Bible Hill’s $1 Billion Housing Development: Nova Scotia’s Largest Project Outside Halifax

Transforming Bible Hill: A Decade-Long Vision for 3,000 New Homes

Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, is set to undergo a dramatic transformation with a planned $1 billion residential development that will reshape the community over the next decade. Led by Five Corners Properties, a consortium of local entrepreneurs, this ambitious project represents the largest real estate development in Nova Scotia outside the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Project Overview: Scale and Timeline

The development will unfold across a 69-hectare site over a 10 to 20-year period, ultimately delivering approximately 3,000 new housing units to the region. The first phase alone will introduce around 225 residential units, setting the foundation for what developers envision as a comprehensive, self-sustaining community.

Diverse Housing Options

The project is designed to accommodate various lifestyles and budgets, featuring:

Apartment buildings for urban-style living
Single-family homes for traditional homeowners
Semi-detached properties offering middle-ground options
Luxury residences for high-end buyers
Rental units to serve tenants across income levels

This diverse housing mix aims to attract young professionals, growing families, retirees, and everyone in between, creating a vibrant, multigenerational community.

Addressing a Critical Housing Shortage

The timing of this development couldn’t be more crucial. Colchester County has been grappling with a significant housing shortage, with reports indicating a need for at least 805 new units by 2027 just to close the gap identified in 2022. The Bible Hill project directly addresses this urgent need, receiving unanimous approval from Colchester County council—a clear indication of community support.

Local officials and residents alike recognize that housing scarcity has been forcing families to relocate outside the region or province entirely. This development offers hope for keeping Nova Scotians rooted in their communities while attracting newcomers to the area.

Economic Impact: A Decade of Opportunity

Beyond solving the housing crisis, this project promises substantial economic benefits for the region:

Job Creation and Local Hiring

Five Corners Properties has committed to prioritizing local tradespeople and contractors throughout the construction process. This approach is expected to provide steady employment for regional workers over the next decade, keeping skilled labor within Nova Scotia rather than forcing them to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Supporting Regional Growth

As the largest community development undertaken by a single developer outside HRM, the project signals confidence in Bible Hill’s potential and may inspire similar initiatives throughout rural and suburban Nova Scotia.

More Than Just Homes: Building Community

The developers envision Bible Hill as more than a collection of houses. The master plan includes:

Parks and green spaces for recreation and relaxation
Sports fields to encourage active lifestyles
Commercial spaces for local businesses and services
A recreational centre serving as a community gathering hub
Upgraded infrastructure, including water systems and new connecting roads

These amenities are designed to create a complete, walkable neighborhood where residents can live, work, and play without lengthy commutes.

The Affordability Question

While the project aims to include affordable and entry-level housing options, specific pricing details have not yet been finalized. The developers acknowledge that achieving true affordability may require collaboration with provincial and federal governments.

To date, the project has not received public funding, though stakeholders are encouraging government partnership to broaden affordability options and ensure the development meets diverse community needs. This remains a critical consideration as the project moves forward, particularly given Nova Scotia’s broader housing affordability challenges.

Infrastructure and Long-Term Planning

The multiphase nature of this development requires careful coordination with municipal services. Plans include:

Significant upgrades to local water infrastructure to accommodate population growth
New road construction to connect different phases and improve accessibility
Coordination with regional planning authorities to ensure sustainable growth

Municipal and regional officials view this project as a potential model for balancing growth with quality of life—demonstrating that ambitious development can coexist with thoughtful community planning.

What This Means for Nova Scotia’s Future

The Bible Hill development represents a significant shift in how Nova Scotia approaches regional housing challenges. Rather than concentrating all major development within Halifax, this project demonstrates the viability and necessity of substantial residential investment in smaller communities.

Key Takeaways

Scale: 3,000 units over 10-20 years makes this Nova Scotia’s largest non-HRM development
Community-focused: Parks, recreation, and commercial spaces create a complete neighborhood
Economic engine: Local hiring prioritization supports regional employment for a decade
Addressing need: Directly tackles Colchester County’s documented housing shortage
Model for growth: Could inspire similar developments throughout the province

As Nova Scotia grapples with population growth, housing shortages, and the need to retain residents in regional communities, the Bible Hill project offers a blueprint for sustainable, comprehensive development that goes beyond simply building homes.