Construction down but apartment projects on the way in Brantford

The construction of new homes – which was booming in the last few years – dropped drastically in Brantford in the first six months of 2024.

Article content

According to statistics from the City of Brantford, just 134 house units have been started this year compared to 412 by the same time last year.

“Obviously, the start of the year wasn’t great for housing, but it is picking up,” said the city’s chief building official, Andy McMahon.

Once summer permits are added in – including permits being issued for some new apartment buildings – it will drive up the city’s construction permit value and create a lot of housing units in a short period of time, he said.

“We also have developers moving into the final phases for getting subdivisions approved and, it won’t happen soon, but once the lands in the north end get serviced, we’re going to see things happen very quickly.”

The newly acquired land north of Powerline Road will eventually be the site of “thousands of residential units, school sites and commercial buildings” said McMahon.

Article content

Meanwhile, he said 2024’s first half is basically a return to a “normal” building pace.

“These are levels that were normal in 2019, prior to the building spike a few years ago.”

In the first six months of the year, 478 permits were issued by the city for projects that are valued at about $162.6 million.

That compares to 866 permits with a construction value of $427.3 million at the same time last year.

While work in the commercial category dropped in the number of projects taking place and sharply in the value of those projects, it was residential work that registered the biggest change.

By the end of this June, 350 projects worth $60 million had been approved. Last year at the same point, more than double – 745 – projects worth $131.5 million were underway.

Article content

The biggest chunk of that value was in a single permit issued in April for the expansion of the police station on Elgin Street – a project valued at $52 million.

The same month, the city issued a permit for a $10.5-million new hotel on Shellington Place. The Fairfield Inn at 20 Shellington Place will have 92 guest rooms.

Also in April, a $9-million permit for a new apartment building at 32 Bridge Street was issued. The building will have 24 residential units and commercial units on the ground floor.

Other major projects during the second quarter of the year include:

A permit worth $5 million for the foundation work and site servicing at the first of two apartment buildings going up at 141 King George Road.

A permit for the foundation work and footings at the first of four more apartment towers at the Grand Bell complex on the corner of Erie Avenue and Market Street. The towers will be at least 18 storeys high and have 226 units each. Plans call for commercial space on the ground floor, office space on the second floor and 16 stores of residential apartments.

Article content

Another indicator of housing starts yet to come was a site servicing permit for an 89-unit townhouse complex at 313 Conklin Road.

An addition valued at $4 million is going up at Ingenia Polymers on Greenwich Street.

A $3.4 million addition is planned at Banbury Heights School on Banbury Road where a child care unit will be created.

Industrial additions and alterations work of more than $1 million were approved for a warehouse at 43 Roy Blvd., a Hardy Road company and an Abbott Court warehouse.

A small permit for work valued at $200,000 was issued for a new “gaming establishment” at the old Cordage site, 111 Sherwood Dr. McMahon said it looks to be an amusement arcade with video games, a dining area, party room and kitchen.

Article content

And, in June, there were permits issued for 18 new single-detached homes on McKernan Avenue, which is finishing up a subdivision off Oak Park Road. The home building costs run between $411,000 to $837,000.

A Morton Avenue firm called Habitat 28 got five permits in May to build tiny homes. The units will be manufactured at the company and sold either in Brantford or elsewhere in the province.

“This is something new,” McMahon said.

“They get a permit to build in the municipality and then are issued a transfer certificate so, when it’s sold, the next municipality doesn’t have to inspect the building again – just the site.”

That will work similarly when non-Brantford businesses selling tiny or modular homes come to install them in the city.

McMahon said it’s a good reminder to people looking at tiny homes to do their research.

“You have to get a building permit and the unit has to comply with the Ontario building code and our bylaws.

“You should ensure your builder takes out the permit and you get a copy of it. Don’t just buy something and assume you’ll get a permit. Call your building department about the rules and regulations.”

[email protected]

@EXPSGamble

Article content