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Long before walkable communities became popular buzzwords in urban planning circles, developer Patrick D’Amore dreamed of such a community when he bought 160 acres in 1974 opposite what is now Windsor Crossings premium outlets mall in LaSalle.
With approval from LaSalle council Tuesday, that dream would be one step closer with the addition of what will become the largest commercial development in the town’s history.
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The D’Amore Group and Petretta Construction will build a 25-acre development worth $200 million containing just over 250,000 square feet of retail, including a Food Basics grocery store that will offer more diverse product selection, and a major brand hotel, at the corner of Heritage Drive and Sandwich West Parkway.
The development will be called The Shoppes at Heritage.
The commercial project is part of a grander vision that has already seen significant residential construction take place over the years in partnership with Barrie Rubin (Head Construction), which contributed the remainder of the 215-acre development.
Chasing the Canadian dream
“We’re both first generation Canadians and our fathers came to this country from Italy chasing the Canadian dream,” said D’Amore Group president Scott D’Amore of both his father and that of project partner Davide Petretta.
“Both started working with their hands. This project was my father’s dream when he bought the property, and he lived there until he died in 2011.
“His idea was, that if you didn’t want to, you would never have to leave this property. Everything would be within walking distance — grocery stores, retail, doctor’s offices, parks, schools …
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“That was his vision and this commercial development will complete that.”
When the two-phase project is completed, it’s expected to create 400 to 500 new jobs.
The first phase of the project, at just over $125 million, is scheduled to begin in early 2025 and will be open for business by the fall. It will add over 150,000 square feet of retail space.
Among the businesses included in the first phase will be the Food Basics, a Shopper’s Drug Mart, Dollarama, a McDonald’s, Pet Smart, Tim Hortons, Taco Bell and a Osmow’s Shawarma. Negotiations are ongoing to secure a financial institution among national brand retailers.
“National retailers are seeing what is happening around this site,” said Petretta Construction president Davide Petretta, whose father Mario was also a co-founder of Oscar Construction before starting the firm that bears his name.
“They see all the residential and economic growth that is now demanding commercial services.”
The second phase of the development, worth another $75 million and adding over 100,000 square feet, will feature a hotel offering facilities for both the overnight and longer-term guests.
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“It’s a national brand (hotel) with a huge membership,” said Petretta, whose company also built the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Lakeshore at Manning Road and is currently constructing a Marriott TownPlace Suites in Tecumseh.
“A lot of people travel on awards points, so that program was a huge part of the decision.”
Petretta added there are currently 25 retail tenant spaces scheduled to be constructed.
“Phase one has 50 per cent signed leases. In terms of negotiations, it’s 70 per cent.
“Once this thing is announced, we’ll start to see all the local retailers also come out. When we start, we’ll service 70 per cent of the site.”
Though the development will sit opposite the 207,000 square feet of retail space at the Windsor Crossings mall, D’Amore and Petretta don’t see the project in direct competition.
“Windsor Crossing won’t have a full-service grocer and they won’t have the service mix we’ll have,” said D’Amore, who credited LaSalle council and the town’s administration for having the vision to get the project over the finish line.
“They won’t have a hotel and they haven’t had a sit-down restaurant for some time now.
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“I think we’re creating one big power centre of commercial-related services. We’ll be bringing value to (Windsor Crossing) also.”
D’Amore said the development will service more than just the Heritage Park area of LaSalle. He expects the plaza to also draw South Windsor residents.
“LaSalle is the fastest growing area of Essex County, but South Windsor is also densely populated,” D’Amore said. “National retailers can see this area is under-serviced.”
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Petretta, whose firm will handle more of the construction responsibilities, added the plaza won’t have a uniform architectural style as Windsor Crossing does.
“We’re attracting national brands with their own distinctive look in their buildings,” said Petretta, whose company builds similar commercial developments across Canada.
“We can customize the look of the building for any tenant.”
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