Stantec Tower

Architecture and Design

Stantec Tower was designed and engineered by its namesake firm, Stantec, with the final plans unveiled to the public in August 2014. The initial concept called for a 62-storey, 224-metre building, but the design was later revised to reach its current height of 251 metres across 66 storeys. The building achieved LEED Gold certification for its environmental sustainability features, which include energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials. Its mixed-use program was carefully integrated, with commercial office space occupying the lower portion of the tower and residential units situated in the upper floors. The design creates a prominent visual anchor for the Ice District skyline, visible from many parts of the Edmonton region, and includes 62,000 square feet of commercial retail space at its base.

Construction History and Milestones

Construction began in the fall of 2014, with the foundation work completed and the structure rising above grade by August 2016. A key milestone was reached in November 2017 when construction topped out the 30th floor, marking the completion of the commercial office section. The project entered a notable phase of rapid vertical growth in early 2018, adding structural steel at a rate of approximately three metres per week. On May 23, 2018, the building reached a height of 197 metres, officially surpassing the neighbouring JW Marriott to become Edmonton's tallest building. The tower was fully topped out on November 16, 2018, securing its status as the tallest building in Canada outside of Toronto. The construction cranes were dismantled in March 2019 as work on the SKY Residences neared completion, and the building was fully finished that same year.

Commercial Tenancy and Ownership

The commercial portion of Stantec Tower, encompassing 29 floors, opened on September 26, 2018, with employees of tenant companies beginning to move in that October. The tower serves as the global headquarters for Stantec. Other major professional services firms soon occupied significant space, including PwC Canada on two floors totalling 4,738 square metres and Dentons Canada on three floors (24, 25, and 26) in the second quarter of 2019. The international law firm DLA Piper is also a tenant. In September 2019, Stantec sold the commercial floors to German real estate investment company Deka Immobilien, a subsidiary of DekaBank. The sale was facilitated by the tower's high commercial occupancy rate at the time, demonstrating its success as a premier office address.

Residential Component and Market Adaptations

The residential portion of the tower, branded as SKY Residences, opened in 2019. It originally offered 454 luxury condominium units across the upper floors. Market dynamics led to several significant changes in the residential plan. In November 2019, due to slower-than-expected sales, the developer announced the conversion of the bottom 12 floors of planned residences into hotel space. Existing purchasers in those affected units were offered upgrades to higher floors at no extra cost. However, a shift in Edmonton's housing market demand, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, reversed this decision a year later. In October 2020, it was announced those same 12 floors would instead be converted into rental apartment units, adding a new residential rental component to the building's mixed-use profile.

Integration within the Ice District

Stantec Tower is the architectural centrepiece of the 25-acre Ice District, one of Canada's largest mixed-use urban developments. Its location is directly northwest of Edmonton's traditional downtown core and immediately adjacent to Rogers Place, the home arena of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. The tower is physically connected to the district's extensive network of amenities through the downtown Edmonton Pedway system. Brightly lit and security-patrolled district parking offers direct access to the tower and Rogers Place. This deep integration positions the tower as a true live-work-play-stay hub within the city's urban core.

Retail, Dining, and Tenant Amenities

The tower's ground floor and second level are dedicated to retail and culinary offerings, creating an active street presence. A planned upscale restaurant is slated to become a fine dining destination for business lunches, after-work gatherings, and special occasions, particularly for events at nearby Rogers Place. The building was also designed to include a licensed food hall on the second floor, intended to be Alberta's premium food hall destination. Other retail tenants include the long-established luxury menswear retailer Henry Singer, a family-owned business founded in Edmonton in 1938. Financial services are provided by a Scotiabank branch, serving the district's business community and residents. The attractive main lobby welcomes tenants and visitors, with the future food hall adding to the culinary variety available from grab-and-go to gourmet options within the district.

Building Operations and Maintenance Incidents

Following its completion, the building experienced maintenance issues related to its glass facade. In 2021 and 2022, multiple sections of glass fell from the tower onto the surrounding streets, raising safety concerns. In response to these incidents, the building's management, Ice District Shared Facilities, implemented an immediate safety measure. They installed a protective plastic film on the windows, custom-cut to fit each individual frame, to help keep the glass panels securely in place. This action was taken to ensure public safety while a permanent, long-term engineering solution was investigated and developed. The incidents highlighted the challenges of maintaining large, complex glass curtain wall systems on supertall buildings in a northern climate.

Impact on Edmonton's Urban Profile

Stantec Tower has significantly altered Edmonton's reputation as a major Canadian city with a modern, ambitious downtown core. As the tallest high-rise in Western Canada, it serves as a highly visible symbol of the city's growth and economic confidence. The tower's success as a mixed-use project has demonstrated the viability of high-density, vertical living and working in Edmonton. Its role as the centrepiece of the Ice District has helped catalyze further development and investment in the surrounding area, transforming a former underutilized zone into a dynamic urban neighbourhood. The building's LEED Gold certification also reflects a commitment to sustainable urban development, setting a benchmark for future large-scale projects in the region.

Questions about Stantec Tower

When did Stantec Tower open and what was the construction timeline?

The tower opened in stages. The commercial office portion opened on September 26, 2018, with tenants moving in that October. The residential condominium units, known as SKY Residences, opened in 2019. Construction began in fall 2014, topped out in November 2018, and the building was fully completed in 2019, with the crane dismantled in March of that year.

What major companies have offices in Stantec Tower?

The tower is the global headquarters for Stantec. Other major office tenants include the professional services firm PwC Canada on two floors, the law firm Dentons Canada on three floors, and the international law firm DLA Piper. A Scotiabank branch also operates within the district. The commercial floors were sold to German real estate firm Deka Immobilien in September 2019.

How tall is Stantec Tower and where does it rank in Canada?

Stantec Tower is 250.8 metres (823 feet) tall. It is the seventh tallest building in Canada and the tallest building in Canada located outside of Toronto, Ontario. It became the tallest building in Edmonton on May 23, 2018, when it reached a height of 197 metres during construction, surpassing the JW Marriott Edmonton Ice District & Residences. The tower was fully topped out on November 16, 2018, securing its status as the tallest building in Western Canada. The building consists of 66 storeys with four underground levels.

How many residential units are in Stantec Tower and what are they called?

Stantec Tower contains 454 residential units. These luxury condominiums are called SKY Residences. The residential portion of the tower opened in 2019. The original plan for the residences was altered due to market conditions. In November 2019, it was announced the bottom 12 floors of planned condos would become a hotel, but this was changed in October 2020 when those floors were converted into rental units instead.

What is the Ice District and how is the tower connected to it?

The Ice District is a 25 acre mixed use development in downtown Edmonton. Stantec Tower is located at its centre, directly northwest of Downtown Edmonton. The district includes Rogers Place arena, the JW Marriott hotel, retail space, and public plazas. The tower is physically connected to the district's amenities, including Rogers Place and secured parking, via the downtown Edmonton Pedway system. It is considered the central anchor and unmistakable centrepiece of the entire Ice District development.

Has the building had any structural or maintenance issues?

Yes, Stantec Tower experienced maintenance issues with its facade. In 2021 and 2022, multiple sections of glass fell from the building onto the surrounding streets. Following these incidents, the building's management, Ice District Shared Facilities, took action to improve safety. They installed a protective film on the windows, described as a plastic film cut to fit each window and frame. This measure was implemented to keep the glass in place while addressing the underlying issue.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.