Inside the Galleria Edmonton

EDMONTON DESIGN WEEK 

INSIDE THE GALLERIA CONDO

Earlier this month I was able to take a tour inside The Galleria Edmonton, an architectural gem of a condo near downtown. The guided tour was part of Edmonton Design Week, which is a series of events showcasing all types of local design. (I was even fortunate enough to get on the Rossdale Power Plant Tour as well!)

Since it’s a private residence not open to the public, and VERY little information about it exists on the internet, I decided to make a post for those curious about this unique piece of architecture that’s hiding in plain sight.

PATKAU ARCHITECTS

Built in 1980 by Canadian architects John and Patricia Patkau, The Galleria was one of their first projects. Strangely, it is rarely mentioned on any list of their achievements nor does it make their Wikipedia page of completed work. Paktau Architects firm is now based in Vancouver and have a long list of award winning designs under their name. One of my personal favourites that I visit regularly is the Capilano Library.

THE GALLERIA’S NAMESAKE

The Galleria condos were inspired by (and named after) Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th century shopping arcade in Milan Italy. The main point of reference Patkau Architects took inspiration from appears to be the arching glass and cast iron roof of the namesake. The Edmonton Galleria is a modernist and asymmetrical reinterpretation of the space.

GALLERIA EXTERIOR

The structure exterior has a brick cladding veneer over concrete. These materials and the overall shape give the false impression that it must be dark within the walls. But as you will see shortly, it’s deceptive as the interior is flush with ample natural light via the extensive use of skylights.

The fortress-like brutalist facade is antithesis of the secret wintergarden atrium hidden inside.  Stepping inside reminds me of visiting the mall when I was child, more specifically Heritage and Southgate. The brick mixed with the lush plants and white noise of a fountain is a familiar and soothing experience that I didn’t even realize how deeply I had missed.

MISSING MIDDLE ARCHITECTURE

The Galleria is regarded as a prime example of “missing middle” housing.  What is missing middle architecture? It stands for the type of housing in between a single detached home and high rise apartments. The missing middle, for example, includes: low / mid rise apartments, row housing, courtyard apartments, and multiplex units like triplexes/fourplexes.

All across Canada these style of buildings have largely been absent on civic priority lists which, in part, has contributed to the current housing crisis we are faced with. 99% Invisible has a podcast episode aptly titled The Missing Middle about the history of this crisis in Toronto. I highly recommend it!

1980s GALLERIA MARKETING BROCHURES

Perhaps the best part of touring the inside of the Galleria (aside from a few owners opening up their units to show us) was the original 1980s marketing material. From the blocky typeface to idyllic renderings somehow still look fresh in the present day. 

Then again, I believe all the local malls that have undergone renovations recently should have held out too. Their updates look dated and the original design / fixtures felt timeless. (I’m looking at you West Ed. Removing all the brass handrails and mirrors was a big mistake. HUGE. I will cry when the one stairwell that remains is “updated” – it’s right by the hotel. You can see it in this post of mine at the very bottom.)

I love that white plumbing fixtures is considered an award winning feature along with smoke detectors and pre-wiring for cable/telephone. Oh the things we take for granted now.

PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE JAN 1981

The January 1981 issue of Progressive Architecture magazine featured a look inside The Galleria Edmonton shortly after it was completed. I found a pdf of the magazine via usmodernist.org, they have a large archive of issues from Progressive Architecture.

The spread gives you a better idea of the building’s layout as well as a fun quote from a juror: “Is it really an advantage to have the court? Who’s going to use it…. will people be out there?” This Bacon dude clearly has never spent a winter in Edmonton.

GALLERIA’S ATRIUM INDOOR OASIS

The thought of being able to hang out in here during a long cold Edmonton winter makes me slightly jealous. The relaxing white noise from the fountain paired with the lush layers of plant life – it’s like a vacation everyday.

I was told there is a horticulturist that comes weekly to tend to the greenery. This is unsurprising as the plants are in immaculate condition. I spotted crotons, ZZ plants, rubber trees, snake plants, ferns, and more.

THE GALLERIA EDMONTON

The Galleria is the type of world class design that Edmonton would normally bulldoze in order to build something lesser than while on the quest to become a “world class city.”

The list of buildings that have met their demise in Edmonton in my lifetime alone is depressingly long and reads like a greatest hits of mid century architecture. It’s uplifting to see an example where the building is clearly being cherished by its stewards, the residents who appreciate and maintain it. Sadly, it’s becoming rarer every year.

Many thanks to Edmonton Design Week for hosting me!

photographs - sandy joe karpetz