THE JUNCTION

Do you ever go past a property that for years has been neglected, thinking it’s only fit for a wrecking ball? For many years, that was the old Canadian National freight yard that ran between Edinburgh Road and Alma Street. Run down and unsightly, it was unforgettable at best.

Most developers prefer to work on what is known in the industry as greenfield land. Spaces that have never been built upon. Those sites are the easiest and least expensive ways to develop and build properties. Infill or brownfield sites (land has previously been developed on, the latter at risk for contamination) often contain surprises – and usually expensive surprises.

While others might have viewed the old freight yard as a headache, Granite Homes clearly saw the potential with this site. Not only did they do a superb job of renovating and restoring the original CN Freight building, they were able to design and build a new building on the site that many people have mistaken as a restoration and part of the original site. The steel is already up for the last building in the development, soon to be home to a rapidly-growing local tech company, System1.

The Junction is a multi-use commercial site, named after the surrounding neighbourhood it was built in. It’s home to a number of local businesses including Home Group Realty, Fixed Gear Brewing, and of course, Granite Homes – plus a wide variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs in The Platform, the coworking space above our office. The Junction is a pedestrian-friendly area, with many of the neighbours walking through the site on a daily basis. Keeping true to the railroad heritage in the area, a restored 1967 Vintage CN Caboose was recently installed onsite between the two existing buildings.

Recently the site has been recognized by the City of Guelph, receiving the Award of Excellence in the 2021 Guelph Urban Design Awards.

Community is a big part of the Junction neighbourhood, and the culture of Home Group Realty. After a successful launch in 2020, the Junction Holiday Market is back for 2021. This is a virtual market showcasing a variety of local businesses and craftspeople, and also acts as a fundraiser for Community of Hearts, a Guelph-based not-for-profit organization that supports folks with developmental exceptionalities. Organized by Granite Homes, Home Group Realty, and Fixed Gear Brewing, the holiday market offers a unique opportunity to shop locally and support a great local organization.

You can attend the event on November 20th & 21st by shopping online at junctionholidaymarket.ca! A variety of local vendors will be offering exclusive deals and products for the weekend, so you can do your holiday shopping from the comfort of your home – and support local businesses and a great organization at the same time! Follow on Instagram (@junctionholidaymarket) for updates, vendors announcements, and giveaways!

Home Group Realty has called the Junction home for the past 3 years, and I have to say it’s the perfect place for our brokerage. Home Group Realty started out 10 years ago crafting a reputation for being local and providing a level of service based upon the values of those vintage companies our parents and grandparents grew up with. When the opportunity came to join the Junction community as it opened its doors, we didn’t think twice.

Congratulations to Granite Homes for being true to their vision, and helping to build a unique community in the heart of one of Guelph’s most popular neighbourhoods.

If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, drop on in. The coffee is fresh, we’re always open to a neighbourly conversation.

THE PAST WEEK IN THE GUELPH REAL ESTATE MARKET

Activity levels returning to par with previous years, after a quiet fall in terms of number of sales. Pricing, on the other hand, remains strong – and the low number of listings and sales is reflected in the sale-to-list price ratio, which has been hovering around the 110% mark for the last few weeks.

Take a look at the full key week comparison below: