With the arena construction ramping down, Botanica can start building up again.
Originally projected for a spring/summer 2016 completion, the $26-million luxury condo project at the corner of Boudreau Road and Bellerose Drive has faced numerous delays over the past year. The project competed for resources and labour with Rogers Place, the new downtown home of the Edmonton Oilers.
“It was amazing. I knew the arena was going on, but I didn’t expect to be this big of a problem,” said Boudreau Developments Ltd. president Dave Haut. “We’re going for a concrete pour and there’s no concrete available in Edmonton for that day. The fire spray insulators: we couldn’t get them for three weeks.”
Now that it’s coming down to the final details on the arena, Haut said a regular construction schedule has resumed. Move-in is expected to start at the end of August.
The first phase – the project consists of two steel-and-concrete buildings – is 75 per cent sold and will accommodate 126 units. That’s six more than planned.
“Because the project has been so successful we decided to go ahead and build the amenity building along with building one, and that added the extra six units under the amenity building,” said Haut.
The two-storey amenity building, which will feature a rooftop patio, fitness area, community kitchen and meeting room and a library, was originally supposed to be built during the second phase of construction. But after receiving an unanticipated level of support the developer decided to go ahead with construction this summer.
“We didn’t think it was fair to make people wait,” said Haut.
The second phase of construction will also be moving ahead of schedule. With 65 per cent of the second building now reserved, shovels are expected in the ground in January or February of next year.
The former Hole’s greenhouse site was subdivided into three parcels of land. The one closest to the corner of Boudreau Road and Bellerose Drive is The Shops at Boudreau owned by Chrisen Developments.
Since hosting its grand opening at the end of August 2015, The Shops have welcomed five new businesses, including Lily Pods Float Centre, Who Cares Wear and Swish Flowers, and two new office tenants.
The most recent tenancy agreement created quite a stir. It was announced earlier this week that a 10,000 square foot Italian market called Mercato by Italian Bakery is expected to open in spring 2017.
The Shops are currently at 81 per cent occupancy, with four retail spaces and one office space still available.
Pauline Smitheman said interest in The Shops is high, but that in trying to create a specific merchandising mix Chrisen has been selective when bringing on new tenants.
“We believe in creating a mix of individually selected unique, high end, one of a kind retailers that complement each other as well as satisfy the wants and needs of our shoppers,” she said.
The third parcel of land is owned by Boudreau Developments. Haut said he has a few ideas for the commercial project at 103 Bellerose Dr. ranging from a large high profile restaurant to a three storey professional development. He will explore the possibilities next winter.
