London city council has allowed the construction of a 30-storey high rise rental building in a downtown neighbourhood, drawing scrutiny from area residents and a tenant advocacy group.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, politicians voted 11-4 to approve York Developments’ request to build the high rise at 550 Ridout St. N. and 82-90 Kent Street — a property that currently houses a significantly smaller building with 30 affordable units and three rental homes.
Marilyn Hart, 92, uses a walker to travel and is worried construction will hinder her ability to travel. (Hayden King/XFM News)
“I just think it’s ridiculous to be tearing down affordable housing to put up this high rise, which these folks will never be able to afford to live in,” said Marilyn Hart, 92, who lives nearby.
Hart is one of many seniors who live in the area and uses a walker to travel. She says construction is going to bring challenges.
“We’re not going to be able to hardly get in and out of our laneway while they’re tearing down and getting going,” she said.
Hart told XFM News she and her 99-year-old friend regularly walk together to the nearby Blackfriars Bridge.
“Well, that’s going to be not feasible once they start working here,” she said.
Mayor Josh Morgan was among the politicians who voted in favour of the approval.
Coun. Skylar Franke was among the councillors in favour, however she originally was not, citing that the drawbacks outweighed the possible benefits.
In a letter submitted by York Developments President Ali Soufan to council, Soufan offered “relocation compensation of $10,000 per residential unit, substantially exceeding the statutory minimum; or relocation of qualified tenants to one of our similarly affordable units in the nearby downtown core, Southwest London, or Northwest London.”
Coun. Franke said that residents are also paying anywhere from $1000-$1500 a month for rent.
Coun. David Ferreira was one of the few councillors in opposition, citing planning policies and concerns for losing affordable housing.
“We’re not pushing hard enough. We’re not fighting hard enough, for London,” Ferreira said.
Members of London ACORN were present at the meeting holding photographs of the existing building with a red outline of a high rise drawn over.
London ACORN East of Adelaide Chair Jordan Smith, pictured March 4, 2026. (Hayden King/XFM News)
“We’re really dismayed at the process,” said Jordan Smith, chair of the east of Adelaide chapter of London ACORN.
“There’s all kinds of rules and bylaws in place that York has just totally left out of the bag and expected that this is going to get the golden carpet treatment anyway, and it did,” Smith said.
Soufan stated in his letter to council that York will seek to submit for site plan approval as soon as possible, with the hopes of obtaining building permits by early 2027.
