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Photo credit of www.builtheritagenews.ca
The area of Port Dalhousie in the City of St. Catharines has been altered significantly over the past few years, with demolition of established buildings during Phase One of the controversial Port Place project. The area has been in a state of halted growth and the city and its residents have grown increasingly frustrated with the state of the once charming community, especially with the rowing course being utilized for the Pan Am Games. Residents of the city can be glad to note that it's not all doom and gloom in Port Dalhousie- recent developments have indicated positive changes in the area that will ultimately benefit the City of St. Catharines.
A pause in development
The community of Port Dalhousie, located in the northwest end of St. Catharines, has definitely seen better days. Buildings have been demolished to make way for the Port Place project, although a small number of restaurants and shops in the area remained, awaiting a Phase Two of development that never materialized. Marketing Vice-President of the Augustine Group (originally associated with Port Place), Brian Tilley, acknowledged a hotel, an integral component of Phase One in accordance with the Ontario Municipal Board, that he had been promoted as almost done for months, is dead.
The Port Place project has stalled and has left behind a neglected neighbourhood during a particularly inopportune time. The community will be showcased during the Pan Am Games this summer, as the Henley Rowing Course on Martindale Pond, finishes with a backdrop of Port Dalhousie. There needs to be change and new redevelopment plans will help inject a little bit of positivity back into the area.
Changing hands
The Port Place property was in the news in January 2015 and had the whole city talking. The property has changed hands- but it's not exactly a sale. Derek Martin, the original developer, lacked direction and vision and as a result, the Port Place development has been taken back by Fortress Capital, the original lenders. Fortress is committed to working with the City of St. Catharines and the Regional Council to see notable progress in the area.
Finding success
The community of Port Dalhousie is comprised predominately of residential uses with a core commercial area. While the Port Place project saw many businesses demolished, several businesses in the community continue to operate and a newer development has been able to find success as well. Pier 61, which opened in 2013 in the site of the former Treadwell's restaurant, and has been bringing business to the community, proving that there is a need for commercial properties in the area.
The Wellington at Port
A multi-tenant proposal by Darryl Austin and Wolfgang Guembel was announced in January 2015, that will see the redevelopment of 9 and 15 Lock Street. The partners have plans to restore the heritage buildings and have already proposed tenants: an Ontario craft beer bar, Niagara Region wine bar, an authentic coffee bar and artist’s co-op.
The partner’s have recognized the area has the ability to become a viable centre and are currently owners of businesses in the core of Port Dalhousie. Their two businesses (Austin owns Jamieson Pools and Ausmosis, while Guembel is co-owner of Trysport Niagara and Aktiv Life Inc.) will eventually move into the units within the complex. The redevelopment is expected to be completed by June 2015.
The timing for this redevelopment proposal couldn't have come at a better time. With the Pan Am Games occuring in summer 2015, the time to make changes to Port Dalhousie is more vital than ever. The new Wellington at Port redevelopment will encourage others to see the development potential in Port Dalhousie. To discuss opportunities to invest in Niagara, connect with Niagara real estate appraiser.
