architecture
Edmonton's architecture is fairly ripe for its size. It has an excellent amount of modern architecture and the old buildings stick out like a sore thumb - in a good way. One can stroll 101 Street from Jasper to 103A Avenue and see many of Edmonton's skyscrapers. The most iconic, Manulife Place, built in '83 is a stunning modern structure and is Edmonton's tallest. It uses elegant glass and minimalist details. Ajoining Manulife is the wonderful Commerce Place, which is another modern gem with neat shapes and nice glass. 104th Street in the downtown is home to some fabulous pre-WWII warehouses that make a nice walk. Whyte Avenue is home to an array of cool pieces of architecture, that give it that small prairietown vibe. The Coronation Park is also a cool spot. It has the Edmonton Planetarium which is now closed, but is a interesting Mid cen Modern building for sure. Then there is the TELUS World of Science Edmonton, which has another planetarium of the Mid 1900s. The Peter Hemmingway Pool has excellent curves and beautiful glass you'd be surprised it was built before the advent of the quick and easy modern computer. The Alberta Legislature is a beauty too. One of Edmonton's finest historical structures with all the cornices and everything that make historical buildings great. Adjacent to it is the Leg Annex which is the first curtain wall building in Canada, and while it may not look the greatest, it is something to marvel in architectural history. 100th Street in the downtown is pretty cool as well, with a few interesting historic buildings, then go further north to Churchill Square, and the beauty of the surrounding buildings come to you. The Grant MacEwan Downtown Campus also offers some architectural merit. Even the recent expansion, Robbins Health Centre uses fine glass and everything. The University of Alberta Campus is also nice. It has a wide variety of architecture and buildings from smokestacks to hotels to hospitals to classrooms to residences. It has some cool old buildings like the Rutherford House and some new gems like Mazankowski Institute on 83rd Ave. Either way, I think you'll find Edmonton has some nice architecture, you just have to look beyond the obvious stuff.
skyline views
Some of these listings are in different districts. Their listings are in here because the views are of central and pertain to the article. At the end of the listings that are not in this district there are links to that district.
Gallagher Park
Go to Connors Road, and turn north onto Cloverdale Road and go down the hill a bit and park and then go into the park-near the top of the hill is the best is the magnificent skyline view. It fantastically combines the clean cut park, old houses, and the amazing skyline. It has a very complete view as you can see all parts of the skyline. You will be in awe. Especially with the Muttart Conservatory four pyramids popping out too. The trees around it give a nice frame to the ultimate skyline that centres the Central Business District and accents the residential high rises. Beautiful mix. Edmonton/Southeast.Louise McKeeny Park
is a cool way to view downtown Edmonton. It shows mostly brutalist/Early modern towers and contrasts with the river.James MacDonald-Scona
is probably the most awkward area to get into. You'd need to get in from downtown and go from 97 Avenue onto the James MacDonald Bridge. From there you'd need to take southbound on Scona Rd. NW until your first chance at getting off it's not an overpass or anything which would bring you to 99 A St. NW. From there, find a place to park your vehicle unless you're walking and walk around in this little residential village. You'd need to go west or northwest to the riverbank and then there's prime viewing. You'll see the panorama of skyscrapers at your feet. Definitely beautiful. Edmonton/South CentralDuggan Bridge
In south central. On Saskatchewan Drive is this brief break from trees into a nice view of Edmontons skyline. This side shows some density, as well as industrialisation through the power plant near downtown but still the beauty of the trees in the parks.Forest Heights
is a more office tower view of downtown, where you see the least amount of residential and density. Despite that, it gives a really clean shot. Basically go to Forest Heights Park. In Edmonton/Southeast.Crestwood
has no particular place to look. Just watch out for views of the river because then you'll find the breathtaking skyline. Do be careful though, it's right at the edge of the valley there's no railings so its a big drop if you fall. Edmonton/West End.102 A Avenue NW and 96 Street NW
is a very interesting angle. It shows grit, modern pleasing buildings, crowdedness, intensity, and multiculturalism. Definitely a neat angle.River
Literally meaning a view from the river. The best would be to take Edmonton Queen and from the east, look west. It would be similar to Forest Heights view.Jasper and 96th
is a classic view of Edmonton. It's centrepiece is the Gibson Block, basically Edmonton's Flatiron, and behind is the modern office towers of the downtown. It's a contrast and great for historians and people who love the design of modern planning.High Level Bridge
is basically the NW view from High Level Bridge. It shows of great density yet has the nice touch of the river valley.Robbins Centre
Means go to the Robbins Health Centre and look out on the main southface windows. It gives a neat look on downtown and is unspoiled. You shouldn't have a problem going to the building as it is a public institution.