Bringing Black Street Buildings into an Energy Efficient Era: An Update on Black Street Investments

Photo Credit: Wildstone Construction

This summer, exciting work began on the commercial office buildings held by, Black Street Investments, one of NNDDC’s longest standing partnerships. Located at 307 Black Street and 3168 3rd Avenue in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon, known as the Berska and Kluhini Buildings, these buildings are ongoing revenue opportunities for the shared First Nation Development Corporation owners - Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation, Selkirk Development Corporation, Dawakada Capital Investments, and Vuntut Gwitchin LP. Both buildings are currently leased to the Yukon Government.

The need for routine building maintenance and infrastructure upgrades presented an opportunity to invest in renovations focused on energy efficiency, ensuring the long-term integrity of each building and being active participants in reaching the goals of Our Clean Future. These upgrades are occurring across two phased approaches, with Phase One work encompassing all energy efficiency improvements and Phase Two including a refresh of the interior. 

All energy efficiency-related work is being supported by Yukon’s Commercial Good Energy Program and Canada’s Northern REACHE program. The exterior energy efficiency upgrades completed to date as part of Phase One include:

• Additional insulation in walls to achieve R45

• Additional insulation in ceiling to achieve R40 to R60

• Upgrading all windows to triple-pane

• Upgrading main entry and all secondary entry doors with high-efficiency, thermally-broken doors

• Upgrading exterior with new air/vapour barrier

• Installation of new waterproof membrane to building roofs 

These exterior renovations also presented an opportunity for an architectural style upgrade that brings the buildings’ identities into a contemporary era that is reflective of their Indigenous ownership, and the bright futures of Yukon First Nation economies and communities. Work will continue in the new year to complete the mechanical and electrical systems upgrades as the Phase One work wraps up.  Phase Two that will focus on the buildings’ interiors is set to begin in early 2024. 

The general contractor for the project is Wildstone Construction Group, with many local Yukon employees and subcontractors benefiting from the project.  Fraser Pearce is the owner's Project Manager. 

This activity is in keeping with NNDDC’s core values in reducing our carbon footprint, and investing in energy efficiency across all areas of our business and holdings. Last year, NNDDC made similar broad scope energy efficiency investments in upgrades to Mayo, Yukon’s Bedrock Hotel and RV Park. These renovations were supported by Yukon Government’s Commercial Good Energy Program, and the Government of Canada’s Northern REACHE program. NNDDC is proud to be a collaborative owner in Black Street Investments, and to conduct this work alongside other First Nation development corporations that share our commitment to investments that are good for our people, land, and waters. 

Please visit back here or our social channels for additional project updates.

Photo Credit: Wildestone Construction