Sheldon Rosen never tires from gazing out the windows of the former Lincoln Fabrics building in Port Dalhousie.

"From every floor, there are those incredible views," he says on a recent visit, pointing out that water can be seen from all sides of the Lakeport Road building.

Rosen has envisioned residents living in the historic industrial building and enjoying those views since 1992 when, he says, he approached former owner David Howes about selling.

He said the deal fell through when Lincoln Fabrics couldn't find another suitable location within six months.

More than 25 years later, Rosen is still enamoured with the building.

The managing partner of Port Dalhouise Harbour Club Ltd., he bought the property from the estate of Howes with a vision to restore and re-purpose it as The Harbour Club.

"The project will help St. Catharines get back on the map. It's in Port, but it benefits the whole city," he said, adding the development will bring 200 residents with shopping needs to the area — a boost Port Dalhousie businesses need.

The redevelopment has been a topic during meetings about the city's proposed Port Dalhousie Secondary Plan and Heritage Conservation District Plan, which would allow the four-storey industrial building, along with the nearby legion hall, to grow to eight storeys.

City council is scheduled to discuss the adoption of the plan on Monday.

There's also a public meeting scheduled for May 23 to discuss zoning applications for the specific Port Dalhouise Harbour Club Ltd. project.

If approved, Rosen said shovels could be in the ground this year and the project completed in 24 months.

The 1900-era building housed Maple Leaf Rubber Co. for a half-century and Lincoln Fabrics from 1955 until last year, when the business relocated to Grimsby.

Two floors would be added to the main building and an eight-storey addition plus penthouse would be constructed in place of the current addition that's there now.

Rosen said the plan is to have a mix of approximately 120 residential loft condominiums, all with water views. The unit numbers are flexible depending on whether buyers want larger apartments

A cupola will be added to the main building, similar to what was there decades ago. There will also be a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the water, a private marina, underground parking, a swimming pool, boat slips and public access to the waterfront.

A public park would be established on the adjacent site of the current Pier 61 restaurant building.

Rosen, who first came to Port Dalhousie as a child of seven on a steamer and has been a frequent visitor since, said the area has similarities to Saint-Tropez in France with the beach and boats.

He said there has already been interest in the development through word of mouth from six couples, aged mid-30s to 60s, looking to get out of Toronto.

"They view St. Catharines and particularly this building in Port as a lovely alternative," he said, adding the area is more tranquil and peaceful.

Prices haven't been set yet and will be based on the market. He said there will be a small premium to be in the main building because it's more expensive to restore than build new.

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He and his team have come up with ideas to display historic items from the building. The motor that runs a century-old freight elevator will be made into a public sculpture. An old fly wheel from the days when the building was powered by water was found in the basement and will be donated to the park.

"Things that were never in public view will be in public view," he said.