Ontario Construction News staff writer
London council recently approved the sale of old Victoria Hospital lands in Soho to Vision SoHo Alliance, a group made up of Indwell Community Homes, Zerin Development Corporation, Homes Unlimited (London) Inc., Chelsea Green Home Society and Italian Seniors’ Project.
Redevelopment of the land will include hundreds of new housing units – 300 affordable.
The plan includes two heritage buildings, the Health Services Building and the War Memorial Children’s Hospital, part of a five and half acre parcel bordered by Waterloo Street, South Street, Colborne Street and Hill Street, as well as a one-acre parcel at 124 Colborne St.
“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,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “I am thrilled to hear that Vision SoHo Alliance’s vision and collaboration on this project will include the creation of 600 units, 300 of which will affordable housing.”
The redevelopment of the OVHL will address key planning and financial objectives of the City while implementing the vision as set out in the Old Victoria Hospital Lands Secondary Plan.
“We will also have the opportunity to see the regeneration of a neighbourhood through new employment opportunities and architectural excellence,” said Bill Warner, manager of realty services.
“The development of the OVHL will also support the rapid transit network by focusing on development within close proximity to transit corridors and stations, as well as improved connectivity to the Thames Valley Corridor and enhanced river and trail access for the neighbourhood.”
Vision SoHo Alliance consists of five regional organizations including; Indwell Community Homes, Zerin Development Corporation, Homes Unlimited (London) Inc., Chelsea Green Home Society and Italian Seniors’ Project. The alliance has a combined portfolio of over 2200 units, including apartments and townhomes, completed or under construction.
The design concept for OVHL includes a range of low- to mid-rise building forms that integrate to the local surroundings and each other, within a main block structure that delivers a generous outdoor amenity space and underground parking.
Combined, the buildings will include about 600 unit, integrated with more than 2600 square metres of outdoor amenity space, 500 square metres of commercial space, and planned civic space located at the corner of Colborne Street and South Street.
“The Vision SoHo Alliance of non-profit housing developers is able to move quickly to help reduce London’s housing crisis that extends to both market and affordable housing residents in a low vacancy housing market,” said Sylvia Harris, project developer with Indwell and chair of the Vision SoHo Alliance.
“The members are motivated to construct financially sustainable developments to maximize the benefits for the community in partnership with the City of London.”
With a 3.4% vacancy rate, and COVID-19 increasing the urgency of London’s housing crisis, the need for more affordable housing in our community is greater than ever.
“We’re delighted to be part of this Alliance of like-minded non-profit developers,” said Jeff Neven, executive director. “It’s rare to have so many competent non-profit developers in one city. Together, we will make a big dent in London’s affordable and market housing needs.”
The London Community Foundation is providing leadership and facilitation within an advisory role to the Vision SoHo Alliance affordable housing stakeholders who are working together to create more affordable housing on the OVHL site.
Phase II includes 124 Colborne Street (0.80 acres), as well as the lands bounded by Waterloo Street, South Street, Colborne Street and Hill Street (5.45 acres), excluding lands reserved for the future construction of a public square and retained by the City of London.
The Health Services Building (“Building 50”) and the War Memorial Children’s Hospital (“Building 52”) are situated on 5.45 acres of land and are included in the purchase.