Made In Welland: News Section November 15, 2021

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November 15, 2021

Tesla rental, smart technology part of new Welland housing units

From left, Drew Toth of Elevate Living Niagara, Welland economic development manager Lina DeChellis, Mayor Frank Campion and HÖM Residential founder Clive Lobo break ground at the future site of a six-storey, 129-unit building at 697-699 Niagara St. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

Dave Johnson
Courtesy of Welland Tribune

Residents of a six-storey, 129-unit building on Welland’s Niagara Street will have access to a Tesla 3 and shared electric scooters and bicycles when they move in, says developer/builder Drew Toth.

They’ll also be able to access and control HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, and enter the building, one of two going up at 697-699 Niagara St., via smartphones.

Toth, of Elevate Living Niagara, along with HÖM Residential, Better Neighbourhoods planners, Brouwer Construction and others were on site Monday to break ground for construction.

“It’s been two years and working with a lot of different people,” said Toth of the project, adding Phase 2 will see a five-storey building with 84 units.

He said the design of the buildings is based on the greatest need in Niagara — purpose-built rentals for single units.

“The majority of the units will be bachelor and one-bedroom. The building is also the first Smart One technologies building in Niagara.”

Partnering with Kite, a car-share program, will allow residents to rent a Tesla 3 for the same price as public transportation. Bell will support residents with fibre optics high-speed internet.

The Tesla and shared electric scooters and bicycles are all part of a theme to reduce carbon emissions and create affordability.

“It’s so folks can have access to reliable transportation at an affordable rate, and a way that’s better for the environment.”

Toth said the property was purchased two years ago from another developer that had planned a seven-storey student residence.

“We looked at that model and it wasn’t economically viable and we didn’t feel there was a great need for it in the community.

“We did a complete redesign for open market rentals and focused on single units,” said Toth.

HÖM Residential founder Clive Lobo partnered with Elevate Living Niagara and said they have plans to bring more than 1,000 rental units to Niagara over the next five years.

“It’s to cater to the core housing need in the region, which is singles and couples,” said Lobo.

He said they’ve addressed affordable housing by building slightly smaller units in the two buildings on Niagara Street.

“We’re looking at affordable units in future builds,” said Lobo. Future builds are planned in Welland and St Catharines.

In addition to creating more stock of purpose-built rental units, it also meets Niagara Region’s growth strategy of more housing through intensification.

Economic development manager Lina DeChellis said the city made a connection with Toth through Seaway Mall president Mike Belcastro.

“We built up a relationship with Drew. We think he’ll be a great assess to the community with some of the developments he’s moving forward with.

“Especially with this one with the need for smaller rental units,” DeChellis said at the groundbreaking.

She said the buildings will fill in a huge need in Welland.

Mayor Frank Campion said the project meets a need with single-unit rentals.

“Probably the least amount of housing inventory we have is singles.”

Campion also liked the concept of going green with transportation connected to the buildings through Kite and the electric scooters and bicycles.

“It’s something different and something new for the community. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.”

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