[QuantumLeap]

New development proposed near UWO (and several other high rises)

4:30 p.m. - 1235,1237,1245,1247,1253 Richmond Street - The proposed amendment is to facilitate the development of an 18-storey apartment building with a total of 311 two-bedroom units and 183 parking spaces. Possible amendment to the Zoning By-law Z.-1 FROM a Residential R9 (R9-7-H45) Zone which permits a range of residential and specialized apartment buildings as well as lodging houses up to a maximum height of 45m and a maximum density of 150 units per hectare (1235,1237,1245,1247 Richmond Street) AND a Residential R9 (R9-7-H50) Zone which permits a range of residential and specialized apartment buildings as well as lodging houses up to a maximum height of 50m and a maximum density of 150 units per hectare (1253 Richmond Street) TO a Residential R9 Bonus (R9-H45-B-( )) Zone to permit a maximum height of 55m and maximum density of 450 units per hectare with reductions in the minimum front yard depth; minimum rear yard depth; minimum interior side yard depth; maximum lot coverage; and, minimum parking space requirements.
File: Z-7856 Planner: Michael Tomazincic (Dundas)

[QuantumLeap]

A real luxury
Proposed student apartments will be furnished 'upper class' suites
November 24, 2010
By Monica Blaylock

Tanning beds, a lounge and bar, a rooftop patio with a fireplace, a 24-hour gym — the Western stereotype just died and went to heaven.

On Monday night, Abode Varsity Living held a neighbourhood open house to gain feedback from the community about their proposed luxury student apartment building, set to be built on Richmond Street, north of campus main gates.

The apartment building would house upper-year students in fully furnished, two-bedroom apartments with luxury amenities.

“The neighborhood was more optimistic about this than I’d seen in almost any other project,” Nancy Branscombe, Ward 6 councillor for the city of London, said.

“It will help relieve some of the pressure by taking some students out of the areas where they are now, and obviously that’s part of the ongoing issues that we have [with student housing],” she continued, referring to the problem of overpopulated student neighbourhoods that often gather noise complaints and attract the attention of London police.

However, hopes that the new building will relieve pressure from student areas might be jumping the gun, according to some students at the meeting.

The cost of luxury living will likely be too high for most students who currently reside in the student housing areas around campus, according to Brandon Sousa, external affairs co-ordinator for the University Students’ Council .

“If students want to live there, they better hope their OSAP pays up. No way this rent is going to be any cheaper than 800 bucks a student,” Sousa said.

“It’s tailoring to a very small, select market of upper-class students — the ones who don’t have to worry about tuition or student loans,” Sousa continued. He noted a building with such niche clientele could risk reinforcing Western’s image as a well-to-do party school.

Sousa noted a spokesperson for the building’s development could not reveal the rental prices per unit at the town hall, but told members of the USC to look at other luxury student housing in the area for sample pricing.

Pat Searle, municipal affairs commissioner for the USC, noted Western is already struggling to find affordable housing near campus for students. He said a luxury apartment might make that worse.

“Is there really that big of a demand for this type of housing?” Searle said.

“I know there’s a demand for housing near campus, but is it right that they specialize in luxury apartments when [the USC] is concerned with finding students affordable housing?” Searle continued.

Branscombe said the new building likely won’t be geared toward first-year students.

“They’re looking to attract upper year students, which I’m not sure can be guaranteed, even with all the fancy trimmings,” she said.

She also said the town hall meeting brought some new ideas for how to develop the space, including a taxi stand so cabs wouldn’t have to turn around on Richmond Street.

“The developers are going to look at some of the good suggestions coming out of the meeting,” she said. “It was generally well-received.”

Abode Varsity Living is in the process of building two other luxury apartments — one near Wilfred Laurier University and Waterloo University, and the other near Guelph University. They could not be reached for comment by press time.

“They do own the land, and it’s pre-zoned for a high-density residential. So they can build an apartment building there already,” Branscombe said of the London location.

[ForestryW]

Luxury student housing. The same sort of thing popping up here around UW/WLU.

[MolsonExport]

not surprising. UWO is lifting the cap on undergrad student enrollment.

[bolognium]

Can't really see this taking a load off of the student ghettos surrounding UWO. Usually when 5+ students live in the same house it's because they can't afford a more private, pricey apartment.

PARRRRTY!!!

[MolsonExport]

Some refer to UWO as the University of Wealthy Ontarians.
True, I am sure, that most students don't fit the bill, but quite a few do (see student rolling stock for evidence...compare that to my alma mater school of hard-knocks)

[haljackey]

Sooo jealous of all those rich kids... Their mommys and daddys send em from Richmond Hill to some of the best off-campus residences around UWO.

Problem is I don't think they know how to ride a bus. It's funny to see these people on the LTC if they can't drive. They fight for their life if standing or absolutely refuse to let anyone sit next to them if they are seated.

Ok enough rich kid bashing. :P I live at home to save money... if not I'd be in one of those student ghettos with OSAP and debt up the wazzoo. Don't want that if I can avoid it.

[ForestryW]

Ok enough rich kid bashing. :P I live at home to save money... if not I'd be in one of those student ghettos with OSAP and debt up the wazzoo. Don't want that if I can avoid it.

Ahem. Welcome to my life.

Just be happy London is only getting ONE luxury student highrise. Waterloo already has plenty of those and it's getting worse.

[FazDeH]

London already has "Luxury Student Apartment buildings" They're just down the street from me, 695 and 675 Richmond. I would venture a guess that the percentage of students living in both is well above 80%
And it amazes me that they all have the same uniform. Sweatpants, a Canada Goose jacket and some sun glasses (Even on cloudy days)
There is a niche for this sort of housing in London, but lets call a spade a spade, it's just a way for the developer to make some serious cash because these kids have parents who don't mind spending $1000 a month in rent. This will have absolutely zero impact on the student population as a whole, but I'm not apposed to more 18+ buildings in the city.

[Simpseatles]

Despite the reasoning behind this development, I'm not apposed to getting a new 55m tower in the city!;)

[new age]

The addresses listed are prewar era homes that could be redeveloped into townhouses or condos while keeping the existing buildings. I am rarely opposed to infill development but at the cost of viable historic buildings. The problem with this building is there are 4 floor walk-up commie blocks just a few doors down that could be redeveloped. These new building could be integrated into the street scape instead of set so far back.

[jcollins]

Luxury student housing. The same sort of thing popping up here around UW/WLU.

Where? I see nothing but 5 bedroom student only buildings that arent really "luxury"

[ForestryW]

I suppose that depends on your idea of "luxury" but I can think of at least three buildings on King St and one on Columbia that were marketed as such and many other $700/room buildings, though they may not be "real" luxury.

[MrSlippery519]

London already has "Luxury Student Apartment buildings" They're just down the street from me, 695 and 675 Richmond. I would venture a guess that the percentage of students living in both is well above 80%
And it amazes me that they all have the same uniform. Sweatpants, a Canada Goose jacket and some sun glasses (Even on cloudy days)
There is a niche for this sort of housing in London, but lets call a spade a spade, it's just a way for the developer to make some serious cash because these kids have parents who don't mind spending $1000 a month in rent. This will have absolutely zero impact on the student population as a whole, but I'm not apposed to more 18+ buildings in the city.

That is exactly how I am looking at it...if there is a market and people are willing to pay there is no question this should be built. As you mentioned there is a market this is already known.

Add in the fact it will also bring a couple nice 18+ buildings and it seems like a no braining.

[Simpseatles]

I've got a render, that was posted by London1 at Love London.

http://lovelondon.ca/ldrive/Suburbs/1235%20Richmond%20Street/1235%20Richmond%20Street,%20London.JPG

http://www.lovelondon.ca/showthread.php?75-1235-Richmond-Street-55-m-18-fl-Proposed

[MolsonExport]

^no. there is little exposed concrete. where is the stucco? All buildings in London must be exposed concrete/stucco! ;)

[MrSlippery519]

Wow that render looks incredible...lets hope that is what the final building looks like.

Molson...no more stucco!!!

[FazDeH]

Wow- very West Coast Seattle lookin'. 50/50 it doesn't look at all like this when finished though. Some of us old timers might remember that City place initially looked pretty good too... annnnnd well Molson must be happy with the end result.

[QuantumLeap]

Does anything know about what is going on with this particular application?

[MolsonExport]

Farhi is trying to get the city to pay for it ;)

[londoner_abroad]

I dont believe that Farhi has anything to do with this one.. and I also believe that this project is being held up in the OMB process for the time being.

[MolsonExport]

^i know, but it is a well-known joke (fact?) that Farhi enjoys a virtual monopoly on downtown office space, and also, getting the city to pay for his R/E.

http://www.gamesalute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/logo-mr-monopoly.jpg

[londoner_abroad]

[QUOTE=MolsonExport;5444388]^i know, but it is a well-known joke (fact?) that Farhi enjoys a virtual monopoly on downtown office space, and also, getting the city to pay for his R/E.

Hahaha yes I know all about Farhi. But correct me if I am wrong isn't this the proposal just south of the rivers north branch, just north of Old North and its a Student Housing Project??

[Simpseatles]

I don't have any pictures but it looks like this project is now under-construction. If I remember correctly it looked half-decent in the renders, so I have high hopes for this one!