Unique Seniors Townhouse Development In
Thunder Bay
by Scott A. Sumner
Thunder Bay Business
The Chartwell Company likes what they see in Thunder Bay and are under construction of their third project for the local seniors to enjoy. Called the Chartwell Spectrums Senior’s Housing this up scale townhouse development will allow still mobile seniors to make the
transition from their own home to a traditional seniors facility.
“ We did the original Chartwell Select development building and are now working on a 16 unit townhouse complex comprised of three buildings. The buildings offer self contained units with a high level of finish and will be 1 storey with a basement. It is housing development for seniors who are quite mobile and want to move to a unit which won’t dramatically alter their lifestyle,” noted Jan Simons of Dominion Construction. “ Each unit will be approximately 1100 square feet in size with two types, an A type and B type.”
Most seniors complexes consist of suites where the residents live in a complex. These new townhouses are self contained units with a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, laundry room, full basement along with attached garage. The new Chartwell Spectrum Seniors Housing project is on the same property and right across the laneway from the main building known as Chartwell Select. The units will have patios on the back and porches on the front so the residents can barbeque and have patio furniture.
“ They are very high end. There will be dynamic roof lines with dormer windows and steep pitches. It will be a high end finish with masonry veneer and high end windows. The units will be air conditioned and have their own furnace and a optional fireplace. It is carpeted
through with some ceramic tile,” stated Simons. “ Currently we are building phase 1 of three. We are close to finishing off the concrete foundations and framing the first unit so we hope to be with the roof up enclosed in 5 weeks. Chartwell want to open up the marketing suite
March 1st in the first building and will be marketing these while we complete the second and third phases of the project.”
The project has gone well once we got started. Bob Rodger is our site superintendent. The owner has retained local contractors and all local suppliers except the windows. I look after all the projects in Thunder Bay and am managing this project in particular because Chartwell is my national client. I like working in Thunder Bay. It is a smaller market with a tightly knit trade community and I feel there is a good opportunity for a facility like this in Thunder Bay,” informs
Simons. “ Winnipeg is a booming market right now but we see a steady work load in Thunder Bay. We have a number of projects coming up in Thunder Bay where we are focussing on construction management.
“ Chartwell is very excited about the Thunder Bbay market and feel there is much room for expansion. This is their third facility in Thunder Bay with Glacier Ridge, Chartwell Select and now ChartwellSpectrum, the townhomes. They see Thunder Bay as a growth market for retirement homes and focus on the upper end with high quality finishes with a warm environment and inviting atmosphere for seniors,” states Simons. “ Chartwell went public a few years ago and have done very well with high demand for their facilities because of the quality and the way they treat their people. They have artwork, books and nick knacks around just like in your own home. One of the owners from Toronto came up to show me one of their facilities and knew all thestaff names. They are a great company with which to work on projects.”
