They’re Grrreat! 100 Kellogg Lane praised by Planning Committee for ambitious expansion plan

City Hall gave warm reception to the idea of expanding 100 Kellogg Lane with high-rise buildings.

Taking a cue from Tony the Tiger, council members on the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) took turns saying how great the plan is to expand the 100 Kellogg Lane entertainment and business complex.

The mega-project would transform a swath of industrial land surrounding the former cereal factory into a mix of residential, commercial and office space along with parking garages and pedestrian bridges connecting the new buildings to the existing property.

Specifically, the rezoning would permit:

• a 44-storey mixed-use building
• two 30-storey mixed-use buildings
• a six-storey mixed-use building
• 14 five-storey stacked townhouses units integrated into a five-storey parking garage
• a stand alone five storey parking structure

In total, the proposal would create 17,750 sq. m. of new commercial, office and entertainment space and 4,500 sq. m. of converted office space containing a total of 974 residential units, 200 hotel rooms and 2,534 parking spaces.

Already employing 600 people, the additional office space will permit CARFAX to add 200 new jobs.

“What a great asset in the city. What a revitalization of the area. Transformative buildings that (bring) so much potential. I’m really grateful that we’re seeing this,” said Coun. Elizabeth Peloza.

London has watched as the former Kellogg cereal factory gradually transformed into Canada’s largest entertainment space, home to a Hard Rock Hotel, London Children’s Museum, The Factory Adventure Park, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Powerhouse Brewing, restaurants, shopping and event space.

The new buildings will extend the footprint onto several vacant or underutilized industrial properties including 1080-1108 & 1079-1127 Dundas Street, 420 Burbrook Place, 351 Eleanor Street & 1101 King Street and 1151 York Street.

The only hiccup during the discussion was the yet-to-be-resolved issue of installing devices on the tall buildings to ensure they don’t block the radio signals used by emergency services.

City staff recommend requiring the applicant to enter into a 99-year agreement with the City for the installation, maintenance and access of the telecommunication infrastructure at no cost to the city.

A motion to remove the requirement for the 99-year term failed to garner enough support.

However, there has been agreement about several former industrial buildings that have heritage value.

City staff recommend that notice be given for the heritage designation of the properties at 100 Kellogg Lane, 1097-1127 Dundas Street, and 1100-1108 Dundas Street to protect and conserve the significant industrial heritage and to allow for compatible redevelopment of the lands

“We’re always happy to see an owner that embraces their obligations with respect to heritage positively,” said Jean-Marc Metrailler, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Planning.

After most members of the planning committee took an opportunity to praise the massive investment, they unanimously supported the rezoning.

“We’re unlikely to see this again in our lifetime,” added Mayor Josh Morgan. “The transformation of an old cereal factory into what is now, multi-residential, business, (and) entertainment.”

Council will make a final decision on September 23.