Saskatoon Construction II

[jigglysquishy]

New Council agenda is up

http://www.saskatoon.ca/CITY%20COUNCIL/Documents/m2015/fa_council_260115.pdf

Looks like we're finally getting laneway houses. The first two applicants go to council on the 26th.

The local advocacy group "Bus Riders of Saskatoon" is asking council to improve transit.

[nook]

Originally Posted by Jimmy James

Really? You're saying this based on two stores?

Guess, Dynamite, Town Shoes, Banana Republic Factory Store, Victoria's Secret (soon), Lush, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, American Apparel, Michael Hill Jewelers - all in Saskatoon, not Regina. We had a Sephora for a couple years before Regina did. We were also the only Mexx location in the province.

Regina gets the big box retailers like Lowes before Saskatoon, typically, but we get the the fashion and other mall retailers. Way more fashion choices here than in Regina. More on the way, from what I've heard.

I haven't really shopped at any of those places. And I suppose because of that, I would never notice if Regina didn't have them and Saskatoon did.

I suppose with that big box area by Rosewood we might see more retailers come into the city. I don't think Regina has any big box areas going except Harbour Landing. Saskatoon is going to have that one out by Willowgrove/Holmwood, the new spaces at Preston Crossing and one out by Rosewood.

Though I must say, if I had the money and the knowledge to do so, I would open up a Chipotle in Saskatoon. I went to a few of them in US over the Christmas break and they were always lined-up out the door. And I know they're already in Canada, so...

[Stormer]

Being form Regina, I would say Saskatoon probably has more of the single-store, destination type fashion retailer chains, partially because it is a bigger city. I think the biggest reason is that the Midtown is much bigger than the Cornwall. The Cornwall has rarely had a vacancy in recent years, so there is just nowhere for new retailer to go.

Cornwall is getting a Zumiez. I don't think Saskatoon has one. Also H&M is almost certainly on its way after Cornwall bought an adjacent heritage building and has kicked out the Smitty's that was next door in the mall.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Being form Regina, I would say Saskatoon probably has more of the single-store, destination type fashion retailer chains, partially because it is a bigger city. I think the biggest reason is that the Midtown is much bigger than the Cornwall. The Cornwall has rarely had a vacancy in recent years, so there is just nowhere for new retailer to go.

Cornwall is getting a Zumiez. I don't think Saskatoon has one. Also H&M is almost certainly on its way after Cornwall bought an adjacent heritage building and has kicked out the Smitty's that was next door in the mall.

I really hope that Regina is getting an H&M as rumoured. It would hopefully mean that a Saskatoon location is not far behind.

[Brutopian]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Being form Regina, I would say Saskatoon probably has more of the single-store, destination type fashion retailer chains, partially because it is a bigger city. I think the biggest reason is that the Midtown is much bigger than the Cornwall. The Cornwall has rarely had a vacancy in recent years, so there is just nowhere for new retailer to go.

Cornwall is getting a Zumiez. I don't think Saskatoon has one. Also H&M is almost certainly on its way after Cornwall bought an adjacent heritage building and has kicked out the Smitty's that was next door in the mall.

If you were a national or international retailer looking to put your first store in Saskatchewan, what city would you consider first? The city with a 300K CMA or the city with a 230K CMA?

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

If you were a national or international retailer looking to put your first store in Saskatchewan, what city would you consider first? The city with a 300K CMA or the city with a 230K CMA?

The city with more disposable income. More chains doesn't necessarily mean better options either.

[Crisis]

From a couple of polls, it doesn't lok like a groundswell of public support for saving the Farnham Block, at least at taxpayer's expense.

Newstalk 650 voters are 80% in favour of demolishing it vs. restoring it. http://ckom.com/node/520086

CTV News poll have voters 83% opposed to using any civic tax funds to save the Farnham Block. http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/more/poll-results

Now the results may be different from a CBC poll, but it does indicate that the Farnham Block isn't a top priority for many people.

[Morogolus]

Well now Ikea is saying it's too early to speculate where the new locations will be.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1787240/false-rumours-of-large-ikea-expansion/

I'm betting we get a location in both Saskatoon and Regina. It doesn't make sense to leave this big geographic void with a population of 1.2 million people if their goal is to "Make Ikea accessiable to more Canadians."

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Crisis

From a couple of polls, it doesn't lok like a groundswell of public support for saving the Farnham Block, at least at taxpayer's expense.

Newstalk 650 voters are 80% in favour of demolishing it vs. restoring it. http://ckom.com/node/520086

CTV News poll have voters 83% opposed to using any civic tax funds to save the Farnham Block. http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/more/poll-results

Now the results may be different from a CBC poll, but it does indicate that the Farnham Block isn't a top priority for many people.

These are probably the same people that voted to put Sasktel Centre (SaskPlace) out in the boon docks.....just joking....don't roast me!

[gowest]

They have been moving heavy equipment onto the site for a couple of weeks now along Valley Road.

[studentview]

The largest retail real estate conference in Canada is taking place this weekend in Whistler. http://www.icsc.org/events-and-programs/details/whistler-conference4/ I attend every year. Ikea is not taking any meetings and has ordered their representatives from CBRE to not comment on any plans of expansion at this point.

The conference is essentially speed dating between retailers and developers. Retailers have plans of where they want to expand and developers have said land in desirable locations across Canada. We meet, drink and put the particulars of most large deals together in a matter of a couple days. Its quite astonishing actually. This is all coupled with meet the retailer forums and talks on the current market nation wide. Should be very interesting given the current market and the recent changes in the retail landscape. From our perspective there continues to be a ton of interest in Saskatchewan and despite the oil situation in Calgary they continue to have one of the best retail markets in the world.

So no Ikea for now and despite what anyone tells you they will not be occupying any of the vacant Targets. Its not even close to what they need. Good Life Fitness is the best bet to fill at least a chunk of these spaces across the country. I've also heard there are other US retailers thinking of trying a few on for size as more of a test to see how they are received before jumping right in like target did.

The market here is steady but not on a decline. A lot of potash and oil works is slow so developers with cash will be able to take advantage of more competitive pricing from contractors thus build more buildings. I think we will see a lot go up over the next couple years and more retailers than ever before will enter the market. Hopefully this post creates some good discussion...

[Wyku]

Originally Posted by studentview

The largest retail real estate conference in Canada is taking place this weekend in Whistler. http://www.icsc.org/events-and-programs/details/whistler-conference4/ I attend every year. Ikea is not taking any meetings and has ordered their representatives from CBRE to not comment on any plans of expansion at this point.

The conference is essentially speed dating between retailers and developers. Retailers have plans of where they want to expand and developers have said land in desirable locations across Canada. We meet, drink and put the particulars of most large deals together in a matter of a couple days. Its quite astonishing actually. This is all coupled with meet the retailer forums and talks on the current market nation wide. Should be very interesting given the current market and the recent changes in the retail landscape. From our perspective there continues to be a ton of interest in Saskatchewan and despite the oil situation in Calgary they continue to have one of the best retail markets in the world.

So no Ikea for now and despite what anyone tells you they will not be occupying any of the vacant Targets. Its not even close to what they need. Good Life Fitness is the best bet to fill at least a chunk of these spaces across the country. I've also heard there are other US retailers thinking of trying a few on for size as more of a test to see how they are received before jumping right in like target did.

The market here is steady but not on a decline. A lot of potash and oil works is slow so developers with cash will be able to take advantage of more competitive pricing from contractors thus build more buildings. I think we will see a lot go up over the next couple years and more retailers than ever before will enter the market. Hopefully this post creates some good discussion...

Interesting sounding conference. It would be nice to hear your thoughts/take-aways after the conference.

[miked22]

Originally Posted by Crisis

From a couple of polls, it doesn't lok like a groundswell of public support for saving the Farnham Block, at least at taxpayer's expense.

Newstalk 650 voters are 80% in favour of demolishing it vs. restoring it. http://ckom.com/node/520086

CTV News poll have voters 83% opposed to using any civic tax funds to save the Farnham Block. http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/more/poll-results

Now the results may be different from a CBC poll, but it does indicate that the Farnham Block isn't a top priority for many people.

I'm not really surprised. A lot of people probably never even see the Farnham Block building and wouldn't notice if it was gone. I think this is much more of an issue for people who live in the area, like myself.

I would like to see the city do whatever they can to save it, though. Although at some point you may just have to accept that it is in too bad of a condition to save. I do wonder about how honest the new owner's are being, given the building was still occupied only a couple of years ago.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by studentview

The largest retail real estate conference in Canada is taking place this weekend in Whistler. http://www.icsc.org/events-and-programs/details/whistler-conference4/ I attend every year. Ikea is not taking any meetings and has ordered their representatives from CBRE to not comment on any plans of expansion at this point.

The conference is essentially speed dating between retailers and developers. Retailers have plans of where they want to expand and developers have said land in desirable locations across Canada. We meet, drink and put the particulars of most large deals together in a matter of a couple days. Its quite astonishing actually. This is all coupled with meet the retailer forums and talks on the current market nation wide. Should be very interesting given the current market and the recent changes in the retail landscape. From our perspective there continues to be a ton of interest in Saskatchewan and despite the oil situation in Calgary they continue to have one of the best retail markets in the world.

So no Ikea for now and despite what anyone tells you they will not be occupying any of the vacant Targets. Its not even close to what they need. Good Life Fitness is the best bet to fill at least a chunk of these spaces across the country. I've also heard there are other US retailers thinking of trying a few on for size as more of a test to see how they are received before jumping right in like target did.

The market here is steady but not on a decline. A lot of potash and oil works is slow so developers with cash will be able to take advantage of more competitive pricing from contractors thus build more buildings. I think we will see a lot go up over the next couple years and more retailers than ever before will enter the market. Hopefully this post creates some good discussion...

Any word on if Brightenview Development is in attendance at this conference? I know the farfetched Dundurn Megamall is supposed to be a step higher on the wholesale hierarchy than the retailers attending the real estate conference, but I'm curious if they will have an actual presence on the ground there, since if it comes to fruition as proposed it would have a significant impact on the developer-retailer landscape.

As for GoodLife taking over Target locations, the Centremall location on 8th St. is already adjacent to the GoodLife which took over a portion of the space when they renovated the old Zellers. It's a busy gym, I could see them expanding a little but most of the space would still be vacant.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by miked22

I'm not really surprised. A lot of people probably never even see the Farnham Block building and wouldn't notice if it was gone. I think this is much more of an issue for people who live in the area, like myself.

I would like to see the city do whatever they can to save it, though. Although at some point you may just have to accept that it is in too bad of a condition to save. I do wonder about how honest the new owner's are being, given the building was still occupied only a couple of years ago.

I think the new owners are at least as honest as the previous ones. Was it ever made public the reason why they terminated Lydia's lease and sold the building? Maybe they were aware of impending structural problems?

One of the new owners is my chiropractor, I'll quiz him a little during my next adjustment.

[gowest]

Lots of heavy equipment moving earth around at the new Operations Center today. Given it big time.

[dsmmace]

Civic Operations Center has piling slated to start mid February.

Farnham Block building was not specifically announced to be structurally unsafe, the news was more focused on the loss of Lydia's etc. I knew and I'm sure I made a comment on here previously about it being beyond repairs when the closure was announced. There are a couple other apartment buildings in behind Farnham that should be torn down as well. The one I'm thinking of is across the street from the bookstore with the white pillars and a balcony.

[Echoes]

That's the Arrand Block, and it's a designated heritage property.

IMG_4191 by echoes320, on Flickr

[The S'toon Goon]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Building The Banks

Developer takes on urban renewal in Riversdale

By Joanne Paulson, Saskatoon Express
Issue: Week of Jan 19, 2015

Chris Le Fevre could be described as a bit of a contrarian, and he’s not likely to be offended by the term.

For example, he strongly disputes the commonly held view that successful real-estate investing is all about location, location, location.

“I never agree to that. I always feel it’s timing,” said Le Fevre in a recent interview. “You can have bad luck if your timing isn’t right. I think my timing, fortunately, was right. But that having been said, I’m not finished the project yet; it won’t be finished until the spring of 2016.”

He is talking about The Banks, the four-building residential and small-space commercial project presently rising next to the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market in Riversdale. The buildings’ names reflect their water-side environment: The Riverbend, The Edgewater, The Current and The Bridge. They comprise 134 residential units and 20,000 square feet of commercial space.

As of mid-January, $30 million worth of apartments have been pre-sold — without spending a dime on advertising, Le Fevre notes with some pride. That, above all, tells him his timing is right.

[........]

Read more:
http://www.saskatoonexpress.com/readmoreJOANNE.html

On one hand Le Fevre is saying that another large development could be problematic for him and the other developers, but on the other hand, he is touting the fact he has sold 30 million worth of units with no or minimal effort.

Obviously more developments would mean more competition, but this is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for the consumer. And, with what has been pre-sold there clearly is an appetite for this kind of thing.

[The S'toon Goon]

Originally Posted by studentview

The market here is steady but not on a decline. A lot of potash and oil works is slow so developers with cash will be able to take advantage of more competitive pricing from contractors thus build more buildings. I think we will see a lot go up over the next couple years and more retailers than ever before will enter the market. Hopefully this post creates some good discussion...

The market is definitely not in decline, however a correction seems to be in order and that seems to be starting to take place. I certainly agree that this is the time for developers to take advantage of the market. A company like North Prairie should have the capital to invest in a time like this, but time will tell. I am certainly optimistic that downtown will see some solid housing growth. I also think we will continue to see restaurants/pubs and other retailers setting up shop, just not at the torrid pace that has been occurring.