New digs for heritage Collingwood
Condominium with street retail to replace derelict project that left a ‘gravel pit’ in town’s core
What do Toronto’s trendy Yorkville neighbourhood and a Simcoe County town best known for its Blue Mountain ski hill have in common? They share a developer with vision and both have rich heritage histories and a village ambience.
Ian Wookey, who was instrumental in developing Toronto’s King West neighbourhood, and whose father, the late Richard (Dick) Wookey, is credited with creating Yorkville, saw another great opportunity in Collingwood, the fastest-growing Canadian town east of Manitoba.
Wookey, with Seniority Investments, a partner at Stonebrook Developments, along with Toronto entrepreneur Remo Niceforo are set to launch Monaco, a six-storey, 127-unit condominium building in the downtown, heritage heart of Collingwood. As well as residential suites, it will bring 30,000 square feet of retail space to the town core.
Blue Mountain, with its first ski trails cut in 1941, put Collingwood on the map as a ski destination. But it has evolved into a four-season destination and outdoor recreation pursuits range from skiing, tubing, skating and snowshoeing in winter, to biking, hiking, golf and boating in summer; there’s a busy calendar of community and cultural events, including the world’s largest Elvis festival each summer; the craft beer and culinary scene is flourishing; and new boutiques and shops add an urbane vibe.
New residents include everyone from young families to baby boomers looking for a quieter lifestyle but with the amenities they’d find in the big city.
The Monaco property is the former site of a public school. A local developer launched a condo project there more than a decade ago, but it was stalled by political infighting and fluctuations in the real estate market. The school had been demolished and the underground parking garage excavated — but the downtown site sat as a hole filled with gravel.
“This opportunity made absolute sense,” Wookey says. “It’s unique. I bought the plan for the building and it had been approved. People will be able to walk to the coffee shop, the grocery and liquor stores, and to the farmers market. You can’t build five or six storeys in the downtown anymore.”
The Collingwood Heritage Conservation District encompasses the downtown and bylaws regulate development within it, making another project like this unlikely.
Wookey and his late father both recognized opportunities in areas such as Yorkville and King West, and worked to transform them into desirable, mixed-use residential neighbourhoods.
“Collingwood is not Yorkville North, but it has a lot of the same ingredients,” Wookey says. “It’s a historic little town with a Canadian story as a transportation hub with ships and the railroad.”
Wookey says while it took 45 years in Yorkville “to convince people we were right” about its potential, “Collingwood’s done it over the last 25 years. It’s got a great feel with coffee shops, restaurants and stores, and its dedication to health and wellness.”
Scott Hunermund moved to Collingwood 10 years ago when he realized he’d never be able to afford to fulfil his vision for a furniture and decor business in Toronto. As well, his parents lived in the town. His business, At Home Interiors in downtown Collingwood, has grown steadily — from a 1,000- to 5,000square-foot store — along with the town’s population. Hunermund says his and many other businesses once depended on weekend visitors for sales, but “in the last six years, that demographic has completely changed.”
“We still have weekenders, but the permanent population has expanded and on week days, we are often doing more business than on the weekends. And it’s not just boomers. It’s young families, too,” Hunermund says.
He says the empty condo site looks like a “big gravel pit” and “as the entrance to the main street, it’s such an eyesore. Everybody is thrilled this (Monaco) is going ahead. The downtown core is very desirable. A lot of people want to be close to the main street because it’s so wonderful.”
Local veterinarian Jim Bell is considering buying a condo unit at Monaco.
He has lived in the Collingwood area his entire life and owns and operates Bellbrae Animal Hospital on the edge of town. As he gets closer to retirement, Bell is thinking of the type of lifestyle he and his partner, Elise, will want — where they can locate and walk to the town’s harbour, stores and restaurants.
“I like the (Monaco) location, it fits well with the town and people can walk to anything they need,” Bell says. “Everything from doctors to pharmacies is within a block or two. It’s high time this building went ahead and it will add to the beautification of the downtown.”
Wookey says Monaco appeals to both empty nesters and those who want a second home to use on weekends. “It’s the lifestyle. Collingwood has horseback riding, hiking, skiing, the waterfront. You can take a bus to the ski hills.”
The Blue Mountain Resort and Wasaga Beach are less than a 20-minute drive away, as well as several golf courses, and Sunset Point Beach is a short car ride away or 25 minutes on foot.
To be built with brick and limestone, Monaco has been designed by A. J. Tregebov Architects to blend with the surrounding heritage buildings. Inside, it will have a modern design and offer amenities typical of an upscale Toronto condo. As well, it will be Collingwood’s only building with underground parking.