'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
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Custom baseball card released of Blue Jays fan struck in the face with foul ball
Liz McGuire, the Blue Jays fan who was struck in the face with a 110 m.p.h. foul ball last week, has been pictured on a custom baseball trading card applauding her fandom to the game.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Pro-Palestinian protesters expected to meet with U of T administration
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the University of Toronto campus are expected to meet with school officials today.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
Beer Store planning to 'thrive and adapt' as Ontario announces changes to alcohol sales starting this summer
The Beer Store says it is looking forward to the next stage in its “evolution” as the province rolls out an accelerated timeline for expanding retail alcohol sales in Ontario.
Here's what every key witness said at Donald Trump's hush money trial. Closing arguments are coming
After 22 witnesses, including a porn actor, tabloid publisher and White House insiders, testimony is over at Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.