The pre construction begins on landmark downtown Oshawa development as work officially gets underway on a major residential project that is expected to transform part of the city’s urban core.
Permits have now been issued for foundation work at the Medallion development on Bruce Street, marking an important step forward for a project that has faced delays due to economic conditions. The development site is located at Bruce Street and Charles Street, just south of the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa.
The first phase of the project will include two residential towers — one 10 storeys tall and the other 23 storeys — with plans for up to 575 residential units in the initial stage.
Once the entire project is completed, the 24-acre property will contain more than 2,200 residential units, including apartment buildings and townhomes, along with retail and office space at street level. Plans also include the extension of Eulalie Street, which will improve connectivity within the downtown area.
The development site has remained vacant for decades. The land was previously home to a fittings factory that manufactured cast iron pipe fittings for 85 years before closing in 1987. The facility was later demolished in 1990 after being damaged by fire and years of neglect.
Medallion Corporation purchased the property 15 years ago, intending to eventually redevelop the large brownfield site into a residential community.
Originally, construction was expected to begin in fall 2024, but shifting market conditions forced the developer to request additional time before moving forward with the project.
With permits now issued and equipment arriving on site, city officials say visible construction activity is expected to increase in the coming months. Foundations for the new buildings are now expected to be completed by fall of this year.
If the project moves forward as scheduled, the first phase of the development could be ready for occupancy by December 31, 2028.
Oshawa Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, who chairs the city’s Economic Development and Development Services Committee, recently visited the site and said it is encouraging to finally see progress on a project that has been discussed for many years.
“Permits have been let, we have machinery on site and surveyors are here,” Marimpietri said. “Our partners are building housing in a way that will benefit the community in the long term.”
Another supporter of the project is Oshawa Councillor Rick Kerr, whose ward includes the downtown area. Kerr said the project is now on a schedule that will allow it to qualify for development incentives, meaning construction activity should begin soon after final inspections and preparation work are completed.
The Medallion project is expected to play a significant role in revitalizing downtown Oshawa, helping bring new residents, businesses, and activity into the city centre.
City leaders say the development will also help address the growing need for housing in the region.
“This landmark development by Medallion Corporation is one of many approved and active projects in Oshawa’s urban core,” Marimpietri said. “It will bring approximately 575 new residential units to the heart of our downtown while reshaping Oshawa’s skyline in a bold and positive way.”
Officials say the project represents another step toward the long discussed goal of revitalizing Oshawa’s downtown core.
“For years, we’ve spoken about revitalizing our downtown,” Marimpietri added. “Today, we are building it.”
