September 11, 2024

projects

Summer Home Improvement Projects to Cross Off Your List

Summer is a great time for home improvement projects and DIY updates around the house. Set some time (and money) aside this summer to give your home some TLC. Not only will it increase the overall value of your home, but little upgrades here and there can also save you a lot of money down the line.

sturti/Getty Images

Some home improvements can be expensive, such as adding central air conditioning or remodeling an entire room of your house. But some lower-cost projects can add value for less money. Here are some simple, affordable home improvement projects to try this summer that won't break the bank.

1. Pressure-Wash Outdoor Areas

Winter weather can leave all sorts of dirt and grime on your home's exterior and other outdoor areas. Take advantage of the warmer weather to give your home a high-powered cleaning. A pressure washer can quickly remove buildup on siding, driveways, decks, patios, and walkways. 

If you don't own a pressure washer, you can often rent one at your local home center or hardware store. As you clean your home's exterior, direct the spray downward to avoid forcing water into cracks or seams. Use a lower-pressure setting on surfaces that could easily be damaged, such as painted siding or wood decks.

2. Refinish Your Deck

Sprucing up your deck with fresh paint or stain in anticipation of summer entertaining is a summer home improvement project that will really pay off. Not only will refinishing your deck give it a clean look, but it will also help reduce cracks and splinters, making the surface friendlier for bare feet. Proper prep is key to a beautiful finish, so take the time to clean the surface and strip off the old finish before you begin. 

While you're at it, consider painting your patio furniture to make it look good as new. Then hang some outdoor string lights to make your space a dreamy oasis perfect for hosting a event.

Jay Wilde

3. Build a Shed

Add value to your home and a spot to park your lawn equipment by building a shed in your backyard. Before starting this project, check with your local authorities, as building codes and ordinances vary by location. Once you've gotten the go-ahead, choose a spot in your yard that offers convenient access and prepare a solid, even foundation. You can purchase shed kits at home centers and online or find building plans that can easily be customized with different materials.

4. Declutter Your Home

A summer home improvement project that can make a big difference in your living space is decluttering. Air out and organize those sometimes-forgotten areas that tend to be used less in colder months, like the garage, an outdoor shed, or a basement. It doesn't usually cost anything to declutter, and you can earn money by selling items you no longer use. Plus, you can use your earnings toward other home repairs. 

"It costs nothing except a week or two of your time, and the ability to let go and part ways with unneeded clutter that no longer brings you or your home joy," says Emilie Dulles, lifestyle design expert and founder of Dulles Designs. Your clutter can cost you money, and getting rid of things you don't use will make room in your house and even give you ideas for other improvements.

5. Refresh Your House with Paint

Summer is the perfect season for more significant paint projects. If you have areas in your home that you've been meaning to repaint, such as entire rooms or the exterior, summer is the time to do it—and a little paint could go a long way in transforming your space. The warm weather lets the paint cure properly and ensures that it will last longer. 

"I think painting is one of the best DIY projects because it can be easily corrected if you make any mistakes," says Chicago-based real estate developer Bill Samuel. "It really has a huge impact on the overall space when you take your time to repair any blemishes and do a quality job." Samuel says you can expect to pay between $15 to $50 per gallon; more expensive paints will usually cover the walls better and last longer. Dulles recommends painting parts of your home (or all of it) white to make it look bigger and brighter.

6. Check Gutters

This might not be the most fun or creative home improvement project, but it's an important one for protecting your home against summer storms and preparing for the colder months ahead. 

"Winter, followed by a rainy spring, can take a toll on your gutters and downspouts," says Bailey Carson, home expert at Angi, a digital company that helps people find local professionals for home projects. "If they're ignored, you could end up needing to replace them altogether, or worse, dealing with foundation damage, interior flooding, driveway cracks, or landscape erosion." The damage would cost you way more than cleaning your gutters, which averages $160, ranging from $118 to $225. 

All you need (if you don't have this equipment) is a gutter cleaning attachment for your garden hose, a ladder, a bucket, a gutter scoop, and heavy-duty gloves. You could also buy a gutter guard to protect your gutters and prevent leaves from gathering in them in the first place.

Adam Albright

7. Spruce Up Landscaping

Give your yard some attention, too—you're probably spending a lot more time in it enjoying the beautiful summer weather. While the cost of renovating your outdoor space varies depending on the project, there are simple DIY improvements to elevate your backyard or front yard for a lot less. 

Commercial real estate investor and founder of Property Cashin Marina Vaamonde says landscape your front yard. "Gardens make homes more aesthetically pleasing, and they also can add to the property value. Summertime is the perfect time to plant perennials, a variety of beautiful-looking flowers that are low maintenance," says Vaamonde. She also suggests lupines and hydrangeas as other beautiful (and low-maintenance) additions to your garden.

Adding plants or flowers up the walkway to your front door can give you instant curb appeal and liven up your front yard, says money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. You can do the same sprucing up in your backyard to eliminate overgrown or dead plants, trees, or shrubs, and add some patio furniture.

8. Clean or Replace AC Filters

Another not-so-fun but critical summer home improvement project: cleaning or replacing the filters on your HVAC unit. Don't worry: this one is quick and won't take as much time as cleaning your gutters. 

"Filters get dirty, especially if they haven't been changed in six months," says Rick Hoskins, home DIY expert and founder of FilterKing. Dirty filters can cause allergies by circulating dust, mold, and other allergens throughout your home when the AC is on during the summer. All you have to do is find your AC and furnace vents, unscrew them, and clean or replace the filters. Hoskins suggests looking for filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 for optimal protection.

9. Repair Siding

Summer is a good time to evaluate your vinyl siding for holes or tears that compromise the barrier it provides to your house, as well as unsightly areas that might have grown dingy or stained. If you find a small damaged area, you can clean and repair with caulk. If your siding has a larger area that needs repair (beyond your DIY skill level), seek professional help.

Check the integrity of your caulk at siding seams and in the corners. A fresh bead of caulk might be needed to secure the siding. Remove the old and dry caulk, then run a fresh bead where needed.

10. Install a New Doorbell

Your home might need a new doorbell that simply works better or maybe you're ready to upgrade to a next-generation video doorbell that keeps the "porch pirates" away. Either way, summer is the perfect time to replace your doorbell.

Even if you aren't tech-savvy, installation is fairly simple and the manufacturers do a thorough enough job explaining the process. Of course, no two homes are alike and, sometimes, the manufacturer's instructions can leave you with unanswered questions. To ease you through the process, we've put together a step-by-step guide for installing your video doorbell.

Kritsada Panichgul


11. Plant a Garden

The longer days give us more time to work outside. For gardeners, or hope-to-be gardeners, summer is the season to try to new plants, design a new garden bed, amend soil, and more. If you've never planted a thing in your life, there's a lot to consider—your planting Zone, your soil, light conditions, how much you want to tend to your plants, and even food production vs. flower beds.

If you want to start small, consider a raised garden bed. The structure of the bed (usually some type of wood) defines the size of what you can grow, and therefore, how much time you'll need to devote to your garden.

12. Clean Your Windows

Clean windows improve your home's curb appeal and allow natural to fill your rooms inside. They also give you a better window to the world outside. But cleaning those windows can present a logistical challenge. How do you safely get to your exterior windows, especially those on the second floor? There are various approaches, including using a ladder, extendable poles, magnetic window cleaners, and robotic cleaners, and safety is a top priority.

If you're not cool with working on a ladder or have a tricky terrain, there are plenty of other gadgets and tools that make it possible to reach difficult windows—from telescoping squeegees to cleaner sprays you attach to a garden hose to robots.

13. Add Lights in Your Garden

Bringing in light is a great way to make your garden usable at all hours. Garden lights along a sidewalk can add style as well as safety. There are plenty of low-voltage landscape lights to choose from. Or for the easiest way to add light, buy some solar lights. They are a stock item in the big box stores or you'll find lots to pick from online. You pop them in the ground and that's it. The sun charges them throughout the day. The lights come on in the evening.

Another way to bring light to your yard is by hanging string lights in your tree. Wrap them on low hanging branches or around the trunk. If a permanent installation is an option, hire a pro to install uplights on trees for extra drama.

The longer summer evenings will be more fun with light

4 Home Improvement Projects That Are Tax Deductible

Whether you're a new homeowner who's knee-deep in a gut renovation or you're making necessary upgrades to your forever home, you might think that every home improvement is simply a sunk cost. Don't despair, though. Home improvements can greatly increase the value of your home in the long run (especially if you decide to sell). You can also get a much-needed tax break if your renovation projects qualify. Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at the home insurance company Hippo, is here to walk us through the specifics.

"Despite a really rocky year for homeowners in terms of rising inflation, cost of living, and even repair costs, we're still seeing homeowners determined to maintain and improve their homes in 2024," Klosterman explains. "We learned in our recent homeowner regrets survey that nearly a quarter of responding homeowners were planning major renovations this year."

We recommend consulting a qualified accountant or tax professional to determine whether your home improvements and renovations qualify for a tax deduction, break, or credit. But to help you started and give you a sense of what you might save, we asked Klosterman to share her insights into qualifying home improvements this tax season.

What Home Improvements Are Tax Deductible in 2024?

Homeowners can potentially qualify for an Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit of up to $3,200 for energy-efficient improvements made after Jan. 1, 2023. The credit for 2024 covers 30 percent of qualifying expenses with limits for different types of improvements. Below, we break down what's eligible in the four included categories: energy efficient, clean energy, historic home, and medically necessary upgrades.

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements

Replacing Windows

Updating and replacing old windows and skylights can improve the efficiency of your home and reduce the frequency at which you run the HVAC system. You could qualify for a credit of up to $600 based upon eligibility. Klosterman notes that you have to use specific equipment that's included on the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list.

Biomass Stoves

Biomass stoves aren't cooking stoves—they burn biomass fuel to heat a home or water. Biomass fuel includes agricultural crops and trees; wood, wood waste, and residues (including wood pellets); plants (including aquatic plants); grasses; residues; and fibers. They're similar to gas or electric fireplaces but better for the environment. Install a biomass stove that meets Energy Star's requirements and you can receive up to a $2,000 credit. To qualify, a biomass stove must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent. Costs may include labor to install.

Clean Energy Home Improvements

You can potentially qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Credit if you install new renewable energy properties in your home. There is no dollar limit for this credit except for fuel cell properties (which are capped at $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity).

Solar Panels

With an average savings of $1,500 per year on energy bills (around $125 per month), solar panels can cut homeowners' costs drastically. With a standard electrical bill, you pay for the power you use. With solar panels, you store energy throughout the year, and if you don't use as much as you store there's energy left over. When that happens, depending on your area, you may be able to sell that unused energy back to your town's grid. That further increases the monetary savings households can achieve with solar power.

Solar Water Heater

Water heating is typically the largest utility expense in a home, and swapping your tank for a solar-powered water heater can not only improve your home's efficiency, but it can also lower your utility costs.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

If you're looking for a better way to heat and cool your home, consider a geothermal system. These pumps can help heat and cool your home more efficiently than traditional systems by transferring heat to the ground rather than generating heat. They do tend to be expensive, costing $15,026 on average, and depending on unit size, system configuration, site accessibility, and more, you may pay anywhere from $4,270 to $25,860, according to Angi. But according to the Department of Energy, you can potentially see ROI in five to 10 years, depending on available financial incentives.

Battery Storage Technology

Similar to a generator system, battery storage technology helps store excess energy from clean energy sources to be used at a later time. This gives your home a reliable (and sustainable) energy source when the grid goes down or you're facing a storm.

Historic Home Upgrades

Historic homes can qualify for this tax credit and other grants since many organizations wish to preserve historical buildings. "Taking advantage of these can help lower the financial burden of potential repairs while helping you maintain your home's original beauty," says Klosterman.

Replacing Old Pipes

Upgrading or replacing old pipes may qualify for this tax credit and may be necessary to bring the home up to code and help prevent water damage. This can also be a chance to improve an older home's energy efficiency.

Restoring Historic Elements

If your historic home features deteriorated finishings like beams, posts, stair railings, or other load-bearing elements that you plan on replacing, you may qualify for a tax break. The repairs must maintain the home's original style and era, and be at least equal to the original's load-bearing capabilities.

Replacing Stairs

Fully replacing a deteriorating set of stairs using the same or compatible substitute material can make your home safer and may qualify for this tax credit. The new set of stairs should look similar to the original.

Medically Necessary Upgrades

You can potentially include medically necessary home upgrades as a part of your medical expense deduction. These include improvements that help make your home more accommodating for a disability that you, your spouse, or dependents who live in your home may have. The amount you can include in your medical expense deduction depends on how the improvement impacts your home's value.

According to Klosterman, "if your home's value increases as a result of the improvement, your medical expense is considered the cost of the improvement minus the increase in home value," she explains. "However, if your home's value does not increase, you can include the entire cost in your medical expense deduction."

Modified Smoke Detectors

For those with disabilities—blindness or hard-of-hearing, changing out your smoke detectors for ones that flash lights or emit louder noises can qualify. Smart monitoring systems, like water leak detectors, can also make it easier to detect issues early in hard-to-reach areas.

Ground Grading and Leveling

Grading, or leveling, the ground can improve accessibility and also help protect your home from water runoff. This includes lessening steep hills, adding ADA ramps, and creating more accessible pathways (flat stones instead of cobbles, etc.). It can also include work to help direct runoff away from your home and prevent standing water.

ADA-Compliant Modifications

Adding grab bars, handrails, and walk-in showers instead of tubs in your bathrooms can make your home a more accessible place to live and could qualify for tax credits.

Home Improvement vs. Home Repair

According to IRS Publication 523, to qualify as an improvement, the task must add value to your home, adapt it to new uses, or prolong its life. If repair-type work is part of the overall improvement, you may include it. However, not all repairs, like repairing a leak or patching a hole in drywall, necessarily add value, even though they do improve the quality of your home in the short term.

There's a third category too. According to Klosterman, capital improvements are projects that extend your home's life, add value, or refit your home for new uses. These differ from home repairs, which upkeep your home but don't necessarily add value (like fixing a leak). Although you won't see tax benefits from these improvements right away, these projects can help proactively protect your home by getting ahead of potential issues and lessen the amount of tax you pay when you sell your home.

Other Renovation Tax Deductions You Might Qualify For

Home Office Repairs

If you're working from home, you may be able to deduct home office repair expenses, including repairs and maintenance, if you have a dedicated part of your home that you regularly use as your main place of business. The amount you can deduct depends on whether the project impacts the entire home or just the office. Home office improvements, however, are not tax deductible as they are classified similarly to capital improvements. These are some examples of qualifying home office repairs:

  • If you install a full home security system, you can potentially deduct the cost of maintaining and monitoring the system that relates to the business part of your home.
  • Repairing damaged outlets and wiring may be tax deductible.
  • You can replace your home office windows with dual- or triple-pane windows to help improve insulation and reduce noise. In addition to the tax benefits you may enjoy when you sell your home, this improvement can help lower the need for cooling and heating and lower the strain on your HVAC system.

Rental Property Repairs

If you rent out a part of your home, you may be able to deduct repair expenses from the amount of taxable rental income you receive. Limitations apply, such as if you're renting a space in your current residence. These are some qualifying examples:

  • Repairing leaks in your tenant's bathroom.
  • Addressing air leaks in your tenant's area, which can help improve insulation. You can do so by updating the weather stripping around windows and doors.
  • Routinely checking the air vent(s) in your tenant's part of the home, which can improve your chances of catching airflow issues, including dirty vents or leaky ducts, before they cause damage.


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Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's SEO Editor, writing in-depth , design inspiration stories while overseeing gardening content through routine . With over five years in the shelter industry creating content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor, where she identified top products and brands in the industry as well as interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest . Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.

19 major projects in Metro Vancouver completing construction in 2024

As 2024 unfolds, nine major projects in Metro Vancouver will start their activity on construction work.

On the flip side, some of the most significant projects under construction in Metro Vancouver, including major projects that began construction before the pandemic, will reach completion in 2024.

This will be a banner year for construction completions — everything from some of Metro Vancouver’s largest mixed-use developments to new civic buildings, and from a new additional SkyTrain station to a new major regional bridge crossing.

In no particular order of importance, here are 19 notable developments and infrastructure projects that will reach completion sometime in 2024.

This is no ordinary ski run lift; the new gondola currently being built at Grouse Mountain will critically provide a new additional ingress and egress link between the base level’s parking lot and the mountaintop.

The new gondola will complement the existing Red Skyride, which is regularly used, and replace the older Blue Skyride, which is only occasionally used and set for decommissioning.

A total of 13 towers will support the new gondola’s ascent up the mountain to reach the peak terminal station, which will be located immediately east of the chalet. The base station will be immediately west of the Red Skyride’s base station. The new gondola will have 27 cabins, each with a capacity for eight passengers.

Work is well underway on building the base and peak terminal stations, and the towers and cable line installation will take place this spring and summer.

Construction first began in 2022, and work is scheduled to greatly accelerate throughout the year, with the system reaching testing by Fall 2024 for an opening next winter. The project’s cost was previously stated at $35 million, making it one of Grouse Mountain’s most expensive capital investments in decades.

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December 2023 construction progress on the base terminal of the new gondola for Grouse Mountain. (Canadian Concrete Pumper)

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December 2023 construction progress on the base terminal of the new gondola for Grouse Mountain. (HD ReadyMix)

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Elevation of the new gondola. (Grouse Mountain)

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Future configuration of Grouse Mountain’s base area and parking lots. (Grouse Mountain)

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New plateau plan for Grouse Mountain, showing the location of the new peak terminal for the gondola immediately east of the chateau. (Grouse Mountain)

In late summer 2023, Tower II of Gilmore Place — a major mixed-use residential, office, and retail development that wraps around SkyTrain Gilmore Station in Burnaby’s Brentwood Town Centre district — became Metro Vancouver’s new tallest building during its construction ascent, effectively dethroning downtown Vancouver’s Living Shangri-La tower.

In 2024, the first phase of Onni Group’s Gilmore Place project will reach completion, including nearly 1,600 homes within three towers, as well as major commercial uses within the base podium levels — about 80,000 sq ft of office space and 272,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant uses, which is comparable to the first retail phase of the nearby The Amazing Brentwood Mall. The substantial retail/restaurant uses will activate a new linear plaza and walking route below the SkyTrain guideway.

The tenants for the new retail/restaurant spaces have yet to be formally announced. Although the first phase will reach completion this year, it will take some time for businesses to furnish their commercial units to their specifications.

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Construction progress on the first phase of Gilmore Place, as of October 5, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Construction progress on the first phase of Gilmore Place, as of October 5, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Artistic rendering of Gilmore Place integrated with SkyTrain Gilmore Station. (Onni Group)

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Artistic rendering of the first phase of Gilmore Place. (Onni Group)

Over the last few years, the disruptive construction process for Capstan Station has tested the patience of SkyTrain Canada Line users in Richmond.

But that is coming to an end, with this new additional station now scheduled to reach completion and open in early 2024 after construction delays. The project cost is $52 million, with the City of Richmond covering $32 million — raised from development fees — and TransLink providing $20 million.

Capstan Station is located roughly midway between Bridgeport Station and Aberdeen Station — specifically at the northeast corner of the intersection of No. 3 Road and Capstan Way. It serves Capstan Village’s emerging high-density residential neighbourhood, with about 16,000 residents living within a 10-minute walk from the station upon the area’s full buildout.

Capstan Station features greatly improved designs and features compared to the original Canada Line stations, including more space for passenger circulation and both up and down escalators.

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July 2023 construction progress on Capstan Station on SkyTrain Canada Line. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Artistic rendering of Capstan Station on SkyTrain Canada Line. (Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers/TransLink)

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Artistic rendering of Capstan Station. (Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers/TransLink)

Landmark on Robson, replacing the previous Empire Landmark Hotel, will finally reach completion in 2024.

The entire 1400 block of Robson Street has been a construction zone since March 2018, when demolition first began on the 394 ft tall, 42-storey hotel tower with an observation deck. The hotel closed in September 2017.

The demolition of the 1973-built hotel tower, which featured a restaurant observation attraction on its top floor, was the tallest building demolition in Vancouver’s history. Asia Standard Americas is nearing the final lap of its construction progress on a mixed-use development with two towers containing 240 condominium homes, 84 social housing units, some office space, and significant ground-level retail/restaurant uses.

The new retail/restaurant uses will fill a major gap on the Robson Street retail strip, effectively activating the street and strengthening the retail strip with a seamless continuity of storefronts along the length of the entire city block.

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Construction progress on Landmark on Robson, as of September 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Artistic rendering of Landmark on Robson. (PDP London/Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/Asia Standard International Group)

Visual progress on building the new replacement Pattullo Bridge across the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey is about to greatly accelerate. The segments of the bridge deck over the river will be raised and installed after the tower supporting the suspension cables reaches completion in early 2024.

The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates the bridge will open in late 2024, at which point the existing 1937-built bridge will be closed and demolished. The entire project carries a $1.4 billion budget.

The new seismic-safe crossing will have four wider vehicle lanes — two vehicle lanes in each direction divided by a concrete barrier — along with interchange improvements, a new direct off-ramp from the bridge’s southbound direction to Highway 17’s (South Fraser Perimeter Road) westbound direction, and walking and cycling pathways, which are protected by a suicide-prevention barrier.

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November 2023 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

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September 2023 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge deck above Highway 17 (South Fraser Perimeter Road). (Government of BC)

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Artistic rendering of the new Pattullo Bridge. (Fraser Crossing Partners)

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Artistic rendering of the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

In late 2024, Quadreal Property Group and Westbank will open the brand new Oakridge Park shopping mall — the redevelopment of Oakridge Centre in Vancouver.

The majority of the non-residential uses will reach completion by the end of the year, including 1.2 million sq ft of retail/restaurant uses, which is double the size of the previous mall, as well as most of the nine-acre public park on the rooftop of the indoor mall, and a new major City-owned community centre, which contains a mix of spaces such as a 21,600 sq ft Vancouver Public Library branch.

The landlord has yet to make a formal announcement on the broad collection of retail tenants at Oakridge Park, but what is already known is there will be a new 42,000 sq ft grocery store replacing the previous Safeway, and a new 141,000 sq ft, two-storey Hudson’s Bay department store. It will take some time for businesses to furnish their commercial units to their interior design specifications.

Additionally, in lieu of a traditional food court, it was announced in 2022 that the internationally renowned Time Out Market food hall chain will open Time Out Market Vancouver at Oakridge Park in late 2024. With 69,000 sq ft over two levels, it will be the world’s largest Time Out Market location.

The opening of the massive new shopping centre is expected to make ripples in Metro Vancouver’s retail landscape. Oakridge Centre fully closed in 2020 to enable an expedited construction process.

The development also includes a new additional entrance into SkyTrain Oakridge-41st Avenue Station through a new underground retail-lined corridor between the indoor mall and the station’s ticketing concourse.

As for Oakridge Park’s towers, there will be over 3,300 homes for over 6,000 residents — a mix of strata condominiums, secured purpose-built rental housing, and social housing — and 800,000 sq ft of office space. These residential and office uses will reach completion between 2024 and 2028. Oakridge Park’s tallest tower will be a 52-storey tower with 100% rental housing uses, and it will be the tallest building within Vancouver outside of downtown.

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September 2023 construction progress on Oakridge Park. (Wesbridge Steelworks)

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November 2023 construction progress on Oakridge Park. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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November 2023 construction progress on Oakridge Park. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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2022 artistic rendering of the revised design of the Oakridge Park (Oakridge Centre) redevelopment. (Henriquez Partners Architects/Westbank/Quadreal Property Group)

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Previous conceptual artistic rendering of the new indoor mall at Oakridge Park. (Revery Architecture/Westbank/Quadreal Property Group)

Metro Vancouver is at the start of a new building boom of civic-spearheaded community and recreational centres, with many of these upcoming projects located within Burnaby.

In early 2024, after experiencing major construction delays, the Rosemary Brown Arena complex will reach full completion and open in South Burnaby. It is located immediately adjacent to Byrne Creek Community Secondary School and the new Southgate City residential neighbourhood.

It features two NHL-sized ice rinks, with each rink featuring about 200 spectator seats. The City of Burnaby allocated a budget of $50 million for the project, which was originally scheduled for a Summer 2022 opening.

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October 2023 construction progress on Rosemary Brown Arena. (City of Burnaby)

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October 2023 construction progress on Rosemary Brown Arena. (City of Burnaby)

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October 2023 construction progress on Rosemary Brown Arena. (City of Burnaby)

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October 2023 construction progress on Rosemary Brown Arena. (City of Burnaby)

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October 2023 construction progress on Rosemary Brown Arena. (City of Burnaby)

As a replacement facility for Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre, the City of New Westminster will open təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in Spring 2024, after experiencing some construction delays.

This includes a 50-metre lap, eight-lane competition pool, two diving platforms up to five metres high, a 25-metre leisure pool with a lazy river, a fitness gym, two gymnasiums, and various multi-purpose fitness rooms, as well as multi-purpose activity rooms and a childcare facility.

Construction first began in Spring 2021. The project is budgeted at $107 million.

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December 2023 construction progress on təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. (City of New Westminster)

New Westminster təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre construction december 2023

December 2023 construction progress on təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. (City of New Westminster)

New Westminster təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre construction december 2023

December 2023 construction progress on təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. (City of New Westminster)

New Westminster təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre construction december 2023

December 2023 construction progress on təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. (City of New Westminster)

The Granville Bridge Connector is scheduled to reach completion by Fall 2024 at a cost of $19 million. Two vehicle lanes on the west side of the bridge have been removed to accommodate dedicated wide pedestrian and cyclist pathways, which are separated from vehicles by a concrete barrier.

On-bridge traffic signals will also be installed for where the pedestrian and cyclist pathways cross over the Howe Street on-ramp and the Fir Street on-ramp. At the southern end of the bridge, a direct connection will be established with the Arbutus Greenway’s pathways.

This is intended to be the interim design of the active transportation connector, as a potential future project will install permanent materials and other features.

Current work on removing the bridge’s north loops and building a new replacement street network on the downtown side is also expected to reach completion in late 2024.

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Construction progress on the Granville Bridge Connector with the installation of the new permanent concrete barriers protecting the pedestrian and cyclist pathways, as of November 11, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Construction progress on the Granville Bridge Connector with the installation of the new permanent concrete barriers protecting the pedestrian and cyclist pathways, as of November 11, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Artistic rendering of the complete final design of the Granville Connector’s pedestrian and cyclist pathways on the Granville Bridge. (City of Vancouver)

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Existing configuration of the Granville Bridge (top) and the Granville Connector’s configuration changes for Granville Bridge to accommodate pedestrian and cyclist pathways (bottom). (City of Vancouver)

The PNE’s new ThunderVolt launch roller coaster for Playland is scheduled to reach completion and open in Summer 2024. This is a flagship ride for the attraction and represents the amusement park’s first step towards its redevelopment and expansion into a theme park. It is being built at a cost of $16 million, which includes extensive theming and landscaped areas.

It uses new state-of-the-art linear synchronous motor (LSM) technology. The future ride is already earning some international attention.

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Construction progress on Playland’s new launch coaster, as of October 31, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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November 2023 construction progress on Playland’s new ThunderVolt launch coaster. (PNE)

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Artistic rendering of the new ThunderVolt launch roller coaster at Playland. (PNE)

The full completion of the B6 office tower in early 2024 represents the conclusion of downtown Vancouver’s current office building boom cycle, which first began before the pandemic.

BentallGreenOak has built a 403-ft-tall, 33-storey office tower with 562,000 sq ft of premium AAA-class office space. Microsoft will occupy approximately 400,000 sq ft across about 20 floors. Much of the remaining space was set to be occupied by WeWork, but that has since been cancelled.

According to Graham Construction, B6 features the largest sloped roof in North America at that height.

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June 2023 construction progress on the B6 office tower. (Graham Construction)

1090 West Pender Street Vancouver

2019 artistic rendering of 1090 West Pender Street, Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/BentallGreenOak)

1090 West Pender Street Vancouver

2019 artistic rendering of 1090 West Pender Street, Vancouver. (Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership/BentallGreenOak)

Later in 2024, Electronic Arts will reach completion on 300,000 sq ft of additional space across two new office buildings at its sprawling Burnaby campus. The new buildings will accommodate up to 600 employees, with other tech tenants joining EA. Construction first began in late 2021.

In early 2023, project contractor Turner Construction indicated it is looking to add childcare, retail, food service, amenity spaces, a swimming pool, and tech-related educational partnership programs — all in support of EA.

Ever since the project was approved, EA’s office space needs have decreased, and there is a desire to add amenities and services that support employees. In 2021, EA also took over the former MEC headquarters office building in Vancouver.

EA Electronic Arts 3700 Gilmore Way Burnaby

Artistic rendering of the EA Burnaby campus expansion at 3700 Gilmore Way, Burnaby. (DIALOG/Electronic Arts)

EA Electronic Arts 3700 Gilmore Way Burnaby

Artistic rendering of the EA Burnaby campus expansion at 3700 Gilmore Way, Burnaby. (DIALOG/Electronic Arts)

Quadreal Property Group’s The Post redevelopment of the former Canada Post building in downtown Vancouver reached substantial completion in 2023, but the innards are still a work in progress.

Amazon will reach completion and full occupancy on furnishing the office interior of its South Tower by early 2024, at which point the company will then shift its attention towards furnishing the North Tower.

This is the single largest office building in downtown Vancouver, with 1.1 million sq ft of office space leased entirely to Amazon to provide space for up to 6,000 office employees. Amazon has a policy requiring office workers to come into their workspace most of the week.

In February 2024, the 45,000 sq ft flagship Loblaws City Market grocery store will open at The Post, becoming the first major commercial retail tenant to do so. This will be followed by the opening of other prominent retail/restaurant businesses as the year progresses, providing the Central Business District with a new major node of activity. This includes the opening of The Post’s major publicly accessible retail atrium on the Homer Street side of the building.

With 185,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant space, The Post provides downtown Vancouver with its largest net gain of retail/restaurant uses in more than two decades.

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Construction progress on Loblaws City Market at The Post, as of December 14, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Construction progress on Loblaws City Market at The Post, as of December 14, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Construction progress on the retail atrium at The Post, as of December 14, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

Westbank’s The Butterfly Tower became the new third tallest building in Vancouver in 2023 during its construction ascent. The tower is expected to reach full completion later in 2024.

The visually striking tower in downtown Vancouver is designed by Revery Architecture and is one of the last projects influenced by the late Bing Thom. It contains about 330 upscale condominium homes and boasts a high degree of amenities, such as a 50-metre length swimming pool in a glass-enclosed space.

As part of the project, there is also a six-storey building with 61 social housing units, and a heritage restoration and expansion of the 1911-built First Baptist Church.

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Construction progress on The Butterfly tower in downtown Vancouver, as of July 3, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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Fall 2023 construction progress on The Butterfly’s swimming pool (left) and an artistic rendering of the final product (right). (Westbank)

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April 2023 renovation progress on the heritage First Baptist Church as part of The Butterfly tower construction project. (First Baptist Church)

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is scheduled to reopen to the public in June 2024.

Since late 2021, there has been major construction to rebuild the museum’s iconic Great Hall, which has been completely demolished for a new seismic-safe design that carries the same appearance as Arthur Erickson’s original landmark design. The 1976-built museum has been temporarily closed since January 2023 to accelerate the pace of the redevelopment and other building improvements. This rebuild carries a budget of $30.5 million.

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Before (top) and after (bottom) in the seismic redevelopment of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. (UBC)

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UBC’s Museum of Anthropology’s new replica taking shape; construction progress as of August 12, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

By the end of 2024, the UBC Student Recreation Centre North will reach completion and open for student use.

This is a significant four-storey fitness and recreation building located at the western end of Student Union Boulevard, and immediately north of the Life Building (former Student Union Building).

There will be 101,000 sq ft of uses, including cardio and weightlifting areas, an indoor run/roll/walk track, three gymnasium courts, and multi-purpose rooms. The project carries a $67.5 million cost.

UBC pursued this project as there is a major shortage of such on-campus facilities; UBC has some of Canada’s lowest ratios of recreation space for a major university campus when compared to its student enrollment. This new facility complements the adjacent 1995-built Student Recreation Centre located just to the east, and it will be integrated with the 8,000 sq ft fitness gym in the basement of the Life Building.

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September 2023 construction progress on the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

ubc student recreation centre north construction august 2023

2023 revised artistic rendering of the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (SHAPE Architecture/UBC)

ubc student recreation centre north construction august 2023

2023 revised artistic rendering of the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (SHAPE Architecture/UBC)

ubc student recreation centre north construction august 2023

2023 revised artistic rendering of the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (SHAPE Architecture/UBC)

ubc student recreation centre north construction august 2023

2023 revised artistic rendering of the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (SHAPE Architecture/UBC)

ubc student recreation centre north construction august 2023

2023 revised artistic rendering of the new UBC Student Recreation Centre North. (SHAPE Architecture/UBC)

Built on the footprint of the Brock Hall Annex, the third building of the UBC Brock Commons student residence is unique for both its size and range of mixed uses. It will reach completion by Summer 2024.

This 13-storey building, called “Brock Commons South,” contains roughly 90,000 sq ft of non-residential uses in its lower levels, entailing classrooms, academic, and office spaces for the Faculty of Arts, gathering and socializing spaces for students, two childcare facilities, food outlets, student services, and the new offices of the UBC vice president of students. Within the upper levels, there will be much-needed student housing — a total of 282 student housing beds.

The 2017-built, 18-storey Tallwood House with 404 student housing beds was the first building of Brock Commons and the tallest mass timber building in the world at the time of its completion. In Summer 2023, Brock Commons’ second building, called “Brock Commons North,” reached completion with 316 student housing beds. The 2023/2024-built buildings carry a combined cost of $165 million.

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UBC’s Brock Commons North (right) and Brock Commons South (left), as of August 12, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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UBC Brock Commons South, as of August 12, 2023. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

UBC Brock Commons Phase II

Artistic rendering of UBC Brock Commons Phase II. (HCMA Architecture + Design)

UBC Brock Commons Phase II

Layout of UBC Brock Commons’ South Building. (HCMA Architecture + Design)

As the name of the building suggests, the Gateway Building will be located at the highly prominent northwest corner of the intersection of University Boulevard and Wesbrook Mall — on the former footprint of the administration building, just east of War Memorial Gymnasium and south of the diesel bus loop.

This will consolidate and expand the teaching, research, and administrative spaces of UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science’s School of Nursing, Faculty of Education’s School of Kinesiology, the campus’ new Integrated Student Health Services, and some of the operations of UBC health.

The six-storey, 267,000 sq ft building will be built out of mass timber. With a budget of $190 million, this is one of UBC’s single most expensive building construction projects to date. Construction began in late 2022, and it is expected to reach completion by late 2024.

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August 2023 construction progress on the UBC Gateway Building. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

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2022 revised artistic rendering of the UBC Gateway Building. (Perkins&Will/UBC)

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2022 revised artistic rendering of the UBC Gateway Building. (Perkins&Will/UBC)

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2022 revised artistic rendering of the UBC Gateway Building. (Perkins&Will/UBC)

ubc gateway building

2022 revised artistic rendering of the UBC Gateway Building. (Perkins&Will/UBC)

As a partnership between UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Applied Science, the new School of Biomedical Engineering Building will reach completion in late 2024, with occupancy scheduled to begin in early 2025.

The five-storey, state-of-the-art research and innovation building is being built on the former footprint of the D.H. Copp Building on University Boulevard, immediately south of the trolley bus loop. This 156,000 sq ft is a hub for combining engineering with medical sciences to design new high-tech solutions for healthcare. The construction cost is pegged at $139 million. Construction first began in Summer 2022.

UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building August 2023

August 2023 construction progress on the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building 1

Revised 2022 artistic rendering of the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building. (Patkau Architects/UBC)

UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building 1

Revised 2022 artistic rendering of the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building. (Patkau Architects/UBC)

UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building 1

Revised 2022 artistic rendering of the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Building. (Patkau Architects/UBC)

7 Home-Advancement Projects You Shouldn’t Place Off Any Extended

It can be simple to procrastinate when it comes to house-improvement initiatives, specially when the projects you’re thinking of do not look tremendous urgent or needed. But there is a shortlist of updates that you can, and really should, take into consideration producing, even if you’re able to persuade you you can are living with out them. 

“Think of it like going to the gymnasium,” claims Bruce Irving, a household-renovation marketing consultant and genuine estate agent based mostly in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “It’s about wanting good, but it’s also about enabling your human body to do some leaping immediately, should it need to.” That is: No a person wants to be caught wishing they’d designed a distinct advancement presently. 

Proactively addressing a house-improvement punch listing will not only carry foreseeable future resale worth to your home, but it will also maximize your satisfaction of your property whilst you’re in it. Read through on for a small listing of jobs you really (truly) shouldn’t set off any lengthier.  

Up grade your window treatment plans

Window remedies typically get shelved, but they shouldn’t be, says Portland, Maine–based inside designer Heidi Lachappelle. “That’s simply because they’re typically measured for and requested towards the finish of a renovation or new create, and their charges can be mind-boggling at that point in the undertaking,” she explains. “That said, they are an absolute ought to for adding the ending touch. They deliver so much type, but also perform, especially if a household has potent sunlight publicity. Material can enable protect your flooring and household furniture from fading about time.”

Set up air-conditioning

This is crucial, states Irving. “From a authentic estate level of perspective, AC is something that persons hope,” he suggests. The upside: You’ll love it much too. Furthermore, you really do not want a big central-air put in: Split-method models that both equally warmth and great are a non-invasive and not exceptionally challenging endeavor, suggests Irving, who not too long ago put in models in his possess more mature house. “Yes, you have [to live with] appliances hanging on your walls, but for most people that’s a little sacrifice for convenience and cost-effectiveness,” he states. “Split units really do not burn off fossil fuels, involve far less work from the boiler—so you will see a drop in your gas bill—and dependent on the place you dwell, your nearby electricity corporation could offer you incentives to underwrite their invest in price far too.” 

Improve your water heater

Whilst aesthetic changes are surely far more fun to system and execute, their worth is subjective, points out Ricardo Rodriguez, a New England–based true estate agent and the principal of Ricardo Rodriguez and Associates at Coldwell Banker Realty. “Sometimes we pay back interest to the prettier and flashier tasks and overlook about the core infrastructure factors that are likely to both make it possible for you to keep in a property lengthier and make it additional marketable,” he states. “No just one would like to improve their drinking water heater, but it will go a extensive way in conditions of growing the price of your home.” Additionally, it will spare you from owning to offer with the headache of leaks, no hot water, or other complications that arise when your drinking water heater is earlier its primary.

Just redo your kitchen area currently

Placing in a new kitchen area may seem to be like a huge energy, but if yours is acquiring to the place of feeling exhausted, and you have at least a couple additional many years of residing in the household, just do it. “The joy of a crisp, pleasurable, thoroughly clean contemporary kitchen area is worthy of a good deal,” claims Irving. “Just keep it tranquil and neutral and not way too idiosyncratic and you will do oneself no hurt in resale.” Supply chain and labor value concerns of the previous few many years are much less, so now’s a very good time to go for it. And, of program, a kitchen area reno needn’t be all-or-practically nothing. “A sliding scale could possibly go from new sink and doorway hardware and painting cabinetry to new countertops or appliances to replacing every thing,” claims Irving. 

Make the swap from gasoline to induction

If you will need to choose just one particular alter to make in the kitchen, states Manhattan-based mostly architect Drew Lang, swap out your stovetop from gas to induction. “It’s environmentally progressive, visually clear, and a uncomplicated change for house owners that will progressively come to be common, if not required,” says Lang, who’s at this time arranging his individual apartment renovation, which features transitioning from fuel to induction cooking. “Our clients who swap out gasoline for induction have been delighted with the cooking effectiveness and the environmental importance.” 

Paint the exterior

Preserving the exterior of your dwelling perfectly-painted provides numerous positive aspects. “You’ll love wanting at your household, and if you need to sell speedily, it’s prepared to go,” claims Irving, who provides that you ought to never let your exterior paint go to the issue where by the protection it is furnishing the household is compromised. Plus, possessing eyes and fingers on the exterior can direct to uncovering—and fixing—rot or other troubles. 

Keep your roof in great condition

Every single probable consumer will question how old your roof is. “A great roof is performing two things: a person is supplying you a swift remedy for that buyer, and the 2nd is guarding your property,” says Irving. “Roofs can be complicated, but fixing up or even replacing a roof is not particularly high-priced if you are applying fiberglass or shingles.” 

48 Easy DIY projects to update your home in as little as an afternoon

Social media is awash with easy DIY projects to tackle, but if you're a bit of a novice it can to daunting still. That's why we've rounded up a few paint ideas, a couple of IKEA hacks and other projects that you can tackle over a long weekend and build up your confidence. 

Once you've nailed the basics, even home repairs can be tackled yourself so it's worth brushing up on your DIY skills to avoid having to get the professionals in for jobs you can take on yourself.

Easy DIY projects to update your home 

Approval for Montreal real estate projects to be sped up under new city plan

“We want developers to stay in Montreal,” said executive committee member Luc Rabouin. “We want to make it easier for them to develop good projects that meet the needs of citizens and our vision of the city.”

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Montreal has rolled out a new strategy that aims to speed up approval for real estate projects and help private developers deal with an administration often decried as too slow and overly complex.

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Under a pilot project unveiled Wednesday, four boroughs have each appointed an individual to serve as the point person for real estate development, executive committee member Luc Rabouin said. Ville-Marie, Sud-Ouest, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie and LaSalle, as well as the Namur-Hippodrome area, will serve as “laboratories” to test the plan, which includes 23 concrete actions designed to give developers more predictability. About 80 projects will be affected.

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Montreal’s announcement comes as the city grapples with a shortage of affordable and social housing while planning for the creation of new neighbourhoods such as Namur-Hippodrome, near the old Blue Bonnets racetrack, and Bridge-Bonaventure, at the southwestern edge of downtown. City hall’s handling of the Bridge-Bonaventure redevelopment has come in for repeated criticism, with developers saying last year that the Projet Montréal administration dragged its feet and misjudged the area’s potential.

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“From now on, we will be in a partnership” with private developers, Rabouin said Wednesday after a speech to members of the Urban Development Institute, a lobby group that represents real estate promoters.

“Apparently, it can sometimes be complicated to develop real estate projects in Montreal,” Rabouin said earlier during his address, eliciting laughter from the audience. “Some people even speak of a veritable ordeal. What I want to tell you is that we recognize that the situation is problematic.”

Montreal’s plan is the result of discussions between the city, elected officials and real estate promoters as part of an advisory council known as the “facilitator cell” that was created in 2021. It pledges to create a “flexible regulatory framework,” improve communication between stakeholders, optimize consultation processes and offer developers greater clarity on approval procedures and delays, among other actions.

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About 26,000 people work for the city, “and sometimes it’s hard to find your way around,” said Philippe Krivicky, the city’s deputy general manager.

Real estate projects of at least $10 million will automatically be considered “structuring,” meaning they will become a priority for the administration, Rabouin said. All social and affordable housing projects will also be treated as priorities, he said.

“The challenge is that we are in the process of changing the city’s culture in its relationship with real estate promoters,” Rabouin said. “We want developers to stay in Montreal. We want to make it easier for them to develop good projects that meet the needs of citizens and our vision of the city.”

Reactions from property officials who spoke at the Urban Development Institute event were generally favourable. UDI head Jean-Marc Fournier lauded the plan as a “sign of rapprochement” between the city and the real estate industry.

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“Of course we would like to see things move much more quickly, but this is a major shift” by the city, said Roger Plamondon, head of real estate operations at builder Broccolini. “We are facing an economic crisis and a housing shortage, so we have to work together to succeed.

“At the end of 2023, we are going to have to sit down to look at what was achieved. I’m very confident, but I will be vigilant.”

Renters’ groups sounded more cautious, in large part because the issue of funding for social housing projects remains unresolved.

Provincial Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau told La Presse in an interview published last week that she plans to end the AccèsLogis program, which has been the biggest source of funding for social housing in Quebec since its creation in 1997. Duranceau said it takes too long for projects approved by AccèsLogis to proceed — sometimes as long as seven years.

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Mayor Valérie Plante said Wednesday that she wrote to Finance Minister Eric Girard to ask for help in dealing with the “unprecedented” social and affordable housing crisis. To speed up construction, Montreal is offering to take charge of more than 1,000 AccèsLogis units still waiting for funding in order to be completed, Plante said. In exchange, the city is asking the province for $314.5 million in additional financing.

Close to 24,000 people are on a waiting list for social housing as of March 1, according to data compiled by the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal. The city says it needs to add about 2,000 new social and affordable housing units per year.

“On one side, the city’s announcement is interesting,” Saray Ortiz Torres, a community organizer with the Côte-des-Neiges housing advocacy group Project Genesis, said Thursday in an interview. “It sounds like they want to facilitate development and remove red tape, which hopefully will benefit the co-operatives and non-profit organizations that are also trying to develop housing.

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“But it seems they are not really addressing the elephant in the room, which is how to fund social and affordable housing development if Quebec is slashing AccèsLogis. This is missing from this announcement.”

Catherine Lussier, a spokesperson for the Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain, voiced similar fears.

“We’re preoccupied,” Lussier said Thursday in an interview. A program such as the one announced by Montreal “will probably result in private real estate projects getting built faster, but we know from experience that these aren’t the kinds of projects that meet the needs of people in search of low-income housing. So it’s a big concern.”

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The Importance of Bison Aluminum Cubes for Elevated Decks

Bison aluminum cubes are made of aluminum and are powder coated, a dry finishing process that emits no volatile organic compounds. They are 100% recyclable and offer a more durable finish than conventional paint. They are also made in the USA and come in various colors.

Powder-Coated Aluminum

Powder-coated aluminum bison cubes for raised decks are an attractive, practical addition to any rooftop. The system can be used on any roof, from single-family homes to multi-family complexes. These pedestals do not require penetration into the surface membrane and offer a wide variety of surface options, including seating, planters, and rock garden trays. They are also designed to provide adequate airflow and prevent water buildup.

Powder-coated aluminum provides a barrier against corrosion and wear. It is a durable, scratch-resistant material that withstands harsh outdoor conditions without peeling or flaking. Unlike natural metals, which rust over time in moisture and oxygen, powder-coated aluminum has a long lifespan and is an attractive addition to outdoor structures.

LEED Points

When a contractor installs bison aluminum cubes for elevated deck projects, they contribute to the LEED score of the building. These cubes are lightweight, commercial-grade, and made from 20 percent recycled content. These cubes are made to withstand the elements and incorporate seating and storage. They are also available in a variety of colors and sizes.

In addition to being necessary for LEED points, these products are also crucial for the environment's health. They are manufactured from 20 percent post-industrial recycled materials and can contribute to multiple materials and resource credits. 

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Bison aluminum cubes for elevated deck systems are made from 100% recycled aluminum and can help you earn LEED points for your project. They're a lightweight, commercial-grade material that is 100% recyclable. In addition, Bison cubes are available in a variety of colors.

Bison Innovative Products is a leading innovator in outdoor decking. The company's modular Bison system is a great way to create an elevated rooftop deck without damaging your expensive roofing system. Bison pedestals can support a variety of surface materials, such as wood tiles and concrete pavers. They're easy to install and can be used on any sloped surface.

The modular pedestal deck system bison cubes make it easy to customize your rooftop oasis. You can choose from various colors and textures, including FSC-certified and common species. Bison Cubes also offer optional hardwood tops for extra protection and storage. Whether you add seating or planters, these elevated decks will create a relaxing oasis in your backyard.

Low-VOC Finish

Bison aluminum cubes for elevated decks are made in the USA and feature a low-VOC finish. They comply with the FAA reference test method 24 and ASTM D2369 for volatile organic compounds and are available in various colors. Bison is also a 100 percent recyclable company; each unit is composed of 20 percent recycled content.

Low-VOC finish of bison aluminum is an attractive alternative to traditional wood decking. It is a film-forming sealant with a low VOC and can be applied to new or non-tropical wood. Because it's low-VOC, it seals out harmful chemicals and is non-toxic. Its odor is similar to that of pumpkin or sunflower.

A Complete Guide to Civil Construction

Even though civil construction projects are relatively straightforward, they are not without challenges. Due to multiple stakeholders and their complexity, civil construction can encounter unforeseen delays or costs. The article will explore some of these challenges and how to overcome them to deliver a project on time and within budget. Hopefully, these tips will help you confidently complete your next civil construction project. But, before diving into the book, review the information for success.

Project management

The role of a project manager is to monitor the progress of a civil construction Boston MA project. This person is responsible for keeping the project on track, on time, and budget. They monitor the progress of all tasks involved. The manager is also responsible for evaluating the overall project to determine if anything needs to be changed. The final project report provides valuable feedback that will help the construction company improve its future projects. The role of the project manager is to keep all stakeholders informed and up-to-date on the status of a construction project.

Among the tasks performed by a project manager are cost estimation, resource allocation, and contracting. Cost estimation is essential because it helps create the budget and bid for a construction project. This process involves determining the costs of various elements, including building, unit prices, lump-sum estimates, job sites, general overhead, and labor costs. As a result, project managers must be knowledgeable about the various aspects of cost estimation. Therefore, knowledge of cost estimation is essential for all managers to succeed in construction.

Scheduling

One of the essential phases of civil construction is scheduling. A good construction schedule helps project managers match resources to work efficiently. In addition, it prevents bottlenecks, promotes timely procurement of materials, and prevents project delays. 

Many field supervisors dislike formal scheduling procedures. Although owners often insist on the critical path method of scheduling, it is also taught in universities and is often considered irrelevant to actual operations and a waste of time. This type of schedule, also known as "seat of the pants" scheduling, is inefficient and has a high risk of poor productivity. To avoid this problem, construction managers should learn how to use the various scheduling techniques and know when they are the most effective.

Resource management

The importance of resource management in civil construction cannot be overstated. The process is time-consuming and requires the analysis of data to maximize productivity. An organization that relies on spreadsheets should take extra precautions when updating data as spreadsheets are prone to errors. In addition, when formulas change, the data may not be consistent. Avoid such mistakes; resource management software is highly recommended. 

In the construction industry, projects are likely to undergo frequent changes. Unexpected factors will push back the completion date and alter resource requirements. Resource management software can identify conflicts and inefficiencies that arise during such transitions. It can also identify solutions. Project managers need to have a comprehensive understanding of resource types, availability, and utilization. By combining these factors, resource management can help avoid unforeseen delays and maximize profitability. Here are some reasons to use resource management software in civil construction.

Costs

Often overlooked are the soft costs involved in the construction of a dam. While many may think weak prices are purely labor-related, this is not the case. Soft costs can include permit fees and architectural fees. Both of these types of expenses will contribute to the overall cost of the construction. The balance between hard and soft costs will depend on the nature of the project and its specific requirements. L.

To determine a project's total cost, the project must be analyzed for the exact prices. While some expenses are not wholly determined until the construction project has begun, the costs of civil construction will generally evolve throughout the entire duration of the project. Therefore, cost plans are created to reflect the current costs of the project, and as actual prices become available, they will be updated accordingly. 

Local regulations

Health and safety are heavily regulated in the U.S. on a federal and state level. The Occupational Safety and Health Act is perhaps the most well-known example. Individual states have similar laws, such as the Jones Act, which provides specific remedies for shipworker and barge work injuries. Local and federal regulations also apply to public works projects.

Energy-saving renovation of existing buildings is a significant component of civil construction. The construction organization must meet the energy-saving standard before issuing an acceptance certificate. For public buildings, electricity metering devices are required, while for residential buildings, heat metering requirements must be met. Metering equipment must comply with government standards. These regulations cover the whole construction process, from start to finish, from planning to metering.

Interior Design Aesthetics: 22 Projects that Explore Trending Interior Styles