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
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Farmers in Atlantic Canada battling 'abnormally dry' conditions, fearing continued drought
Farmers in Atlantic Canada are growing increasingly worried about drought, as many regions on the east coast have been classified as drier than usual for this time of year, with little rain in the forecast.
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Turkiye's Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Economy, health care, trust: Alberta election campaign hits final day before vote
Both Smith and Notley agree the vote will be one of the most consequential in decades, featuring two leaders in their 50s who have been both premier and Opposition leader.
Fight still ahead for Texas' Ken Paxton after historic impeachment deepens GOP divisions
The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was just the first round of a Republican brawl over whether to banish one of their own in America's biggest red state after years of criminal accusations.
Blais scores twice, Canada beats Germany 5-2 to win gold at men's hockey worlds
Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.
Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
3-year-old boy dies after drowning in backyard pool west of Toronto
Police are investigating the death of a three-year-old boy who was pulled from a backyard pool in Oakville on Saturday.