Off-campus residence targets fall opening
Published: June 01, 2007
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Despite minor delays that set back development, West Village student residence is expected to be ready - and full - by September.
The nine storey building at 1686 Main St. W. on the former site of the Canadian National Institute for Blind also aims to meet high sustainability and environmental standards while pulling McMaster University students out of converted single-family homes in surrounding neighbourhoods.
It's a project that has been music to the ears of Ward 1 city councillor Brian McHattie since it was proposed just over a year ago. He said purpose-built student housing along Main Street West is a goal of the local secondary plan.
Mr. McHattie said it isn't clear if the development will shut down poor quality student homes in Ainslie Wood and Westdale, or if the majority of residents will come directly from first year on-campus residences.
Both would be positive, he said, but an official system to keep track of student homes is another goal, with potential for other off campus student residences in the area.
"We want to know, as best we can, it's going to have the desired impact," Mr. McHattie said.
During a tour of the building Monday afternoon, owner Robert Manherz estimated 100 student houses will be emptied by his state-of-the art facility.
Mr. Manherz said a landlord who operates 17 nearby student houses told him the building will eliminate competition from low standard, absentee landlord student homes.
As of Monday, 340 rooms were leased of the 449 single spaces available.
At 76 per cent capacity, with three months to go and more than five new students signing leases each week, Mr. Manherz figures the building will be sold out in August.
He said some students have questioned whether the residence will be ready for September. And he understands their concerns, considering the building's current state - but is confident a summer push will see the living space ready for occupancy on the first day of September.
Priority number one is getting the roof on the building, and completing the process to make the structure water tight. Then drywalling and taping can be completed.
"Then I expect there will be some double shifts to get the inside work completed," Mr. Manherz said.
Three ground floor commercial spaces have been leased out, and a restaurant-pub will also be included on the main floor.
Mr. Manherz said the development includes the South building, which faces Main West, and the North building, which stretches along the property.
Those living areas are connected by a "link" building, which will be covered by glass, which includes common areas on each floor and three elevators.
The building includes a weight room, aerobic exercise room, common television lounges, study rooms and laundry rooms. Each of the 109 suites features a shared kitchen, two or three bathrooms, a dining-living area and a balcony. Suites have anywhere from two to five private bedrooms. Some bedrooms have private bathrooms and terraces.
Monthly rent ranges from $475 to $675, with most rooms at $525 - including utilities. Mr. Manherz agreed the West Village Condos moniker is an unfortunate misnomer, because no spaces are actually for sale.
"We wanted to express that it's not a traditional building," he said.
The development used recycled building materials, and used a variety of energy efficient procedures and materials. Use of thermal technology, solar panels, ventilation and other tools - including capture and re-use of rainwater for toilets - will ensure efficient operation.
He noted this building will not contribute to high sewage flows during rainstorms - where untreated sewage is pumped into the harbour by the city.
The building is surrounded on three sides by vacant open space, a hydro corridor and conservation property. Besides offering excellent views, the location buffers the students from any residential areas.
High standards
Mr. Manherz is pushing for the development to meet the high standards of the Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - to achieve the highest Platinum rating.
"I think sustainable development is important for students," he said. "They are more aware of the environment than their parents were."
He noted that research by the Green Building Council in the United States shows people perform better in the kind of building he is creating.
"There's better air quality, more natural light," Mr. Manherz said. "Students get better grades, and employees are more productive than in a traditional building."
He said even though the student residence is seven times larger than the CNIB building, the 449 students will have less impact on the city's infrastructure than the previous building on the site.
Mr. Manherz said the standards this building is expected to meet should be attached to all development in the City of Hamilton.
"It depends whether the politicians are willing to do that. Other cities have minimum standards for sustainability, and offer incentives to developers," he said.
For more details on West Village Condos, visit its website
Reposted with permission from Metroland Media Group.
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Author: Craig Campbell