Rice Howard Place is a fully occupied, three‑tower office complex located in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Originally constructed more than 40 years ago, the building required a comprehensive modernization to enhance tenant experience, extend asset life, and reposition the property within a competitive downtown market, all while maintaining uninterrupted daily operations.
The project involved extensive construction around the building perimeter, including the removal and replacement of the existing envelope and the installation of new cladding within a high‑traffic public environment. Major podium‑level upgrades were completed while maintaining full building operations throughout construction. This multi‑phased renovation also included a full interior refresh of the main floor, a new exterior facade, and upgraded tenant amenities. Level two was converted into a fitness centre, conference space, lounge, podcast room, and games area, connected by a new skybridge providing private tenant access, while the food court and retail areas were relocated from the concourse to the main level as part of the modernization.
At the start of construction, the team experienced challenges with the existing as-built drawings, creating scheduling risks that were addressed through weekly coordination with trade partners and consultants. A complex challenge on site involved installing a 16-meter single span structural beam to support the new skybridge. Active electrical conduits that could not be moved conflicted with the beam end, so the connection was modified and reinforced on site. With the help of thermal imaging to monitor conduit temperatures during welding, the connection was achieved with no damage to the existing infrastructure.
Material reuse and Lean construction practices have been a large part of the project since the beginning. The existing offices and washrooms were stripped of all functional fixtures and donated to Habitat for Humanity and Architectural Clearing House instead of the landfill. Salvaged granite was donated to the City of Edmonton for use as a road base, and over 3,000 kilograms of steel conduit were cleaned and reused. Fire doors were repurposed for hoarding, and previously removed operable walls were disassembled and reinstalled, avoiding a full replacement. The team was also able to salvage carpet tiles to use as dust protection. Custom tools like door caddies and rolling light stands have also supported safer and more efficient work. To date, the team has completed 150,000 worker hours without a lost-time accident, underscoring the strong safety culture on site.
To manage air quality in the occupied building, the team used poly containment, HEPA filters, and dedicated contained cutting stations to keep dust levels low. The project has also supported community organizations with donations to the Edmonton Food Bank, Town of Jasper Wildfire Evacuees, and Boyle Street Community Services.
