view of building in winter

The Ortona Armoury has been rehabilitated and has reopened as an event venue and creative space for artists.

Project Update - Fall 2024

The majority of construction work for the Ortona Armoury Building Rehabilitation Project was completed in summer 2024. In summer 2024, Arts Habitat Edmonton began operating the facility (as ArtsHub Ortona). Arts Habitat leases the space to artists, organizes programming and looks after bookable spaces. The remaining project work was completed in fall 2024.

In addition to hazardous material removal, upgrades to the structural foundations and replacement of the mechanical and electrical systems, the Ortona Armoury Rehabilitation Project included:

  • Replacement of all external windows with replicas of the historical windows
  • A full restoration of all internal windows
  • Restoration of the hardwood floors
  • Installation of a new elevator for improved accessibility
  • Preservation of historical floor tiles in the lobby and music room
  • Restoration of the wood columns and roof trusses throughout the building
  • Maintenance of the original brickwork
  • The addition of a covered courtyard between the north and south portions of the building (now referred to as the solarium)
  • Site grading and landscaping

Before the Rehabilitation

After The Rehabilitation

Project Overview

The Ortona Armoury was built in 1914 and has been a prominent historical landmark in the Rossdale area for more than a century. For the last 30 years, the Ortona Armoury building has been used as studio space for artists/arts groups who have tenancy agreements with the City. In 2004, the building was designated a Municipal Historic Resource, which legally protects it from demolition or alterations to the structure.

The Ortona Armoury Building Rehabilitation Project is necessary to ensure the building remains safe and meets current codes while preserving historically significant aspects of the facility. Thanks to the rehabilitation, the building will be a more accessible, sustainable and enjoyable space for artists and Edmontonians to use for another century. 

The Ortona Armoury Rehabilitation Project included hazardous material removal, window restoration and full interior renovation. Extensive rehabilitation work was needed to upgrade structural foundations, replace mechanical and electrical systems and complete general building repairs. The project also included site grading and landscaping, the addition of an elevator, new utility connections, lighting and various performance elements, as well as the addition of a covered courtyard between the north and south portions of the building. 

Due to the scope of the work and the age of the building, the facility remained closed during rehabilitation work. The Ortona Armoury building will remain an arts and community hub that supports flexible art spaces for visual and performing artists and provides bookable spaces for community use. Arts Habitat Edmonton operates the building, leases the space to artists, organizes programming and looks after the bookable spaces.