After securing the property from CMLC in early 2015, followed by a development permit approval in June 2015 and its subsequent release just last week, Cidex Group isn't wasting any time getting started on their latest East Village project. Designed by NORR Architects, a 28-storey building called The Hat will rise from the southeast corner of 5th Street and 7th Avenue SE, marking the first residential rental development in the revitalized neighbourhood. A drilling rig and excavator were recently spotted on the site by our Forumers, who snapped some photos of the scene.

The Hat, image via NORR Architects

The $100 million project will come with 221 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units — broken down into 66, 123, and 32 floor plans respectively — making The Hat a fitting home for a range of discerning tenants, including young professionals and families. Particularly enticing for young families are plans for an on-site 5,000-square-foot childcare centre on the main floor alongside 1,500 square feet of commercial space. The building will be the first in the new development area to include three-bedroom units.

A rooftop terrace and an engaging public art feature are planned, image via NORR Architects

Council approved a transfer of unused density from the nearby Simmons building site in June 2015, allowing the project to offer 64 additional rental units. Cidex President Abed Itani spoke about the development and its significance to East Village in a National Post article: "This community represents the future of downtown living. It is inclusive, accessible and attractive to young families who want to have an urban living experience. Our project introduces three-bedroom units and child-care services to the community which, I view as critical to the overall health and sustainability of the community."

The Hat development site, image by Forum contributor Beltline_B

The Hat builds upon the groundwork laid by the 2009 East Village master plan, which has sparked billions of dollars worth of investment, with projects like the New Central Library and Studio Bell adding to the area's colourful collage of land uses. A softened economy and waning condominium purchases could translate to more demand for rental housing, just as East Village is welcoming its first new apartment building.

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