Top Construction Projects in Ontario

A healthy number of projects are planned or proposed in the industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) construction sectors of Ontario over the next several years. A report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat lists the projects by region, industry, building type, project stage and value. Additionally, the report lists the top 10 projects for each ICI sector. Following is a breakdown of the sectors: Industrial: In the industrial sector, the report indicates that $72 billion worth of projects are planned or proposed, much higher than at the same time last […]

A healthy number of projects are planned or proposed in the industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) construction sectors of Ontario over the next several years.

A report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat lists the projects by region, industry, building type, project stage and value.

Additionally, the report lists the top 10 projects for each ICI sector.

Following is a breakdown of the sectors:

Industrial:

In the industrial sector, the report indicates that $72 billion worth of projects are planned or proposed, much higher than at the same time last year.

Most of the industrial projects are expected to start between 2014 and 2021. Northern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will see the greatest amount of industrial construction.

The metals and minerals sector will drive industrial construction in the North while large-scale projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and a refurbishment at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station are the main drivers in the GTA.

The largest share of upcoming projects in the industrial sector is expected to start in 2016 and will include major oil pipeline work as well as nuclear refurbishment projects, along with major mining projects.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the industrial sector are:

  • Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto by Metrolinx (started) – $4.9 billion
  • OPG Darlington Nuclear unit 2 life extension by OPG (Q4 2016) – $3.2 billion
  • Scarborough Subway extension by Metrolinx (2018) – $2.8 billion
  • Spadina Subway extension in Toronto by the TTC (started) – $2.6 billion
  • Bruce Power unit 4 life extension by Bruce Power (Q3 2016) – $2.5 billion
  • Bruce Power unit 3 life extension by Bruce Power (Q1 2019) – $2.5 billion
  • Confederation Line LRT in Ottawa by City of Ottawa (started) – $2.1 billion
  • Nakina Chromite/Nickel/Copper Ore Railway Transportation System in Thunder Bay by KWG Resources (Q4 2016) – $2 billion
  • Hurontario-Main LRT in Peel Region by Metrolinx (Q4 2014) – $1.6 billion
  • York Viva Bus Rapid Transit in York Region by Metrolinx (started) – $1.4 billion

Commercial:

In the commercial sector, the report indicates that $17 billion worth of upcoming projects is being tracked, nearly 20 per cent higher than at the same time last year.

Mixed-use residential and commercial buildings account for the lion’s share of the increase.

Regionally, the largest gains are in the GTA and Eastern Ontario. Values are also higher in Southwestern and Northern Ontario but are lower in Central Ontario.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the commercial sector are:

  • Hotel, retail/residential development in Niagara Region by 2302846 Ontario Inc. (preparing plans) – $500 million
  • Apartment buildings, offices, retail in Toronto by Amexon Development Corp. (preparing plans) – $354 million
  • Loretto Academy Conference & Banquet Centre in Niagara Region by Romzap Ltd. (preparing plans) – $350 million
  • Office building, retail in Toronto by Sweeny and Co. Architects Inc. (preparing plans) – $288 million
  • Condo, apartment buildings, retail, office in Toronto by Projectcore Inc. (preparing plans) – $266 million
  • Apartment, townhouse, medical and office, retail in London by Fincore Group (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo apartment towers and retail in Peel Region by Solmar Homes Inc. (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo apartment building and retail in Peel Region by Baif Developments Ltd. (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo, retail and hotel development in Halton Region by Mayrose-Tycon Group (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Residential, commercial development in Toronto by Dunshorn Holdings (preparing plans) – $200 million

Institutional:

The total value of institutional projects is higher than last year, reversing the downward trend of the last three years.

However, the report notes that institutional investment, even if it does trend higher, is likely to be subdued due to the end of fiscal stimulus measures by governments.

According to the report, the GTA will capture the largest share of the institutional work.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the institutional sector are:

  • Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in Vaughan by Infrastructure Ontario (tenders being reviewed) – $1 billion
  • CFB Trenton improvements by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $840 million
  • Providence Care Hospital in Kingston by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $810 million
  • Women’s College Hospital redevelopment in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $460 million
  • Milton District Hospital redevelopment in Milton by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital redevelopment project phase 1 in Burlington by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP closed) – $350 million
  • Michael’s Hospital patient care tower in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • William Osler General Hospital phase 1 patient tower in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Ottawa by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP closed) – $350 million
  • Cambridge Memorial Hospital main capital redevelopment project in Waterloo Region (contract awarded) – $175 million