If you live in Saint John, you will soon see changes coming to the city north end. City councillors gave first and second reading to a large development that brings more than 260 new apartments to the area, as reported by CBC News.

Transforming a Vacant Lot

The plan introduces three buildings standing five to six storeys tall. Developers will build the complex adjacent to Lansdowne Plaza along Sears Street, right between Lansdowne Avenue and Harrington Street. Plaza Corp Property Holdings applied to rezone the property from a general commercial area to a mid rise residential zone. This specific lot sat vacant since 2013 after crews demolished a department store and office building.

Nova Scotia developer Rob LeBlanc, founder of Dartmouth based Fathom Studio, leads the project design. Jacob Ritchie, speaking on behalf of the development company, told council the project tackles housing affordability by reducing transportation costs. When you live steps away from a Sobeys grocery store, Shoppers Drug Mart, and major transit routes, you spend less money getting around.

Community and Council Support

The finished complex includes outdoor amenity spaces, landscaped greenery, and both underground and exterior parking. Developers will also build individual doorways for ground floor townhouse units. The provincial building code requires one in every 20 units to be barrier free, and Ritchie confirmed the building includes these accessible units.

City leaders see this as a positive step for the neighborhood. Councillor Brian Wyatt noted the project aligns perfectly with the long term growth plan approved in May. “The Lansdowne Plaza should be the heart of the north end, and it will take developments like this to get it there,” Wyatt said. Mayor Donna Reardon also praised the proposal, calling it a perfect spot to start and a real catalyst for growth.

The project received one letter of support and one letter of opposition during the public hearing. A nearby resident expressed concerns about backyard privacy, property taxes, and garbage. The development now requires a third reading before securing final approval. While the company has not set a strict timeline, Ritchie stated that redeveloping the vacant site remains a top priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new apartment complex located?

The complex sits adjacent to Lansdowne Plaza along Sears Street, between Lansdowne Avenue and Harrington Street in the north end of Saint John.

How many units does the project include?

The development features three buildings with a total of 267 apartment units.

Who is developing the property?

Nova Scotia developer Rob LeBlanc and his Dartmouth based architecture company Fathom Studio proposed the project on behalf of Plaza Corp Property Holdings.

When will construction begin?

The developers have not announced a specific timeline yet. The project still needs a third reading from the city council before final approval.