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“We’re big believers in the long-term future of downtown Edmonton and really excited to be a part of the evolution,” Great Gulf vice-president high-rise Aaron Knight said about the company’s first project in the city. “We think it is an ideally-positioned location within the core and a … marquee important site within the city.”

But many Edmontonians who attended the public information session disagreed, arguing it is a nice looking building, but not the right site.

“We have to keep what we have free, this space has to be free,” said longtime downtown resident Louis Trembe. “We don’t want anything else to destroy this unique picture we have.”

Another concern residents offered — some on sticky notes posted to a board of cons for the development — was that the large tower would overshadow the historic hotel.

“I believe it is the crown jewel of Edmonton’s downtown, historically and architecturally,” Bavaro said of the Hotel Macdonald. “I don’t think the Queen or incoming King would want to stay at this hotel with a giant tower blocking their view.”

But Knight said both a public space and the legacy of the hotel are important elements of the proposed tower. The building is designed to be set back from the west property line to protect views of the hotel. The building will also be located as far north as possible on the site to provide space between the tower and the hotel.

The space between would then be developed into a public garden, Knight said, to connect the two buildings. Only 25 per cent of the total property area will be occupied by the tower, he said.