Heavy equipment, concrete trucks and drilling rigs have moved onto the former Cowan House property at the corner of Centre Street South and Athol Street West, directly beside St. George’s Memorial Church and across from Oshawa City Hall.
The site has sat largely vacant since the demolition of the historic Cowan House in 2022. Now, foundation work appears to be underway for a new residential development that could become one of the most prominent new buildings in downtown Oshawa.
According to planning documents, the project consists of a proposed 16-storey residential tower containing approximately 171 units. The development received support through the City’s Urban Growth Centre Community Improvement Plan, which was created to encourage investment, housing development and revitalization in Oshawa’s downtown core.
The Cowan House site has been the subject of discussion for several years. The historic home, which stood on the property for more than a century, became the focus of debate between heritage advocates and developers before ultimately being demolished. Since then, the empty lot has remained a visible reminder of both Oshawa’s history and the challenges of balancing preservation with growth.
Today, however, the property is beginning a new chapter.
The construction activity currently visible on site appears to be focused on deep foundation work. Large drilling equipment, excavators, concrete trucks and steel materials suggest crews are installing the structural foundations that will support the future tower. While the building itself has not yet begun to rise above street level, the groundwork being completed now is one of the most important phases of the project.
The location makes this development particularly significant. Situated beside the historic St. George’s Memorial Church and directly across from Oshawa City Hall, the site occupies one of the most recognizable corners in the downtown area. Thousands of residents, workers and visitors pass through this section of the city every week.
As Oshawa continues to grow, downtown development has become an increasingly important topic. New residential projects are being proposed and constructed throughout the city centre, bringing additional housing opportunities while supporting local businesses, restaurants and services. Supporters argue that increasing the downtown population will help create a more vibrant and active urban core, while others continue to raise questions about traffic, infrastructure and the preservation of community character.
Regardless of where residents stand on the issue, the activity now taking place at the former Cowan House property signals that another major chapter in Oshawa’s evolution is underway.
With foundation work progressing, residents can expect construction activity to continue throughout the coming months. If work remains on schedule, the first visible signs of the tower itself could begin appearing above street level later this year.
