Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has sold the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital property for long-term care homes and housing.
The 55-acre property, located in central Hamilton, will now be transformed through the Surplus Lands program into a mixed-use development featuring two new long-term care homes with a total of 512 beds, more than 1,100 housing units, new educational facilities, and conserved green space.
“As our province continues to age, it is critical we protect Ontario and our seniors by building the long-term care capacity needed to meet increasing demand,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “When the Hamilton site is fully developed, 512 long-term care residents will have a modern and comfortable place to call home.”
The Surplus Lands program also allows for excess lands to be repurposed for the benefit of Ontario families, including for housing, health care and educational facilities. Once fully developed, the Hamilton site will consist of:
- 512 new long-term care beds through the construction of two 256-bed homes
- 41 affordable housing units and 270 seniors’ housing units
- 832 market housing units
- 7 acres of land dedicated to Mohawk College
- 7 acres of land for municipal conservation use
- The preservation and conversion of Century Manor, local heritage building, into housing
The new long-term care development, named The Village of Fennell Ridge, will be operated by Schlegel Villages in partnership with community housing provider Indwell.
“This transformational project is the result of years of focused advocacy and collaborative work to bring a bold, community-centred vision to life,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “It delivers real, lasting benefits – new long-term care beds, supportive and affordable housing, and expanded opportunities for learning and care. Together, we’re building a healthier, more inclusive Hamilton.”
Ontario has a goal of building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province, as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.
James Schlegel, president and CEO of Schlegel Villages, called the redevelopment an “ambitious project” that reflects years of planning and collaboration. “We believe the revitalization of the Brow Lands will be something we will all be proud of,” he said.
Construction timelines and details about housing allocation will be announced in the coming months.
