Could that building with a Lowe's logo on it be a new Lowe's?

In what may be the worst-kept secret in local commercial real estate, SooToday has official word that a Lowe’s store is being constructed in the former Zellers location on Northern Avenue at Great Northern Road.

Well, sort of official.

A sign on the front of the building carrying the Lowe’s logo on Tuesday alerted SooToday to the development, as improvements were being made to the roof of the store.

The sign also carries the logo of Manorcore Group, a general contracting firm.

A visit to Manorcore’s website reveals a call to tender for “Lowe’s of Sault Ste. Marie” at 248 Northern Avenue which closed earlier this fall.

Phil Nanavati, vice president of leasing and property management for the plaza's owner Fengate Capital Management, confirmed Tuesday that it is working with Lowe’s, but the sign should not have been in public view.

“Yes, that is who we are working with. If the sign is up I guess it is public knowledge,” he said.

Nanavati had previously declined to comment about the development because a lease has not been signed with the big box home improvement and appliance retailer when we originally contacted him last August.

“From our perspective it is always a challenge because we are still working with them in terms of getting the lease signed and until it is I’m always reluctant to broadcast that,” he said.

A representative from Lowe’s returned SooToday’s call shortly thereafter, echoing a statement the company had made previously to SooToday.

“Right now, our general position is that until an agreement is in place we don’t comment on any real estate,” said Sandy Indig, corporate communications manager for Lowe’s Companies Canada.

When asked about the signage she replied, “If you go back tomorrow there should not be a sign up.”

Nanavati said a total of around $8-million is being spent in improvements to the store and plaza, which were originally built in 1965.

“The exterior will be significantly improved and the store itself will be brand new. It’s pretty exciting,” he said.

(PHOTO: A sign is pictured on the side of the former Zellers location at Northern Avenue and Great Northern Road on Tuesday. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)