Saskatoon Construction

[kgc087]

The observation tower is dead. It was hideous and with Saskatoon's weather would probably be down for maintenance more then 60% of the year. The AGS will be designed by the people who did the National Ballet school in Toronto. I walk by it frequently. It is VERY stunning with subtle detailing which really makes it that much more appealing. It will be a guaranteed beautiful building.

[macca]

Riversdale undergoing major changes
20th Street seeing significant investments

Reported By Chris Carr
Posted November 12, 2010 - 5:58am

Riversdale, a neighbourhood not known for seeing big investment, is seeing $20 million spent on investments.

Some say it's a definite sign of what's to come. The blueprints are coming to life on a 75-unit, $14 million complex by the Knights of Columbus. Add to that a 12-unit condo complex just south of 20th Street.

New cafes are also starting to emerge. An existing French theatre company is expanding to the tune of more than $2 million. Randy Pshebylo with Riversdale Business Improvement District says 20th Street is turning a corner.

"It's a level of interest that we've seen here before in the past generation. And it's almost like it's been lost. But we have new people coming in," said Pshebylo.

Pshebylo says it's growth like that which is changing the perception of 20th Street to match the new reality.

http://www.newstalk650.com/story/20101112/43114

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by macca

Riversdale undergoing major changes
20th Street seeing significant investments

Reported By Chris Carr
Posted November 12, 2010 - 5:58am

Riversdale, a neighbourhood not known for seeing big investment, is seeing $20 million spent on investments.

Some say it's a definite sign of what's to come. The blueprints are coming to life on a 75-unit, $14 million complex by the Knights of Columbus. Add to that a 12-unit condo complex just south of 20th Street.
New cafes are also starting to emerge. An existing French theatre company is expanding to the tune of more than $2 million. Randy Pshebylo with Riversdale Business Improvement District says 20th Street is turning a corner.

"It's a level of interest that we've seen here before in the past generation. And it's almost like it's been lost. But we have new people coming in," said Pshebylo.

Pshebylo says it's growth like that which is changing the perception of 20th Street to match the new reality.

http://www.newstalk650.com/story/20101112/43114

This is news to me. Anyone know anything about this???

I assume it's south of 20th in the proximity of River Landing. Can't be the Ecovillage, that's more than 12 units...

Interesting....

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by macca

Riversdale undergoing major changes
The blueprints are coming to life on a 75-unit, $14 million complex by the Knights of Columbus.

http://www.newstalk650.com/story/20101112/43114

That's fantastic news! Does anyone know how many floors this building would be? Even if 15 or 16 units/floor (which I think would be quite a lot) it would be 5 stories... could this be one of those 10-15 story units on the other side of Idylwyld we've been speculating on?

[kiwi4life]

mhm yesvery interesting, interested in seeing the design of this or how big/how many floors?, also i see PCL Construction has its site trailers there, their a big company, so i wonder if that has something to do with it? correct me if im wrong.

[kiwi4life]

i see the new neighbourhood evergreen looks like they are pretty much ready to start building houses right away, looks great the amount of work they have done there

[Echoes]

River Landing project gets final nod from council
By Jeanette Stewart, The StarPhoenix November 12, 2010

The mood was jubilant inside city council chambers Wednesday as councillors gave the final nod to a multimillion-dollar hotel, condo and office development planned for Saskatoon's riverfront.

Council received official word that Karim Nasser's Victory Majors Investments Corp. has the financial means to bring the project at River Landing's Parcel Y to grade level, following a city-ordered audit by Deloitte & Touche.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/River...council/3815835/story.html#ixzz15CGW295X

[Echoes]

An interesting read on the downtown from the S-P's "Face the Future" series:

Density in the downtown
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 13, 2010

Two years ago, Jacqueline and Christoph Nuesch pulled out a calculator for some lifestyle arithmetic.

The young couple had just moved to Saskatoon from Borden, the small town where they lived in their 9,000-square-foot corporate retreat centre, SandCastle Resort, a two-storey mansion with a walkout basement, an outdoor swimming pool, a games room and more than 5,000 square feet of deck looking out over the tranquil prairie.

The Nueschs settled on a 1,300-square-foot loft in the Second Avenue lofts, the trendy downtown conversion of the former Bay building.

The appeal was one of ethics and economics, Christoph said.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Density+downtown/3823961/story.html#ixzz15CHl0Xlb

The article points out some of the biggest issues facing the downtown's continued development:
- the vast expanse of space that downtown occupies
- parking issues
- the development of Innovation Place and its negative effect on demand for downtown office space

But there is certainly a lot to look forward to:
- the completion of the River Landing promenade
- Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
- River Landing Village
- 25th Street extension and the development of a mixed-use district there
- a renewed civic square

Interestingly, Phill Elenko with ICR Commercial Real Estate echoes the idea that the construction of River Landing Village will spur other development:

The south downtown has stumbled, but with the $200-million River Landing megaproject now more stable, nearby office projects such as 275 Second at 20th Street and Second Avenue should see movement, Elenko said.

[mmx]

Silent partners: Not Les, not ER.... Could it be Gene Simmons!

[kgc087]

A guy I went to high school with said his parents used to have investment parties with Saskatoon's elite. I'm sure it's within that group of people. Either way, who cares! As long as it gets built. I still really would love to see green roofs on the project. The poor people in that condo and hotel overlooking gravel rooftops. Why not see it bustling with greenspace and people?

As for density in downtown, the city is sure thinking and talking a lot about it. This usually means some grand plan will be proposed and re-done about 10 times BUT at least it is on the minds of everyone. Saskatoon really has the potential to become a great city of North America. Architecturally there are huge amounts of old buildings which could create a unique reputation for the city. When I show any friends here in Toronto pictures of Saskatoon they are blown away at how pretty it is.

[kiwi4life]

congrats on passing another hurdle for river landing, also noticed over by the willlows just pass the bridge going out of the city, there is a sign on your left saying land for sale ( land develpment residential, commercial) does anyone know about this???all i get from this is another possible neighbourhood planned after stonebridge

[Echoes]

Record number of cranes dot city
Machines show economic strength, developer says

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix November 13, 2010

When it comes to the number of construction cranes dotting Saskatoon's skyline, seven is a lucky number.

And if you add two mobile cranes, you're on cloud nine -- and that just may be a record for the city.

[....]

"And hey, maybe we'll see more," he said. "Maybe next year River Landing will get going and we'll see more swinging above that. There's talk of other buildings downtown."

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Record+number+cranes+city/3823982/story.html#ixzz15HdPFFPi

[kiwi4life]

i like how someone talks about the number of cranes operating here, and how its a sign to visitors, ive only been here 8 years and its the most ive seen here, im pretty impressed. With River Landing, i wonder if we will see two or three tower cranes, much like at the university

[WoodlandCritter]

crane-opolis!....sweet

[lbird]

Earl's is opening up a offsale/takeout market on 2nd in the old Neural Net building next to their restaraunt.

As for 20th St. development, the brand new Pleasant Hill Village is selling units on 20th Street and Avenue O. This is a big project that hasn't been discussed much in this forum.

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...bourhoodPlanning/Pages/PleasantHill.aspx

[lbird]

1) The Rogers video on 22nd and Ave. P closed. I'm sure we'll follow the states and see the near extinction of most video stores in the city within a couple of years.

2) The extended stay hotel on 22nd and Ave. O next to the Blue Diamond is almost done.

3) There are several development sites on 22nd either under some kind of construction or packaged or sale for future work. Hopefully the last of the dilapidated housing on that street will be torn down soon. It is an excellent commuter retail corridor along the lines of 8th Street.

4) Another stalled project is the Wolf Willow co-housing in King George. Add one more weathered sign on a weed-strewn lot to the Saskatoon list.

5) Anyone who thinks Cameco will move downtown in the near future should go through the 11th Street detour and see all of their brand new buildings with ample parking and space to expand. With the new south bridge, their campus will be a five-to-ten minute commute from the entire east side. Downtown development should concentrate on hotels, residential and entertainment in my view; it's not worth it for the few big companies that would make a difference to move to the core.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by lbird

1) The Rogers video on 22nd and Ave. P closed. I'm sure we'll follow the states and see the near extinction of most video stores in the city within a couple of years.

2) The extended stay hotel on 22nd and Ave. O next to the Blue Diamond is almost done.

3) There are several development sites on 22nd either under some kind of construction or packaged or sale for future work. Hopefully the last of the dilapidated housing on that street will be torn down soon. It is an excellent commuter retail corridor along the lines of 8th Street.

4) Another stalled project is the Wolf Willow co-housing in King George. Add one more weathered sign on a weed-strewn lot to the Saskatoon list.

5) Anyone who thinks Cameco will move downtown in the near future should go through the 11th Street detour and see all of their brand new buildings with ample parking and space to expand. With the new south bridge, their campus will be a five-to-ten minute commute from the entire east side. Downtown development should concentrate on hotels, residential and entertainment in my view; it's not worth it for the few big companies that would make a difference to move to the core.

I have to say the Blue Diamond could quite possibly be the ugliest building in Saskatoon...just an opinionated side note I agree with you on point 5 for sure. If Saskatoon is SO low on hotel space the city should really be focusing development of more hotels downtown rather then in suburban areas. Honestly if I were to stay in Stonebridge for a convention I would HATE it. There is nothing around and to get downtown would be a pain. I think once more residential sets in everything will just start to funnel into the downtown b/c that is where it is most vibrant. I don't think companies and the general public realizes that with a highrise there is no longer just one levvel of surface parking but say 5-10 levels of underground/above ground parking which caters to more people then the surface lot ever did!

[kiwi4life]

i agree, i hate staying at a hotel inany other city in the suburbs, feels better staying in a downtown hotel

[Echoes]

Planning process approved for Kinsmen Park, Mendel gallery

By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 15, 2010

The city’s plans to bring life back to Kinsmen Park and a vacated Mendel Art Gallery building will be determined at the same time.

A two-year $170,000 master planning process for the Kinsmen Park area was approved by the city’s executive committee Monday, the first step in a more than $5-million facelift set for the area beginning in 2012 after a sponsorship agreement was signed last month with Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Pla...gallery/3831830/story.html#ixzz15QHLEWv7

[jrm857]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

congrats on passing another hurdle for river landing, also noticed over by the willlows just pass the bridge going out of the city, there is a sign on your left saying land for sale ( land develpment residential, commercial) does anyone know about this???all i get from this is another possible neighbourhood planned after stonebridge

Talking with people in the city, and looking at the future growth map, there seems to be nothing in terms of neighbourhood development south of stonebridge, the majority of growth will be on the north east ie past willowgrove and evergreen, the area between arbour creek and rosewood, and on the west side.

And as much as I agree that downtown hotel space needs to be emphasized,(i do agree more hotels downtown) we cannot take away the advantages of suburban hotels. I know many people, my parents included if they hotel in the city, the do not always want to be in downtown. Saskatoon is a transportation city, with many people going through it, and the suburban hotels are advantageous for people just passing through the city, as many are not interested in spending time in the downtown, they simply need a place to sleep.