The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has issued an invitation to tender for interior renovations to four units on Empire Avenue in St. John’s damaged by fire in July 2024.
Following the fire, an assessment of the building by NLHC determined that four of the eight units were salvageable. The other four units were demolished in August 2024, and preservation and repair work were undertaken from August 2024 to June 2025 on the exterior walls and roof of the remaining building, as well as interior abatement and remediation work.
This tender covers a complete interior retrofit of four NLHC units, including finishes, flooring, kitchen and bathroom renovations, as well as plumbing and electrical upgrades. The tender is expected to be awarded this summer, and work will be completed by winter 2026.
A second invitation to tender will be issued later this summer to construct four new homes on the adjoining lot, replacing the four homes that were demolished.
Between April 1, 2023, and April 1, 2025, more than 750 provincially owned homes were vacated. When any provincially owned home is vacated, it requires some level of repair before it can be redistributed to new tenants. This can range from minor work, such as painting, to major and lengthy structural repairs. During this same timeframe, more than 800 homes were refurbished and made available to families.
Each year, staff with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing complete an average of 14,000 work orders for routine maintenance, ensuring that more than 5,500 homes are maintained for over 12,000 current tenants province wide.
Budget 2025 included $26 million for repairs, maintenance and renovations to existing homes, maintaining an increase of $8 million from the previous year.
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“As landlord for over 5,500 homes, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is sometimes faced with the unfortunate reality of fire damage. While we work to create more affordable housing, we have not lost sight of the need to modernize and repair our existing homes. These renovations, along with the subsequent rebuild on Empire Avenue, will restore eight much needed homes for families in St. John’s.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn more
MERX – Interior Renovations, 4 Units, 196-210 Empire Avenue, St. John’s
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