A Saskatchewan developer, Louai Alrifai of Alrifai Real Estates, has announced plans to construct 500 modular housing units on the roof of the struggling Gateway Mall in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The project, which would replace the existing parking lot, aims to address housing shortages in the city by providing affordable one-bedroom units for students, young professionals, and healthcare workers at $1,000 per month, including utilities. Alrifai's company purchased the mall earlier this year and plans to invest $40 million in the housing development, with an additional $10 million for mall renovations to fix leaks and attract new businesses. The proposal reflects a national trend toward denser, centrally located housing, supported by federal incentives such as the Housing Accelerator Fund. Scott Bell, a geography and planning professor at the University of Saskatchewan, noted that while similar projects exist, this is the first known instance of modular housing being built atop an existing mall structure. City officials in Prince Albert have expressed openness to the idea, with acting director of community development Michael Nelson stating the city needs more housing and is open to new developments. The project is still pending formal reviews and approvals, but Alrifai emphasized it's about repositioning the mall as a downtown hub rather than just generating rental income. The concept has been described as 'not crazy, but it's pushing the limits' by experts, highlighting the innovative approach to urban development in response to housing challenges.

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