Luxury rentals in West Broadway

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This article was published 07/01/2019 (2499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Construction has started on a mixed-use apartment and retail development at the corner of Westminster Avenue and Maryland Street in West Broadway.

The two-storey development at 710 Westminster Ave. was announced in 2015, but developers experienced some speed bumps when seeking city hall’s approval.

Before construction could begin, multiple, older single-family homes on the block had to be demolished.

The project is being spearheaded by Chanden Homes of Lorette, which is a relative newcomer to the Winnipeg market.

“I think this is going to be a much-needed upscale rental for this neighbourhood, which already has so much going on for people looking for a place to live and for a place to do business,” said Stephanie White-Willitts, manager of commercial leasing for local real estate agency Shindico.

White-Willitts is handling the leasing of the retail space for the development.

Once finished, the complex will have 40,000 square feet of residential units and 11,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. There will be 44 high-end, luxury rental apartment units.

White-Willitts said the building will be an attractive addition to the neighbourhood, adding there is strong interest on the retail side.

She said Shindico routinely receives calls from people interested in retail space in West Broadway.

“Sherbrook Street is a very popular place, with great coffee shops, restaurants, retail — yet there still isn’t enough space that’s available,” she said.

“We get called at Shindico on a daily basis for that area, and there just isn’t enough to offer. This development is bringing 11,000 square feet of retail to the table, which is very much needed.”

The two-storey complex will feature 40 parking stalls that will be divided creatively, she said.

“We want to be creative with the spots. We have an idea where the (residential) tenants during the day will give their spots up to the commercial tenants, and at night it’ll revert back. They’ll share the spaces, essentially,” White-Willitts said.

She said neighbourhood response to the development has been positive, although there was some concern about trees being cut down before construction could begin.

While that issue held up the project, the developer has pledged to replace the trees.

“There was some response when it came to taking some of those trees down, but I think, at the end of the day, the city is really pretty diligent in making sure you replace the trees that have been taken down. I also think the net gain for the neighbourhood is just way better than the net loss,” White-Willitts said.

Construction is estimated to be completed by fall 2019 or spring 2020.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe