Construction is underway on the new Basswood Senior Residences in Brampton. (Photo: Kasian Architecture)

Construction crews have hit a milestone in the Peel Manor redevelopment that will bring nearly 200 new senior’s living units to Brampton, and will be the first-of-its-kind “mass timber” buildings in the city.

The project is called the Basswood Senior Residences, and will be the city’s first mass-timber construction – a type of sustainable build that uses large, engineered wood structure for its primary structural elements. The process of binding solid wood boards together to make walls, floors, columns and other design elements is more environmentally friendly and fire-resistant compared to traditional plywood construction.

In Brampton, the Basswood Senior Residences are a hybrid structure with the first story in concrete and the remaining eight residential stories constructed using timber.

Once completed, the 148,000 square foot development will add affordable housing units for 198 seniors, with some 44 per cent of the units being fully wheel-chair and barrier-free accessible, and include pull-under cook tops and sinks, accessible millwork, turning circles, and transfer spaces.

“Designed with ambitious Net Zero Emissions and Zero Carbon Building targets, the residence features a geothermal system, mass timber structure, and prefabricated building envelope,” designers Kasian Architecture say of the Basswood Senior Residences.

The region says recent milestones on the development include completion of the mass timber structure through the eight floor and completion of the panelized building envelope up to the seventh floor.

No opening date for the new residences have been disclosed by the Region.

“This project reflects Peel Region’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of seniors,” said Nancy Polsinelli, commissioner of Health Services for Peel Region. “By creating affordable homes for our growing senior population in our dedicated Seniors Health and Wellness Village, Basswood Senior Residences will help older adults age with access to care, community, and vital support.”

The old Peel Manor Seniors Rental Building was approved for demolition by the Region of Peel in 2019, and the region has since opened the Seniors Health and Wellness Village with 177 long-term care beds.

Earlier this year, the province said more overnight respite care is coming to a long-term seniors centre in Brampton thanks to more than $900,000 in annual funding. The Government of Ontario is giving over $560,00 in start-up funding and more than $901,000 every year to support ongoing overnight care at the Seniors Health and Wellness Village at Peel Manor.


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