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Original start of thread from 2006:
A condo project in Inglewood that would renovate and incorporate the historic National Hotel and its livery stable has run into some major problems according to the Herald article below.
Here is a link to the condo project: www.nationalcondos.com. The photos here are from that website. From the website of the developer: "The construction start date of National Condominium development has been postponed by the developer in order that unforeseen site conditions affecting the structure can be fully investigated. The discovery of these adverse conditions has resulted in the developer’s inability to comply with the original scheduled development dates. Apex remains fully committed to the viability of the community of Inglewood, the City of Calgary and the National Condominium project and further information will be available on this site as it becomes known." A news release is posted on the bottom.
Couple's penthouse dream cancelled with condo
National Hotel project pulled after two-year wait
Sean Myers
Calgary Herald
Monday, March 27, 2006
A Calgary couple is irate after waiting two years to move into their dream suite in a new Inglewood condominium complex only to learn last week the sale has been cancelled.
John and Lorraine de Groot had planned to live out their retirement in a penthouse suite in a nine-storey condo project that would have incorporated the historic National Hotel, at 10th Avenue and 10th Street S.E.
On Friday, the de Groots' down payment was returned -- plus interest -- and they received a letter from Apex National Hotel Project Inc. stating the sale was now "null and void."
According to the letter, the developer had been unable to obtain a building permit due to "unforeseen engineering and construction issues" stemming from higher-than-expected ground water levels under the site caused by the rain and flooding last summer.
"I feel like I'm getting ripped off," said Lorraine. "We really wanted this place; we loved it. We've been looking around and now, because the real estate market is so hot, we can't afford to buy anywhere else."
The de Groots said they put a small deposit on their $369,000 unit at the end of 2004 followed by a larger down payment later. Their plan was to sell their home in Glendale to help pay for it.
The price of their house, however, has not kept up with the rapid increase in real estate prices in the inner city over the past two years and they said they've been priced out of the market.
"We've been willing to wait all along," said Lorraine. "We want to know, when they finish their redesign, will we be given the opportunity to come in on the same square footage at a similar price or are they just going to come back in a year with a few changes and sell them at double the price?"
Frank Boyd, president of the project, is on vacation and couldn't be reached for comment. A phone message left for another spokesperson for the developer was not returned Sunday.
Ald. Joe Ceci said Apex told him the sales had to be cancelled while the developer deals with issues such as water flowing under the site at a rate of 34,000 litres per minute.
He said Apex hopes to have a new design ready in the fall or early next year.
The city approved the rezoning of the site for development in September.
The 120-unit project was 60 per cent sold, according to a sign in the window of the Inglewood sales office, which was closed Sunday.
The de Groots said they can understand if extenuating circumstances have arisen, but after the time and money they've invested in their purchase, they would like a chance to discuss options with the developer.
Ceci said he hopes Apex will work with buyers who are still interested.
"I am concerned for the people who bought in and are now left without a place," said Ceci. "It would seem to me there should be some commitment to those people who showed a commitment to Apex."
smyers@theherald.canwest.com
© The Calgary Herald 2006