A portion of Ajax Plaza will be torn down following severe structural damage caused by the Ajax Plaza fire demolition order issued by the Town of Ajax.
The affected property at 226 Harwood Avenue South was heavily damaged after a fire swept through the commercial plaza in the early hours of February 2. Following a structural review, officials determined the building’s integrity had been significantly compromised.
The Town of Ajax’s Chief Building Official issued an Emergency Order mandating demolition, citing public safety concerns. According to the municipality, a structural assessment confirmed that the damage from the fire made the building unsafe.
The Ajax Plaza fire demolition began on Family Day and is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Officials stated that the demolition work will not disrupt access to neighbouring businesses, parking areas, or entrances within the plaza.
A third-party demolition contractor is managing the site, with a professional engineer overseeing safety measures throughout the process. Dust control and noise mitigation measures have been implemented, and the area has been fenced off to protect the public.
The building under demolition is part of a commercial plaza that has been under receivership for nearly six years. A court-appointed receiver is currently overseeing management of several properties in the plaza pending court decisions regarding ownership.
Ajax Plaza, along with the adjacent Harwood Plaza (formerly Harwood Mall), has served as a key commercial hub in the community for decades. Redevelopment plans under the Central Park Ajax mixed-use project stalled after the development entered receivership in 2021.
The Ajax Plaza fire demolition marks another significant development in the ongoing transition of the long-standing shopping area.
