Barrie is poised for a transformative leap in urban growth with Piveon Developments’ proposal for a five-tower complex at 145 Bradford Street. Presented at a recent neighborhood meeting, this ambitious project would bring residential towers ranging from 46 to 56 storeys—plus a hotel—to the city’s Urban Growth Centre. If realized, it would redefine Barrie’s skyline with a scale comparable to major developments in Toronto.
Project Overview
The development site includes two adjoining parcels at the northeast corner of Bradford and John streets, just two blocks from Kempenfelt Bay. The primary site at 145 Bradford Street spans 12,278m² and currently sits vacant, while the smaller parcel at 48 Ellen Street, measuring 1,009m², is occupied by a single dwelling. Together, they form a prominent block in Barrie’s transitioning Urban Growth Centre, within walking distance of downtown amenities and the Allandale Waterfront GO Station.
Design and Building Features
Jones Consulting Group outlined plans for five towers rising from a shared 10-storey podium:
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Four residential towers at 46 storeys each
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One mixed-use tower stepping up to 56 storeys with a hotel component
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Height Range: 46–56 storeys (119–173 metres)
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Podium: 10 storeys with landscaped terrace on the 11th level
BlogTo reports that the tallest tower will house an 80-suite hotel on its top 10 floors, while the rest of the complex will deliver 1,582 new homes—including 19 townhouses and 1,563 apartments. Of these, 316 units will be designated affordable rentals.
Unit Mix and Amenities
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Total Units: 1,582
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Apartments: 1,563
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Townhomes: 19
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Affordable Rentals: 316
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Hotel Suites: 80
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Amenity Program: 2,237m² of indoor and 412m² of outdoor spaces
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Elevators: Four per tower (1 per 60 units); six for the podium suites
Outdoor and indoor amenities will be distributed across lower levels and rooftop terraces, providing communal spaces for residents while breaking up the tower massing with landscaped open areas.
Site and Transit Connectivity
The development site is only 900m (13-minute walk) from the Allandale Waterfront GO Station, providing direct commuter access to Toronto. Bradford Street is also served by Barrie Transit’s Route 8 bus to the Downtown Terminal. Dedicated bike routes and nearby parks will further connect the project to active transportation networks.
Landscape and Environmental Plans
The podium’s perimeter will feature townhouse-style units along Ellen Street, while landscaped pathways and open spaces will weave between towers at grade. A slope restoration plan includes planting 470+ new trees and 830 native shrubs along the Don River West Branch ravine.
Construction Trades and Workforce Needs
This large-scale project will require an extensive array of construction trades and professionals:
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Site Preparation & Excavation Crews: For foundation and grading work
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Concrete Workers: For podium and tower cores
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Structural Steel Specialists: For high-rise framing
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Masonry Crews: For podium façades and townhouse exteriors
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Mechanical & Electrical Contractors: For HVAC, power distribution, and life-safety systems
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Glazing Installers: For curtain walls and tower windows
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Elevator Technicians: For high-capacity residential and hotel service
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Landscaping Teams: For tree planting, pathways, and ravine restoration
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Finishing Trades: Carpenters, painters, tilers, and flooring specialists
The project would generate significant employment opportunities across multiple trades, supporting Barrie’s growing construction sector.
Community Context and Comparisons
Barrie’s skyline is already evolving with projects like the Debut Waterfront Residences at 33 storeys, currently the city’s tallest. However, each tower at 145 Bradford Street would surpass that record, ranging from 46 to 56 storeys. This proposal signals Barrie’s entry into a new era of high-density, transit-connected urban living.
Nearby proposals include towers at 325 Bogert Avenue (27 storeys) and others closer to Toronto-style scale, but none match the transformative ambition of this five-tower complex.
Conclusion
The proposed 145 Bradford Street development is more than a housing project—it is a statement of Barrie’s future as a rapidly urbanizing city. With its sheer scale, mix of housing types, hotel accommodations, transit connectivity, and extensive amenities, the project promises to reshape the city’s skyline while creating thousands of construction and long-term jobs. Though still in the early stages of public consultation and zoning review, this ambitious vision reflects the next chapter in Barrie’s growth story.
