Office Conversion into Apartments to begin in Sudbury

Panoramic Properties is making a bold move to breathe new life into downtown Sudbury with a $19.8 million redevelopment project that will convert the Scotia Tower — a long-standing commercial building — into an 83-unit residential apartment complex. The adaptive reuse of this high-rise is not only a significant investment in urban renewal but also a vital source of work for the construction industry in a region with critically low vacancy rates.

A Strategic Shift from Commercial to Residential

The Scotia Tower, located in the heart of downtown Sudbury, has stood as a symbol of the city’s commercial past. Now, Panoramic Properties aims to reinvent the space as a modern rental community. With preliminary work already underway, construction crews have started interior demolition and core structural assessments to determine the best method for retrofitting the office space into livable units.

CBC Lite reports that this type of conversion involves detailed engineering work to ensure the existing structure can accommodate new floor plans, plumbing systems, HVAC upgrades, and fire code compliance — all essential steps for transforming a commercial property into safe and comfortable residential housing.

Construction and Design Highlights

While the full floorplan breakdown is yet to be released, the building is expected to house a variety of unit types, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, with rents projected to range from $1,800 to $2,500 per month. This places the apartments squarely at market rate, a necessary addition in a city where the vacancy rate is currently below 1%.

Key elements of the construction scope include:

• Interior Demolition – Gutting the former office interiors to allow for residential floor plan redesign.

• Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades – Modernizing outdated systems to meet current residential codes and energy efficiency standards.

• Plumbing Reconfiguration – Installing kitchens and bathrooms in what were previously commercial floor plates.

• Elevator Refurbishment – Updating vertical transportation systems to meet residential usage and safety standards.

• Exterior Enhancements – Possible façade upgrades or modifications to improve residential aesthetics and comply with building envelope performance standards.

• Fire Safety and Egress Systems – Installing residential-grade fire suppression systems and emergency exits.

These tasks create a wealth of work opportunities for local skilled trades, from electricians and plumbers to drywall installers and painters, not to mention the demand for project managers and site supervisors who specialize in urban conversions.

Workforce Demand and Industry Opportunities

Projects like this are labor-intensive and often require specialists in adaptive reuse — professionals familiar with the complexities of converting old commercial footprints into habitable residential spaces. For the local construction workforce, this redevelopment represents:

• Sustained employment over multiple phases of work

• Opportunities to develop or sharpen adaptive reuse skills

• Subcontracting prospects for local businesses, including those in demolition, HVAC, and interior finishes

• Increased demand for architects and designers skilled in maximizing square footage within fixed footprints

This is especially significant in Sudbury, where new residential construction has been slow, and housing demand is outpacing supply.

Government Support and Community Impact

Last year, the City of Greater Sudbury committed $1.7 million in support of the Scotia Tower redevelopment. This funding was contingent upon Panoramic’s progress on demolishing the old hospital site, tying the two projects together as part of a broader strategy for downtown and regional revitalization.

This project has the potential to contribute to the revitalization of Sudbury’s downtown core, which has faced economic and social challenges in recent years.

Looking Ahead

Although detailed renderings and construction timelines have not been fully disclosed, early activity at the site indicates that Panoramic Properties is moving forward with urgency. As interior work continues, permit filings and subtrade contracts are expected to increase — providing plenty of opportunity for workers and suppliers across the industry.

This project, alongside Panoramic’s broader development agenda, signals a strong commitment to both urban renewal and economic stimulation through construction.