West-side builder seeks tenants
By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix
April 6, 2010
It's been more than 25 years since a new office building has been built on 22nd Street West, and with more businesses looking outside of the downtown core for space, plans are underway to break the long-standing trend.
A two-storey, 8,100-square-foot office complex has been proposed for the empty site at 1202 22nd St. West -- the former home of Wilkie's Antique Clocks -- and if enough tenants for the building are found, construction could start this summer, Colliers McClocklin says.
The president of the local commercial real estate agency said the $2-million project is one of several office complexes popping up outside of downtown Saskatoon.
"The proposed office structure on 22nd Street is situated to service the west-end while still being close to downtown," Tom McClocklin said.
Such "suburban" office structures, McClocklin added, are being developed to cater to tenants who cannot find office -- or parking -- space downtown.
The private, local developer of the building plans to include an elevator, 10-stall underground parkade and a surface parking lot.
Colliers McClocklin said rental rates for the new space will be between $20 and $25 per square foot.
The last new office complex built on 22nd Street West was the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU) building in 1983 at 1114 22nd St. West.
Businessperson Joe Silveira, owner of the Roma Cafe in the SGEU building, said a new office complex less than a block from his restaurant is an exciting prospect.
"Any new business that comes into the neighbourhood is going to help -- obviously (staff) have to eat someplace," Silveira said Monday.
The owner of the Italian cafe, which celebrated its 18th anniversary in March, said he hopes the new office building will help attract more businesses to the area. Silveira believes it's time for 22nd Street to undergo a revitalization.
"I think this street needs a little bit of cleaning up and I think the more businesses that come in, the more improvement there will be for the neighbourhood," he said.
A renewed focus on the west side of the city is positive for the area, Silveira added, referring to plans for the new south bridge and the Blairmore community.
Closer to Roma Cafe and the proposed office development, construction is underway on the 1400 block of 22nd Street West on the Bridgewater West Efficiency Hotel, a three-storey structure that's advertised as "coming in 2010."
A spokesperson from Progressive Property Management, Bridgewater's project management firm, was unavailable Monday.
Whatever changes are on the way for 22nd Street, Silveira is optimistic about the office project.
"I think it will change the look of the neighbourhood," he said. "I think, gradually, this street is changing."
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