Well-known realtor Bob McVicar shares his support for the proposed apartment building at the site of the former Gothic Arches. (Danielle McCreadie)
Dozens of residents spoke in favour a new uptown development during a Planning Advisory Committee meeting Tuesday night.
The seven-storey, 83 unit “luxury” apartment building will take over the site of the former Gothic Arches.
Well-known realtor Bob McVicar says the building will bring much-needed changes to the neighbourhood.
“If this building gets built, its the manifestation of a significant turnaround in the neighbourhood. For 25 or 30 years, I’ve been a proponent of the neighbourhood. We’ve been trying to get people to believe in it like we believe in it, and now it’s happening,” he said.
“It’s a big turn, the fact that a private citizen is prepared to put his own money into building an 83-unit apartment building.”
Developer Percy Wilbur says his goal is to target “empty nesters” and professionals, tempting them to either return to or settle down in the uptown core.
McVicar says the demand for rental units like this development is high uptown, and he has no doubts that it will be fully rented before its even complete.
The proposed building will be made of red brick, sandstone and granite, to reflect the historic architecture surrounding it. It will also have black finishing and wrought-iron balconies.
McVicar says the design sets an example for development uptown.
“From a design perspective, from all the time that I’ve spent on the Heritage Board listening to architects and experts in regard to contemporary infill, I think this building hits the mark bang on,” he said.
The former site of the Gothic Arches could be home to this building. (Submitted: Tower Contracting)
The building will have a number of luxury features, such as a car wash, a dog wash, bicycle storage and repair centre, plug-ins for electric vehicles, and a gym. It will also have underground parking with 80 stalls and storage for all tenants.
It will largely house two-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 900 to 2,000 square feet.
The developer also plans to install a “pocket park” behind the building which will commemorate the former church through a piece of public art.
“I’m so encouraged to hear all the pluses, the benefits that are coming with the building,” said long-time Princess street resident Judith Meinert-Thomas, who was first to speak in favour of the property during Tuesday’s meeting.
“I live in a two-storey building. A seven or eight-storey building I thought would be overwhelming, but I guess my eyes will get used to that. I will be nice to see something else on the horizon,” she said.
Meinert-Thomas also adds the development will create new revenue for the city in property taxes, and create jobs.
Her only requirement? That the developer leave space for her to garden outside the building, as she did for years at the old church.
Leinster Street resident Patrick McCaffery says developments like are needed if the city wants to grow.
“This is a progressive concept. If we’re going to do this, if we’re going to support that concept, this is an example of exactly how you grow the city. If you become some would say a 21st-century city, you’ve got to have places for people to live,” he said.
Next Steps
There were some concerns raised during the meeting, especially in regards to construction impacts.
Wilbur ensures no blasting will be needed, and they plan to adhere strongly to the city’s bylaws around noise and construction.
The Planning Advisory Committee voted in favour of the application, which included a rezoning amendment and a few height allowance amendments.
The proposal will go before Common Council during a public hearing on February 10th, where it can get the final approval.
