Mayor Greg Dionne and Gary Brar in the show suite of Prince Albert's new apartment complex. The first building will be ready for rentals in mid-December. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Apartments

First of three new apartment buildings nears completion

Oct 30, 2024 | 11:51 AM

A lot of new options for apartment rentals will soon be available in Prince Albert as the group of buildings nears completion.

Gary Brar of Brar Investment Group said his company believes that the city has a strong economy.

“A lot of people think I’m very bullish on the Prince Albert economy. Yes, I am,” he said. “I see a lot of opportunities here. As you know, they have not gotten anything built for many, many years.”

Brar became interested in development in Prince Albert while building the Holiday Inn in The Yard District and he couldn’t find accommodations for his workers. He still can’t find accommodations he said and with the hospital expansion started, he knows that will get worse.

“The way I see it, it will take no time to get these apartments filled,” he said.

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The first building that will be finished is the one adjacent to 28th Street West and will be able to take renters starting in mid-December. The second building is following close behind while the third is still being framed.

With the close proximity to the hospital, Brar is eyeing health care workers for his main tenant base.

Units will have between one and three bedrooms, all appliances included, and tenants will pay the power bill but other utilities will be included.

The living room of the show suite. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

Ballpark rents are planned to start at $1,450/month for the one bedroom and go up to $2,100 for the three bedrooms.

The kitchen in the show suite. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

He said the rents are reasonable compared to other rentals in the Prince Albert market and some units may be kept aside for short term rentals.

“We’re going to keep our options. We just want to make sure whoever is coming to P.A., that they are welcome.”

He anticipates the second building to be ready for rent in March or April.

Mayor Greg Dionne is a supporter of the project and said increasing the amount of housing options is needed in Prince Albert.

“Our community deserves this. We haven’t had new buildings for years and lots of people are going to upgrade and when you come and look at this show suite, it’s impressive and what’s also impressive is the rent isn’t that much higher,” he said.

Dionne added he is glad that Brar saw the opportunity in the city.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com