A Hamilton architectural firm has completed the first phase of an affordable housing project in London, Ont. that has a look often missing in such cost-effective projects.
Curran, Gacesa Slote (CGS) Architects designed the Reimagine Southdale project for London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH), located on Southdale Road East.
On the site were 1960s-era suburban townhouses that were approaching the end of their lifespan.
With this, the firm saw an “opportunity to add gentle intensification on a site LMCH already owned (so no new land purchase costs added), on a main artery and near great services. No need to build new parking,” said Bill Curran, founding principal of CGS Architects.
“This is a visionary project following on the aspirations and lessons from Toronto’s famed Regent Park Redevelopment, in which low density suburban-style townhouses are replaced economically by higher density apartments and added community services and amenities, using the same publicly owned land.
“It is the first new build by LMCH since the 1960s and is intended to revitalize this community and provide much needed amenities, while increasing local affordable housing supply,” said Curran.
According to the CGS website, the building forms have been designed with thoughtfully designed facades featuring a mix of materials, large windows and varied architectural details to create dynamic facades.
It also includes areas of buff and charcoal brick on the apartment buildings to provide articulation and help further break down the scale of the apartment buildings.
“Our buildings transcend normal expectations for affordable housing, while studiously avoiding expensive fads like PassiveHaus, modular and mass timber, instead prioritizing the building of the maximum number of units for the available funds instead, and to a very good quality building and energy performance standard.
“It is important to us that affordable housing design transcends the ordinary, and projects dignity and civic gravitas so residents do not feel they live in an ‘Institution.’” said Curran.
New site amenities include landscaped parkettes, a multi-use basketball/hockey/pickleball court and connected pedestrian routes.
The three-phase project is funded by both the City of London’s Affordable Housing Development Program and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation. It started with design and city approvals in 2021.
Phase one was under construction from 2023-2025. Phase two, that is currently under construction is due for completion in 2026. Phase three is awaiting funding confirmation.
Phase one, which is six storeys with 53 units, was built for approximately $21.4 million, which is a construction cost of $404,000 per unit, or $299 per square foot. This includes many large three- and four-bedroom family-size units.
The contractor for was Jackman Construction Ltd.
For Phase Two Norlon Builders was selected.
“Norlon is proud to partner with LMCH on this important affordable housing project. We’re excited to bring our experience and dedication to a build that will make a meaningful difference in the community. Collaborating on developments like this is at the heart of what we do — building not just structures, but stronger, more inclusive neighbourhoods,” said Jeremy Valeriote, president of Norlon Builders in a news release.
This phase, that has the foundations completed, will also be six storeys with 53 units, while phase three, which has planning approvals, will be six storeys with 61 units.
CGS is also involved in the City Housing Hamilton portion of the Jamesville project that is on hold pending a resolution of CN Rail noise, safety and odour concerns.
“At Jamesville the CityHousing folks want a Passive House certified building, so we have done that. We have designed to ensure the building is a very non-institutional looking building that fits in as the centrepiece of a large market housing development and on a main street location that demands a certain civic gravitas to it,” said Curran.
