10 minute read
Creating Communities For All
CREATING COMMUNITIES FOR ALL
Words by Annika Borg
Advertisement
Photos by Kimberly Rashed Photography & Story Thorburn Photography
- Robert Chang, CEO and president of Flourish
Photo: Kimberly Rashed
Group is a PEIbased real estate developer founded in 2016 by five newcomer families to the Island. Robert Chang, CEO and president of Flourish, moved to PEI from China with his family over five years ago. “I knew PEI was where I wanted to plant my roots,” he says. “I am honoured to be contributing to such a wonderful community, and to be raising my family here.”
Flourish has many notable projects in the works, including the new Foxwoods subdivision in Stratford. Foxwoods is a 68- acre property, and Flourish intends to build around 160 lots. More than 30 per cent of the property has been devoted to parks, and to preserving the natural forest.
“We want people in the community to share and enjoy the green space,” says Du. From the beginning, focus was on creating an environmentally friendly and sustainable space, as well as providing safety and convenience for residents. “The town of Stratford has been very supportive of the project, and the community has given lots of feedback,” she says. The subdivision is currently in Phase I of development.
Other Flourish projects include residential and commercial development, leasing in the Charlottetown and Montague areas, property management, and business investment services. “We’re working on creating an affordable housing program,” explains Du. “Because of the support we’ve received locally, we want to give back to the community in a big way.”
Through the International Business Centre in Charlottetown, Flourish provides modern, fully renovated office spaces for a variety of businesses, as well as information sessions and seminars for newcomers looking to do business on the Island. Flourish has many long-term business tenants on PEI, including Career Development Services, Good Neighbor, Needs Convenience, Greco Pizza, Stratford Pizza Corner, and Lucky Bakery, to name a few.
“We’re excited to be contributing to the creation of safe and sustainable communities and lifestyles for Islanders and Island newcomers alike,” says Du. “We’re still learning, but we’re committed. We want to work together with the community, and we want to bring something new to the Island.”
Flourish is a proud sponsor of various local events such as the Jack Frost Festival, Chinese Spring Festival Gala, Moonlight Concert at Victoria Park, and the Mid- Autumn Festival at the International Business Centre.
“We at Flourish are committed to fostering diverse, safe, and inclusive communities in a province that upholds these values,” adds Chang. “We are excited by the opportunities, and by the tremendous support we have received.”
Flourish has received support from local businesses such as: Provincial Credit Union, Island Coastal Services, Island Construction, CSM, JCJ, CBCL, Fitzpatrick & Co., Grant Thornton, Timber Mart, Royal LePage, EXIT Realty, Hansen Electric, Maritime Electric, M&M Resources, Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada, and the towns of Stratford, Charlottetown, and Montague.
Flourish Development Group 6th Floor, BDC Place 119 Kent Street, Charlottetown 902.370.2125 info@flourishdevelopmentgroup.com
Foxwoods Office and Model Home 902.330.6611 6 Maple Leaf Row, Stratford
www.flourishdevelopmentgroup.com
SHERWOOD TIMBER MART
Helping to Build the Community
Since opening in 2017, Sherwood Timber Mart has aimed to become the go-to place for renovations, projects, and everything in between.
Timber Mart is the largest building supply-buying group in Canada, with over 700 locations, each one independently owned and operated. Owner Jillian Sexton opened Sherwood Timber Mart in 2017. “There’s an incorrect preconceived notion that a smaller, independent store is more expensive, or not as capable,” she says. However, “You get the best of both worlds. You have the buying power of a nationwide brand, but the independence and intimacy of a small local business.”
The staff at Sherwood Timber Mart have a wealth of experience; many employees have worked in the industry for over twenty-five years. “Our team is passionate about the business,” says Sexton. “They’re happy to share their expertise to make sure our customers have the best experience."
Since coming to Charlottetown, Sexton has found the community very welcoming. “I’m learning that Islanders love supporting small businesses; it helps the community.” Later this month, Sherwood Timber Mart will participate in the Heroes Challenge, a national fundraiser put on by the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“Charlottetown has a similar small-town vibe to Pictou County,” says Sexton, who owns two more Timber Mart stores in that area. “In small towns, supporting the community and building and maintaining those relationships are key.”
Sherwood Timber Mart has worked closely with Flourish Development Group on the new Foxwoods subdivision as the primary building materials supplier. The partnership will continue on a variety of upcoming projects. “The folks at Flourish and I, we’re both newcomers to the Island. Working together was a natural fit. We both want to be involved as much as possible in the community and make a lasting impact on the Island. We’re both so glad to be here.”
Sherwood Timber Mart 423 Mount Edward Road, Charlottetown 902.368.3648 jillian.sexton@timbermart.ca www.timbermart.ca
Melanie Shaw
Photos by Kimberly Rashed Photography
MELANIE SHAW AND THE SHAW TEAM
Experience Outstanding Real Estate Service with
As a realtor with Royal LePage Prince Edward Realty, Melanie Shaw helps clients make highly educated decisions regarding buying or selling their homes. Melanie has been a professional realtor for over twenty-five years, and she recently launched the Shaw Team in spring 2019 to ensure that her clients continue to receive elevated service.
The Shaw Team is comprised of Melanie Shaw and two other professional realtors: Jennifer Hubley and Anna Tan. Jennifer has been in real estate for over five years; Anna is from China, has an extensive sales background, and is fluent in both English and Mandarin. Together, the Shaw Team aim to provide best-in-class real estate systems and distinguished service to ensure that buyers and sellers have the best experience possible.
Melanie is thrilled to be a part of Carriage Trade, a premier online destination with Royal LePage for luxury properties. Luxury sellers working with Melanie may qualify for this service when they list their homes. The
service showcases properties to be viewed by qualified purchasers around the world. “I help clients market their luxury homes at the highest level possible,” Shaw says. “Using online and social media marketing, print advertising, and through access to Carriage Trade luxury properties marketing program and Royal LePage, I provide the service that’s needed to get homes sold.”
Melanie and the Shaw Team have been working in partnership with Flourish Development Group, providing real estate services for the new Foxwoods subdivision in Stratford. “You can’t find a better location,” she says. “It’s minutes away from major grocery stores, the town centre, and public schools.” Foxwoods sits nestled between Fox Meadow Golf Course and Kinlock Beach, and has ready access to parks, walking trails, and bike paths. Foxwoods is a great place for large or small families, seniors, people looking to upsize or downsize, and even firsttime homebuyers.
Melanie Shaw - The Shaw Team Royal LePage Prince Edward Realty 902.213.5235 melanieshawhomes@gmail.com www.shawhomes.ca
ISLAND COASTAL SERVICES
Providing Quality Construction and Care for Over Forty-Five Years
Island Coastal Services is a civil engineering contractor who specialize in earthmoving, road work, water sewers and storm drains, curbing, sidewalks, and golf course management.
Island Coastal Services began in 1969 as a business partnership between Harry MacLauchlan and Robert Dawson, who both had backgrounds in site preparation and road work. With their combined experience, the business grew rapidly, and MacLauchlan’s nephew Blair MacLauchlan joined the company in 1973 as a project engineer. Harry MacLauchlan passed away in 2002, leaving sole ownership to Blair; he also left behind a reputation for good business practices, and respect for clients and the community.
“The company started out with only three employees,” says MacLauchlan. “Now we have over three hundred experienced employees working for us. Since the beginning, the emphasis has been on providing the highest quality construction and service to our customers.”
Island Coastal Services provided the civil work for the new Foxwoods subdivision in Stratford. This included the water, sewer, and storm installation, along with building the roads and installing curbs, sidewalks,
and landscaping. They also worked closely with the contractors building the residences, by way of foundation excavation, service installation, building driveways, and final site grading.
“Since day one, Flourish has approached every aspect of the development from a team perspective,” says MacLauchlan. “We appreciate the way they have been able to blend new ideas with traditional ones on the Island.”
Island Coastal Services has worked on many well-known Charlottetown landmarks, such as schools, hospitals, and provincial buildings, essentially laying the groundwork for what the community is today. Golf course management makes up a large portion of the business, and Island Coastal Services operates and maintains Parks Canada’s Green Gables Golf Course, Andersons Creek Golf Course, and two other golf courses.
“I think that a big part of the success of Island Coastal can be found in its people,” says MacLauchlan. “We try—not only to meet the customer’s specifications—but we will suggest improvements, and try to do the job even better, if we can. Everyone here is ‘hands on’ when it comes to a customer’s project.”
Island Coastal Services Ltd. 155 Belvedere Avenue, Charlottetown 902.892.1062 adminoffice@islandcoastal.ca www.islandcoastal.ca
Joshua Egan
Photo: Kimberly Rashed
CARR, STEVENSON & MACKAY
Commitment to Clients and the Community with
Carr, Stevenson & MacKay has provided legal services on Prince Edward Island for over thirty years. Located in Charlottetown, the firm is focused on providing exceptional care for their clients, and has built an excellent reputation in the province.
Joshua Egan, a partner with the firm, has a practice that focuses on real estate and corporate commercial work. He has been with the firm since 2011. “I am lucky to work with many motivated, entrepreneurial clients,” he says. “I truly enjoy helping them realize their goals, whether they are buying their first home or closing a multimillion-dollar transaction.”
“I try and put myself in the shoes of every client I have,” explains Egan. “I base my advice and treatment of them on how I would want a professional to treat me. I want to give competent and fulsome advice, but also practical guidance to help the client make the best decision for them in their circumstances.”
Carr, Stevenson & MacKay have been working closely with Flourish Development Group on the new Foxwoods subdivision in Stratford. “We helped the team at Flourish become more comfortable with real estate law and transactional work on PEI,” says Egan. “Flourish has made a conscious effort to create something sustainable. They are creating opportunities for Islanders and newcomers alike.”
“I am lucky to work with many motivated, entrepreneurial clients. I truly enjoy helping them realize their goals, whether they are buying their first home or closing a multimillion-dollar transaction.”
Carr, Stevenson & MacKay Barristers and Solicitors 65 Queen Street, Charlottetown 902.892.4156 www.csmlaw.com
Jim Lavers
Photo: Kim Rashed
PROVINCIAL CREDIT UNION
Local Connection, Competitive Services with
PEI’s Provincial Credit Union is the largest credit union on the Island, with offices in North Rustico, Montague, Stratford, and Charlottetown. They offer full banking services, both personal and business, including mortgages and investments.
Jim Lavers, Senior Commercial Account Manager, started with Provincial Credit Union in 2018 after working in commercial banking for over twenty-five years. “As a credit union, we are able to hear the story and understand what the credit requirement is,” he says. “We can then customize those lending requirements. We offer the human side of lending.”
Provincial Credit Union provides members with more than just banking services by giving back to the community through financial contributions and volunteerism.
When Flourish Development Group were looking for a local financial institution to handle the banking needs of the Foxwoods subdivision, Provincial Credit Union was the natural choice. “They came to us because they wanted professional, fast service,” says Lavers. “We’re keenly aware of the current market conditions on PEI, because we live here.”
“The Foxwoods development has a lot of moving parts,” explains Lavers. “A clear vision to move forward was essential. Flourish is actively involved in the progress of the development. They are sincere about building, growing, and investing in the community.”
“As a credit union, we are able to hear the story and understand what the credit requirement is. We can then customize those lending requirements. We offer the human side of lending.”
Jim Lavers Commercial Account Manager Provincial Credit Union 281 University Avenue, Charlottetown 902.629.1933 jlavers@provincialcu.com www.provincialcu.com
