Ontario Construction News staff writer
Phase one of the largest condo development in the City of Barrie’s history received site plan approval from the planning committee last week.
City council is expected to ratify the decision on June 28, allowing the massive four-tower SmartCentres waterfront development to move forward.
Councillors believe the developer will begin construction as soon as possible after final approval is granted.
Phase 1 of the project by Barrie Lakeshore Developments Inc. includes:
- Podium and Tower consisting of 25 storeys (85 metres)
- Hotel with 145 Suites;
- Apartment with 233 Rental Units;
- Restaurant and Amenities;
- Environmental Protection Area; and,
- Temporary parking lot on that portion of the property lands to be developed as Phase 2
In January, the property was rezoned and redesignated to allow towers of 41, 38, 35 and 25 storeys. The project includes about 1,700 residential units, hotel and commercial space. a parking garage, open space and environmental protection land.
The proposed development, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects would provide a high density built form with a hotel and rental residential units that will utilize existing services and infrastructure.
However, residents opposed to the development say the towers are too high and the plan is too dense for the neighbourhood.
SmartCentres, on behalf of Barrie Lakeshore Developments (Greenwin Barrie and a numbered Ontario company), submitted applications to develop the 8.6-acre property between Lakeshore Drive and Bradford Street.
With approval expected at the end of June, the next steps will be to finalize the site and building design, confirm servicing and complete landscaping, contaminant management and environmental protection plans.