Latest news with #SouthBarrie

On the map: Stalled South Barrie community comes back to life

National Post

27-07-2025

Business
National Post

On the map: Stalled South Barrie community comes back to life

A once-stalled housing development in South Barrie has been kickstarted by new owners, with Dunsire Developments now overseeing its multi-phase revitalization. The site at 700 Mapleview Drive East was acquired through receivership in August 2024 and has since been rebranded as Mira, a townhome community offering a range of unit types, occupancy timelines and pricing options. Article content Article content 'When we acquired the site, there were a number of partially constructed homes and incomplete infrastructure,' says Shawn Keeper, founder and president of Hamilton-based Dunsire. 'We took the opportunity to not only complete previously unfinished units, but also to add new housing types, updated architectural finishes and enhancements to the public realm, including thoughtfully designed parks, interconnected trails and vibrant streetscaping.' Article content Mira includes three main townhome collections ranging from 1,089 to 1,915 square feet. The Vista Collection offers two- and three-bedroom homes with open-concept layouts, oversized windows, balconies with French doors and, in some units, dens that Keeper says have proven popular with remote workers. The Metro Collection consists of three-bedroom stacked townhomes with balconies or patios, and the Legacy Collection includes traditional two-storey homes with three to five bedrooms. Many homes in the latter feature legal basement suites — referred to by Dunsire as 'FlexHaus' layouts — which include separate kitchens and living areas for rental income or multi-generational living. Article content A mix of immediate occupancy, 90- to 120-day closings and pre-construction units with 2026 completions is currently available. This flexibility has broadened the appeal of the development to a variety of buyer types, Keeper says, including first-time homeowners, families and investors. Many are coming from North Toronto, Vaughan and Brampton, drawn by Mira's location, pricing and access to transit. 'People want more for their money, and being steps from the Barrie South GO Station has been a major driver of demand,' Keeper says. All units feature nine-foot smooth ceilings, quartz countertops in kitchens and bathrooms, soft-close cabinetry, and energy-efficient HVAC systems and windows aimed at lowering utility costs. 'Our designs are focused on functional layouts, efficient use of space and lasting quality,' Keeper says. 'They're intended to meet the needs of today's homeowners while maintaining a consistent standard of quality.'

Barrie council backs $375M south-end multi-use complex after some tweaks to the plan

CTV News

12-06-2025

Business
CTV News

Barrie council backs $375M south-end multi-use complex after some tweaks to the plan

A sign for the future home of the south Barrie mixed-use Recreation Complex and Library. Barrie city councillors took another step forward with plans for a $375 million south-end recreation and library complex at Wednesday night's meeting, but not without making a few tweaks first. While most of the changes were modest, a few stood out, particularly a decision to scale back the size of the library component. The facility, which will eventually be built on a 100-acre site along McKay Road East, is being described by councillors as a game-changer for the city's fast-growing south-end. The centre will include a quad-pad arena, an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool, therapy pools, a triple gymnasium, a fitness centre, and multi-purpose rooms. 'I just wanted to emphasize how well received this has been in south-end Barrie," said Councillor Bryn Hamilton during the meeting. Library Space One of the more notable amendments saw the planned library space reduced from 45,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Council also directed staff to explore shared-use options for certain amenities, like washrooms, rather than constructing separate facilities for rec centre workers. Councillor Sergio Morales said the reduction wasn't a statement on the importance of library services overall. 'Just because we're reducing here specifically, it's not indicative of library need in general.' Sports Hall of Fame Another amendment will establish a permanent space inside the complex for Barrie's Sports Hall of Fame, currently housed at the Sadlon Arena. Councillor Gary Harvey supported the move, saying it would have more exposure at the new site. 'It's going to have a lot more foot traffic than what the Sadlon [Arena] will ever see.' Housing Development Council also gave the green light to a related housing development in the south end, rezoning a property near Essa Road and Mapleview Drive to allow for 458 street and block townhouse units, with an additional 66 optional dwellings for future purchasers. The revised proposal was given council's stamp of approval after a troubled first pitch. 'The first application was basically creating a small city within one stretch of about 25-acres,' said Harvey. 'Thankfully, a new applicant came in, but I think this is going to be a very positive addition to the area, opposed to having an empty field or a driving range at this location.' The recreational complex and all its amenities were passed by council, with construction still years away.