The Parks

Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, The Parks is a modern residential tower that reflects the city’s architectural heritage and cultural diversity. The development includes a two-story podium and 36-story residential tower in its first phase with a second tower planned for a future phase.  

Design Solutions

HOK designed the interiors for the residential suites and building amenities, creating a calm, welcoming environment within Edmonton’s dense urban core. The design draws inspiration from the Art Deco skyscrapers that reshaped cities in the 1920s, translating that style through a contemporary materials palette and sophisticated detailing. 

In the lobby, residents encounter wood-paneled walls, terrazzo floors and plush furnishings. A floor-to-ceiling glass wall draws daylight into the space, while a modern fireplace set within a marble backdrop adds warmth and sophistication. Curated paintings by a local artist pay homage to murals covering buildings on the site that will be removed during phase two of the development, honoring the neighborhood’s creative history and reinforcing a strong sense of place. 

Amenities throughout the tower are designed as an extension of residents’ homes rather than conventional shared facilities. These spaces include indoor social lounges and a rooftop patio. 

Social lounge spaces support flexibility and choice with communal tables, lounge seating and quiet work zones. These spaces shift between active gathering areas and more intimate settings through changes in materials, lighting and furniture. The rooftop patio extends the experience outdoors with furnishings, finishes and plantings that mirror the interior amenities. 

A consistent Art Deco-inspired materials palette creates continuity across the amenity spaces. Warm wood tones, textured wall surfaces and layered stone and concrete convey durability and authenticity. Soft neutral backdrops accented with muted greens, deep blues, metallic details and expressive lighting create a calm, contemporary atmosphere. Refined furnishings balance durability with residential comfort. 

Impact

The Parks contributes to the ongoing transformation of downtown Edmonton by introducing new residential life and thoughtfully designed shared spaces that foster community. Its design draws on the city’s architectural heritage while supporting the broader revitalization of the urban core alongside nearby destinations such as the HOK-designed ICE District and Rogers Place Arena.