A Saskatoon property once known for delivering the city's longest-running daily newspaper may soon be known for delivering groceries. A grocery store space, along with office and residential buildings, is part of a proposed plan for the former Saskatoon StarPhoenix building, brought forward by local developer Duchuck Holdings Ltd.
Proposed Development Details
Public engagement is underway by the City of Saskatoon to get neighbourhood opinions on the proposal for the building at 204 Fifth Avenue North. The proposal by Duchuck Holdings will require the property to be rezoned for a mixed-use development.
Additional floors would be added to the existing office building, and an enclosed parking area would be built to support commercial and office use. The full drawings for the main floor of the office building include a grocery store and several other retail spaces.
Residential Towers
Residential towers are planned to flank both sides of the office building. A 35-storey residential tower is planned for the south side of the block along 23rd Street East, and a 24-storey residential tower on the north side by 24th Street East. The proposed plan, according to the city's website, will create about 600 dwelling units and roughly 540 parking spaces.
Historical Significance
Notable for its grand, winding staircase to the second-floor newsroom, the building opened in 1967 and was constructed at a cost of $3.5 million. The first edition printed in the building was May 30 that year, when Mayor Sid Buckwold pressed a large button to get the press rolling. Duchuck Holdings purchased the building back in December 2024 after editorial staff were pushed into working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, never to return to working at that office.
Zoning and Public Input
The city said the current zoning doesn't permit retail spaces or grocery stores. “City Administration is considering the request for the retail store land use as part of the review of this rezoning application,” the city said. Property owners within 75 to 150 metres of the site are being asked for their feedback, and a public information meeting will be held at city hall on May 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation material will be available on the city's website after the meeting.
After public engagement, the city will review a report from the municipal planning commission, and city council will eventually hold a public hearing to either approve or reject the zoning agreement. No dates have been set for when this will happen.
Community Reaction
Ward 6 Coun. Jasmin Parker is curious about how residents feel about the proposal, saying it brings density into downtown and falls in line with the city centre plan. “I think it's really positive that they're creating a way to keep the StarPhoenix building relatively intact,” Parker said in an interview.
