Abbotsford – While the plans are still in their early phase, Aksa Group, an international developer with an office in North Vancouver, has their sites set on the Fraser Valley Inn building.
Aksa is in concert with Willemen Group, Belgium’s largest family-owned construction group, and the feel of this new project with have a European flavour.
Aksa Group already owns the building and Aksa President Kamaal Samji told FVN that the property, now an India-themed restaurant with the Atangard Community Living project above on the second floor, is near and dear to the family. Samji said that his father once owned the building in the 80’s and knows that the history of the old Inn is rather checkered.
He feels that his project, a six storey mixed use apartment building with restaurant and shops on the ground floor would be the perfect addiction to Abbotsford’s downtown core. A core which has already seen a renaissance with development from Algra Brothers (who recently received the green light for the transformation of Chilliwack’s dilapidated downtown).
Samji does not want to see a return of the old “pub” similar to the original design. He envisions a higher end eater similar to an “Earle’s”.
The housing units above would not be social housing although the mixed use concept will still be part of the plan.
A plaza would also be added with improvements to site lines on West Railway and Essendene. The 1927 facade would be deconstructed and rebuilt, set back a few feet for sidewalk cafe style seating.
The insulation will drown out any noise concerns from the existing railway and Samji claims that Hydro bills will be drastically lowered through environmentally sensitive construction practices.
Conversations with city officials have been intense. The City would prefer only a four story building. Damji said that a six storey building, using the original facade would be the most cost efficient way of renovating the property while still turning a profit for the investors.
While Aksa Group has been in consultation with city staff, Samji doesn’t feel that building permits and the zoning itself will take place before the October 20 municipal election.
FVN has obtained the power point presentation made to the City and it can be found here.
