Irving Oil begins construction on new headquarters

Construction on Irving Oil Ltd.'snew 11-storey headquarters in uptown Saint John began Monday morning.

The start came a little over a month after Saint John Council pushed through changes to the city's Heritage Development bylaw.

The changes came after neighbouring property owner Jim Bezanson appealed the company's plans to theprovince's assessment and planning appeal board in early April.

• Saint John council pushes through heritage changes to allow Irving Oil building
• Heritage zone appeal puts Irving Oil headquarters on hold

The Saint John heritage architect and contractor took issue with the building's heightand its positioning, which didn't comply with the city's heritage conservation area bylaws.

Despite it being too tall and too far back from the sidewalk, the city's Heritage Development Board approved the plans for the company'sheadquarters.

The exemption was given, in part, because the board felt the plans fit the King's Square location where it would be built.

Following the launch of the appeal, Saint John city council fast-tracked the change to the bylaw after city residents and businesses rallied to support the Irving project.

After a three-week process, council passed the changes on May 2.In a news release, Irving Oil president Ian Whitcombsaid the new home office project was an investment in the community and people.

"As our company continues to grow in a very competitive industry, it becomes more and more important for our people to be able to work together in a modern and collaborative work environment."

The new building will bring 1,000 employees under one roof.

Executive vice-president Sarah Irving said the support from the community "has meant a lot to everyone at our company."