The Nisbet apartment building on 13th Street W. could see a new lease on life. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Nisbet apartment

Owners of Nisbet apartment building hope to renovate and rent

Aug 16, 2025 | 8:00 AM

The owner of the long boarded-up Nisbet apartment building on 13th Street in Prince Albert’s downtown has approached city council with a request for help in making the building rentable again.

Marie Chiem, speaking on behalf of her mother, who is the owner, said their plan is to renovate the building and turn it into affordable housing.

“This building has been boarded up for about five or six years, and we’re really excited, and we’re looking to renovate this building and have it come back to life and be able to house at least 30 individuals or couples,” said Chiem.

There are back taxes owing on the building, which Chiem said they would pay, but asked council to consider waiving the penalties and fees that have accrued.

They committed to paying 50 per cent of the remaining taxes upfront and the rest in installments once the building is operational.

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Applications for federal grant dollars were not successful, and they are not eligible for a recent tax incentive from the city that hopes to spur the building of new multi-unit residential buildings.

Chiem pointed out that should their plans go ahead, the 30 units would make up 50 per cent of the 60 affordable housing units the city needs to have built per year to resolve a current housing crunch.

Council has speculated in the past about what should be done with 13th Street West, which is mainly boarded-up commercial buildings. Chiem said that rejuvenating one building will make a difference.

“It will contribute to revitalizing the downtown and it will add much-needed TLC for 13th Street West,” she said.

READ MORE: Downtown building receiving makeover

Chiem said they also applied for a rental development grant through Sask. Housing and was denied.

“I think the challenges are that we are a private corporation and not a non-profit,” she said.

Council did not give an answer of yes or no. Instead, they referred the pair to Community Development for further discussion.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social