712 Base Line Road East - retail plaza and 16s mixed use building

[jammer139]

Westdell is proposing a 16s mixed use apartment building for the parking lot at their retail plaza at Wellington and Baseline. Interesting move on their part as the retail part of this plaza has been dying for years. There is additional room on the northern side for even more residential. They still haven't made any progress on their high rise proposals for Oxford St east or west yet. No progress either with their 8 story proposal at Richmond and Central. Construction of their low rise 4 story on Fanshawe is now underway.


https://london.ca/sites/default/file...20Road%20E.pdf


https://london.ca/business-developme...base-line-road


Urban Design Brief - https://london.ca/sites/default/file...3/2URBAN~1.PDF

[inimrepus]

Interesting, isn't that right where The Beer Store is right now? I remember a few years ago they had proposed completely redoing this plaza but I guess that fell though

[Pimpmasterdac]

Beer Store on Baseline is no more, been closed for several months now. The whole development there has had a few revamps. They were initially planning to build a new office tower where Staples & National Sports was, and have them move in the plaza to be anchor tenants but with National folding killed those plans. A&W suppose to go where the BMO was, interesting Tim Hortons is going to be torn down and rebuilt there with double drive thru.

Hopefully the project gets the green light, no NIMBYs or poverty pits hold up this development!

Originally Posted by inimrepus

Interesting, isn't that right where The Beer Store is right now? I remember a few years ago they had proposed completely redoing this plaza but I guess that fell though

[inimrepus]

Originally Posted by Pimpmasterdac

Beer Store on Baseline is no more, been closed for several months now.

Ah, I didn't realize that. It has been a while since I have been in that plaza. I don't think this project will get a lot of pushback. If it was at the back of the plaza, closer to the houses then it probably would.

[Djeffery]

I know the Staples was supposed to be rebuilt over on the northwest side of this lot, where that big crater is, but who knows why they have never gone ahead with it. You'd think it would sense now with National gone to do the new Staples and get rid of the entire old building. I remember when that was A&P, and I even remember the old A&P that was out in front as well.

[ssiguy]

Nice infill and great to see another development right along the BRT.

[johnnyhamont]

Originally Posted by jammer139

Westdell is proposing a 16s mixed use apartment building for the parking lot at their retail plaza at Wellington and Baseline.

Renders from the docs

[inimrepus]

I'm not sure if that tree is ok...

[User_Name]

Westdell needs to redevelop this whole plaza as a complete masterplan, and not just try to smash in a small midrise on a part of the site where the beer store was. Very short-sighted by them.

[jammer139]

LFP article on proposal.


https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/...mmercial-plaza

[CanadianTalk]

Public meeting is scheduled for August 22nd.

https://london.ca/sites/default/file...ase%20Line.pdf

[jammer139]

Westdell has made some revisions to their proposal. Appears to be changes to the number of parking spaces and the podium base in the new renders.


https://london.ca/business-developme...base-line-road

[CanadianTalk]

City planning staff recommends that council should approve the zoning change. Goes to planning committee on August 22nd.


https://pub-london.escribemeetings.c...cumentId=94251

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This is Westdell's master plan for the NE corner of Wellington and Base Line

[FWD15]

Looks like they plan on building a new addition for Staples and looking to rent out the entire old A&P building. Also I didn't realize they are going to realign the driveway to the north side of the Wendy's out onto Wellington Rd.

[inimrepus]

Looks like they are also removing the parking log entrance/exit just east of the Tim Hortons. That one always caused some issues

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by inimrepus

Looks like they are also removing the parking log entrance/exit just east of the Tim Hortons. That one always caused some issues

I believe that is because they are moving the drive thru onto that side. I'm not sure if they are renovating the old Tim's or building a new building.

[jammer139]

Crews are working now on the Tim Hortons and have closed the drive-thru. Can't tell if they have also closed the restaurant too in order to rebuild the interior and shift the drive-thru to the east side. I suspect they would have too to that.

[Djeffery]

It's completely closed and has been for a while now. They have actually got the new curbs poured where the old drive thru was, and have already put new siding and a new window in where the drive thru window was. New curbs are also going in for the new drive thru on the other side. I wasn't sure when I last saw it if it was being demolished but it's obvious now it's being renovated.

I think the radius of the new drive thru is pretty right and I can imagine people having issues navigating it, especially those in larger vehicles.

[FWD15]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I think the radius of the new drive thru is pretty right and I can imagine people having issues navigating it, especially those in larger vehicles.

It sure looks that way on the plan. Even the old drivethru lane with the retaining wall was aweful tight as evidenced by the amount of paint scraps on it.

[inimrepus]

I really like this redesign, that plaza has been terrible for a long time. I do wonder what will fill the current Staples building though. A really solid business there is needed.