'Addressing our housing concerns': Developer plans to turn unused parking lot at White Oaks Mall into apartment towers
When Westdell Development acquired White Oaks Mall last year, President Iyman Meddoui said they always had the vision of adding additional commercial and residential components.
“The area is going to transfer into a mixed use type of development,” said Meddoui.
That mixed use will include a new 568 unit, two tower high-rise off Bradley Avenue, coming in off Montgomery Road.
Westdell Developments put forth an application to the city, likely the first of several applications, to build housing on their White Oaks Mall site.
“Currently it’s an unused parking structure that is a bit of an eyesore in the neighbourhood,” said Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza who supports the project. “This is also a transit hub, that’s coming with the bus rapid transit corridor in this area, so a great location in my opinion."
Peloza said at a pre-consultation meeting with the community in February, concerns focused on intensification, traffic management and waste collection.
An empty parking lot at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont. is the proposed site of a Westdell Developments high-rise project. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) But despite those concerns, Peloza said these units are badly needed as the area has not seen any new apartments in the last three decades.
“Height is always an issue, however, as the city continues to grow, and as we continue to address our housing concerns, these types of applications are going to be very, very typical moving forward,” explained Meddoui.
The new towers would offer a mix of one, two or three bedroom apartments, but Westdell hasn’t determined if they will be condominiums for sale, rental units or a mix of both.
With respect to affordable housing, Meddoui said that is an on-going discussion that is happening between Westdell Developments and the City of London, so there could be an element of affordable housing dollars earmarked or some affordable housing units.
The proposal will go to the Planning and Environment committee on July 16, 2024.
Once approved by council, Meddoui hopes to break ground by early 2026.
Iyman Meddoui, president of Westdell Development Corp and Paul Kitson, VP planning and development at Westdell Development Corp are seen in London, Ont. on April 15, 2024. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401 leaves 4 dead, including infant
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
BREAKING Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.