Oshawa is changing, and a new private-sector project, officially launched Friday, October 16, is clear evidence of a revitalized city.

Atria Development, a Toronto-based company, is building a $60 million mixed-use project at 100 Bond St. E. A crane is on site, and work is well underway on the 12-storey structure, which will accommodate 239 upscale rental apartments, along with stores and restaurants at street level.

“It is the type of development that we want to see. The project will provide a downtown lifestyle in a brand new building, and we want more people living, as well as working, in the city centre,” says Councillor John Aker, Chair of Oshawa’s Development Services Committee. “It will also provide services and places to eat for all the people at the new provincial courthouse next door.”

Atria principal Hans Jain says the time is right in Oshawa. “All around we see renewal; new shopping, restaurants, cultural amenity spaces, the symphony playing downtown, the GM Centre, so you have a community where people can live, work, shop, and be entertained.”

This evolution, coupled with low rental vacancy rates of 1.7 per cent and the increasing interest of professionals, young families and empty nesters to live downtown close to work and services, led Atria to launch its ambitious development. A second phase of two towers and 500 more units is planned.

“It’s probably the best piece of land in the city,” says Jain, pointing to the YMCA facilities next door, the new mall with Costco, a major grocery chain, Panera Bread and other retailers a block away, and convenient access to Oshawa’s new restaurants and cultural offerings.

For more information on the 100 Bond St. E. development, visit the Atria website.