Queenston St | 9 Unit New Build

St. Catharines

Property Type: Former Single-Family Home (Now Demolished)
Scope of Work: New Construction – 3-Storey, 9-Unit Apartment Building

Project Overview:

This development involved demolishing an existing single-family home on a prominent corner lot in St. Catharines to make way for a brand-new 3-storey, 9-unit apartment building. Each unit was thoughtfully designed as a large 1-bedroom apartment, targeting both comfort and rental appeal. With a total above-grade area of approximately 5,500 sq. ft., this building was designed to maximize the site's potential without triggering the requirement for an elevator, which would significantly impact both construction and long-term maintenance costs.

Scope & Strategy:

• Designed a purpose-built 3-storey residential building with 9      large 1-bedroom units

• Demolished the existing detached home to start fresh with new      construction

• Retained a local planner to manage the Site Plan Approval (SPA)      process prior to Bill 23

• Coordinated early input from city planning, external      consultants, and utility agencies

• Allocated the basement as a large open space with the potential      for future unit additions (Phase 2)

• Integrated parking for all units despite the site's small      footprint and setback constraints

Challenges Solved:

• Navigated pre-Bill 23 Site Plan Approval requirements in a      tightly regulated urban setting

• Balanced parking requirements for 9 units while preserving      green space and buildable area

• Avoided elevator requirement by limiting height to 3      storeys—saving substantially on construction and maintenance

• Coordinated multiple consultants early to align on servicing,      grading, and planning feedback

• Explored future-proofing the design by reserving basement space      for future unit expansion

Investor Benefits:

• 9 rental units on a small urban lot—optimized for affordability      and long-term yield

• Strategically avoided additional OBC and zoning burdens through      smart design choices

• Corner lot visibility enhances unit desirability and      marketability

• Designed for potential expansion with minimal structural      modification in Phase 2

Current Status:

Site Plan Approval process initiated but currently on hold at investor's request before formal submission was completed.