Michael Lobsinger, River Landing developer to speak in Saskatoon
When the City asked for developers to consider an exciting new “Urban Village” concept at River Landing in Saskatoon’s Central Business District, the call was answered by Michael Lobsinger, a former Saskatoon resident and now a successful real estate developer.
On Wednesday, March 12, Mr. Michael E. Lobsinger, President CEO, Lake Placid Group, will speak to the Saskatoon business community at the 14th Annual Traders Luncheon in support of Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan. He will discuss the challenges and rewards in building in Canada’s hottest markets – Calgary and Saskatoon.
Lunch begins at 12:00 PM at the Sheraton Cavalier in Saskatoon with the speech beginning at 12:30 PM.
Flyer with additional event details.
Thanks to Darren Hill, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan for the heads up on this event.
I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.
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Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate
6 comments so far. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
The River Landing project is basically copying the idea of Winnipeg’s “Forks” right?
May 19th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Heather,
I’m not sure but I doubt Winnipeg came up with the idea of building stuff by the river.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Norm,
You’re even more correct than you think!
Forks aside – which itself was about the ONLY thing along the river for many years – Winnipeg has never paid much attention to river front development.
There are parks and other long stretches of undeveloped land along the rivers which have for the longest time gone unnoticed. Only in the past 5 or so years have we actively been trying to develop back in that direction. For the past 2 years, condos and a small shop front have been under construction around an elaborate Canadian roundabout.
http://tinyurl.com/2je9fc
It looks as though more development is due to go up on the blocks heading North (bravo!) and I’m not at all opposed to it as it is *NEW*.
The park across from them barely saw activity and in fact that entire area is still for the most part a handful of old warehouses.
That area also is near one of, if not THE poorest area in the city.
It seems like in the past, Winnipeg has always developed away from the river fronts, rather than near. We have had the river walk, but that in itself sees little use after hours as people do not feel safe using it.
Another example is River, Main, Stradbrook and Donald streets/aves, which have on their East sides some undeveloped portions, or portions dedicated to railway: http://tinyurl.com/2kpvst
While talking about the Forks, I should note that the location has limited and very high risk payoffs. The Forks for the longest time was nowhere special for people to go. As new things were added to the area, things have improved slightly, but I will say that it has reached a point where it isn’t nearly as charming as it used to be. Specialty shops can’t keep up and turn over very quickly (especially in the Johnston Terminal, with exception to three or so).
The pool hall that once allowed teenagers from high school (myself and friends!) has now turned into a cover charge sports bar. This has driven up the clubby-atmosphere of the place turning it into a bit of a hangout. You could liken this transformation to imagining O’Shea’s downtown turning into a sports bar – a little piece of Calgary, ripe with thugs.
The skate park added did nothing except attract jaywalkers and vandals.
Even the buskers at the Forks – a true tradition – have been tapering off due to increased restrictions on performances.
Again, these were all incentives to drive interest in the Forks, but have all backfired by turning it into a dive.
The best times for the Forks are just like any other place: During sponsored special events (Festival du Voyageur) and holidays like Canada Day.
If you ask me, if somewhere can’t sustain it’s own vibe without private dollars being flushed into it, there’s no point. It’s like having an arena or a fairground smack in the middle of our downtown (ha ha).
May 19th, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Hey Norm,
Didn’t you list this one a while back (2-3 months)… only reason I remember is it was listed for considerably less and I recall thinking the price was very reasonable.
http://www.saskhouses.com/listing/detail/?listing_id=12104
J.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Hi Johny,
Indeed I did, and you’re right that the price was reasonable. There were two issues with the property which made for a bit of a tougher sell. First, it had no central heating system. All electric baseboard heat which is pretty different for this area. Secondly, it had a “Zoning Bylaw Violation” from the City of Saskatoon that would require the owner to close the basement suite, or receive council’s approval to operate it after some changes were made.
I had dozens of inquiries and many showings while it was listed for sale, but not much for offers so I’m pretty sure this asking price is likely to be a tough slug, even with the proposed improvements.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Interesting indication as to what kind of role flippers are still playing in this market.
J.