Proceeds from the sale of the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital are going towards the development of two long-term care homes and more than 1,000 additional homes through the Ontario Surplus Lands program.
In August 2024, the province transferred the 28.8 acres to Schlegel Villages for $24.3 million. The homes – named The Village of Fennell Ridge – will be located at 290 Fennell Ave. W., next to the West 5th Campus of St. Joseph’s Healthcare.
“When the final details were confirmed in the acquisition of the land, seven acres were transferred to Mohawk College for future use, and an additional seven acres were transferred to the City of Hamilton for municipal conservation of greenspace. The Century Manor building has been transferred to supportive, affordable housing provider, Indwell,” said Kristian Partington, Schlegel Villages director of communications.
The Surplus Lands program allows for excess lands to be repurposed for the benefit of Ontario families, including for housing, health care and educational facilities. Once fully developed, the Hamilton west-mountain site will consist of:
- The two, 256-bed Schlegel Villages homes.
- 41 affordable housing units and 270 seniors’ housing units.
- 832 market housing units.
- The aforementioned land dedicated to Mohawk College, the City of Hamilton and Indwell.
Partington they are hopeful following the demolition of the existing structures outside, construction can actually begin in early 2026. They retained longtime partner, Cornerstone Architecture, for the project and the reported budget is $150 million. Tenders are expected to go out in early 2026 for a March construction start.
It’s hoped residents to the new Village of Fennel Ridge will be able to take up residence mid-to-late 2028.
“The new Village of Fennell Ridge will bring much-needed long-term care capacity to the people of Hamilton. It’s an ambitious project, combining long-term care and additional seniors housing with affordable, supportive housing at Century Manor and in our Hamilton Continuing Care building, thanks to our partners at Indwell,” said Schlegel Villages president and CEO, James Schlegel.
“When brought together with protected greenspace and immense possibility with Mohawk College, we believe the revitalization of the Brow Lands will be something we will all be proud of.”
In the very early planning stage is the 7.3 acres acquired on the west side of the property by Mohawk College.
“Since 2014, Mohawk has expressed keen interest in acquiring a portion of the lands to support future use and growth. The current Mohawk College Campus Master Plan contemplates the use of that property for educational purposes, but there are no immediate plans to develop the land at this time,” said Sean Covvey, Mohawk College’s director of communications.
Other plans on the property from Indwell are affordable, supportive housing projects that could up to 18-storeys on the north parcel from Century Manor to the Mountain Brow. Land ownership is now in the process.
“Indwell will retrofit the building to accommodate up to 40 supportive housing apartments. We hope to begin remediation before the end of this year, and then begin construction in 2026, with occupancy targeted for 2027,” said Teresa Howe, community engagement manager with Indwell.
As well, approximately seven acres has been conveyed to the City of Hamilton for the protection of the Niagara Escarpment, an environmentally significant area adjacent to the brow of the escarpment and a required vegetation protection zone.
