Broccolini moves forward with three more warehouse projects
Broccolini is charging ahead with development of three huge mega warehouse projects—in London, Cambridge and Southwold—that could become fulfillment centres for Amazon.
Although the end user of each project has yet to be formally identified, the Montreal-based builder/developer has a long history of work with the e-commerce giant, and at least one of the sites has been mooted for an Amazon fulfilment centre for some time.
In Southwold, Broccolini announced the purchase of a 622-acres site that was previously home to the Ford Saint Thomas Assembly Plant. The plant closed its doors in 2011, and the vast tract of industrial land sits in an important transportation corridor for southern Ontario.
The developer has yet to formally announce plans for the site, but preparatory work, including grading and soil decontamination, is well underway.
“Elgin County’s location in Southwestern Ontario, proximity to the 400 series highways, and the vast potential of the existing Ford Lands, make this site a prime location for development,” said Elgin County Warden Tom Marks. “We are thrilled to have Broccolini building here and committing to Elgin County, further highlighting that Elgin County is a great place to grow, innovate, and do business.”
In Cambridge, Broccolini announced on July 2 that it has started preliminary work on the development of a state-of-the-art warehouse distribution centre at 140 Old Mill Road. The company has received a thumbs-up to proceed from both the City of Cambridge and the Grand River Conservation Authority, and will submit a formal site plan application in the coming weeks.
“This is another Broccolini project that will help the economic recovery in Ontario by creating hundreds of jobs during construction and over 500 long-term jobs when it opens,” said Broccolini’s VP of Real Estate Development James Beach. “We’re proud to participate in the local economy and help create commute-free employment opportunities for residents in the Cambridge area.”
The site plan application for the proposed development will include studies and impact assessments covering all aspects of the project, from noise, traffic and road improvements to groundwater recharge and wetland preservation, heritage policies, landscaping and buffering, and municipal servicing. Each of these elements will be subject to approval by the City of Cambridge and by the various concerned agencies before a building permit can be issued.
“This is an ideal location for a warehouse distribution centre, as it has direct access to the 401, and has already completed the public consultation process to be designated for industrial use,” said Delis Lus, Broccolini’s VP of Real Estate Development. “We intend to build a state-of-the-art facility that meets the highest environmental standards, both in terms of construction and ongoing operations.”
The 49-acre plot of land at 140 Old Mill Road and the neighbouring properties located at 128, 134 and 228 Old Mill Road total over 61 acres of developable land. The plots are owned by the Broccolini entity 140 Old Mill Road LP, and the area has been identified by the City of Cambridge for industrial business park use since 1999.
Meanwhile, construction kicked off on July 5 at the former Ford assembly plant in Talbotville near London. The sale of the site to Broccolini was confirmed last week, and the London Free Press has been told that the site will house a fulfillment centre for Amazon.
The Ford plant closed in 2011 after 44 years assembling cars, and was torn down in 2015. The 254-acre site has been for sale since at a cost of $22.75 million.
The site’s location near the intersection of highways 401 and 403, proximity to 403 and distance to Toronto, Michigan and New York makes it a prime candidate for a client the size of Amazon.
If all three sites are indeed built for Amazon, they will mark the ninth, tenth and eleventh projects either underway or completed for the company by Broccolini.
Featured image: Amazon fulfilment centre. (Amazon)