Construction of a new 50-Unit affordable housing complex in Yellowknife is pausing for the winter but Housing NWT officials say the build is on track to open its doors in 2027. Currently, the organization has 25 barrier free units in the city and the new build will bring 25 more.
“Materials will be manufactured off-site during this time. Work will start again on site by Spring 2026,” said Jeanne Gard of Housing NWT.
Gard explained that to date, the project has reached a number of construction milestones including the building’s foundation construction, underground plumbing and mechanical systems, municipal services connections, a new fire hydrant installation, and the placement of backfill materials around the building.
The building is being constructed as a “mixed-use” residential building and is located on 50th Street, on land that was donated by the city of Yellowknife as part of their downtown revitalization strategy.
“The location was chosen based on land availability and its proximity to key services. The area is currently undergoing redevelopment with new businesses. The Yellowknife Wellness Centre is currently under construction, and housing supports will be integrated directly into the building on the ground floor,” said Gard in an announcement issued this morning.
The project is aimed to increase inclusion in the downtown by providing supports for populations that have been made vulnerable by poverty, discrimination and systemic colonialization.
The building’s location nearby parks, schools, playgrounds and public transportation “enhance accessibility” and “connection to the community,” said Gard.
This new multi-unit complex will include 25 barrier-free units for seniors and individuals with accessibility needs, 25 two-bedroom units for small families and an accessible service location for the Yellowknife Housing Authority and public facing office spaces for Housing NWT’s North Slave District Office on the ground floor.
Gard explained that the project will also help expand Housing NWT’s public housing stock and mitigate the need to lease private units in the city.
Architects focussed on applying energy efficiency and environmental sustainability principles specific to the far North in the planning multiple features of the site.
“The building is designed for northern conditions. It will use cross laminated mass timber panels for construction and premanufactured building envelope, a first in the NWT. It will also use solar panels and renewable space heating systems, including a pellet boiler, electric boiler, and heat pumps,” said Gard.
“Structural components will be made at the Kalesnikoff Mass Timber facility in Castlegar, BC, using strong, sustainable wood and precise building methods that help reduce waste,” she added.
The construction will continue over the winter with components being built off site.
“Flynn Speedwall will be factory-assembling the building’s outer walls system. Because these pieces are built ahead of time, they can be put together quickly and easily once they arrive at the site in the new year,” said Gard.
Housing NWT currently owns 25 barrier-free units in Yellowknife, including one 8-plex and 17 units in Mary Murphy and leases one barrier-free unit.
Gard told True North FM that several Housing NWT-owned units are equipped with elevators and ramps and are considered accessible units, including:
- All units in Victoria Suites, the building has an elevator and a ramp so all the units in that building can be considered accessible.
- Sisson Court Studio apartments, lower level, can be considered accessible as they are all one level and no stairs to enter (4 units).
- All units in Grayling Manor, the building has an elevator and no stairs to enter the building so they can all be considered accessible.
- All units in Aspen Heights, the building has an elevator and no stairs to enter the building so they can all be considered accessible.
- 12 Units at Fort Gary Apartments are considered accessible
- 5 Lanky Court Apartments considered accessible
NWT Housing said they also have units in the city that are accessible via an elevator and/or ramps, however these are not considered fully accessible with respect to building codes, and not fully barrier free (for example, the showers and bathrooms may not be barrier-free). These include 19 units in the Victorian Suites another 19 units in Greyling Manor and another 19 in Aspen Heights and 15 leased units, with 5 having ramp access.
