STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Salmon Arm, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Canadian Mental Health Association Shuswap Revelstoke

PROJECT TEAM
Blue Green Architecture
CanZea Developments

BUILDING SIZE
105 housing units

PROJECT COST
$28 million

COMPLETION DATE
November 2021

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked as a development consultant for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Shuswap Revelstoke Branch for the design and construction of a 105-unit development on 540-3 Street, SW, Salmon Arm. The new 105-unit development project is comprised of three buildings – two buildings with 67 affordable units and one building with 38 supportive units. The supportive building will include 24/7 on-site support, amenity space, reception space and harm reduction space.  

Construction of the two affordable buildings (67 units) began in fall 2019, and construction of the supportive building (38 units) began in 2020. The affordable buildings completed in the fall of 2020, with the supportive building receiving full occupancy in the fall of 2021.  

The MDS team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, business case development, coordination of municipal approvals and site planning. MDS is also responsible for contract administration, budget monitoring and funding applications on behalf of CMHA.

MDS Services

• Site and Land Use Planning
• Contract Administration
• Coordinate Municipal Approvals
• Business Plan
• Funding/Financing Applications
• Capital and Operating Budgets
• Procurement
• Development and Construction Analysis and Planning

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Langford, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Rowe Architects
Scansa Construction

BUILDING SIZE
2 buildings
100 housing units

TOTAL PROJECT COST
$43 million

COMPLETION DATE
Fall 2021

M’akola Development Services (MDS) partnered with  M’akola Housing Society (MHS) for the design and construction of the mixed use (commercial and residential) Station Avenue project in Langford, BC.  

The development is a two-phased affordable housing project designed to support urban Indigenous families, elders/seniors, and singles in need of stable, affordable and high-quality housing in the Westshore area. Phase One of the project was funded by BC Housing’s Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing: Aboriginal Housing Initiative (PIAH).  

Phase One, completed in March 2020, includes the construction of a six-storey, wood frame building consisting of 60 units of self-contained rental units in studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom layouts. Approximately, 6,500 sq. ft. of commercial space is owned and operated by Hulitan Family and Community Services Society (HFCSS). HFCSS provides social and emotional support through programs and services to Indigenous children, Indigenous youth, and Indigenous families. In addition, approximately, 4,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on the ground floor will be used as MDS office space to further advance affordable housing in the Province.  

Phase Two, completed in the fall of 2021, involved the construction of a six-storey development with 40 units of affordable housing in a second building at the rear of the site. This project was approved under the 2018 Indigenous Housing Funding call and received full support from BC Housing.  

The M’akola Development Services team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, business case development, site planning, and project management through construction, to one year warranty review stages. 

MDS Services

• Feasibility Analysis    
• Site Due Diligence    
• Funding Applications    
• Design Team Procurement   
• Rezoning   
• Project Management of Project Planning and Construction   
• Operations  

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Hope, BC

REGION
Lower Mainland

CLIENT
Mamele’awt Qweesome & To’o Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
CHP Architects
VanMar Constructors

BUILDING SIZE
4 Storeys
45 Units

PROJECT COST
$18.6 million

COMPLETION DATE
July 2021

The Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society (MQHS) recognizes that there is a rental housing challenge in Hope that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable residents of the community. To address this need, MQHS redeveloped a vacant site with a four-storey, wood-frame apartment building (37 units) and eight family townhomes (8 units) for a total of 45 units. In addition to the residential units, the new apartment building includes in-suite laundry for family units, outdoor space for children, ample parking spaces, indigenous features and artwork in key areas of the building, including the lobby, and a large tenant amenity space.

M’akola Development Services (MDS) has worked closely with MQHS to hire an architect and design team to design concept plans. The architect was brought on board in 2017 to support conceptual design under the Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF) Request for Proposal (RFP) process. MDS also procured the Construction Contractor, coordinated site due diligence, completed a feasibility study, submitted proposals for project funding and continues to support operations planning and programming for this project.

The Riverstone began construction in November 2019 and completed in June 2021.

MDS Services

• Design Team Procurement
• Site Due Diligence
• Funding Applications
• Feasibility Analysis
• Rezoning
• Project Management of Project Planning and Construction
• Operations

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Vernon, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Vernon Native Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
New Town Architecture and Engineering
Scuka Enterprises

BUILDING SIZE
33,615 sq.ft
38 housing units

PROJECT COST
$11 million

COMPLETION DATE
June 2020

VNHS completed the development and construction of a four-storey apartment building, the Thunderbird Manor, in May 2020. Their current addition to their portfolio includes 38-units comprising of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. 

The units have been made available for Indigenous Elders, individuals with accessibility challenges, and families living off-reserve. The site is well located within walking distance to amenities, recreational activities, a grocery store and other commercial locations. 

The project began construction in November 2018. M’akola Development Services (MDS) was responsible for preparing federal and provincial funding applications, project team mobilization and coordination from pre-development through to construction. MDS also coordinated and managed municipal approval processes, procured the full design consulting team and construction manager.  

Throughout the entire project MDS managed the capital budget (soft and hard costs) and provided contract administration services. This project was one of the first projects in BC to successfully receive Co Investment financing through a funding partnership with BC Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility and site analysis
• Community engagement 
• Funding applications 
• Procurement and contract management
• Site and land use planning
• Local government approvals 
• Contract administration 

M’akola Development Services (MDS) is working with the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George (AHSPG) to develop a multi-phased, comprehensively planned 6.9-acre property located in Prince George, BC.

This site will be designed for a diversity of people, uses and buildings, centered around a large gathering space that is universally accessible, provides safe play areas for children, and promotes interaction between tenants. Once realized, the project is anticipated to include approximately 150 residential units, a childcare facility, a digital resource centre/Indigenous library, and commercial and service spaces. It will be a culturally safe place for Indigenous people living in Prince George, many of whom have moved to Prince George from across the north in order to pursue education or work opportunities.

Phase 1	Building Size Project Cost Completed	2 storey townhouses; 50 units $23 million 2021
Phase 2a	Building Size Project Cost Completed	4 storey apartment building; 57 units $22 million 2024
Phase 2b	Building Size Project Cost Completed	32 childcare spaces $3.1 million 2022
Phase 2c	Building Project Cost Completed	Community centre $2.3 million 2024
Phase 3	Building Size Project Cost Completed	3 storey supportive apartment for Elders; 35 units $11 million 2023
Phase 4	Building Size Project Budget Expected Completion	4 storey supportive apartment; 35 units $19.8 million 2026

 

STATUS
In construction

STATUS
In construction

LOCATION
Saanich, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
Luther Court Society

PROJECT TEAM
Studio 531 Architects
Heatherbrae Builders

PROJECT BUDGET
$57.8 million

M’akola Development Services (MDS) is working with Luther Court Society (LCS) and the Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC) to develop a new mixed-use development comprised of affordable, independent units for seniors and students, with social and healthcare spaces on the ground floor. As the development process proceeds, other partnerships will be further explored, including a partnership with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).

The proposed project is located in Saanich, BC, in a residential community outside the core of Victoria. The development will provide 82 new studio and one-bedroom units in a four-storey building. Community amenities will include a common kitchen, student lounge, shared spaces and a primary health care centre on the ground floor. The proposed development will be wood framed, with surface, underbuilding, and underground parking.

MDS is responsible for supporting all municipal approval processes, including: rezoning, subdivision if required, the development and building permit process, etc. MDS is responsible for procurement of the design team. MDS will also explore opportunities to leverage provincial and federal funding.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Demand and feasibility studies
• Site and land use planning
• Local government approvals
• Procurement and consultant management
• Community engagement
• Construction administration
• Project management

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Langford, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Rowe Architects
Scansa Construction

BUILDING SIZE
4-storey – 47,281 sq. ft.
36 housing units
Commercial – 7,782 sq. ft.

PROJECT COST
$13 million

COMPLETION DATE
June 2016

This new four-storey mixed-use building is comprised of residential units and commercial office space, which is used for the M’akola administration and development services head offices.                                                  

The building replaced five of the 17 existing townhouses on the property, and now houses 136 people in the 36 apartment units on the second, third, and fourth floor. The target tenants are urban Indigenous families in need of stable, affordable, high-quality housing in the Westshore area.  

The M’akola Development Services team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, business case development, and site planning. The feasibility analysis and final business case focused on increasing the density and including a commercial component to the housing development. Site planning looked at existing buildings that were being retained, and challenging site geography, access, and subdivision. This project was completed on time and on budget.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Site and land use planning 
• Local government approvals 
• Business plan 
• Funding and financing applications 
• Capital and operating budgets 
• Procurement and consultant management
• Project management