Developers Oxford Properties Group, in conjunction with Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), announced plans on January 22 to create the largest mixed-use downtown development in Canada.

The plans would transform the 130-acre Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga into an 18-million square foot master planned community. Once complete, the development would comprise more than 18,000 residential units, a transit mobility hub connected to the Hurontario LRT, community buildings, parks, green spaces and modern office spaces.

Although the Square One District, as it’s currently known, would be a multi-phase, multi-decade project, construction of the first two residential towers is already scheduled to begin this summer. An additional 5,000 housing units are expected to be launched in the next five to seven years, say the developers. The long-term vision for the site is to build as many as 37 towers.

To deliver the first phase of housing, Oxford and AIMCo are partnering with The Daniels Corporation, a Toronto-area builder that has a history of more than 35 years in the region. Daniels will build the first two residential towers—with a total of 402 rental apartments and 575 condominium suites. Located at the southeast corner of Rathburn Road and Confederation Parkway, The Rental Residences and The Condominiums of Square One District will stand 36 and 48 storeys respectively.

The first phase of construction alone is estimated to create 3,500 jobs. The developers expect to create 6,500 jobs in total in the first five years of development, and 35,000 over the life of the site master plan.

"Square One District is a bold vision to repurpose underutilized land in the heart of downtown Mississauga to create an entirely new mixed-use urban community," said Eric Plesman, executive vice president and head of North America for Oxford Properties. "Our ambition is to build a community more than 35,000 people will be proud to call home. This new community will support employment with world-class office space to help businesses grow while maximizing the positive impact of new transit being developed in Mississauga. It will be a place where business, life and leisure can come together as one."

Taking into account rental housing shortages in the GTA, Square One District will include more than 18,000 residential rental units, as well as easy access to transit.

Square One District will be anchored by the Square One Shopping Centre—one of the country’s most successful malls. Square One attracts 25 million shopping visits annually and has seen more than $500 million in improvements over the past five years.

Office space will also play an important role in the development. The new office towers will be the first commercial development in downtown Mississauga in a generation. Oxford will begin marketing the first office tower to prospective tenants this spring. 

"This is a real opportunity to deliver a walkable, downtown district in Mississauga that gives residents and workers an exceptional array of destination retail, food and entertainment options,” said Mark Cote, Oxford Properties' head of development, Canada. “Square One District is about creating a true mixed-use community. We will work collaboratively with the City and its residents to build a vibrant downtown that meets the evolving needs and aspirations of Mississauga for generations to come."