12-storey building on Saint John’s King Street expected to open for tenants in 2026

The site of the former Woolworths building in Saint John is under construction.

King Street in Uptown Saint John has a different look these days, one that will continue to evolve over the next several weeks.

Pre-constructed walls are now being erected for a 12-storey building. Speaking with CTV Atlantic in March of 2024, developer Percy Wilbur told CTV Atlantic the high rise would include around 180 apartments and have commercial outlets on the main floor right across from King’s Square.

Mayor Donna Reardon says it’s an exciting development for residents of Saint John.

“We have been waiting for it for so long,” she says. “It’s so important for Saint John, because really, King Square is and should be our premier address. It’s an iconic piece of property.”

Reardon says, from what she has heard, everything is going smooth with the project. As someone who frequently walks the area, the mayor says it has been interesting to watch the development.

“We need the foot traffic, we need the density, we need the people,” says Reardon. “This helps to create that neighborhood, that dense neighborhood, where a lot of those amenities will be able to thrive and be able to come into the city.”

The sight of walls going up is just as exciting for Envision Saint John. Jeff Cyr is the regional growth agency’s executive director of real estate and industrial development. He says the development happening atop King is a sign of the building momentum happening in and around the Port City.

“Every couple, two to three weeks I believe, you’ll see probably another storey move forward,” Cyr says. “It’s a building that will go up quite fast from our understanding.”

Cyr believes the project will “redefine” the area and will bring new life and vibrancy to the streetscape.

“It’s going to put 150 new homes in the uptown,” Cyr says. “It’s going to bring more than 30 affordable units, which are desperately needed, and it’s going to add to the skyline. Not a lot of projects will add to the skyline like this project will.”

CTV reached out to 99 King Street developer Percy Wilbur for an update on the project and is awaiting a response.

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