$100 million development breaks ground in Gravenhurst

Paul Kelly, Mayor of Gravenhurst, Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, Ontario, Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & CEO, Skyline Group of Companies, Matthew Organ, President, Skyline Apartment REIT, Gordon Driedger, President, Skyline Retail REIT, Greg Jones, President, SkyDev attend the groundbreaking of the Talisman Gate development on Wed., July 21, 2021. (Courtesy: Alex Vander Vlugt)

Barrie, Ont. — Guelph-based developer SkyDev is breaking ground Wednesday for a largescale apartment development in Gravenhurst.

The 'Talisman Gate' project will include a hotel and 236 unit apartment complex and retail amenities.

A four-building apartment complex will be constructed first, with occupancy expected next year.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott will operate the hotel.

SkyDev President Greg Jones tells CTV News there is a rental crisis in the province, and the demand for affordable rentals is on the rise in Muskoka Lakes. Jones said there is a need and demand for this type of large-scale community, and this build will increase the rental housing supply by 38 percent in Muskoka.

The apartment development will include community gardens, a multi-purpose court, a gym, a yoga studio, a games room and an outdoor terrace with a screened-in eating area.

The cost of the units will be within market value.

The first of the two buildings are under construction now at 110-120 Preston Way in Gravenhurst.