The City of Oshawa has received a site plan approval application for a major new residential development at 0 Athol Street West that would partially replace the city’s public parking lot 4 with a 23-storey apartment building containing 274 residential units.
The proposal, submitted by IPM, calls for at least 96 of the 274 units to be designated as affordable housing, addressing a growing need for accessible housing options in downtown Oshawa. The building would also include a ground-floor medical clinic, adding much-needed healthcare services to the city core.
The development represents one of the tallest residential projects proposed in Oshawa and signals continued interest in intensifying the downtown area as the city grows. Located on Athol Street West, the site sits in the heart of Oshawa’s downtown corridor, close to transit, shopping and municipal services.
The project’s proposed parking plan includes 73 public parking spaces to replace the existing city public parking lot, ensuring that downtown visitors and workers will still have access to municipal parking. Of those 73 spaces, four will be accessible spaces, including one Type A and three Type B, located across levels P1, 01 and 03. The city has not disclosed how many spaces currently exist in lot 4.
The medical clinic will have 30 dedicated parking spaces, including one accessible Type A space on level 01. The residential portion of the building will include 156 parking spaces across levels 03 to 06, with seven accessible spaces comprising three Type A and four Type B.
City staff have reviewed the site plan to determine compliance with the Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards and have developed a recommendation for consideration by the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee will evaluate whether the proposed accessible parking and building features meet the city’s standards before the project moves forward.
The development comes at a time when Oshawa and the broader Durham Region are experiencing significant population growth and increased demand for housing of all types. The inclusion of 96 affordable units in the proposal reflects a growing trend among municipalities to require or incentivize affordable housing components in new developments.
For downtown Oshawa businesses and residents, the project promises to bring new foot traffic and economic activity to the area while also replacing existing public parking capacity. The addition of a medical clinic on the ground floor would provide a convenient healthcare option for both building residents and the surrounding community.
The Athol Street proposal joins a growing list of residential developments transforming downtown Oshawa, as the city continues to evolve from its industrial roots into a more urbanized regional centre. With Durham Region’s population projected to grow significantly over the coming decades, developments like this one will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oshawa’s downtown core.
The application will continue through the city’s approval process, with further public input opportunities expected as it moves through committee and council review. Residents interested in the project can follow updates through the City of Oshawa’s planning department.
