Kentville’s Miners Landing full, third multi-unit under construction
If you’re looking for an apartment at the new Miners Landing development in Kentville, you’ll probably have to wait for the third building to open.
Parsons Green Developments
president Noel Taiani says that the first two apartment buildings they built as part of Miners Landing, which are 47 units each, were completely occupied within approximately a month after opening last year. Most were pre-leased.
Taiani said there is a lot of interest in this type of higher-end product offering.
Although he couldn’t speak to the housing situation outside of their specific market, “obviously, people are looking for this kind of home in particular” in the Kentville area.
The buildings, located at 12 and 19 Miners Landing Dr., are four storeys high in addition to an underground parking garage and storage lockers, and the buildings feature elevators. Taiani said the building’s tenants represent a plethora of demographics.
He said they get a lot of positive feedback about the unit designs, which are unique to the product offering. They go the extra mile, offering an open concept with large square footage, in-floor radiant heat, two bathrooms, quartz countertops, six appliances and more.
Each apartment has a balcony and most feature an unobstructed view of the surrounding area, including the Cornwallis River valley to the rear of the property. Taiani points out that the land surrounding Miners Landing can’t be developed.
BUILDING
Taiani said the buildings have amenity rooms, which he described as “pretty tasteful”, but that have been somewhat restricted in their use to date because of gathering limitations imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiani said a similar amenity area included in their Pinehurst Apartments development in New Minas, which opened in 2019, proved “extremely popular” and saw “daily use.”
OPENING THIS FALL
Taiani said the third building in the development is currently under construction at 24 Miners Landing Dr. and is scheduled to open this fall. It will be five storeys high, in addition to the underground parking and storage level, and will include 63 units.
Unique to the third building will be an attached amenity building that will be available to all Miners Landing tenants. At approximately 4,600 square feet, it will include two large multi-purpose rooms, a private meeting room and a gym.
Taiani said they have people on staff to deal with any issues that could arise, including a full and part-time manager. He said they’ll likely hire another full-time manager once the third building opens. This is all part of an effort to offer a full package to tenants.
Taiani points out that it’s often the case that a company managing an apartment building is not the same company that owns the building, and the owner is often not the developer.
Taiani said they are currently in discussions with the Regional Municipality of Windsor-West Hants for a “significant development there.” The area is the “gateway to the Valley” and Taiani said he is excited about the potential.
COVID-19 IMPACTS
Taiani said the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges but they have a strong team and their construction manager did an excellent job managing staff on site during the first wave.
Work did slow down as limitations were imposed on how many people they could have working within a building or on a particular floor at the same time. They’ve experienced some supply chain issues and, like other professions, most trades experienced some attrition due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
Taiani said he believes
Nova Scotia is coming under a spotlight, at least nationally, with regard to its management of the pandemic. They are seeing people return to Nova Scotia from elsewhere, which has a positive economic impact, and the Annapolis Valley is proving to be a popular spot.
“I know lots of people that are either considering or have moved here from out of province due to COVID,” he said. “I would say the majority of those are buyers but whenever there’s pressure on square footage, whether it’s purchase or rental, it affects everything because there is a limited supply.”
‘SPECTACULAR’ VISION Kentville Mayor Sandra
Snow said Taiani’s vision for the Miners Landing property is “spectacular” and she’s “over the moon” with the success of the project so far.
She takes the fact that apartments in the first two buildings were occupied so quickly as an indication that people really want to live in Kentville and enjoy its small town lifestyle. The development is “filling a key component of our housing stock.”
“I think it’s something that people have been waiting for,” Snow said.
She said it gives the town a place in the market for people who are retiring and looking to downsize from single-family homes. This could help Kentville retain residents who may otherwise consider moving to another community.
The development is also attractive to younger professionals who may not want the upkeep involved with owning their own property. She pointed out that Kentville is only an hour away from downtown Halifax.
“I think Kentville is becoming the place to live because it gives you access to everything you’d need,” Snow said.
TRAIL CONNECTION? There is the possibility that a connection to the Harvest Moon Trail could be built to the rear of the Miners Landing property. Snow said this was discussed when Taiani started the project and active transportation connectivity such as this “just makes sense.”
However, Snow said it would likely be a cost-shared initiative and the town would have to consider its budget.
She said such a trail connection could help promote accessibility for tenants who may rely on mobility devices such as wheelchairs, for example.
“Imagine being able to get right down onto the trail from your backyard,” Snow said.
For more information on Miners Landing, visit https:// minerslanding.ca, email info@minerslanding.ca or call 902-877-1417.