Saint John’s Newly Renovated “Ritchie Building” Preparing For Spring Move In
Saint John–The building at 46 Princess Street, also known as “the Ritchie building,” has had 15 new apartments renovated above Uptown Saint John bar O’Leary’s.
The building is one of many properties purchased by the McCole Group in 2021 and is being managed by Saint John company Canada Homes For Rent.
“It’s really nice that it’s a restoration project rather than a new build,” says Canada Homes For Rent new business developer Cameron Mahler. “It gives us the opportunity to have the old brick and pipes and incorporate everything into the design of the apartments while giving us the opportunity to keep the rents within a relative budget.”
The property consists of two suites, which are rented by the McCole Group developers. Some are one-bedroom apartments, ranging in price from $1,350 to $1,500 per month, while others are two-bedroom apartments renting for $2,000 per month.
Mahler says they are aiming to attract people who live and work uptown by giving them the opportunity to move to a building that they can turn into a home.
“We’re showing the young people of Saint John that so often go to university out of a town or around the province, and stay there, that there’s development happening here,” said Mahler. “That’s a big goal for the McCole group, especially them being young and they’re wanting to grow their business in New Brunswick.”
The renovations began in late April 2021, and construction is estimated to finish at the beginning of May 2022.
“I think it [the building] brings together the history that specifically Saint John can offer and provides a modern twist to it and allows people to appreciate the old and the new together,” Mahler says. “It’s kind of a testament to the type of developing that the McCole Group is looking to do, restoration and rebuilding from the ashes up.”
Elizabeth MacLeod is a Saint John reporter with Huddle and Acadia Broadcasting radio stations. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].