Whitehorse residents on Lowe St., whose backyards provide a view of the Yukon River and the historic SS Klondike, were recently given notice to vacate their homes to make way for a luxury condominium by the Hougen Group of Companies.

Maurice Byblow, a partner in the ownership of the residential lots, told tenants that effective Sept. 30, they need to be out of the homes that some have lived in for as many as 16 years.

Erik Hougen confirmed for the Star Thursday the acquisition of six residential lots of varying sizes.

'We're still working on the development plan,' he said. 'They will be luxury condos.' Development costs have not been determined yet, said Hougen, and any plans to begin removing the houses that currently fill the property are equally unsettled.

'We take possession of the property October of this year. We have no specific plans for when development will start,' he said.

Though the Hougen Group owns numerous properties in Whitehorse, this will be their first condo development.

'We're very excited, as it will be a dwelling for us too,' he said. The development site is only two blocks from the Hougen family home on Rogers St.

As excited as Hougen said he is for the new accommodations and beautiful view, he said the current tenants are not far from his mind.

'The existing owner has given notice to all the tenants, and is working with them to find housing,' he said. 'That is important to us. Some have been there a fairly long time, and we didn't want to disrupt them too much.

'I checked with the tenants, through the current owner, and no one is overly upset,' he said.

Tenants of the 13 rental units were given a letter earlier this summer stating they had to vacate their homes by Sept. 30.

'We're doing the best we can, and realize there's an inconvenience for them,' said Byblow. His partner, Remax Action Realty agent Darryl Weigand, said he has been helping tenants find new rental accommodations as he learns of rental openings.

'Everybody realizes rental accommodations are difficult to find in Whitehorse,' he said. 'As places come up, I pass their names to whoever has accommodation for them.'

Byblow, a former NDP cabinet minister, said when he bought the property, he had big plans to develop the land. Twenty years later, he said he just does not have the time or energy necessary to develop the lots or even for upkeep to the current housing.

'The units require improvement, and being on the waterfront, that's a great spot for development,' he said today.

The sale involves six lots on Lowe St., beside Riverside Grocery up to Third Avenue, and bordered by the back alley that faces the train tracks and SS Klondike. One of the six lots was valued at $150,000 in 1996 when Byblow's name first appeared on the land title. Before Byblow, the land was owned by Janet Pauch since April 28, 1988.

'It's an ideal location,' said Byblow.

'It'll be unbelievable,' said Hougen.

Byblow said he and his partners own a number of companies, properties and businesses in Whitehorse, and are glad that this property will remain locally-owned.

'We went hunting, found some interested parties, and a deal was struck,' said Byblow. 'We are pleased that is has been invested in and will be developed locally.'

Weigand said this is a great move, and will contribute to the overall development of a 'vibrant, downtown Whitehorse.'