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.
