Broccolini plans to redevelop previous home of Ford auto plant

Amazon builder announces purchase of Ford plant Real estate developer Broccolini has formally announced it is redeveloping the site in Southwold. CTV London's Bryan Bicknell explains.

London, Ont. — The builder of choice for Amazon Canada has gone public with one of the worst kept secrets in the London region’s economic development community.

Canadian real estate developer and construction company Broccolini has announced it's purchased and is developing the site of the former Ford plant on highway four south of London.

“We are honored and excited to take stewardship of this iconic industrial land, which for many decades was home to one of the largest automotive assembly plants in the country,” said Broccolini’s Vice President of Real Estate Development, James Beach.

He added that “Broccolini intends to renew the area’s legacy by redeveloping these lands and introducing new uses that reflect the modern industrial real estate landscape.”

The 250 hectare property housed a Ford auto assembly plant until 2011. The plant was torn down in 2015, and the site has since been for sale. Last week commercial realtor CBRE announced it had been sold.

Perhaps best known for building Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centres across Canada, Broccolini is reportedly building an Amazon fulfillment centre on the Southwold site also, although that has yet to be confirmed by Amazon.

“Amazon, if that is in fact what is being announced, is a company that’s not going anywhere,” said London West MP Kate Young. She calls Thursday’s announcement a ‘game changer.’ “Once it’s developed it will stay for many many years. I think COVID has changed the way we do business, and this in itself is a reflection of that. And I am so glad that we’re on the brink of something really important for this area.”

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, who has advocated for the advancement of construction and skilled trades, said projects like this will lead the province’s economic recovery.

“This development of the former Ford site is going to create thousands of construction jobs, and will lead to long term employment for many years to come, so we’re all excited to hear the official word. When it comes to the construction these are great paying jobs, great careers.”

Amazon currently has two warehouses under construction in northeast London.