Construction at the site of the former Black Knight Inn is moving full steam ahead.
Kia Red Deer, which is currently located in north end of the city, is moving to the site at 2929 50th Ave. in the city’s south end, where a huge, deep hole has been dug and workers are preparing to construct underground parking.
Landsperg Automotive Group (LAG), the owners of the dealership, say that parking vehicles underground will help manage inventory during hail season.
LAG, which purchased three acres of the 5.6-acre location last fall, hopes construction will be complete next spring.
Related:
A Red Deer car dealership could occupy part of the former Black Knight Inn site
Commercial realtor Brett Salomons said a structural, steel frame has already been erected for a six-unit commercial/retail structure on the northeast corner of the lot closest to the intersection of 50th Avenue (Gaetz Avenue) and 30th Street. Weather this summer has not slowed down construction.
He said a leasing deal for two-thirds of the building is pending and the building is expected to be ready for tenants to take possession on Nov. 1.
The northwest corner of the lot is still empty, but there have been some preliminary discussions to construct a building there which would be constructed to meet the specific needs of the tenants, he said.
Related:
Red Deerians come out to watch the last days of the Black Knight Inn
Black Knight Inn, built in 1977, was an eight-storey hotel with an indoor pool, meeting rooms, restaurant and lounge, and was home to Central Alberta Theatre dinner theatre.
In 2020, the hotel went into receivership six months into the pandemic. An assessment revealed it had a failing mechanical system, a roof in need of repair, in addition to asbestos.
The hotel was purchased by investors. Contents of the hotel were auctioned off, and demolition was underway by March 2022.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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