A major commercial development is coming to the gateway entrance of Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake, and now residents can know what it will look like.
The Village announced the Clayfield Commons, an eight-acre mixed-use project featuring retail, office space, a grocery store, restaurants and a hotel, at Stratus Vineyards last night, with illustrations of the design.
The development is set to be completed by May 2026.
“I don’t think there’s been any bigger investment in Niagara-on-the-Lake that I’m aware of — we’ve lived here for some time,” said John Hawley, developer of the Village neighbourhood, which includes Clayfield Commons, in an interview with The Lake Report.
Hawley did not disclose the exact cost of the project.
But he says the development is expected to make millions of dollars annually and create at least 350 full-time jobs, along with hundreds of part-time positions.
“I think it will certainly be a tremendous asset for the future of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” he said.
Construction is already underway at 111 Garrison Village Dr., where a 102-room Clayfield Hotel is being built as part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. A new two-storey “next generation” Foodland is also in the works.
Hawley said the Village has full architectural control over the grocery store, which is why it is being called a “next generation” Foodland.
When complete, Clayfield Commons will offer 55,000 square feet of retail space with seven to eight new establishments and 28,000 square feet of office space. The site will include ample parking and a central outdoor square for events.
“(We) plan to have scheduled events on the outdoor square on a regular basis,” he said. “We really wanted to create a place that people love and will, you know, cherish.”
The development will feature a café and up to three restaurants, with a focus on highlighting creators and entrepreneurs in the Niagara region, Hawley said.
“We really want to showcase that,” he said.
The Clayfield Commons site already features a CIBC, Shoppers Drug Mart and The Village Medical Centre.
Hawley and his family are developing the site with David Feldberg, owner of Stratus Vineyards and President and CEO of Teknion.
“John and I are determined that Clayfield Commons and The Clayfield Hotel, like Stratus, reflect an unparalleled commitment to quality and design,” said Feldberg in a news release issued by the Village on April 16.
And despite the ongoing construction, the Farmers’ Market @ the Village will continue this year, Hawley said.
“It is tougher with the construction, but we don’t want to stop and (want) to carry on this year,” he said.
