Ontario Construction News staff writer
The new Central Library in Guelph is getting close to finishing, with the current Main Library set to shut down on Feb. 1 and the new building at 1 Baker St. expected to open in April 2027. On Sept. 29, the library board approved a plan that will let staff transfer collections, set up technology, train workers, and get the building ready for its opening.
This three-storey Central Library will serve as the centerpiece of the Baker District redevelopment, which is a significant mixed-use project that also includes an underground parking garage and two public squares.
The city has allocated around $62.1 million for the library’s budget. Melloul Blamey Construction is managing construction for the library, parking garage, and public-square parts of this project.
Diamond Schmitt Architects are in charge of designing the library, with help from RJC Engineers, Smith + Andersen, Stantec, and other consulting firms involved.
The new facility features a spacious glazed atrium along with community meeting spaces, makerspaces, an archive section, areas for children and youth, plus a rooftop terrace.
Construction of Library Square is also in progress and it should be operational by 2027. Some features like decorative planters, benches, tiered seating arrangements, stairs, ramps and walkways connecting to future residential buildings will be finished as construction continues into its next phase.
The housing part of Baker District is projected to start construction in 2027. Windmill Development Group through Baker Street Development Inc. plans to build two mixed-use towers at 55 Baker St., along with properties at 152 and 160 Wyndham St. N.
The current design includes a north tower with 17 stories and a south tower with 19 stories offering a total of 401 residential units alongside commercial spaces on the ground floor plus parking and other amenities.
DTAH serves as the architect for this residential development while GSP Group provides planning services.
The planned order of construction indicates that they will first build the underground parking structure followed by podium levels including an interconnecting bridge structure leading up to both towers.
This residential project is likely to unfold in phases with work on the north tower starting slightly ahead of others.
Wyndham Square will be built after completing both residential towers. The city anticipates that all remaining work on Library Square along with Wyndham Square will wrap up by 2030.
The goal of Baker District is to add more housing options and public spaces right in downtown Guelph while enhancing pedestrian access between the Central Library and surrounding streets along with new residential developments.
Moving into this new library will free up space at the existing Main Library site located at 100 Norfolk St. The city recently bought this property for $3.69 million intending to look into future housing developments there including affordable below-market options.
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