‘A city within a city’: Civic leaders, Old Oak representatives break ground on Legacy Village

CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell with the official groundbreaking of Legacy Village, the largest residential development in the city’s history.

It’s being touted as the largest residential development in London’s history.

“This is really a transformation of the east end, really in a way that I don’t think we’ve seen in generations,” said Mayor Josh Morgan.

Morgan was among civic leaders and representatives from Old Oak Properties who broke ground on Legacy Village Wednesday.

The new development near the southeast corner of Highbury Avenue North and Oxford Street East will consist of approximately 8,000 residential units with the potential for 15,000 residents.

“We’ve got 47,000 units that we’ve committed to at the provincial level, so we’re going to be part of the solution provincially and federally. Projects like this are going to get us there,” said Morgan.

Once home to the London Psychiatric Hospital, which closed in 2014, Old Oak purchased the sprawling 57-hectare property in 2019. It will be built out in phases over several decades, said Robert Bierbaum, CEO of Old Oak Properties.

“It was an underutilized land that was owned by the province. When the opportunity came up, we saw it as this amazing opportunity to do something impactful in London, and create, really, a city within a city,” said Bierbaum.

The property borders three city wards and is situated along the rapid transit East London Link.

The development will include 10 towers and mixed-use commercial space. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis calls it a “complete community,” but cautions that it will take time to build.

“Blocks are set aside for a new elementary school. Parkland blocks are set aside. Community blocks, including integrating some of the heritage buildings into new commercial and community use spaces. That’s here, so we’re thinking ahead, in terms of making sure that the services people need, the ability to go to school, the ability to play. It’s not just live. It’s work, live, and play in this area,” said Lewis.

The first project for Legacy Village is a 32-storey high-rise with 400 units, expected to be complete in approximately four years.