EDMONTON—Former Alberta premier Alison Redford had been planning a swank taxpayer-funded penthouse retreat on top of a government building, according to documents released Friday.

The “premier’s suite” was to have bedrooms for Redford and her pre-teen daughter, Sarah, a shared bathroom, a powder room, a walk-in closet, a butler’s pantry and dining, study and lounge areas.

Information on the suite — including memos, emails and reports — was released by the province.

Infrastructure Minister Ric McIver said he personally stopped construction on the suite in mid-January soon after he took over the portfolio from Wayne Drysdale, who is now transportation minister.

McIver said he received word from his department about the 11th- floor suite in the Federal Building near the legislature grounds. He said he walked over and saw the early stages of construction, with some wood-framing complete.

He instructed his staff to meld the suite into meeting rooms that were also to be constructed on that floor, he said.

“I made it clear there wouldn’t be a residential component,” said McIver.

Redford, who still represents the constituency of Calgary-Elbow, could not be reached for comment.

The Federal Building is a historic structure under renovation. It will eventually house offices for all members of the legislature along with other government officials.

Email correspondence from 2012 and 2013 shows that at some point Redford’s office became involved and ordered changes to the 10th and 11th floors. The changes called for a “premier’s den” built to the style of the ultra-posh Hay Adams Hotel in Boston.

The emails also spoke of a fireplace and temperature control settings in each area. There were to be separate “grooming” and “changing” areas.

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McIver said he didn’t have an estimate on the cost of the suite or on the changes.

City planners balked at Redford’s apartment. They said if she planned to stay overnight, the development permit had to be changed and made public.

Redford’s office replied that nothing would be made public for security reasons.

Drysdale, in an email statement Friday, said he was aware of the apartment, but said it was one of many options being considered.

He said the apartment idea was killed on his watch 14 months before McIver said he pulled the plug on the penthouse.

“As of November 15, 2012, my understanding was that these plans were abandoned in favour of two boardrooms and additional hosting space,” wrote Drysdale.

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