Luxury condo project partially collapses in Niagara, prompting city, province to issue orders

A condo project in Welland, Ont., partially collapsed over the weekend, prompting the Ontario Ministry of Labour to issue five orders and one requirement to its developers.

Ministry spokesperson Jennifer Rushby told CBC Hamilton the province learned of the collapse at Upper Vista Welland on Feb. 18.

No workers were injured, she said.

On Feb. 19, in a press release from the City of Welland, chief building official Jack Tosta said the damage was concentrated toward the south side of the building, "involving the four floor slabs supported on the east exterior and interior load-bearing walls." 

The city said its staff were on-site "securing and assessing the area," and an "order to remedy an unsafe building" had been issued to the owner of 350 Prince Charles Dr. According to the province, Evertrust Development Inc. owns the property. 

"The cause of the damage is unknown as the building is still under construction with work taking place as recently as last Friday afternoon," the city said. 

Rushby said a ministry inspector and engineer attended the site and issued two separate orders on Feb. 18. She said an inspector returned with three engineers on Tuesday and issued two more orders and one requirement.

Rushby said she couldn't reveal the nature of the orders and requirement to protect the province's investigation.

CBC Hamilton contacted Evertrust Development Inc. for comment but the company didn't immediately respond.

The developer's website describes Upper Vista Welland as a five-storey luxury condo with beautiful recreational spaces and first-class amenities.

Numerous real estate websites state the building's units were sold out.