Reimagine Southdale reaches construction milestone as new public housing takes shape

A topping-off ceremony was held Monday for the Reimagine Southdale housing complex.

A bold plan to create more public housing in London has reached an important milestone.

On Monday, a topping-off ceremony was held for the second building (phase two) of the Reimagine Southdale project by London and Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH).

A plaque was unveiled recognizing the efforts of construction and architectural partners along with LMCH staff in reaching the final height of the six-storey building at 955 Southdale Rd. E.

Even as the ceremony was underway, workers continued installing windows and preparing the interior of the building.

“Now we’re going to do the important work to make this building a home for 53 households,” explained LMCH CEO Paul Chisholm. “So, it’s going to be about 12 months until its completed. We expect people to be moving-in, in the summer of 2027.”

The first of three new buildings that will be part of Reimagine Southdale opened to tenants’ last fall.

Eventually, a total of 177 families will be housed in a mix of affordable and rent-geared-to-income units.

Reimagine Southdale is a multi-phase renewal project that is transforming the LMCH property on Southdale Road through new housing, improved accessibility, modern design and long-term reinvestment in LMCH communities.

The project avoided significant property acquisition costs by demolishing part of an LMCH townhouse complex to create space for the three new high-rises.

The remaining townhouses received exterior upgrades and tenants will be able to access new amenities including a basketball court.

“I had a chance last week to speak to the CEO of Build Canada Homes Ana Bailão, and we talked about this project,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan. “I invited her to come down and see it. This is the kind of innovation that can be repeated here in London [and] across the country.”

Morgan hopes all levels of government can work together on similar projects.

“It needs to be at the top of all our agendas because when we work together, we can actually tackle this issue,” Morgan added.

Chisholm also emphasized the importance of partnerships to making Reimagine Southdale a reality.

“We are all working together to the same goal, clean, safe, well-maintained and affordable housing,” he said.

Construction of the third high-rise (phase three) is currently in the design stage.

“We expect to be having conversations with the city and the planning department and our board in the coming months,” Chisholm added.