409 Brant Street Burlington: A Landmark Development Years in the Making

409 Brant Street

If you’ve been down Brant Street recently, you’ve probably noticed the demolition across from Burlington City Hall. The site at 409 Brant Street — after nearly eight years of planning battles, approvals, and community debate — is finally moving forward.

This project is set to transform downtown Burlington’s skyline and, depending on who you ask, either bring much-needed vibrancy and housing supply or forever change the character of the city’s core.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the history, the approvals, what’s being built, who’s expected to live here, and why this development is stirring up so much conversation. I’ll also keep this page updated as construction and sales progress, so bookmark it if you want to follow along.

The Long Road to Demolition

The story begins in 2017, when Reserve Properties, along with Graziani + Corazza Architects, filed a proposal to redevelop a block of Brant, John, and James Streets into a mixed-use high-rise tower.

In 2018, Burlington City Council approved a modified application:

• Up to 18 storeys of mixed-use space.
  
  
• Ground-floor retail to keep Brant Street active.
  
  
• Residential condominiums above.
  
  
• A rooftop amenity space.
  
  

But like most high-rise proposals in Burlington, it wasn’t simple. Appeals, design revisions, heritage considerations, and parking debates stretched the process for years.

Finally, in September 2025, demolition began. From proposal to shovel — eight years.

Heritage & Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

One of the most unique aspects of this development is its heritage component.

401 Brant Street, home of Kelly’s Bake Shoppe, is listed on Burlington’s Heritage Register. As part of the approval, the developer is required to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement, meaning the building cannot simply be demolished. Instead, it must be preserved and integrated into the new tower.

This move attempts to balance Burlington’s historic character with modern intensification — though opinions vary on whether heritage and high-rise can truly coexist.

What’s Being Built?

Depending on which plans you look at, the numbers vary slightly. Here’s the most consistent picture:

• Height: Between 18 and 24 storeys (recent approvals capped it at 66 metres including mechanical penthouse).
  
  
• Units: Around 200–227 residential units.
  
  
• Retail: Street-level commercial space along Brant Street.
  
  
• Parking: Reduced parking ratios — approximately 0.66 stalls per unit, with smaller stall dimensions compared to Burlington’s traditional standards.
  
  

When completed, this building will add hundreds of new residents to Burlington’s downtown core, right across from City Hall and steps from Spencer Smith Park.

Who Will Live Here?

This is the million-dollar question.

The City of Burlington has pitched this development as housing for everyone, with up to 25% of the units designated as “affordable.”

That could mean:

• Empty Nesters / Downsizers: Homeowners selling detached properties and moving into walkable downtown condos.
  
  
• Young Professionals / Couples: Attracted to lifestyle and location but priced out of Burlington’s detached homes.
  
  
• Renters: If the affordable housing pledge is implemented, some portion may be rental stock.
  
  
• Investors: Depending on the condo market cycle, some units could end up as investor-owned rental properties.
  
  

But here lies the controversy: Burlington’s version of “affordable” may still be out of reach for many, and critics argue that most units will still cater to higher-income buyers.

Market Timing & Sales Challenges

Demolition doesn’t mean construction starts tomorrow. Developers typically need to:

1. Build a sales centre.
   
   
2. Launch pre-construction sales.
   
   
3. Achieve about 70% sold before lenders release financing.
   
   

And here’s where the challenge comes in.

As of Fall 2025, Toronto alone has over 6,000 condos sitting on the market, with headlines shouting about a “condo crash.” Investor demand has cooled, and affordability challenges are widespread.

That raises the question: How quickly can Burlington absorb 200+ new units downtown?

For buyers, that could mean incentives or longer sales timelines. For the city, it could mean this project moves slower than expected.

The Pros

Supporters argue 409 Brant Street brings:

• Housing supply in a land-constrained market.
  
  
• Downtown vibrancy with more residents supporting shops and restaurants.
  
  
• Modern architecture replacing aging low-rise stock.
  
  
• Alignment with Burlington’s pledge to build 29,000 homes by 2031.
  
  

The Cons

Critics point to:

• Traffic disruption during years of construction.
  
  
• Reduced parking, raising concerns for residents and visitors.
  
  
• Loss of small-town character, with towers overshadowing Spencer Smith Park.
  
  
• Long construction timeline, meaning Brant Street could be a work zone for years.
  
  

The Bigger Picture: Condos Everywhere

409 Brant is not alone. Other approved or proposed projects include:

• 421 Brant Street
  
  
• Brock & James Street developments
  
  
• Towers along Lakeshore Road
  
  

Burlington’s downtown has been designated an Urban Growth Centre, which means intensification is not optional — it’s provincial policy.

The question is not whether condos will rise, but how many, how fast, and at what cost to Burlington’s identity. 

Conclusion

409 Brant Street is more than just another condo project — it’s a symbol of Burlington’s future.

It reflects the tension between growth and preservation, affordability and exclusivity, progress and disruption.

Demolition is only the first step. Ahead lies sales, financing, construction, and years of change for downtown Burlington.

Will it deliver on the promise of housing for everyone? Or will it stand as another luxury tower in the core?

Only time will tell — and I’ll keep this page updated as the project moves forward. 

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Roshan Basnet is a Real Estate Broker in Burlington and Oakville with Real Broker Ontario Ltd. He specializes in local real estate market trends, new development projects, and helping clients navigate buying, selling, and investing. For more, visit www.realtorroshan.ca.