Episode 7 of London Right Now covers new entertainment on Wonderland Road South, a big makeover for White Oaks Mall and a proposed apartment building on Sarnia Road. Plus a very nervous chicken.

Activate is coming to Wonderland Road South

Activate, the interactive gaming chain that started in Winnipeg, is opening a London location at 3198 Wonderland Road South. Groups of friends or families move through 11 game rooms, jumping, dodging and solving their way through more than 100 games. The company lists London as "coming soon" and hasn't posted a firm opening date yet (Activate London).

It's another sign of how much Wonderland Road South has filled in over the past decade. Entertainment, restaurants and big-box retail are a big part of why south London neighbourhoods appeal to families.

White Oaks Mall is reinventing the former Hudson's Bay space

White Oaks Mall is redeveloping the former Hudson's Bay space with bowling, new restaurants and plans for a hotel. In the episode I run through the names attached so far, including Splitsville, Swiss Chalet and Wingstop. CTV News London reported on October 22 that the plans include a hotel and an entertainment centre, with the mall sitting on London's upcoming bus rapid transit route (CTV News London).

What it means for homeowners: Between this and IKEA's new store at White Oaks, the mall is turning into a destination again. Reinvestment like this, plus rapid transit, tends to make the surrounding south London neighbourhoods more attractive to buyers.

801 Sarnia Road: 170 apartments proposed

A proposed eight-storey residential building at 801 Sarnia Road would add about 170 apartments, including 17 affordable units, in the west end near Western University.

Sarnia Road has been a flashpoint for this kind of intensification. In September, city council voted against a rezoning for an eight-storey Sarnia Road apartment proposal after strong neighbourhood pushback (106.9 The X), so it's worth watching how this one moves through the process.

What it means for buyers and renters: London needs more rental supply, especially near Western. If you own nearby or are thinking of buying in the area, it's useful to know what's proposed around you. Ask me and I'll walk you through what's planned for your neighbourhood.

Thinking about buying or selling in London?

I'm Craig Powell, a REALTOR® with Team Glasser Real Estate Brokerage Inc. Request a free, no-pressure home evaluation, see what homes near you recently sold for, or search homes for sale.

New episodes of London Right Now come out every week on YouTube. Which of these developments are you most excited about? Tell me in the comments on the video.

Episode 6 of London Right Now was a big one for jobs and investment: Hitachi Energy is building a nearly half-billion-dollar factory in London, Fanshawe College opened a $20-million immersive training centre, and a new independent supermarket is coming to Blythwood Road.

Hitachi Energy is investing $479 million in a London factory

Hitachi Energy is putting C$479 million into a new 21,000-square-metre factory in London that will make electrical insulation pressboard and laminates, the materials used inside power transformers. It will be Canada's first pressboard manufacturing line and Hitachi Energy's first in the Americas. The company expects more than 100 permanent skilled jobs, with completion targeted for 2028 (Hitachi Energy).

The project has government backing too: $20 million from the federal Strategic Response Fund, up to $20 million from the Invest Ontario Fund, and another $10 million from Natural Resources Canada.

What it means for London: Long-term manufacturing jobs are some of the most stable demand drivers a housing market can get. Skilled, permanent positions bring people who rent first and then buy, which supports housing demand right across the city.

Fanshawe College opens a $20-million immersive training centre

Fanshawe College has opened its WSIB Centre of Excellence in Immersive Technologies Simulation for Workplace Safety, backed by a $20-million investment from the WSIB. The 9,000-square-foot facility uses VR, XR and AI to simulate high-risk workplace situations, from training public safety personnel to mental health applications (CTV News London).

Between this, the aviation training contract we covered in Episode 5 and the college's growth overall, Fanshawe continues to be one of the biggest economic engines in the city's east end.

JH Supermarket comes to 820 Blythwood Road

JH Supermarket was set to open on Friday, October 23 at 820 Blythwood Road, adding another major grocery option to northwest London.

What it means for buyers: When I'm showing homes, "what's close by?" comes up in almost every conversation, and groceries are near the top of the list. New everyday amenities like this make the surrounding streets more convenient, and convenience is something buyers notice.

Thinking about buying or selling in London?

I'm Craig Powell, a REALTOR® with Team Glasser Real Estate Brokerage Inc. Curious what your home is worth with all this investment coming to London? Request a free, no-pressure home evaluation, search homes for sale, or get in touch.

New episodes of London Right Now come out every week on YouTube. Which of these stories will have the biggest impact on London? Tell me in the comments on the video.

Episode 5 of London Right Now landed on Thanksgiving weekend with three stories from London and Elgin County: St. Thomas cutting building permit fees for apartment projects, Fanshawe College landing a training contract with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and Porter Airlines adding more flights out of London International Airport.

St. Thomas cuts permit fees for apartment buildings

St. Thomas is lowering building permit fees for apartment projects. It's a small lever, but fees are one of the many costs that get baked into rents and purchase prices, so anything that trims them makes new rental construction easier to justify.

It wasn't the only St. Thomas housing news this month. A few days after the episode aired, the federal and provincial governments announced up to $19.6 million for the city in exchange for reducing development charges on new homes (CTV News London).

What it means for buyers: St. Thomas keeps growing alongside the new industrial development at Yarmouth Yards. If you're weighing St. Thomas against south London on price and commute, it deserves a spot on the shortlist. Search homes for sale or ask me how the two compare right now.

Fanshawe College will train RCAF aircraft technicians

The Royal Canadian Air Force has partnered with Fanshawe College on a four-year, $34.4-million contract. Fanshawe's Norton Wolf School of Aerospace, Information & Defence Technologies will deliver aircraft maintenance, avionics and structural repair training to up to 282 RCAF students a year, starting in January 2027 (Fanshawe College announcement).

The classes themselves run at CFB Borden, but it's another vote of confidence in London's aerospace programs. Put it next to the rocket facility announced for the London airport (covered in our October episode) and aviation is becoming a real part of London's economic story.

Porter adds more flights from London

Porter Airlines announced its first London routes in August: seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Cancún and Montego Bay starting this November and December. On October 6, it followed up with five new year-round domestic routes for spring 2027: Halifax, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montréal (Saint-Hubert) starting April 12, and Edmonton starting May 6 (Travel Market Report).

What it means for homeowners: More direct flights make London an easier choice for people who travel for work or have family across the country. It's one more reason London keeps showing up on relocation shortlists, and one less reason to drive the 401 to Pearson.

Thinking about buying or selling in London or St. Thomas?

I'm Craig Powell, a REALTOR® with Team Glasser Real Estate Brokerage Inc. If you're curious what your home is worth in today's market, request a free, no-pressure home evaluation. Buying? Start with my buyer resources or get in touch.

New episodes of London Right Now come out every week on YouTube. Have a local story I should cover? Leave a comment on the video.