Saint John has the highest office vacancy rates in Atlantic Canada at more than 21 per cent.
That figure may seem like a bad thing, indicative of a stagnant local economy but Andre Pouliot of Turner Drake and Partners prefers to view it as a gem of an opportunity for start up companies that want to set up shop in an historic uptown building rather than a sterile industrial park outside the downtown core.
Pouliot describes the uptown as funky with renovations to historic brick and beam buildings, boutique shopping, a thriving restaurant scene and new high end condos.
Office rental rates in Saint John are the lowest in Atlantic Canada. Pouliot says some real bargains can be had by startups who want to set up shop in an uptown he calls cool.
