New affordable housing project to be part of SoHo 'renaissance'

Step forward for new housing development in SoHo City council has approved the sale of the former Victoria Hospital Lands on South Street for housing. CTV London's Bryan Bicknell has more.

London, Ont. — A massive new development that will help fill the city’s housing affordability gap is taking shape in London’s SoHo neigbourhood.

London city council has approved the sale of the remaining former Victoria Hospital Lands on South Street to a newly formed group of non-profit housing developers called Vision SoHo Alliance.

Just over 2.5 hectares on the north side of South Street will be transformed into a mixed-use housing complex. More than 600 units in total will include 300 at affordable rates, the remainder at market rates.

Affordable housing is not what it used to be said Greg Playford, of the London Community Foundation’s Housing Action Committee.

“It’s a little different than the public housing of old days. This is very much mixed housing, so it’ll be a mixed-income community. It’ll be lower-rise development, and some of the towers. It’s just a great opportunity to bring market housing and affordable housing together.”

Vision SoHo Alliance consists of five regional organizations including; Indwell Community Homes, Zerin Development Corporation, Homes Unlimited (London) Inc., Chelsea Green Home Society and the Italian Seniors’ Project.

Former city councillor Roger Caranci, who is part of the Italian Seniors’ Project, calls the project a win-win.

“Everybody that’s a part of this is committed to building something that looks fantastic. I mean we’re going to be right across the street from two market-rent towers that are going up. You know Medallion (Developments), they’ve got confidence in the area. We’ve got confidence in the area. And we want to be a part of the Renaissance of the SoHo neighbourhood.”

The plan will also preserve and redevelop the former War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the former Health Services Building, boarded up but still standing.

The former War Memorial Children's Hospital in London, Ont. is seen Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)

Area resident Jack Mosely said he thinks the project is a good fit.

“I’m glad to see that they’re keeping the architecture for sure. I think it adds to this area. I think it’s known for a lot of people. I think we have to acknowledge that and keep it going.”

London Mayor Ed Holder said in a statement, “This is an important step in the redevelopment of the Old Victoria Hospital Lands and a significant milestone in building more affordable housing for Londoners."

The announcement comes after Holder called on developers to build more affordable housing units in the city over the next five years.

The purchase price for the land was $2 million. According to those involved, the total value of the project, which includes seven buildings along with underground parking, is estimated at around $100 million.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, and will take about three years.