A new project in Willowgrove is a throwback to an earlier age, yet is seen as the way more and more developments will be built in the future. Phase One of the Myriad development in Willowgrove Square mixes commercial, retail, condominiums, town houses and a unique food court, all in one area. Michael Ma, president of MA Land Developments, said once the entire project is complete it will have 60,00
0 square feet of commercial space. Ma developed projects in places like China and Australia before setting his sights on Saskatoon. "Saskatoon's economy is booming and that is what attracted me to come here," he said. "I think in the near future more and more people will come here." Ma Developments CFO Janann Blackburn said the project will allow a buyer to own a neighbourhood business and a home in the same complex. "We see the Myriad bringing business to the neighbourhoods where they live and a more relaxed lifestyle to those that live and work there," Blackburn said. More than 70 per cent of the eight residential and 17 commercial spots in Phase One have been pre-sold to people from Saskatoon and Chinese immigrants. Commercial spaces will range from 800 square feet to 2,000 square feet. Condos in the 800 square foot range are expected to sell for about $250,000. Phase Two will have the same configuration, but will be three times the size. The city set up a competition and invited design proposals for this particular site in Willowgrove Square, which was won by AODBT Architecture Interior Design. "I think what made it stand out was that it was a sustainable project ... and it was also a very integrated mixed-use development," AODBT principal architect Charles Olfert said. The building will be LEED certified, he added. The main floor will have commercial development and a unique food court. The next level will be office space for small businesses, and the third floor will hold residential units, some featuring internal courtyards. Mayor Don Atchison, who was on hand for the sod turning ceremony, said the idea is something that was common years ago. "You used to be able to walk down to the corner and get whatever you wanted and enjoy that type of life," Atchison said. "This gives people a chance to live and work perhaps in the same location ... I think you will see more and more of this in the future." Olfert said this type of development is common in major centres around the world, and Saskatoon is finally coming on board. "This type of density development is what's going to make these neighbourhoods sustainable in the future," he said. The first phase is scheduled to be finished next spring, and Phase Two in 2016. To learn more about the Myriad, visit www.themyriad.
