VIDEO: So, what's the latest with Riverwalk Condominiums?

SooToday took an inside look at the work being done at Riverwalk Condominiums Monday.

It’s been a long journey from the time Toronto developer Amit Sofer announced the 40-unit condominium development would open in October 2015.

That date was revised to spring of 2016, and though there has been a great deal of progress, skilled trades workers are still at work in the refurbished rooms and corridors of what was once the Sault Area Hospital Plummer site.

“We are very close (to Riverwalk’s first condo owners moving in),” Sofer told SooToday.

It is hoped the first residents can move in November 4, the developer said.

“We expect occupancy for probably 25 suites in the coming three weeks or a month, and the balance of the other units will be a little bit later than that.”

37 of the 40 units at the five-storey complex have been sold.

“Along the way there were a number of delays, this building was built in five sections and added to four separate times, and that created a lot of surprises for us which set us back in our schedule,” Sofer said.

“I know there have been a lot of upset people and I regret that and I’ll be relieved once they get in here…(but) my position is I would far prefer to deliver a proper, quality product a little bit later than expected than a substandard product on time.”

“It’s been a tough go…but I’d like to make it clear that despite all the challenges we’ve faced we are the only outside developer in recent years to bring a significant project to fruition,” Sofer said.

“We are proud to be one of the Sault’s success stories and we are proud to have stuck it out through all the challenges that have tripped other developers who have failed to bring projects to fruition.”

Sofer said the snags in the Riverwalk Condominiums project has cost his company (TVM Group) “significantly more” than anticipated, though he did not disclose by how much.

“My word is on it and I’m going to bring it across the finish line…it’s my word, I said I would do it, yes it’s late but it’s going to get done.”

Sofer said he has had 14 projects under his belt, consisting of condos, apartments and commercial developments across Ontario.

It appears the condo units at Riverwalk, once they are all complete, will be comfortable and modern, with plenty of natural light.

The Riverwalk Condominiums first phase will include an underground parking garage, a fitness room, party room, movie screening room, meeting room and office space.

Sofer said marketing for Riverwalk Condominiums Phase 2 is low key until the first phase is complete, but a Riverwalk Condominiums sales office for three remaining Phase 1 units and Phase 2 units remains at 756 Queen Street East.

Sofer said he envisions a Phase 3 consisting of bungalows immediately south of Phases 1 and 2, close to the St. Marys River and the Hub Trail, along with eventual redevelopment of the old Sault Area Hospital General site.