The Edmonton International Airport has Attracted 1.6 Million Square Feet of Commercial Development... Since Last Year!
If you've driven past or to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) lately, you'll likely have noticed that it is a changing and growing landscape. The EIA, a not-for-profit, self-funded Authority, came up with a Master Plan for the future of the land surrounding the Airport that would assist in increasing revenues and services for Edmonton airline passengers and companies, in order to drive further economic prosperity for the Edmonton Region. This involved making available much of the Airport's under-utilized land for the purpose of commercial development by private companies. Not many know that the EIA is the largest major airport by land mass in all of Canada, and fifth busiest in terms of passenger traffic, contributing $2.2 billion in economic output and supporting 12,600 jobs.
Outlined below and in the map are some of the major projects that are under construction, nearing completion, and planned for the future on what has, in a few years, become a brand new commercial development zone in the Edmonton Region.
Industrial Development
Aurora Cannabis - 800,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility on 30 acres of leased Airport land. The property will become the largest medical marijuana growing facility in the world, at a cost of $110 million and employing 300 people.
Ford Motor - 400,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility across the highway from the Airport, next to the CPR main line, allowing for access to rail, road and air transportation. The parts warehouse and distribution centre will employ 200 people and cost an estimated $45 million.
Rosenau Transport - 211,000 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution centre.
Canada North Airlines - 90,000 sq. ft. fleet maintenance hangar.
Aeroterm - 50,000 sq. ft. logistics distribution centre at a cost of $10 million.
Runway Developments - 25,000 sq. ft. mixed-use cargo logistics centre
Edmonton International Airport - May, 2014
Edmonton International Airport - June, 2018
Retail/Office Development
Premium Outlet Mall - 600,000 sq. ft. facility with over 100 retailers. The $215 million investment will have generated more than 1,200 new jobs in Alberta: 1,000 full- and part time retail jobs and 200 construction-related jobs (Ivanhoe Cambridge)
Century Mile - a one-mile horse racing track and entertainment centre, including a casino, a pond for skating, a gun club and Canada's second largest motorsport park. Century Mile will be a modern alternative for the racing industry to Northlands Park and will offer a minimum of 100 racing days per year.
Costco - 154,000 sq. ft. warehouse that will employ 250 people.
Marriott Faifield Inn - 135 room complex with surrounding restaurant and retail campus.
Edmonton Motor Transport Association (AMTA) - 20,000 sq. ft. office and training centre.
Dogtopia - one-stop doggy day care, spa and boarding facility located conveniently next to the Airport for easy drop-off an pick-up.
These continue to be exciting times for the Edmonton market, from the central Downtown Core all the way out to the the peripheral markets. Development and innovation has evolved into a way of life for our City. I'm eager to see how the Edmonton International Airport continues to promote growth and prosperity for the Authority as well as the Region with this pro-development mindset.