Former General Electric property in Oakville purchased by developer

A long-dormant property in Oakville where light bulbs were once manufactured has taken its first step towards redevelopment.

The General Electric (GE) site located on South Service Road has been purchased by a real estate development company that has intentions to create modern uses for the land.

The Rose Corporation today (July 24) announced its acquisition of the 27-acre former manufacturing site for $45 million.

Located just east of Trafalgar Road, a remaining structure on the property can still be seen on the south side of the QEW.

It is considered the largest single parcel of land in what is now known as Midtown Oakville.

“We couldn’t be more excited to acquire this prime parcel of land,” said Daniel Berholz, president of The Rose Corporation. “The property, and its central location within the Midtown Oakville neighbourhood, offers Rose an unparalleled opportunity to play an important role in the town’s vision to create a vibrant and diverse community where people will be able to ultimately live, work and play.”

The plant closed in 2010 but was once a thriving enterprise producing incandescent, fluorescent and halogen light bulbs for the North American market.

GE opened the site in 1946 and at times employed up to 200 workers, mostly from Oakville with some following in the footsteps of their parents.

While most of the facility was demolished, the office building remains having been designated a heritage structure by the Town of Oakville because of its Art Moderne style. It’s not yet known how the office building will fit in with future plans.

As for the entire site, past designations would only allow uses for industry, offices or hotels, but now with the demand for more housing, condos and townhouses are now clearly in the picture for the property as well as space for stores and restaurants.

“Our team is looking forward to engaging with key stakeholders to identify and implement the best uses for this site,” added Berholz.

Information supplied by The Rose Corporation points out the area has been designated for urban expansion and intensification and that the property sits within 400 m of the Oakville GO terminal expansion area, two km from downtown Oakville and is within walking distance of the Oakville Place Mall.