Alberta's sky palace unveiled, but in revised form as spartan meeting room

EDMONTON — Former Alberta premier Alison Redford's so-called sky palace has been officially revealed, but in its revised role as a straightforward meeting room.

The space, done over in wood and glass, was shown off to the media as part of a tour of the renovated Federal Building on the Legislature grounds.

The $410-million building will be the new home to government staffers and politicians.

The building has been a public relations headache for the government, going millions of dollars over budget and years past its deadline.

Last year, it was revealed that Redford's office had been secretly redesigning the penthouse to turn it into a lavish retreat for Redford and her daughter.

The penthouse, later dubbed the sky palace, included bedrooms, changing and grooming areas, a fireplace, and a butler's pantry, all modelled after the ritzy Hay Adams Hotel in Washington D.C.