A 13-story rental condominium building with a wide range of services will soon open its reservation book in Lévis.
The Somex Saint-Nicolas is two minutes from the bridges. The 223 apartments in the first phase will be delivered by July 2024. Reservations are possible from the end of October.
The $70 million project will also offer 34 affordable apartments starting at $1,025 for 31⁄2. The most luxurious example of this size costs just over $2,000.
In a second phase, 175 units can be added.
Illustration by Hulix
“Before construction, we asked ourselves how we could improve the quality of life and meet the daily needs of our customers. We wanted to offer them an exceptional rental experience and more inclusive services than the competition,” explained Hugo Kirallah, CEO of Hulix, the project promoter.
“This project corresponds to the densification that we want to achieve on the Route des Rivières, which will be fully transformed into an urban boulevard between 2027 and 2028,” said Lévis Mayor Gilles Lehouillier.
Long list
Plans include work and meeting rooms, a fitness studio, a spa, a yoga room and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Games rooms, virtual golf and cinema rooms will be set up, as well as a communal kitchen, a common room, a wine cellar and a roof terrace.
Illustration by Hulix
Heating, air conditioning, electricity, internet and household appliances are included in the price.
New player
For Hulix, this is a first experience with a design of this type.
The company, which has been based in Montreal for 18 years, specializes in civil engineering work in all areas.
“I have been monitoring the market since 2018 but did not want to jeopardize the business. I started with a $28 million job and another for $22 million. I bought the land (in Lévis) in 2021. After an initial spin, it is easier to get started and take out loans,” explained Mr. Kirallah.
“This type of structure (of the Somex project) is simpler than what we normally do. At the Place-d’Armes subway station (in Montreal), I did a project under the concrete slab over which the subway continued to run,” says the developer.
attractiveness
And why leave the Montreal market and move to the south coast of Quebec?
“The opportunity was there,” argues Mr. Kirallah. And I received extraordinary support from the city for my driver’s license. I have never experienced this anywhere else. It’s a plus. If the opportunity arises, I will do one more time in Lévis before I go somewhere else.”
Phase 1 under construction, 710, Route des Rivières in Lévis. Photo Martin Lavoie
“We are number 1 in economic growth in Quebec and that interests a lot of external sponsors. The level of trust in the future is high,” says Mayor Lehouillier happily.
With a vacancy rate of 1-1.5%, the housing situation in Lévis hardly differs from elsewhere.
“After July 1, there was no one left on the streets. Due to the large amount of construction work, we coped with the shock a little more than other large cities. But you have to be careful. We will also soon present our strategy for affordable housing,” concluded the mayor.