A new $3.5 million retail and office building is adding to the development in downtown Dieppe.
A group of investors, led by President Jeff Savoie, are collaborating on this new building at 50 Rue du Marché.
He says their approach to the project is relatively uncommon.
“We established a vision first, and then looked at who would actually fit within that vision, is what important for us to show collaboration and synergy between investors and tenants,” says Savoie.
He adds the building will incorporate modern design elements.
“We wanted to be more on the eco friendly side,” says Savoie. “So we tried to use materials that would be energy efficient, and pick the right technology as well so we linked that all together.”
He adds they are hoping to fill the three vacancies left in the building by the time it’s ready in Spring 2017.
“The second floor, it will be divided in three space, approximately they are all the same size, and then there’s a space available for lease,” says Savoie. “And on the ground floor, there’s one space that’s 2200 square feet, and the other is 1600.”
Meanwhile, Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre is thrilled about this announcement.
He says this growth is fuelling a transformation in the downtown core.
Lapierre says Expansion Dieppe worked hand in hand with the investors to bring this project to life.
He adds Expansion Dieppe promotes development across the City by organizing meetings and sometimes offering incentives.
“We always encourage underground parking at the tune of $10,000 per parking space, so that’s the extent of our contribution,” says Lapierre. “But I want to say it loud and clear we’re prepared to do that for everybody.”
Lapierre says Expansion Dieppe is an arms length organization from the City of Dieppe.
“They’re there to help promote the City, and the development of not just the downtown, but the City in general,” says Lapierre. “Their input has been to encourage, in some cases incentives, depending on the size of the building and whatnot.”
He adds the downtown is moving from older residential buildings to commercial areas like the City Hall and Arts and Cultural Centre.
“And of course also The Market, which has been a major contributor, because the market brings people, and people bring synergy, and synergy brings more people,” says Lapierre.
He says the population in Dieppe has quadrupled over three decades from under 8,000, to now more than 27,000.
