2nd Avenue Lofts

Location: Saskatoon, SK
Year: 2009
Status: Completed
Size: 40,000 m² / 430,000 ft²
Awards:
• Prairie Design Awards | Award of Excellence - Interior Design (2010)
• World Architecture News | Residential Awards - Shortlist (2009)

Housed in the former Hudson Bay building in Saskatoon, 2nd Avenue Lofts transforms the abandoned department store into 130 2-storey lofts and streetfront retail uses. 2-storey penthouse units constructed with steel frame and deck are added to the roof of the original 4-storey concrete building.  17’ high ceilings allow for mezzanines in all units, constructed with steel deck and concrete topping.  The mezzanines are kept open to allow natural light from the large 15’-high windows to penetrate the deep units.

A skylight cut into the centre of the building brings natural light down to the second floor and into party rooms and exercise rooms overlooking the atrium.  The exposed concrete structure and polished concrete floors, featured throughout the corridors and within the residences, are complimented by the minimal detailing of the new construction.

The double-height windows respect the limestone, brick and mosaic on the exterior façades.  The unique design of the exterior mosaic was carefully restored with tiles salvaged from the window cutouts.  The added penthouses are clad in shiplapped cementitious board.

The original ground floor façade is attractively detailed and remains as consistent with the 1960 design as possible by retaining the red granite surrounding the glass storefront. The storefronts anticipate retail uses that generate street activity.

Parking is located in the rear portion of the ground floor and on the lower floor.

From a sustainability perspective, almost the entire 1960 building is retained.  Limestone and brick removed for the windows was reused, and concrete removed for the atrium and basement ramp was recycled.