First Of Three Net-Zero Apartments In Dobson Landing Will Finish In 2023
RIVERVIEW–Dean Hartman has finished the groundwork for one of three high-end, net-zero apartment buildings he plans to build in Riverview.
Hartman, the Dartmouth-based developer and landlord of the Dobson Landing Subdivision in Riverview, told Huddle the foundation and underground parking are wrapping up for a 48-unit, four-storey apartment building that will also feature commercial space.
It will be one of three Hartman is building in the subdivision-a project that will add 250 apartments to Riverview’s rental market.
Named Jeffrey in honour of Hartman’s deceased younger brother, the first building is expected to be complete by the summer of 2023.
Hartman plans to wrap up construction on the second and third buildings by summer 2024 and 2025, respectively. He hopes to start on the second building and the commercial space next summer.
Announced in 2017, Dobson Landing was touted as the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. The plans included single-family homes, condominiums, and retail spaces, in addition to apartments with solar roof panels, power-wall storage batteries, enhanced insulation, heat pumps, smart technology controls, and other net-zero-friendly amenities.
Since 2017, eight single-family, net-zero homes have been built in the subdivision by Progeny Modern Homes in a separate project in the same development.
Dobson Landing is located a stone’s throw from the Dobson Trail–a 58-kilometre footpath connecting Riverview to Fundy National Park.
Future Tenants
Although many tenants in Greater Moncton hope to snap up the apartments before they’re even built, Hartman said he wants to finish construction before he starts signing people up.
“The strategy of taking apartments to market way in advance in Riverview has proven not to be effective,” he said. “We don’t like to overpromise and under-deliver.”
Hartman said he’s seen others renting out apartments in advance, hit supply chain snags, and have to refund damage deposits and explain rent spikes or delays.
He plans to compile a list of interested parties six to eight months before the first building is complete.
“People may not get in the first building, but by the time they’re finished, people may have a chance to get in the second or third building,” said Hartman.
Mature Tenants
Hartman said the new units will range from $1,400 to $2,000 a month and will be targeted at Baby Boomers looking for higher-end accommodations.
He noted many potential renters are reluctant to sell and rent because of concerns with noise, being in close quarters with other people in apartments.
To rectify that, the apartments going up at Dobson Landing are constructed from concrete, with features like triple-glazed windows to minimize noise.
These include R36 wall insulation, air-sourced heat pumps and smart technology controls – features that are part of strict, net-zero-friendly covenants all homes in Dobson Landing have to abide by.
“We don’t preclude younger people from living there, but typically, these buildings are for empty-nesters looking to downsize, move to, or move back to New Brunswick,” he said.
“There are a lot of older people still holding onto homes, looking for options, but want to stay in the neighbourhood – and rightfully so, because it’s time for the younger generation with up-and-coming families to get their hands on those single family homes.”
Hartman said Dobson Landing living comes with mandates that anyone who lives in the community has to build within its net-zero guidelines.
“We anticipate our energy costs to be minimal in comparison to the way others live,” he said.
Hartman, the owner of Mattie Capital Inc., recently sold an entire street in Dobson Landing to Dieppe-based developer Stefco Enterprises. Stefco will be developing bungalows and townhouses on concrete slabs.
Hiring Hurdles
Hartman has built numerous commercial and residential buildings in Halifax and Moncton since 2007, and has completed three luxury multi-residential buildings in the former since 2014.
Returning to build luxury units in the Moncton area, he said he was surprised to find it more expensive to build in the Moncton area than in Halifax.
“I think there’s a labour shortage there’s a lot of stuff on the go in Moncton and it’s becoming difficult to get labour,” he said.
“It’s not so much a supply chain issue, when you don’t use a lot of woods and the prices of concrete and steel are more predictable.”
Hartman said there is also a larger labour pool in Halifax, which keeps costs down.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].