Shovels turn on London’s first fast-tracked transit hub apartment tower

CTV London’s Sean Irvine with Westdell Development’s groundbreaking of a new 26-storey, 225-unit project on Capulet Walk.

The city, the province and a major southwestern Ontario developer turned the first shovels on Friday for a new 225-unit apartment building built with less red tape.

Two more buildings, housing 700 units, will eventually join the Sereno West Village tower.

Ten percent will be offered at affordable rates.

The project is located near Oxford and Wonderland, an intersection that the city and Mayor Josh Morgan view as a high-density transit hub.

“We are actually moving forward with multiple transit settings in this area, which is going to support the density that’s being proposed, not just here, but along Oxford Street and other components along Wonderland Road.”

Footings for the first tower will be in place by the end of the year to ensure Westdell Development Corporation qualifies for the mayor’s fast-track housing initiative.

“We’re going to reward and we’re going to fast-track those who can actually build the housing sooner,” said Morgan.

Westdell, the largest private commercial developer in the region, has big plans for London’s major transit hub. They include projects on Wellington Road, where their key asset, White Oaks Mall, is located.

“We have 500 units proposed at that site and two towers. We will start construction early in 2027,” said vice-president of development Paul Kitson.

London’s success is being touted by the province’s housing minister, Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack.

This week, he acknowledged housing starts in Ontario will fall 7,000 short of 2025 projections. But, the minister contends London is bucking the trend as it takes full advantage of the Ford government’s Build Faster Fund.

“London had a great year, I think, as Mayor Morgan said today, it’s even better starting hopefully next year. So, it’s tough, but we’re creating those conditions that we’re starting to see action.”

“We’re well on the track to meet our commitment to supply the housing that is needed in this province and in this country,” concluded Morgan.