Work could begin in May on an $8 million project that includes two apartment buildings with commercial space in an abandoned commercial part of downtown
Windsor.
The development will be located at 555 O’Brien Street. It will include two four-storey residential buildings housing a total of 66 rental units and 10,000 square feet of commercial retail space.
Halifax developer Clark Wilkins says the unused land behind the former Co-op Store in Windsor was a gold mine of opportunity.
Although it will take some work to prepare the site for residential use, Wilkins said that investment would reap huge dividends for the community. “We’re really in the recycling business on this. There is a lot of industrial clean-up involved which made it not so saleable, but location-wise this is a prime property in the heart of town. Someone should have done this years ago.”
Wilkins said he’d considered other locations but Windsor’s proximity to metro was a selling point. “You are only half an hour away from Burnside and, with the twinning of the highway, more people will be wanting to move out of metro and commute.”
When completed Wilkins said the units would provide tenants with a high standard of living. “This is going to be a nice building and there is a need for that level of quality in the area.”
The project will be a mix of one and two-bedroom suites. As well there will be a guest suite available to tenants for an additional fee. “That way if people have family visiting they can put them up right in the same building.”
The housing development will primarily target empty nesters, he said. “There is not much of a market in Windsor right now for young working professionals, but that will come.”
Four units will be fully wheel-chair accessible and both buildings will include elevators.
Wilkins said the project could set the standard for future development. “Whenever you add to a town there is the spin-off that others will want to follow suit. We are beginning something big here.”
Town planner Jeanne Bourque said the project fits the provincial model of brownfield development, a planning term for development in an abandoned commerical or industrial area near a downtown core.
“Typically a lot of old brownfields are in the heart of the community and this is an perfect example of how they can be reused.”
The buildings that currently stand on the property will be torn down to make way for the new complex, adding to the appeal of the area.
“It clears up a derelict site. It’s a lovely property and the landscaping that will come with this will be a huge improvement.”
She said the development would also encourage a more “neighborhood” feel to the area. “Anytime you bring more people to an area to live it improves the overall quality.”
Location-wise this is a prime property in the heart of town. Someone should have done this years ago. - Developer Clark Wilkins
The planning agreement was made after a pubic hearing held last month; there is a 14-day appeal process. If all goes well Wilkin says he plans to start building in May and have tenants ready to move in by December this year.
Mayor Paul Beazley said the development would be a positive addition to the town.
“This town needs high quality rental housing.” He said it would be especially ideal for empty nesters that no longer wish to maintain a house.
“People want to live in this area and want to continue to live in this area but there is not a big inventory of the right mix or choices of housing and this will increase the depth of options.”
The market Wilkins has targeted are those that want to live in their community near amenities, he said. “The concept that some amenities will be in the development itself is a good drawing card.”
He adds there are similar areas in the town that could benefit from redevelopment. “This is the start of good things to come.”
