Waterfront development: construction to begin on Sault condos this spring.

• Date: 01 April 2015
• Author: Kelly, Lindsay

Last fall, when Amit Sofer presented his blueprints for Riverwalk Condominiums along Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront, he was warned he'd have a difficult time selling housing units based on plans alone. But six months after opening a sales office downtown, the numbers show a different story.

"We proved them all wrong, and we are 85 per cent sold," Sofer said. "We only have five suites left out of the 40."

It was a pleasant surprise for the Toronto-based developer, whose company, TVM Group, purchased the 20-acre waterfront property--site of the city's former General Hospital and Plummer Memorial Hospital--for $65,000 in 2013.

The purchasing trend shows the condos are attracting a mixed demographic of seniors, who appreciate the building's security and its proximity to downtown amenities, and professionals, who are attracted by the high-end quality of the units.

Units have high ceilings, gourmet kitchens with stainless...