New residential development coming to former Canada Post building in downtown Oshawa

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Atria Development has acquired a former Canada Post building in downtown Oshawa for a new development that will include mixed-use, mid-rise building that preserves the original building façade and unique architecture that have made 47 Simcoe Street South a significant landmark.

City officials say the development will modernize and preserve architectural features of the former Canada Post building.

“Atria’s commitment and positive impact to downtown Oshawa has been unprecedented. As the City continues to track impressive development milestones, we welcome Atria’s plan for 47 Simcoe Street South, which will modernize the former Canada Post building while preserving its rich history and architecture within our downtown,” said Mayor Dan Carter. “I am looking forward to upcoming virtual meetings with Atria’s senior leadership team to learn more about their proposal for the new development.”

The Post Office redevelopment will meet the growing demand for residential options in our city. In 2020, building permit values reached their 4th highest total in Oshawa’s history.

“Oshawa’s downtown core is the heart and soul of our city. Atria’s commitment to this newest development will play a critical role in the evolution of our downtown moving forward,” added Carter.

The residential sector led total construction values at $360 million. The Durham Real Estate Association continues to report on very strong interest in Oshawa, with a 28 per cent increase in residential transactions last year, while local developers see significant sales increases for new high-rise and low-rise developments. Atria’s newest development comes at a time of growing demand to locate within the downtown.

“Atria is focused on growing Oshawa’s downtown and is excited about this new opportunity. The adaptive re-use of the Post Office is at the core of what Atria does best – repurpose heritage buildings to revitalize Oshawa’s core. An example is the conversion of the iconic 1800’s heritage YMCA in downtown Peterborough to residential lofts. We fully expect that the Post Office will achieve similar success in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Oshawa,” said Hans Jain, President, Atria Development.

Atria’s investments within Oshawa have been significant, with projects such as 100 Bond Street East (a fully leased 12-storey residential building), 80 Bond Street East (a 20-storey, 370 unit residential high-rise now under construction at the corner of Bond and Mary) and Parkwood’s Residences (a 14-storey office conversion at Centre and Bond). This new acquisition will join Atria’s upcoming projects in Oshawa.

In 2019, Canada Post relocated its Durham East Delivery Depot to their newly constructed building at 301 Ritson Road North.