Ontario Construction News staff writer
The LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) and Fengate Asset Management have broken ground on Church & Main, a 35-storey, transit-oriented rental tower that will add 400 units to Brampton’s fast-growing downtown.
The project, developed by LPFCEC in partnership with Fengate and The Hi-Rise Group, is located at Church and Main streets, directly across from the Brampton Innovation District GO station and steps from local bus service. The building will offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units aimed at new Canadians, students, young professionals and families.
Officials from labour, government and the development team attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Joseph Mancinelli, chair of LPFCEC and LiUNA International vice-president; Victoria Mancinelli, director of public relations, marketing and strategic partnerships for LPFCEC; Labour Secretary of State John Zerucelli; Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown; and Alison Kimmell, managing director of development and portfolio management for Fengate Real Estate.
“Church & Main is among five residential projects to break ground this year, delivered by LiUNA and built by our union members,” Joseph Mancinelli said. “This is a proud moment for all of us as we rise to meet the moment and address Canada’s critical housing challenges.”
Brampton is one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities, projected to expand by 41 per cent by 2051. Rising ownership costs and limited supply continue to drive strong demand for purpose-built rental housing.
Church & Main is the second LPFCEC-Fengate rental development in Brampton, following Manett Urban – Rentals on the Park, which opened earlier this year and is now 90 per cent leased.
“Brampton is growing at an incredible pace, and projects like Church & Main are essential to meeting the housing needs of our residents,” Brown said. “This partnership reflects the kind of smart, community-focused development that builds a stronger, more vibrant downtown.”
Jaime McKenna, president of Fengate Real Estate, said the groundbreaking demonstrates the partners’ continued commitment to building housing despite economic headwinds. “While many others have gone pens and shovels down, we are here, and we are building,” she said.
Planned amenities include co-working and social lounges, fitness and wellness areas, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a pet wash, game rooms and multi-purpose activity areas. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification.
First occupancy is expected in 2029.