Arlington Apartments

The Arlington Apartments located a few blocks from the city core was the first apartment building built in Edmonton. Constructed in 1909 the 49 suite, 5 story building was a favourite with downtown professionals and artists until the 1970's. Its desirability diminished in later years as the area became popular with prostitutes. The Arlington survived a fire in 1990 but then suffered permanent damage in 2005. The building has been designated both a provincial and a municipal historic resource, and thus, the city has demanded that the original facade be used in any reconstruction. In 2007 an agreement was reached, however by 2008 the architect deemed that the plan was no longer feasible. Today, the Arlington stands, as is depicted, awaiting a resolution to the difficult problem and serving as home to hundreds of pigeons.