The first tenants are moving into the renovated former Post Office on Charlotte Street, renovated by AON, this month. The three-storey, 91-unit apartment building includes studio,
one- and two-bedroom apartment suites priced from $560 to $1025 plus utilities per month.
     The 50-year-old building has controlled-entry lobbies, a state-of-the art fitness room with
change room, designated underground parking, storage lockers, and a bike storage room.
Additionally, the third floor offers residents a common area sun terrace with barbecue facilities.
     The developer describes it as a higher-end facility with amenities such as air conditioning
and dishwashers, more typically found in condominiums than apartments. Renovations to the
building, which has been designated of historic value, cost $8 million.
      A downtown location, it is convenient to restaurants, theatres and shopping. Sticklingís opened a cafe in the building this summer as well. With a choice of 14 apartment layouts
ranging from 490 square feet to 916 square feet, the development is intended to appeal to a
wide range of individuals, including singles, couples and young families. AON expects the
special features of the building will make Rivulet Courtyard their place to live.
The interiors feature woods and basic neutral colours, accented by the natural light pouring through the oversized windows and patio doors. Features include open concept kitchens,
breakfast counters, standard window coverings, upgraded flooring, maple cabinetry,
appliances, fridge, stove and dishwasher, individually-controlled heating and air conditioning,
choice of ceiling heights and walk out patios in ground floor units.
     Apartments have 8-, 9- and 12-foot ceilings. Because the exterior walls have floor-to-ceiling
windows, they are nice, bright suites. The kitchen is open to the family room to bring people in.
Thatís what more people want these days. There is a lot more useable space.
     It has been named Rivulet Courtyard, due to its proximity to Jacksonís Creek to the east.
     A self-contained landscaped open-air courtyard will be one of the buildings main attractions
offering residents a place to enjoy the weather and relax outdoors, without leaving the building.
     The building doesnít look much different from the outside. It was a very typical design in the 1950s so we want to maintain the architecture, company executive vice-president Brad Smith
says. Lett Architects Inc. also worked on the project.
     The original ground floor of the post office was two storeys high. The third floor offices were
configured in a "U" shape, looking down on the roof of the floor below. ìWe cut that out so the whole building is now "U" shaped, with a central courtyard with trees and landscaping. It will be a park-like setting in an urban area, Brad says. Some suites will overlook the courtyard.
     The post office, built in 1952, had been vacant for 11D 2 years, and the roof had leaked. Although they retain the shell of the building, we gutted it inside. We took out the plumbing, the electrical, the old insulation, right back to the bare concrete panels and walls.
     This is the second project AON had in mind for the site. Brad notes: About 10 years ago we
approached the post office because they were thinking of moving out. We thought we could put a big box store downtown and draw people in but it wasnít available. We looked at how we could help the downtown area by converting it to residential apartments. There would be more people living in the core and spending their dollars downtown. There would be more eyes on the street for safety and cleanliness.
Rivulet Courtyard, 742-3701. The AON rental office is at 307 Aylmer Street.