Seniors increasingly choosing to live in mixed-use neighbourhoods
LONDON: Seniors are increasingly choosing to live in multi-generational, mixed-use neighbourhoods in mid-city locations.
SmartCentres REIT (SRU-UN-T) has obtained a Minister’s Zoning Order from the Ontario government to start “immediately” redeveloping its 73-acre SmartCentres Cambridge shopping centre into an 11-million-square-foot, mixed-use neighbourhood.
Plans for the project, stretching from 18 to 60 Pinebush Rd. will extend out over a 20-year period. Current plans include more than 40 buildings ranging from high-rise multiresidential towers to townhomes, seniors housing, commercial/retail and privately owned public spaces. It also incorporates a transit hub.
In its submission to the city, SmartCentres proposes residential high-rise towers of up to 35 storeys and mid-rise buildings of up to 15 storeys.
The project as envisioned today would provide up to 10,000 new residential units.
Prior to applying to the province for the MZO, which allows SmartCentres REIT to circumvent many of the normal approvals required for such a development, the trust sought and received the support of Cambridge council for the redevelopment.
“We are very pleased that, with the support of City of Cambridge elected officials and senior staff, minister Steve Clark has agreed to issuing the MZO,” said Mitchell Goldhar, executive chairman of SmartCentres, in a release.
“Both the minister and (Cambridge) Mayor Kathryn McGarry recognize the significant economic benefits of accelerating our redevelopment plans including the tens of thousands of jobs that will be created and sustained over the 20-year period.”
MZOs are a part of the Ontario government’s strategy to fast-track significant real estate projects to help the economy recover from the pandemic, as well as addressing housing shortages in its urban areas.
The current SmartCentres Cambridge, built 22 years ago, is situated along Pinebush Road at the intersection of Hwy. 401 and Hespeler Drive.
The power centre is a major regional shopping destination, anchored by stores such as Walmart, Rona, Staples, Best Buy, Winners, Michaels and Dollarama. The centre’s website lists 44 retailers as current tenants.
Adjacent to the site is significant other retail including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and more.
The MZO changes the zoning of the site, which currently allows only retail uses, to permit various forms of residential, retail, office, institutional and commercial land uses.
“We believe this significant new community will help address demand for housing located strategically around the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area,” Goldhar said in the release.
“Working with staff, our goal is to begin Phase 1 in 2021. SmartCentres will continue to proactively change its property uses to align with ever-evolving communities and marketplaces across Canada.”
SmartCentres plans a cross-section of housing types for the site, including rental apartments, condominiums, townhouses and seniors housing.
“This is very exciting news for Cambridge and means that this important development will be expedited,” said McGarry in the release. “This is a 73-acre property that will be transformed into a large vibrant mixed-use community hub.
“We know more and more people are moving to our city and this project will certainly help in terms of economic recovery post-pandemic.”
