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As drivers crossing the Garden City Skyway look towards the city of St Catharines, their eyes could soon catch a new sight dominating the city skyline. A 30-storey mixed-use condominium, spearheaded by Elite Developments, is proposed to rise from the city's commercial core. Upon completion, the development would stand as the tallest building in the city, representing another step forward in the urbanization of the 'Garden City'.
The project has been submitted by the developers with a Site Plan Approval application for site, known municipally as 88 James Street, near the northeast corner of King and James streets, a little less than 2 km south the QEW. Designed by srm Architects Inc, the 30-storey structure, 99.14m in height, would be comprised of 276 units spanning a gross floor area of 22,325m².
The building would be multi-purpose, housing residential condominiums and retail outlets. The ground floor would be dedicated to commercial/retail space while a six-storey parking podium would cater to residents and visitors. The amenities for residents are planned for the seventh floor, including an outdoor rooftop space, while the bulk of the residential units would occupy floors eight to thirty.
To facilitate the development, the three-storey commercial building currently onsite is to be demolished. Additionally, the developers are looking to acquire an extra parcel of land located immediately to the northwest, which is part of the landscaped courtyard of the neighbouring Centennial Public Library. This strip, abutting the property, does not contain any buildings and its development would not impede access to the library. As of today, the property acquisition request for this 368m² parcel is under consideration by the city.
Moreover, the location of the development is not just significant due to its place in the city's commercial core. Situated within Niagara’s only Urban Growth Centre, it's designed to be a focal point for accommodating population and employment growth. This aligns with St Catharines' recent growth, with the city witnessing a population increase of more than 30,000 since 2016.
The building's design also aligns with broader civic plans. The development proposal includes a significant financial contribution from the developer for the necessary reconstruction of James Street, which would create a pedestrianized civic space.
Environmental sustainability implications have also been considered in the project. The mixed-use development supports the city's transit-oriented development objectives, and the resulting pedestrianization of James Street will provide increased passive recreation, active transportation, and greenery options for people to experience.
Targeting completion in 2027, 88 James Street would not only change the view from the Garden City Skyway but would also reshape the experience within Downtown St Catharines. As the city's tallest structure, it is a testament to the continuous growth and urbanization of the Garden City.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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