Lakeridge Gardens
In response to the urgent need for additional long-term care capacity exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Government and Infrastructure Ontario launched the Accelerated Build Pilot Program—an ambitious initiative designed to fast-track the delivery of new LTC homes. The program leveraged hospital-owned land and an innovative design-build delivery model to accelerate approvals, compress timelines, and deliver much-needed capacity in densely populated urban areas where land availability is scarce and development is complex.
As Lead Architect, G architects played a central role in the delivery of Lakeridge Gardens, a 320-bed long-term care home located in Ajax and sponsored by Lakeridge Health. This $100+ million, 265,000 ft², six-storey project was designed and built in just 18 months—from concept to occupancy—making it one of the fastest large-scale LTC builds in provincial history.
G architects led a multidisciplinary design team, including Parkin Architects and Quasar Consulting Group, in close collaboration with PCL Construction and a wide range of stakeholders. Our role extended well beyond design: we worked hand-in-hand with the hospital operator, clinical teams, sub-trades, and authorities to ensure the facility delivered on all fronts—clinical performance, resident wellness, IPAC compliance, constructability, and long-term sustainability.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project’s success was underpinned by a fully integrated and collaborative approach. Our team led phased approvals and permitting, coordinating with the Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and municipal staff to manage zoning amendments, site plan approvals, and phased building permits—all while construction was underway. Community stakeholder engagement and capital planning submissions were also fast-tracked within this compressed schedule.
The resulting home prioritizes resident-centered care and infection prevention, with custom household layouts, generous outdoor spaces, and enhanced clinical infrastructure. Lakeridge Gardens has become a national benchmark for accelerated delivery of long-term care—demonstrating what’s possible when innovation, urgency, and collaboration align.
Project Awards
Best of the Best Awards, Innovation Award
Toronto Construction Association
2023
Innovation and Excellence Capital Project Award
AdvantAge Ontario
2023
Global Best Project - Healthcare
Engineering News-Record
2022
Best Component Project Award
Offsite Construction Awards
2022
CLIENT
Lakeridge Gardens
VALUE
+$100M
YEAR COMPLETE
2022
SCOPE
Full Architectural Services
Accelerated LTC Design-Build Delivery
Phased Approvals & Stakeholder Engagement
SIZE
6-storeys, 265,000 ft²
G architects served as Lead Architect, guiding the design and stakeholder engagement throughout the project. Key elements of the scope included:
Long-Term Care Design Leadership: Led design for 320 beds across six storeys, integrating operational requirements, clinical workflows, and resident experience.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated closely with Lakeridge Health, clinical teams, subconsultants, and construction partners to ensure design solutions met program, regulatory, and operational objectives.
IPAC and Regulatory Compliance: Ensured all spaces met infection prevention and control standards, building codes, and MLTC requirements.
Integrated Delivery Support: Worked alongside PCL Construction and a multidisciplinary design team to coordinate permitting, approvals, and phased construction while maintaining schedule and quality.
PROJECT SCOPE
CHALLENGES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Delivering a large-scale LTC facility in just 18 months presented significant scheduling and coordination challenges. G architects addressed these by closely integrating design, approvals, and construction, ensuring stakeholder alignment and proactive problem-solving. The project balanced technical compliance, resident wellness, and operational efficiency, ultimately achieving a facility that supports high-quality long-term care delivery. Lakeridge Gardens is now recognized as a benchmark for accelerated LTC delivery in Ontario, demonstrating the potential of collaborative design-build strategies.
