In the fall of 2021, Facilities & Operations shared a sneak peek into the progress being made on the renovations at Enterprise Square, underway since 2019. The improvements to the U of A’s downtown campus have been focused on the purposeful design principles that guide the university’s Integrated Asset Management Strategy — supporting excellence in teaching, education and research through how Facilities & Operations' plan, use and optimize campus spaces.
I’m so pleased to share that the renovations were completed, and that we have been welcoming university professionals to the building for over one year with the most recent cohort joining in December. Establishing this presence and sharing the U of A spirit on a satellite campus is a big job, but I’m so proud to see the commitment and contributions from the teams that are working in the building.
It’s this community and the day-to-day interactions that fuel our institution, and make it an exciting place to learn, work and conduct research. Whether it’s sharing a smile in the hallway, having an in-depth conversation over coffee or brainstorming with a colleague over an upcoming project, these interpersonal connections are often what is remembered at the end of the day.
That’s why I’m excited about the revitalization of Enterprise Square. Investments in this campus represent the commitment and responsibility to support continued excellence in teaching, learning and research, while making the best use of university-owned spaces and to be responsible stewards of our assets. The U of A has given new life to this building, making it a hub for professionals, researchers and community builders.
The space itself is wonderful. The renovations have been guided by the university’s space optimization strategy. These spaces are shared with many users, embedded with open collaboration space, and support a hybrid work environment, which represents a look toward the future regarding flexible workplaces. This includes functional upgrades like centralized shared meeting rooms, locations for touch-down work and common areas designed to support presentations and relaxation depending on the needs of the teams utilizing the spaces.
U of A occupants of the building include employees in External Relations, Human Resources, Shared Services, Continuing Education and the Research Services Office. There’s also a mix of lab, office and incubator space available for lease on the fourth floor but also innovation that is threaded throughout the building. Currently, the fourth floor space is home to the Health Innovation Hub, which has supported successful startups, including Nanostics and Future Fields. Rehabtronics and Canbiocin, two local companies that have spun off from the university, are also located on the fourth floor, and more space is available for forward thinkers and entrepreneurs looking for a prime downtown location.
Celebrating our role as a community partner
On January 24, I was joined at Enterprise Square by President Flanagan, Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor of the City of Edmonton, Ward O-day'min City Councillor Anne Stevenson, and downtown partners including the Edmonton Downtown Business Association and the Downtown Recovery Coalition. It was an honour to welcome staff, business leaders and guests to Enterprise Square to see the transformation firsthand. In alignment with the Braiding Past, Present and Future, University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan, the event was opened with a prayer and honour song from Elder Gilman Cardinal and Lloyd Cardinal. Together, we were able to experience the sense of community that has already developed there, and will continue to develop and grow in the coming years.
While Enterprise Square is certainly an important space for the university, it will have a positive ripple effect throughout Edmonton’s downtown community as well. Located closely to many of our working partners in the health and artificial intelligence spaces, it is an ideal meeting space for Edmonton’s brightest minds to converge.
The investment in the Enterprise Square campus is a great example of how the university continues to support the long-standing partnerships with the community. I know this symbiotic relationship will continue, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Andrew Sharman
Vice-president, Facilities & Operations