MIRAMICHI, New Brunswick--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As tuition fees rise alongside the country’s cost of living crisis, students are an underrepresented factor in today’s housing markets. In a neighbourhood critically lacking affordable opportunities for student living, New Brunswick’s premier non-profit real estate developers have created a new place for students to live, grow, and learn in Miramichi, NB at 1400 Water Street, Chatham.
Together with New Brunswick Community College, Uni Financial Cooperation, and Aequus Construction (Miramichi), Belleterre Community Partners is prepared to unveil its very first Student Rental community. Offering 18 units just in time for the winter semester, Phase 1 will open for occupancy January 13th. Phase 2 is set to open for the fall semester in Q3 of 2025, increasing capacity to allow even more students to enjoy convenient rentals close to campus.
Blair Martin, founder and President of Belleterre Community Partners, shared that “Belleterre Community Partners is honoured to open Phase 1 of its housing for students in Miramichi. In addition to meeting the critical need for student housing in the community, the project fulfills Belleterre's commitment to repurposing functionally obsolete properties in New Brunswick and expands the scope of services the organization can deliver to communities throughout the province.”
With a goal to address the urgent need for affordable housing in his hometown of Miramichi, Blair created Belleterre to use his experience in real estate development to give back to the community in a sustainable manner.
These dual goals of sustainability and affordability require a unique approach to community development. Belleterre repurposes existing infrastructure to give new life to neighbourhoods in and around Miramichi, reducing construction waste, time, and budget through efficient renovations of landmarks like the Bata Shoe Factory in Battawa, Ontario.
In the case of Miramichi’s new Student Rentals, Belleterre has transformed the former Miramichi Senior Citizens Home into an affordable off-campus residence for students of New Brunswick Community College. Located only 3 minutes from the Chatham/Miramichi campus by car, students now have an incredible opportunity to live close to school while taking steps towards independence. Public transit is also available in the area, allowing residents to access campus in just 15 minutes.
Belleterre’s Student Rentals are a collection of single and double rooms, each with access to their own toilet and sink, while residents will share kitchen, shower, lounge, and laundry facilities. Rooms are fully-furnished with a bed, desk, chair, nightstand, and dresser, providing the same lifestyle experience as typical student housing traditionally found on campus.
As their first foray into student housing, 1400 Water Street is a new step in Belleterre’s goal to provide affordable housing across the province. To learn about this new opportunity for student housing in Miramichi, visit BelleterrePartners.com for more information.
