Courtesy Avenue Living
Artist Lance Cardinal at the grand opening of The SunRise.
North American owner-operator Avenue Living has opened The SunRise, a sustainably revitalized multifamily residential and commercial building in downtown Edmonton in Alberta, Canada.
At 12 stories high, the 179-unit building underwent a complete deep energy retrofit that will significantly reduce energy consumption and generate power by using over 2,000 solar panels on the building’s exterior.
Recognized by Guinness World Records, The SunRise’s most striking feature is the world’s largest solar panel mural that generates clean energy while serving as a work of public art. Spanning 85 feet high, the mural titled, “The Land We Share,” was designed by local Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal and celebrates the neighborhood’s cultural heritage.
“I’m excited to bring First Nations and Chinese representation to this beautiful building,” says Cardinal. “To honor both cultures, we were inspired by the animals of the seven sacred grandfather teachings of the Cree tradition and the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. This mural depicts these creatures living together in unity—seeing each other and sharing the same space within one harmonious community.”
The SunRise delivers attainable workforce housing that meets the needs of the growing population while adding much-needed rental stock to the Edmonton core.
“For Avenue Living, The SunRise is more than a building,” says Max Graham, chief operating officer at Avenue Living. “It is a statement of what’s possible when sustainability, innovation, and cultural respect come together. This revitalized building showcases how we are proud to be long-term apartment owners and operators who provide comfort, safety, and a sense of home, while contributing to a more connected and resilient future.”
Kathryn Luu, director of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area and board member of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative, says the revitalization is breathing new life into the community. “The renewal of this building has been nothing short of incredible. Avenue Living has turned this property into a new landmark for the city of Edmonton. This change has reinvigorated our community and the neighborhood. We are excited to have another opportunity to celebrate our community’s diversity, history, and people,” Luu adds.
