Upper Vista Welland — a five-storey, 226-unit condominium in Welland, Ont. that’s been undergoing reconstruction since it partially collapsed in February 2023 — has been granted occupancy approval for more than 70 residences as well as common and service areas required to support people moving into the building.

CEP Forensic, retained by Evertrust Development Group, and Kalos Engineering, working with the City of Welland, conducted extensive reviews of the structure after the partial collapse of the sold-out condo at 350 Prince Charles Dr. S. 

Following the required professional reviews and permitting process, the city issued the necessary permit for the project to proceed with deconstruction, replacement, reconstruction and completion.

Upper Vista Welland is now advancing toward full completion while continuing under municipal oversight and established safety protocols.

Project has taken perseverance

“Following the incidents, Evertrust did not allow its attention to remain focused on arguments or blame,” Evertrust president Dr. Ted Jiancheng Zhou wrote in an email interview with RENX. “We concentrated on solving the problems. 

“We co-operated with the relevant authorities, organized the required professional reviews, completed the remediation and reconstruction work, and remained committed to safely delivering a high-quality development to our purchasers.”

The incidents, investigations, professional reviews, permitting and reconstruction materially affected the development schedule and required significant additional resources. Zhou wouldn’t reveal how much more capital was needed to advance the project. 

Upper Vista Welland’s remaining floors and units are now proceeding through final commissioning, municipal and regulatory approvals, and purchaser closings.

“This experience tested every aspect of Evertrust’s leadership, accountability, sense of mission and ability to execute,” wrote Zhou, who founded Evertrust in 2014. “It also transformed the company. 

“Our professional team is more capable, our management systems are more comprehensive, our quality controls are more rigorous, our co-ordination is more effective, our decision-making is more mature and our corporate culture is more united and resilient.”

Upper Vista Niagara Falls lawsuit

Markham, Ont.-based Evertrust previously completed the 10-storey, 150-unit Upper Vista Niagara Falls condo in the Ontario tourism hot spot that shares its name.

A $10-million lawsuit was launched by its residents against Evertrust and other groups involved with its architecture, engineering and general contracting in October 2022. It cited issues including improper fire protection, malfunctioning air conditioning and heating, and numerous building code violations.

“The Niagara Falls proceeding is a complex, multi-party construction dispute involving 10 separately named corporate and institutional defendants,” wrote Zhou. 

“The proceeding has continued for several years without a trial judgment, summary judgment or final finding of liability against Evertrust. Accordingly, the allegations made against Evertrust have not been judicially accepted or established as legal or financial responsibility on the part of Evertrust.

“Evertrust denies the allegations made against it and has brought a counterclaim against the plaintiffs to protect its legal rights and seek recovery of the losses it says it has sustained.” 

Evertrust’s growth strategy

Zhou said Evertrust was established with the objective of creating happy, healthy, high-quality and attainable communities. 

“Its growth has been project-driven, with an emphasis on thoughtful design, lifestyle amenities, responsible development and long-term community value,” he continued.

Evertrust finances its developments through a combination of shareholder equity, conventional project and construction financing, and project revenues.

Other Evertrust developments

The company has developed 14 detached homes and a 95-unit condo in Bracebridge, Ont., part of its multi-phased low-rise condo and detached home Upper Vista Muskoka community. More phases are still to come.

Evertrust purchased the final development site available in Edmonton’s Muttart Urban District, a 1.41-acre property where it’s developing 366 residential units in a 33-storey tower, in April 2022.

The development of Upper Vista Innisfail — a 128-acre master-planned townhome community located on Dodd’s Lake, a 20-minute drive south of Red Deer, Alta. — is underway.

A small townhome development at 6 Nassau St. in downtown Toronto is among Evertrust’s other planned projects.

“Evertrust’s current and planned developments continue to move forward through their respective planning, approval, financing and development stages,” wrote Zhou.

“Further information will be released as the relevant projects achieve their planning and development milestones.”