Saskatoon Construction

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

Looks just like the Rumley here in Saskatoon. I noticed the windows are small. I hope they do a better job here in Saskatoon, and have bigger windows. Wonder when they plan to start work on it.

I wonder why it is taking so long for the old Bay building to get finished. Maybe they are running out of money.

I actually like the way the building looks on that website. Big windows are nice to have but, in this case, I think it looks better (at least from the outside) with the smaller windows. I just think it fits better with the character of the building. That's only my opinion, of course. There's only so much you can do with a building like that, though. Even if they were able to put large windows like the ones that you drew up, you have to remember that there are floors in between.

[john316]

Hi there everyone.
Just wanted to introduce myself. My wife and I have recently moved to the beautiful city of Saskatoon from Calgary. We really like the city and it has a great quality of life. I think you will find over the next couple of years tremendous growth in the city and surrounding area with a lot of people coming here from Alberta. The cost of living is definitely lower, and while Saskatoon lacks some of the big city perks, it has a lot going for it.

Wanted to quickly comment about the posts re: 20 St. west and Pleasant Hill.
We live in Meadowgreen and are involved with a Christian Street ministry in Pleasant Hill and I want you to know that things are looking up. There are a lot of families moving into Pleasant Hill & Meadowgreen and Crime is on the downswing. Still tons of work to be done but I think you will see huge changes in these communities in the next 5 years.

Anyways, this will be the first of many posts. Take care all!

[Ruckus]

Farmers Market/Business Incubator







River Landing









Persephone Theater









Prairie Wind

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by john316

Hi there everyone.
Just wanted to introduce myself. My wife and I have recently moved to the beautiful city of Saskatoon from Calgary. We really like the city and it has a great quality of life. I think you will find over the next couple of years tremendous growth in the city and surrounding area with a lot of people coming here from Alberta. The cost of living is definitely lower, and while Saskatoon lacks some of the big city perks, it has a lot going for it.

Wanted to quickly comment about the posts re: 20 St. west and Pleasant Hill.
We live in Meadowgreen and are involved with a Christian Street ministry in Pleasant Hill and I want you to know that things are looking up. There are a lot of families moving into Pleasant Hill & Meadowgreen and Crime is on the downswing. Still tons of work to be done but I think you will see huge changes in these communities in the next 5 years.

Anyways, this will be the first of many posts. Take care all!

You made the right move, welcome to Saskatoon.

Great to hear positive responses and words of progress from someone who lives and works in the core neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods need more people like yourself, its the only path towards better things.

If you don't mind me asking, are you and your wife both native Calgarians, ex-Sask, or something completely different?

Sorta off topic: Yesterday I met a couple from Switzerland who were looking for a hotel(they were on a BMW touring bike with Swiss plates!), I suggested Sheraton or the Bessborough, to which they replied "too much", they asked about the Travelodge and I said yeah its more reasonable and provided rough directions. Should have asked more questions, its not often you see that sort of thing.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

This might be slightly off topic, but I've been writing a blog at Saskatoonlive.com for the past 5 or 6 months now where I'm posting things that I think 'Make Saskatoon Great'. I'd really be appreciative if some of you would check it out. I'm always looking for people to submit articles on local places, things to do, shopping and dining that they like in Saskatoon and that make it unique (no chain stores or restaurants). If you'd like to contribute, send me an email from the contact page on the blog.

Impressive descriptions and photos, you've captured quite a variety of Saskatoon features,

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by molasses

Renting an old character home (once it was a condemned rooming house, that's been extensively reno'd) with the idea that once the current owners figure out their work/living situation I'll likely buy it.

I know a couple people who just had their house assess a 2 bedroom character bungalow at $120000.....that seems to be the going rate for something you can move into right away.

As for young professionals, I personally know 8 that live within 4 blocks of me.....just go for a wander on a Saturday and you'll notice the different characters that live there. Of course there is still crack houses and some pretty rough lives, but it is changing.....and by the end of summer the Hot Art Cafe (in the old Chelsea bakery across from the park cafe) will be selling espresso/lattes on 20th, so it is changing.

Oh ya, and now 20th has a lower vacancy rate than Broadway.

Also for another small tidbit from that area, construction should be starting right away (if it hasn't already) on the 17th Street Green link and pathway system. The old right of way running from Spadina to Avenue P is being redeveloped into a green space with a walking/cycling path, trees and benches etc. It should be a nice buffer between the industrial areas an King George, as well cleaning up that abandoned space.

Great news to hear. The farmers market opening up, new businesses on 20th, the 17th st green link, new demographics moving in ..this is all GREAT news for that area! i always thought it a shame that riversdale, being such a historic neighborhood so close to the river, has for some time been one of the most infamous parts of saskatoon. i look forward to seeing the safety of the area continue to improve, the neighborhood gentrify and new shops/restaurants and services move in. we may have quite the urban/trendy area there in the future.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

This might be slightly off topic, but I've been writing a blog at Saskatoonlive.com for the past 5 or 6 months now where I'm posting things that I think 'Make Saskatoon Great'. I'd really be appreciative if some of you would check it out. I'm always looking for people to submit articles on local places, things to do, shopping and dining that they like in Saskatoon and that make it unique (no chain stores or restaurants). If you'd like to contribute, send me an email from the contact page on the blog.

Great work Todd.. your blog is attractively laid out with great photos and articles. You've done a great job of capturing the culture/attractions of Saskatoon.. I hope that your blog is capturing the attention of outsiders as it does a great service to Saskatoon. Not sure I can be any help as a contributor but count me in as a regular reader.

[macca]

There has been some work being done at the former Extra Foods site the last couple of days. A few workers have been doing... something along the wall of the school board building. No idea what it is or what it's for. Cars are still parking on the lot.

ToddStoon, great blog. Keep it up.

[john316]

Thanks for the Welcome SASKFTW!
My wife and I are originally fro the East Coast (PEI) but we lived in Calgary for a total of 14 years. There is a stat for you...we are not ex-Sask. So many people have asked us if we are from Sask originally and they are quite suprised when we say that we are not. Saskatoon is going to be seeing more and more people like us who come from various parts of Canada and the world. Exciting Stuff!

[Coldrsx]

what is everyone's take on doing highrise in the downtown and area of saskatoon? i have had a few people inquire with me about doing something there, but i just dont know the market well enough.

[circle33]

I'm not sure I fully understand the question, but I can tell you the most recent highrise condo built sold out long before completetion. If there was ever a marketing campaign for it, i didn't see it. Two recent highrise proposals, however, have been scrapped, the developer in each case citing rising construction costs.

[Coldrsx]

^what is $/sqft for new condos there?

[circle33]

Not sure. The market is a little crazy now and a lot of stuff is being sold via sealed bid. There are no high rise condos under construction at the moment anyway.

[Coldrsx]

what would a central newer 1000sqft go for?

[macca]

Here is the mls.ca page for condos in the downtown (this mls area also includes the areas immediatly north of downtown and the far north end of the city).

http://www.mls.ca/PropertyResults.aspx?M...ptgid=1&aid=1353&MapURL=%3fAreaID%3d6321

[Coldrsx]

i wonder how a new 20 storey condo would do in the core...with river views.

[swilley]

My guess is it would sell out very quickly.

[macca]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

i wonder how a new 20 storey condo would do in the core...with river views.

As mentioned above, the new (finishing touches are being applied right now, the first few people are moving in) condo tower (15 storey) on the river sold out a few months into construction with little to no advertising. Suites in the top floors of the building were going for over 400k (this was at least 2 years ago, long before the prices really started to heat up here, which has mainly been the last year, and particularly the last few months). If someone can build it, I have little doubt the units will sell.

[circle33]

Just like the 15 storey one did. Just like the MOB would have.

I guess we need some Alberta mavericks to pony up for a new condo project cause the local developers are unwilling to at present.

[Coldrsx]

^FYI...many many people are looking at toontown...i know as many people here looking to buy in AB as there.

im trying to convince my boss to do a tower there.