New build seen as downtown catalyst

A new 72-unit apartment complex in Brandon’s downtown is expected to draw more business to the city’s core, officials say.

Developers and city officials held a sod turning on Wednesday for the three-building complex at 1200 Pacific Ave., which is slated to be completed in December 2027.

“Today marks an exciting milestone, not just for this project, but for the future of housing and downtown development in Brandon,” Mayor Jeff Fawcett said during the groundbreaking eremony.

The Eddy Residences, named after the former Prince Edward Hotel that once stood in Brandon’s downtown, include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units that will be rented out at market rate.

The site is billed as a prime location for walkability and proximity to downtown businesses and recreation facilities.

“As Brandon continues to grow, we need housing options that meet the needs of a diverse and expanding population,” Fawcett said. “That means creating more homes for young professionals, families, retirees and those looking to live close to employment, services and amenities.”

The main companies leading the development of the currently vacant lot are Westman Premier Homes and Keller Developments in collaboration with The Sneath Group.

The build is the first in the city using the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which the federal government in 2024 promised to “fast track 168 homes over the next three years” and spur the construction of more than 761 homes over the next decade. Ottawa pledged more than $6.2 million in funding through the program.

“Today’s groundbreaking demonstrates exactly what can happen when different levels of government and private-sector partners work together toward a common goal,” Fawcett said.

The city in a news release Wednesday said the federal fund is providing $936,000 for the project and will also “offset eligible development charges estimated at over $230,000.”

As well, “the city will provide a grant that will offset 20 years of incremental municipal property taxes generated by the development,” the release said.

The total cost for the Eddy Residences is pegged at about $19.2 million.

“This represents a major investment in our city and in our future,” the mayor said. “Beyond the new housing units themselves, this development will contribute to economic growth, support our labour force and strengthen the long-term vitality of Brandon.

“While this project is located on Pacific Avenue, its benefits will be felt throughout our community.”

Emmy Sanderson, Brandon Downtown Biz’s executive director, said the units being market rate is a positive thing for the neighbourhood as it brings people downtown who will shop in the area.

“If they’re going to pop to a shop, they’re popping to a shop downtown. If they’re going to play a sport, they’re going to pickleball, they’re going to the Y … and having the more people that are downtown calling it home, the better,” Sanderson said after the ceremony.

“This is just a huge step in the right direction.”

The build will play a big role in revitalizing the downtown and is part of an “upward spiral,” she said.

“There’s hesitation around developing downtown and for them to come and do this and be like one of the first big developments downtown, and show that it’s possible to be successful, just leads the way for other developments,” Sanderson said.

Robyn Sneath, the general developer, said the downtown construction is “really exciting.”

“The potential for a project of this magnitude to be happening down here, the potential beneficial spillover impacts from having that amount of market housing within our downtown core — it’s great,” said Sneath, CEO of The Sneath Group.

Sneath said there “really is no way” the project would have been possible without the Housing Accelerator Fund.

“Initially we were planning to put an indoor field house in here because our kids are really into soccer, and that there’s a huge need for that in Brandon,” Sneath said. “But when those grants were made available, I thought, ‘You know what, this is our moment, and we’ve got to go for it.’”

Fawcett said there are a few more accelerator fund projects in the queue right now.

Most of the funding under the program is slated for the city’s core.

“Hopefully we’ll do some announcements on them in the next little while,” he said.

» alambert@brandonsun.com