New Urbanism tackles suburbia's sprawl

Ontario developer Remington Group Inc. is hoping homebuyers and businesses are hungry for an alternative to suburbia with its Downtown Markham project.

Situated in the heart of Markham, the Downtown Markham project will combine condominium residential, office and retail spaces all within walking distance of parks and public squares.

Inspired by the so-called New Urbanism developed by the late Jane Jacobs and other critics of suburban sprawl, the project will boast nearly 10,000 permanent residents and 16,000 workers within the next 10 years when the project is completed.

The company is already selling Downtown Markham as a progressive, pedestrian-friendly and environmentally responsible alternative to suburbia. "Wave au revoir to stores inside fluorescent-lit shopping mall fortresses surrounded by a sea of surface parking and say bienvenue to charming streetscapes basking in natural light," reads the Remington Group's website.

Says Bratty: "It's not what my competitors would have done, and I'm glad we bought into this type of development," adding that while he was inspired by similar multi-use projects in Florida and Ohio, he can't think of anything comparable in size.

Once it is built, Downtown Markham will offer 4,000 residential units, along with 4.5-million sq. ft. of office space and 750,000 sq. ft. of retail shopping.

Part of the project, a facility for Motorola, was started five years ago, and Bratty notes that no significant opposition to the project has emerged among local residents.

Bratty said that Downtown Markham's marketing is aimed primarily at young couples and empty-nesters - people who don't necessarily need a big house or a wide backyard. Remington will sell its residential properties at a price "a cut above the norm for Markham" and still own and manage the income-producing retail and office sections. Bratty sees retail space renting for $25-$35 per sq. ft. and office space renting between $18-$22 per sq. ft.

Downtown Markham emerged from civic planning talks between Markham residents, business owners and municipal leaders nearly 15 years ago.

Link: Business Edge News Magazine - businessedge.ca - Ontario Edition - New Urbanism tackles suburbia's sprawl.