Gene Dub

Gene Dub — Video

An architect and visionary, Gene Dub imagines Edmonton’s future landscape transformed by the vast potential of its past. He firmly believes that the inner city’s derelict and decayed monuments of yesteryear can be renewed to become urban gems.

As one prominent businessman put it, “He has brought life into buildings where there has been no life for some time. No other architect in Edmonton has invested more of his time and personal resources into the redevelopment of our downtown.”

Gene Dub has created award-winning masterpieces in the city for years. The design of Edmonton’s iconic pyramided glass-and-stone City Hall in 1992 and Dub’s current revival of the historic Alberta Hotel on Jasper Avenue illustrate the depth of his passion for reclaiming local heritage for generations to come. Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier stayed at the hotel when Alberta was proclaimed a province in 1905. The Alberta Hotel is also where Gene delivered newspapers as a youngster. The once stately building, torn down in 1984 to make way for Canada Place, will soon be a restored four-storey landmark near its original location in the heart of downtown.

Always “inventive, curious and bold,” Gene Dub's architectural and artistic legacy also includes the restoration of the historic McLeod Building into an eye-catching residential and retail complex. In 2006, he developed the acclaimed Seventh Street Lofts, one of five initiatives helping to revitalize the warehouse district. Four years ago Gene purchased and redeveloped the former City Market on 97 Street, transforming it into an award-winning design for affordable housing.

Beyond architecture, Dub’s record also proves a lifelong commitment to serve his community. He was a city councillor from 1977 to 1980 and has generously served on numerous civic boards and committees.

Edmonton’s Celebrate 2004 committee named Gene Dub one of the 100 Great Edmontonians of the past century. Gene Dub’s work and vision continue to secure Edmonton’s past for our future.