Quick Construction of New Afton Drive Apartment Expected
By Melanie Irwin - July 10, 2025 - Sarnia News Today
A new six-storey apartment building is taking shape in the central area of Sarnia.
The development, at 1100 Afton Drive, will include 90 rental suites with modern open layouts, private balconies and natural light.
Spokesperson Lauren Pomerleau said you may have noticed the large crane and construction on site.
"These suites are going to be a mixture of one and two bedrooms," said Pomerleau. "They will be independent temperature control, they'll have four stainless steel kitchen appliances, as well as in-suite full sized washer and dryer. The intention behind the build is that it's convenience and community, wrapped up in one. So there will be a lot of really exciting features, within the suite, in the building and around the building as well."
She said residents will benefit from amenities that support a balanced lifestyle.
"Outside there will be a landscaped greenspace with a community garden, we're looking at bringing a dog run and a dog wash station, and inside the building we'll have a fitness studio, a common room and we're actually having a guest suite," said Pomerleau. "So, anyone who's looking to host family with be able to rent out this guest suite for them to stay right in the building with them."
A $21 million permit was issued to Glos Associates Inc. in November for the building's construction.
Pomerleau said they broke ground on the build in March.
"The building, as you'll see, is actually going up quite quick. We chose a superstructure system of total precast concrete and that's being supplied by Stubbe's Precast," she said. "So, what people will see as they walk by right now... we already have the first and second floor walls completely up. Within a month, you're going to have all six floors completely erected."
Pomerleau said the modern approach offers superior strength, faster construction, and long-term durability.
"It's a really unique process where the wall panels are actually built off site and come to site with the windows installed and with the first coat of exterior paint already put on," she said.
Pomerleau said once the building is up by mid August, you'll already have an idea of what it will look like.
"We will be, what we call, water tight by October. We're going to start early pre-leasing in the early months of 2026, so January, February of 2026, and we're going to start moving people in, in the summer of 2026 -- which we're really excited about considering we started the project in March of 2025," Pomerleau said.
She said they're still determining what the prices will be, but it will be a market rent.
More information will be posted at 1100Afton.com as the project progresses. Prospective residents can also join the waitlist by emailing leasing@1100Afton.com
Six-Storey Apartment Building Expected to Open Next Summer in Sarnia
By Paul Morden - July 9, 2025 - The Sarnia Observer
A new six-storey apartment building is rising on Afton Drive in Sarnia.
The 90-unit building is expected to be ready for tenants by next summer, said Lauren Pomerleau, with 1100 Afton.
“We broke ground in March of this year,” she said.
In November, Sarnia’s building department reported a building permit had been issued for a $21-million multi-apartment building at 1100 Afton Dr.
“We’re excited to bring this build to market, and we knew there was a need for additional new rental” units, Pomerleau said.
The construction project uses a precast concrete superstructure system with panels assembled elsewhere in a controlled environment and trucked to the site to be lifted in place by a crane, she said.
“It’s going up quite quickly,” Pomerleau said. “Right now, we have the first and second floor walls done and the third-floor walls will up by the end of the week.”
The building process “focuses on speed, quality and safety,” she said.
Panels arrive with windows installed and a first coat of paint, Pomerleau said.
“Within about a month, we’re actually going to have all six stories erected,” she said.
“This system also means fewer potential delays for weather, helping us stay on track for summer 2026 occupancy,” Nick Vario, director of construction for 1100 Afton said in a news release.
“With enhanced fire resistance, sound insulation, and minimal ongoing maintenance, total precast allows us to deliver a solid, quiet, and secure home for our future residents,” Vario said.
Pomerleau said the developers were attracted to Sarnia, and the location on Afton Drive in particular, which is close to stores, restaurants, public transit and other services along the London Road commercial corridor.
“You are really accessible to everything that you need,” she said. “It really does help create that sense of community.”
The site is also close to nature trails, Pomerleau said. “We loved the property because of the location and convenience.”
“We’re calling it a lifestyle community,” providing a “feeling of home but inside a rental space,” she said.
The building will include a guest suite tenants can rent for visitors, plus a community garden, she said.
The one- and two-bedroom apartments come with in-suite laundry, balconies, stainless steel appliances and individual temperature controls. The building will have storage lockers, car and dog wash stations, covered parking, a fitness studio, and a pickleball court.
“We’ve paid close attention to what renters want: modern design, useful amenities, and a strong sense of community,” Pomerleau said.
Information about the project is available online at 1100afton.com.
Rents are still to be determined “but it is a mid-market product,” Pomerleau said.
“We’re looking to start the pre-leasing process in January,” she said.