knock down the abandoned 48-year-old landmark at 101st Street and Jasper Avenue, replacing it with a two-storey "podium" with underground parking.

Those behind a push to the save the building are furious.

"We talk about architectural greatness for the city, but we keep on building things thinking they are temporary and if we continue thinking of ourselves as temporary city we're in big trouble," said Coun. Ben Henderson.

"This building was not built to be temporary," he said. "If anybody builds buildings as a monument to something, it's banks."

The demolition permit was issued last month.

"We have a executed offer to lease from a significant tenant for 30,000 square feet in the podium and are reaching finally stages of an offer for a national retail tenant for a futher 7,000 square feet," said Nicholas Lagopoulos.

"We have also started negotiations with three international tenants," he said. "All of these tenants are attracted to the design currently being proposed."

Edmonton artist Gordon Harper tried to convince city councillors the proposal doesn't justify demolition.

"If somebody wanted to build a spectactular exciting development, I don't think we'd be here right now," he said.

"Even people who want to see big, new things happen on Jasper Avenue are not too excited about a two-storey structure going on such an important corner."