Vacant buildings in downtown Sudbury could become residential units
A lot of buildings in downtown Sudbury are for sale, or are being sold, including a couple of bank buildings, a church and an old school.
Some could be converted into multi-unit housing, something currently needed in the city.
The Scotia Tower is listed for $6.75 million and Realtors confirm there is a conditional offer on it.
"It's an eight-story officer tower,” said Cassandra Beach of Royal Lepage Northern Heritage.
“There are multiple tenants right now but there is currently 80 per cent vacant. Last week, we received three multiple offers and the seller has chosen one that is currently conditional until April 13 and we are pending a closing date in early summer."
At this point, it's not known what the potential buyer's plans are for the tower. Realtors say many of the buildings for sale in the downtown area have the potential for a multi-residential conversion.
"We are sitting at a 2.1 vacancy rate for residential in Sudbury so there is a definitely a need for the housing a need for rental apartments," Beach said.
Sudbury Realtor Paul Kusnierczyk said the zoning downtown makes converting some of the buildings to residential use relatively straightforward.
Kusnierczyk is the listing broker on the Knox Church on Larch Street. He said a deal has been firmed up for just under $500,000.
It's expected to close in June, but plans for the building are not known at this time.
Kusnierczyk said a former school on Mackenzie Street also has the potential to become residential units.
And the former diocese building on St. Anne road is listed for $4.5 million and is being actively shown. Kusnierczyk expects some action on it shortly.
"There is all kinds of incentives that are available through the city,” he said.
“Plus all of these buildings that we just discussed are in an area where there is no development charges. Development charge free zones so there is lots of available incentives."
Both Realtors said they are currently working on some additional listings involving commercial buildings in the downtown area.
They expect them to hit the market in the coming weeks and months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Johnston to launch foreign interference hearings in July, calls allegations of bias 'quite simply false'
Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston calls the allegations swirling around his objectivity 'quite simply false,' and said Tuesday he plans to push ahead with his work, launching public hearings next month

Poilievre calls on Liberals to make killers like Bernardo stay in max-security prison
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should see to it that mass murderers serve their entire sentences in maximum-security prison.
Sex harassment case involving Trudeau Foundation should be heard in N.L., lawyer says
The lawyer representing a woman who alleges she was sexually harassed by a former Northwest Territories premier says her client would likely have to end her lawsuit if a judge determines the trial should be moved to Quebec.
Rent across Canada climbs to 20 per cent above pandemic lows: report
Across Canada, the average price of rent climbed back up after pandemic lows, with the monthly rate new tenants face now 20 per cent higher than it was two years ago, according to just-released rental data.
Charges dropped against Alberta woman accused of mailing animals
Crown prosecutors say charges against an Alberta woman accused of mailing two puppies and a kitten have been dropped.
Internal docs suggest Trudeau wants China blocked from Pacific Rim trade deal
While the Liberals insist a Pacific Rim trade bloc should welcome anyone who meets its standards, an internal document suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants China kept out.
PGA Tour and European tour agree to merge with Saudis and end LIV Golf feud
The PGA Tour ended its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia's golf venture and now is joining forces with it, making a stunning announcement Tuesday of a merger that creates a commercial operation with the Public Investment Fund and the European tour.
Severely entangled humpback whale rescued off Haida Gwaii, B.C.
Video shows Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff leading the rescue of a severely entangled humpback whale off the coast of British Columbia last week.
What's behind the increase in orca-human interactions, boat attacks? Here’s what an expert thinks
The number of interactions between killer whales and humans has increased alarmingly in recent years. CTVNews.ca asked an expert to explain the reasons behind the increase in interactions, explore the types of encounters, and examine the implications for both humans and killer whales.