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.

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.