London Construction - Development News Thread #1

[ldoto]

Sifton land deal sign of shift in power?

Wed, August 15, 2007

By JOE BELANGER, SUN MEDIA



Winds of change, people power or simply good business?

Call it what you want, but London city staff, Sifton Properties and city council have cut a deal to keep a piece of perceived parkland in the public domain instead of being redeveloped for an office tower.

Sifton agreed to take parkland credits and hand over the 0.8-hectare property at Riverside Drive and Wonderland Road to the city, which will make it part of the Thames River park system, something Oakridge residents argued the city should have done years ago.

The parkland credits mean Sifton won't have to give cash-in-lieu for parkland on a future development, as required in the Planning Act.

The company gets credit for 1.6 hectares of parkland because it also handed over an environmentally significant area just north of Sunningdale Road East.

All sides have called it a win-win resolution.

But there's a sense out there that change is afoot when it comes to clashes between developers and neighbourhoods.

"The community expressed a desire and we've always listened to what those around us have to say," said Sifton president Richard Sifton.

"Even more importantly, they made their concerns known.

"In reality, what we did was make a business decision. The fact is, we were able to find a solution that met our business goals and the city's.

"City council has been told by residents they want them to do a good job protecting certain things, whether it's a park, a woodland, a wetland and they say there has to be give-and-take.

"The politicians are hearing that message.

"The general public has said these are things we want to invest in."

Sifton conceded it's possible his company is on the front edge of a movement in the development industry to listen more carefully to community concerns.

Several developers have opted to try to cut deals with the city, rather than ignore community concerns and see issues resolve by the Ontario Municipal Board.

Drewlo Holdings recently agreed to restore and not demolish Locust Mount, the 147-year-old former home of a London mayor and senator that was run down and damaged by fire.

In exchange, the company was given a variety of tax incentives and bonus zoning to offset additional costs.

The city still is negotiating with Southside Construction to exchange land or make some other concession to protect a woodlot on Adelaide Street just north of Windermere Road.

London's chief adminstrator Jeff Fielding credits the community for keeping the pressure on to preserve "amenities" such as woodlots or heritage buildings and "they're asking us to be innovative and creative."

Ward 8 Coun. Paul Hubert said he senses a "spirit of collaboration rather than an adversarial spirit" between developers and the community.

"That collaborative, innovative spirit is what I think our community needs," he said.

"Companies have business interests to deal with, but I do sense a willingness to work with the community and listen."

Coun. Joni Baechler said developers will listen to the public, but the onus is on the public to let their concerns known.

"If the (Oakridge community) hadn't rose up the way they did to oppose this, nothing would have been done," said Baechler.

[FazDeH]

Lets get one thing straight, Sun Life will not develop this property.

huh I didnt realize that was the case. Its to bad, Im always up for job growth in London. Hopefully there will be a REAL development soon that we will be able to discuss.

[ldoto]

Thu, August 16, 2007

By HANK DANISZEWSKI, SUN MEDIA



London is highlighted as one of Ontario's hottest real estate markets in a new forecast by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC).

The CMHC says Ontario resale home sales will hit a record of 209,000 this year with London, Hamilton and Sudbury leading the way.

Ted Tsiakopoulos, a CMHC regional economist, says the number of new listings compared to sales in London is above the Ontario average.

"It's basic supply and demand. . . . It's a very good leading indicator of where housing prices are going," he said.

He said London benefits from a healthy, diversified economy and has the advantage of affordable home prices compared to the Greater Toronto Area. The average house price here is just more than $200,000 compared with about $370,000 in Toronto.

"Affordability is the key to sparking sales," he said.

London's leading status in the CMHC report did not surprise Mike Carson, president of the London-St. Thomas Association of Realtors.

Annual home sales in the London-area market set a record of 8,916 units in 2006.

Carson expects that total will be surpassed this year, especially after sales in May smashed the monthly record.

"As long as we can keep the economy growing, London will be seen as a great place to invest," he said.

Carson said the number of listings on the market is up compared to two years ago and buyers have a reasonable choice. But he still considers it a seller's market.

"We are seeing many instances of homes going close to asking prices or selling within days if they are appropriately priced."

Diane Gordon of London Living Real Estate said the London market is strong but not as frantic as a few years ago. "There are some bidding wars, but they are not as frequent."

She said homes near the average price of $200,000 are most in demand.

Gordon said the London market is attracting attention from real estate investors looking for bargains in properties such as downtown condos.

"We have investors looking here because in some of the investment properties in Toronto there are already 12 to 16 offers registered," she said

[ldoto]

The global stock markets may be on a roller coaster this week because of credit concerns, but here in Southwestern Ontario the Toyota based industrial boom continues.

Ground was broken in St. Thomas today for the new Takumi auto parts plant, a direct spinoff of the Toyota Woodstock project.

The $15-million Takumi plant is expected to employ 100 workers initially, and begin production in 2008.

[Remontech]

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http://www.remontech.com/projects/amicalondon.html

Follow in real-time the construction of this new 164 apartment retiremend residence on Fanshawe Park Road.

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Enjoy and drop us a line with your thoughts! If you know of any other project that could benefit from our services, please let us know.

[ldoto]

He's a London Knights fan, a marketing specialist, a downtown booster and the husband of a mayor.

And Tim Best is hoping to turn all of that, sans the strong political connection, into a winning formula along a troubled section of Richmond Street.

The husband of Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best is close to bringing his concept, a family-oriented sports bar and restaurant called Friday Knights Lights, to reality.

Best is in negotiations with the core's biggest landowner, Shmuel Farhi, to open the sports bar at 391 Richmond St., a space squeezed between the Royal Bank tower and the Market Tower once occupied by Don Cherry's.

He hopes to draw a lunch crowd from the hundreds of workers in the two towers that have separate entrances to the building in addition to the main entrance on Richmond.

And Best is hoping to tap his friendship with the Knights owners, Mark and Dale Hunter, to draw players, their families and competitors.

The restaurant would be decked out with Knights memorabilia that Best hopes will help draw families for a bite to eat before a game or show at the John Labatt Centre.

"I'm going to provide something that's healthy for (the Knights) organization and they're going to enjoy it," he said yesterday.

"But this is a niche. There's definitely a need for this, especially for the JLC -- a family-oriented restaurant."

It won't be a nightclub, Best said, and it should help revitalize the south end of Richmond Street.

"People say once you get south of Dundas, Richmond Street is a problem," he said.

"Well let's fix it. Let's make it appealing to people, to families."

Best said he's still looking for partners, but will go it alone if necessary.

Janette MacDonald, MainStreet London manager, said she'll help Best.

"I like the concept," she said. "It's in kind of a no-man's land that's had difficulties in the past. But the family-oriented concept will be good for the downtown."

Coun. Cheryl Miller, who has battled to revitalize the core, was also enthusiastic about the concept.

"It's just awesome," she said. "It's a dark hole right now, but it's a great spot for a restaurant or anything for families. It'll help tidy up that spot."

[DC83]

Hey Londoners!
I just had a quick question for you guys:

The owner of the London Tap House is currently reno'ing a historic bldg downtown Ham and turning it into the newest London Tap House location.

I was just wondering what all of your opinions on the place are.
Is the food good? ...is the booze over-priced? ...is it a good time overall?
From what I've read so far, it seems like a great place... but your opinions are much better than what I can learn from their web site haha

Thanks everyone!

[ldoto]

News Release

2007-08-20


AUTOMOTIVE PARTS COMPANY TO CALL LONDON HOME
(London, ON) – CS Automotive Tubing Inc., a manufacturer of stainless steel tubing for the automotive industry, has chosen London for a new 50,000 sq ft production facility. CS Automotive Tubing Inc. is the Canadian division of ChangShin Steel of Seoul, Korea.

Located on 6.5 acres of land in Innovation Park, this first phase will employ approximately 30 employees. Phase II will see an additional 50,000 sq ft added to their facility and an additional 20 employees. This investment in London is close to $12 million.

“We are very excited to be opening our first North American plant in London, Ontario,” said Mr. Chang Il Chun, Chairman of ChangShin Steel.” “London Economic Development Corp. was instrumental in establishing our plant in London. We have worked closely with them over the past few months to select the right site, construction partners and key contacts in the community.” said Mr. Kwang Yew, General Manager of CS Automotive Tubing Inc.

CS Automotive Tubing Inc. will manufacture automotive exhaust systems for Tier 1 parts suppliers and some OEMs.

“We are very honoured to have CS Automotive Tubing Inc. join the vibrant and growing manufacturing sector in London. It is an innovative, state of the art company that will benefit many of our existing companies and boost the attractiveness of our city to potential investors in the automotive sector,” said John Kime, President and CEO, London Economic Development Corporation.

Construction of the new facility is expected to begin soon with completion expected by summer 2008.

[FazDeH]

Hey Londoners!
I just had a quick question for you guys:

The owner of the London Tap House is currently reno'ing a historic bldg downtown Ham and turning it into the newest London Tap House location.

I was just wondering what all of your opinions on the place are.
Is the food good? ...is the booze over-priced? ...is it a good time overall?
From what I've read so far, it seems like a great place... but your opinions are much better than what I can learn from their web site haha

Thanks everyone!

Hey The Taphouse is one of Londons more upscale bars. It's actually one of the few clubs in the city I will actually go to. I can't speak about the crowd that the bar will draw in Hamilton but generally its a slightly older crowd in London, not all 19 year olds mostly early 20s.
The food is good and Im told by a friend that works there, that the menu will remain relitively untouched. The price? well.... as London bars go its the pretty much the most pricy, a drink that you would find literally right next door for $4 will cost you close to $7, but I personally I think its worth it. I only hope that the London Taphouse in Hamilton and the one thats under development for Toronto is as nice.

[DC83]

Awesome, thanks man. I'm pretty excited to check it out. Can't wait to try out the rooftop bar! ALmost every bar / club in Mtl has em and they're awesome!!

[ldoto]

LONDON - A massive mural is about to brighten up a dreary spot in London's downtown core.
The tunnel under the Galleria along King street is going to become the canvas for six artists from Argentina who will create a mural, bigger than a football field..

The group has been commissioned by the London Downtown Business Association.

The LDBA is putting up 30 thousand dollars to cover teh groups travel expenses.

[ldoto]

A 50.5M downtown office towerrs sale is said to put us on the national business 'radar.'



Buildings Sold, Good Sign for London

LONDON - The sale of London's downtown city centre at the corner of Wellington and Dundas is being hailed a major boost for the city.
The two TD Canada trust buildings have changed ownership in a deal worth a little more than fity million dollars.

Montreal-based Redbourne Group bought the property.

City real estate officials hailed the deal as a vote of confidence in the core, saying London is on the "radar" for national business investment.

[ldoto]

Ontario's Health Minister Opens

LONDON - Ontario's Health Minister swept into London for the grand opening of a brand new community Health Centre site.
George Smitherman and other dignateries gathered for the opening of the facility in the Huron Heights Plaza on Huron Street near Highbury.

Smitherman said the investment was made possible by the Liberals controversial Health Premium.

The minister said the Health tax is here to stay.

Last week, Conservative Leader John Tory vowed to eliminated the tax that costs families as much as 900 dollars a year.

[ldoto]

Repeat post!!

[ldoto]

Update!!!The harriston


http://theharriston.com/content/media


Look at these Views!!!!

[ldoto]

Cami to get new vehicle

Thu, August 30, 2007

It's still not known if new jobs will be created

By NORMAN DEBONO, SUN MEDIA



Cami Automotive is getting a new vehicle and new investment, the automaker announced yesterday.

Just as workers at the General Motors plant in Oshawa yesterday received notice of 1,100 job cuts, workers at Cami in Ingersoll were told they will soon be making a new vehicle.

“We will be getting new equipment, there will be new tooling and we will be getting new product,” Susan Nicholson, spokesperson for Cami, said yesterday.

But it is not yet known if the new vehicle is a replacement for an existing sport utility vehicle that will be discontinued, or a new, fourth vehicle to be added to the production line.

“There are few details right now but we can say this is good news for Cami, it is very exciting,” said Nicholson.

It was not known yesterday if additional workers would be hired for the new product or what the dollar value of the investment will be, she added.

“We will take any good news we can get,” said Mike Van Boekel, chairperson of CAW Local 88 at Cami.

“We hope this means we will be able to maintain the workers we have or even hire more. Hopefully, this means long-term employment for our members.”

The Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Suzuki XL7 sport utility vehicles are now made at the plant.

But the new investment will be a GM product and rumours in automotive circles have ranged from the Torrent being replaced by a new vehicle, to a fourth vehicle being added to the product line.

Nicholson credited the CAW with helping land the new investment. It agreed to move up the date of collective bargaining to June from September, and the three-year agreement paved the way for the new investment, she added.

“We would not have been able to do this without the support of our CAW partners,” said Nicholson.

Cami workers will face a one-week shutdown in September and October due to slowing sales, added Van Boekel.

Cami employs about 2,700 workers, 2,100 of which are CAW members.

Last year Cami made about 170,000 vehicles

[ldoto]

$200 million for London hospital projects

Fri, August 31, 2007

New children's hospital, women's care centre to be built

By RANDY RICHMOND, SUN MEDIA



A massive hospital building project in London got long awaited approval yesterday to wrap up the bulk of the work, worth an estimated $200 million.

The province announced London hospitals can take bids on completion of a new children’s hospital and women’s care centre at Victoria Hospital and the final renovations at St. Joseph’s and University hospitals.

When that work is done, the aging South Street hospital can be closed.

“This is a very, very important milestone for the London hospitals and one that we have been waiting for quite some time,” Cliff Nordal, president of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, said yesterday.

“This is the biggest piece of the project to happen. When this is finished, we move the staff and patients (from South Street) and we lock the doors. That has been an ideal talked about in this community for . . . a long time.”

The bids should be received this fall and work should begin next year, hospital and government officials said yesterday.

“This is a huge step,” said Chris Bentley, Liberal MPP for London West. “They don’t want me to throw out a number but . . . I suspect you are going to need upwards of $100 million and if someone said $200 million you might be in there.”

The first plans to restructure and merge London’s hospitals surfaced in the mid-90s, as the provincial government began retooling health care and insisting communities eliminate duplication at hospitals.

For the next 12 years, the restructuring and merging of facilities run by London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London took place in fits and starts, with some deadlines — such as the expected closing of South Street in 2000, missed.

Symbolic of the amount of work still to be done is the empty 10-storey north tower at Victoria Hospital, where yesterday’s announcement took place.

“When this project is complete, this doorway will open into one of the most exciting new health-care facilities in Canada,” said Peter Johnson, vice-chair of the LHSC board. Besides the new home of the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, the tower will house a new birthing centre, neonatal intensive care unit and outpatient mental health care.

It will also house diagnostic labs, teaching facilities and a 350-seat auditorium.

The final phase of work at St. Joseph’s Health Care will see a 112,000-square-foot renovation and a 4,000-square-foot addition that will provide space for citywide opthamology services, diabetes, and ear, nose and throat services.

“This will provide much needed clinical space,” said Gerald Killan, vice-chair of St. Joseph’s Health Care board.

In an interview after the announcement, Bentley said the timing of the approval was not connected to the Oct. 10 provincial election.

Over the past three years, the province has changed its funding and bidding processes, reduced the share communities have to raise and given money for hospital construction, Bentley said

“We have been working very hard for the past three years to make today possible.”

The approval is not a blank cheque, Bentley added.

The bids will have to be evaluated, he said.

There will be some “cleanup” construction to do after this next phase, Nordal said.

This project doesn’t include the construction of two mental health facilities — one in London and one in St. Thomas — expected to go to tender in 2009.

[ldoto]

Udate!!!

Park Lane Hotel to be reborn as condo project

It looks like the Park lane hotel is getting some work done to it two years later!!!

I will try to get some pics soon


_______________________________________

This is great news for the downtown core it is booming down here. I also heard that there will be a big project announce in the next couple weeks.



Park Lane Hotel to be reborn as condo project

Wed, November 23, 2005

By HANK DANISZEWSKI, FREE PRESS BUSINESS REPORTER




Jeffrey Roher, left, and Joel Kwinter of the Rose Corp. are converting the Park Lane Hotel on King Street into condominiums. (DEREK RUTTAN, The London Free Press)
Two Toronto developers think it's time for a downtown London building with a checkered past to be reborn as a hip, downtown condo project.

Joel Kwinter and Jeffrey Roher are spearheading a plan to create time Condominiums with a $12 million to $15 million renovation of the former Park Lane Hotel at 186 King St.

The developers say downtown London is on an upswing and ready for the kind of urban condo conversion that has swept larger centres such as Toronto.

"London's time has come . . . We want London youth to stay in London by offering them a hip place to hang their hat and call home," Kwinter said.

The units will vary in size from 330 square feet to 800 square feet and range in price from $69,990 for a studio to $159,000 for a two-bedroom or large one- bedroom.


Kwinter and Roher are partners with the Rose Corp., a Toronto-based real estate investment company that bought the building last year.

Kwinter said the building will have a "South Beach -- New York City" feel, both inside and out and will be aimed at the 18- to 35-year-old market.

The sales office and a model suite should be open in a few months, but the renovations will not start until a minimum number of units are pre-sold, he said.

If the sales campaign is successful, the new condo owners should be able to move in by the end of 2007.

Kwinter said the main floor will stay commercial and the developers will be looking for a high-end lounge/restaurant to locate there.

Other amenities will include exercise facilities, a private lounge, a study and two screening rooms with large-screen televisions.

The developers are planning a major marketing campaign and have a website -- www.timecondos.com -- where potential buyers can register.

If the project is a success, it will be a turnaroud for a building that has suffered a lot of bad luck since construction began in 1961. The building has changed hands several times due to lawsuits and financial failures and was empty for a couple of years in the 1990's.

"I know there's a bit of history involved in this building but we think it's time for a big change. This building has great bones and a great location and that's what were working with," said Kwinter.

Last night Kwinter and Roher received a Downtown Champion award at the Mainstreet London annual general meeting in recognition of the initiative.

Mainstreet manager Janette MacDonald said the time Condo project is exactly what downtown needs. She said the affordable prices makes the condos attractive to young professionals.

"If we can these young people into the real estate market in London, it will be a tougher for them to leave," she said.

HISTORY OF 186 KING

1961: Construction begins, but financial problems delay the opening for three years.

1964: The 10-storey building opens as the Jack Tar Motor Hotel.

1966: The building is sold and renamed the Kingsley Building, the result of a lawsuit.

1973: It is converted into the Park Lane Motel.

1988: The Park Lane is converted into a Ramada Inn.

1992: The Ramada Inn closes after prolonged financial troubles and the building sits vacant for two years.

1994: A plan to turn the building into a private student residence called King's Inn falls apart, leaving 130 people locked out.

1995: London realtor Paul Mitchell steps in, revives the project and opens the student residence.

2002: The building is sold to Dutch entrepreneur Willem Fijneer, who reopens it as the Park Lane Hotel.

2004: The building is sold to Toronto-based real estate developer the Rose Corp., which plans to turn it into condos.

[ldoto]

Update!!!

Park Lane Hotel to be reborn as condo project

It looks like the Park lane hotel is getting some work done to it two years later!!!

I will try to get some pics soon


_______________________________________

This is great news for the downtown core it is booming down here. I also heard that there will be a big project announce in the next couple weeks.



Park Lane Hotel to be reborn as condo project

Wed, November 23, 2005

By HANK DANISZEWSKI, FREE PRESS BUSINESS REPORTER




Jeffrey Roher, left, and Joel Kwinter of the Rose Corp. are converting the Park Lane Hotel on King Street into condominiums. (DEREK RUTTAN, The London Free Press)
Two Toronto developers think it's time for a downtown London building with a checkered past to be reborn as a hip, downtown condo project.

Joel Kwinter and Jeffrey Roher are spearheading a plan to create time Condominiums with a $12 million to $15 million renovation of the former Park Lane Hotel at 186 King St.

The developers say downtown London is on an upswing and ready for the kind of urban condo conversion that has swept larger centres such as Toronto.

"London's time has come . . . We want London youth to stay in London by offering them a hip place to hang their hat and call home," Kwinter said.

The units will vary in size from 330 square feet to 800 square feet and range in price from $69,990 for a studio to $159,000 for a two-bedroom or large one- bedroom.


Kwinter and Roher are partners with the Rose Corp., a Toronto-based real estate investment company that bought the building last year.

Kwinter said the building will have a "South Beach -- New York City" feel, both inside and out and will be aimed at the 18- to 35-year-old market.

The sales office and a model suite should be open in a few months, but the renovations will not start until a minimum number of units are pre-sold, he said.

If the sales campaign is successful, the new condo owners should be able to move in by the end of 2007.

Kwinter said the main floor will stay commercial and the developers will be looking for a high-end lounge/restaurant to locate there.

Other amenities will include exercise facilities, a private lounge, a study and two screening rooms with large-screen televisions.

The developers are planning a major marketing campaign and have a website -- www.timecondos.com -- where potential buyers can register.

If the project is a success, it will be a turnaroud for a building that has suffered a lot of bad luck since construction began in 1961. The building has changed hands several times due to lawsuits and financial failures and was empty for a couple of years in the 1990's.

"I know there's a bit of history involved in this building but we think it's time for a big change. This building has great bones and a great location and that's what were working with," said Kwinter.

Last night Kwinter and Roher received a Downtown Champion award at the Mainstreet London annual general meeting in recognition of the initiative.

Mainstreet manager Janette MacDonald said the time Condo project is exactly what downtown needs. She said the affordable prices makes the condos attractive to young professionals.

"If we can these young people into the real estate market in London, it will be a tougher for them to leave," she said.

HISTORY OF 186 KING

1961: Construction begins, but financial problems delay the opening for three years.

1964: The 10-storey building opens as the Jack Tar Motor Hotel.

1966: The building is sold and renamed the Kingsley Building, the result of a lawsuit.

1973: It is converted into the Park Lane Motel.

1988: The Park Lane is converted into a Ramada Inn.

1992: The Ramada Inn closes after prolonged financial troubles and the building sits vacant for two years.

1994: A plan to turn the building into a private student residence called King's Inn falls apart, leaving 130 people locked out.

1995: London realtor Paul Mitchell steps in, revives the project and opens the student residence.

2002: The building is sold to Dutch entrepreneur Willem Fijneer, who reopens it as the Park Lane Hotel.

2004: The building is sold to Toronto-based real estate developer the Rose Corp., which plans to turn it into condos.

[ldoto]

Free Press makes case to keep printing in London

Wed, September 5, 2007



Dear Readers,

I am pleased to announce The London Free Press has rescinded layoff notices formally issued to 175 press room, distribution centre and maintenance staff in July of this year.

Two years ago, a decision was made to move the press and distribution centre to a new printing plant in Islington near Toronto. Although operations at Wide Web Printing have already begun, The Free Press has been given the green light to submit a business case to keep printing and distribution work and the jobs here.

We will start discussions with the union soon to establish conditions to allow us to have a viable long-term business solution.

This is great news for our employees, for The Free Press and for the community. As you know, we have a 158-year history in London and we remain committed to this wonderful city and its bright future.

To be sure, the newspaper industry is in the midst of a huge transition, but Southwestern Ontario is where most of our readers live, and where our newspapers are delivered.

Thank you for your continued support, and for your enthusiasm in growing with us.

Sincerely,

Susan Muszak,

Publisher and CEO