From dragoons to dance floors: Edmonton's historic Connaught Armoury, once the notorious Club Malibu, listed for sale

Yahoo

01-08-2025

The City of Edmonton is selling a 1911 landmark — once a military hub, 1980s nightclub, and social service space — after it sat vacant for more than one year.
The decision to sell the Connaught Armoury follows the building's vacancy since last year, said Chris Hodgson, the city's branch manager of real estate, who noted the property no longer serves a municipal purpose.
'The tenant chose to vacate in May 2024. We consulted city business areas and found no municipal need for the building. As such, we listed it for sale on July 10.'
Hodgson said the move aligns with Edmonton's broader asset management strategy.
'The city's main goals are to preserve the historically protected Connaught Armoury building, reduce costs by selling a property that is no longer required by the city and provide a potential development opportunity that positively contributes to the vibrancy of the surrounding community,' he said.
A building with deep roots
Constructed in 1911 in the former City of Strathcona at a cost of $35,000, the Connaught Armoury is one of Alberta's oldest remaining armouries. It was designed by the federal Department of Public Works in a fortress-like Baronial style, featuring brick construction, sandstone detailing, crenellated parapets, 'cannonball' finials, and a formal arched entrance.
Originally built to house B Squadron of the 19th Alberta Dragoons, the building has military roots tied to both world wars. The regiment served at pivotal battles such as Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge.
After the Dragoons disbanded in 1964, the City of Edmonton acquired the building. It remained unused for more than a decade before being adapted for civilian purposes. Since then, the armoury has seen a range of uses, most recently by a tenant that vacated in 2024.
Before its more recent community uses, the Connaught Armoury was home to Club Malibu, a popular nightclub during the 1980s. Known for its music and late-night crowds, the club became a local landmark in its own right. While the venue added a lively chapter to the building's long history, it also left behind infrastructure and wear that posed challenges for future tenants.
Club Malibu was not a haunt for the city's 'cool kids' but rather a hotspot for university students and suburban visitors seeking cheap drinks and wild nights, also known for frequent closing-time fights and its reputation as a notorious pick-up spot.
Its architectural and historical significance has been recognized through its designation as a Provincial Historic Resource in 1979 and a Municipal Historic Resource in 2007. Hodgson said these designations come with specific obligations.
'The Connaught Armoury is designated as both a provincial and municipal historic resource, which means it has two sets of regulations. The entire building is protected under both designations, requiring the city and province to review any work on the exterior or interior,' he said.
Sale process and restrictions
The property is listed for $2.47 million on the City of Edmonton's property sales website, and proposals are being accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The city has also announced a holding window to ensure fairness.
'Considering the interest level and the complexity of this site, we want to give all interested parties an equal opportunity so we will hold all submissions received until Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.,' Hodgson said.
The Connaught Armoury and its surrounding 24,278 square foot lot, including a vacant parking area, are zoned DC1 (Direct Control), allowing a mix of residential, commercial, institutional, and community-oriented uses. However, 'use will have to comply with city zoning, and modifications will have to align with the historic designations of the building.'
Buyers are also expected to explain how their proposals will integrate with the city's vision and may need to subdivide the lot if redevelopment of the parking area is proposed. Notably, heritage protection technically applies to both the building and the adjacent land.
'The city is looking for a proposal or proponent that will maintain and use the historically protected Connaught Armoury and the rest of the large land parcel for an integrated development,' Hodgson said.
Balancing preservation with redevelopment
The city noted that while the Connaught Armoury itself is fully protected, the adjacent parking lot portion of the parcel, also technically under the heritage designation, could be eligible for redevelopment. With rezoning and subdivision, it may be possible to build a multi-unit residential structure with covered parking and limited commercial uses on the ground floor, in line with the Scona District Plan.
The city also highlighted the building's location in the heart of Old Strathcona's Provincial Historic Area and Business Improvement Area, just off Whyte Avenue and near the Old Strathcona Farmers Market, University of Alberta, and Edmonton's river valley.
Buyers may also access funding incentives. Designated Municipal Historic Resources can receive up to $100,000 in matching maintenance grants from the city on a five-year cycle. Potential conservation grants are available through Alberta's ministry of arts, culture and status of women.
Financial and operational impacts
Proceeds from the sale will not be directly tied to replacing community programs. Instead, 'proceeds of all city real estate sales are used to fund land development projects, such as Exhibition Lands, and also provide a dividend that contributes to the city's operating budget, reducing property tax increases,' Hodgson said.
As the city moves forward with the sale, the Connaught Armoury stands at a crossroads — a monument to Alberta's military past and a potential catalyst for future development. For Edmontonians, the challenge will be ensuring that the building's next chapter honours its legacy while serving the evolving needs of the community.
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