CentreCourt has announced its ambitious plans for a sprawling 55 hectare masterplan community called Pickering City Center on portions of the redeveloped Pickering Town Center shopping mall. Working with Cowie Capital Partners Inc and Salthill Capital as retail and office leaders, the developer aims to redefine the core of Pickering and enhance its connection with the greater Toronto area. Located at 1355 Kingston Road near the Brock Road interchange on Hwy 401 and north of Pickering GO station, the project will combine a mix of residential, retail and public spaces. CentreCourt intends to solidify the location as a true downtown Pickering.
Southwest view of Pickering town center designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for CentreCourt, Cowie Capital Partners Inc and Salthill Capital
The unveiling of the project took place today during an event at Pickering Town Center attended by key speakers including Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, CenterCourt President Gavin Cheung and Cleveland Clinics Canada CEO and President Michael Boiler.
Mayor Kevin Ashe stands in front of the master plan model, photograph by Anthony Teles
CentreCourt strives to redefine the location of the mall for the long term. The development will create extensive residential, retail and public spaces with the goal of creating a vibrant downtown destination in what is now largely parking lots. Over the next decade, an urban center will redevelop the mall’s suburban setting, encompassing over 6,000 apartments in more than ten mixed-use towers, most of which are 40 to 55 stories, while revitalizing Pickering Town Center shopping mall.
The west end of the master plan model, image by Anthony Teles
Kicking off the event, Gavin Cheung highlighted the prime location of the Pickering City Center project, sharing that “this is the Center Ice location, the most connected and central place in all of Pickering and the Durham region.” Mayor Kevin Ashe echoed this sentiment, stating, “Pickering is a growth leader and is on track to become one of Ontario’s top cities, with a population set to double in the next 20 years.”
Master plan with Block 1 highlighted, image courtesy of CentreCourt
Speaking to UrbanToronto, Cheung said, “What will surprise people about this project is that there is as much infrastructure here as the city already has.” According to Cheung, Pickering City Center is different from other redevelopment projects Malls in that “the existing assets are not removed. They are renewed.” He emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the new density of housing and the existing mall.
The east end of the master plan model, image by Anthony Teles
Michael Kessel spoke next and highlighted one of the unique features of the site – a “virtual clinic” provided by the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. This is the first amenity of its kind in Canada to be offered in a condominium master plan community. Kessel explained that Pickering City Center residents can contact a doctor at Cleveland Clinic Canada and receive a diagnosis or referral without leaving their building.
Depiction of Center Square, image courtesy of CentreCourt
The event also featured insights from Mitch Gascoyne, Partner and Senior Vice-President for Development at CentreCourt, who highlighted the years of planning that went into the vision of the city centre. Donald Schmitt, director at Diamond Schmitt Architects and the designer of the master plan, further elaborated on the vision for the community, noting that “with this density comes healthier and more sustainable communities.”
The Podium for Phase 1 designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for CentreCourt, Cowie Capital Partners Inc and Salthill Capital
Jason Lam, CentreCourt’s Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, concluded the presentation by highlighting the unique foundation of Pickering City Centre. He emphasized that the development applies not only to Pickering but to the entire Durham region and the rest of the GTA.
The first phase of this development, Block 1, will consist of four residential towers offering approximately 2,200 residential units and a residential and commercial density of approximately 111,483 sqm. The towers will have approximately 1,672 sqm of retail space on the ground floor.
Illustration of the party room, image courtesy of CentreCourt
The residents of Block 1 have around 4,552 m² and 7,246 m² of indoor and outdoor facilities at their disposal. These plans include a fitness center, rooftop pool, outdoor lounging and grilling stations, co-working and social spaces, a golf simulator lounge, and courtyards connected to the green space network.
The outdoor pool was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for CentreCourt, Cowie Capital Partners Inc and Salthill Capital
To learn more about the development visit pickeringcitycentre.com.
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