A rare opportunity to reimagine a historic site, celebrate local character and plan thoughtful placemaking with the community.
The redevelopment of W.C. Wood Plant No. 2 in Guelph’s iconic Ward neighbourhood is a chance to reinvent a former industrial site with new housing, parkland, public realm and connections that will add new space and amenities to the existing neighbourhood.
Wood Development Group, a locally-owned development and real estate management company, will be leading the project. Wood Development Group has been a key part of creating spaces where people can live, work and connect with their neighbours in communities across Wellington County and Guelph.
The project site is identified in the Guelph Downtown Secondary Plan as a prime location for intensification. Between 2024 and 2026, Wood Development and its team prepared an Urban Design Master Plan for the site in consultation with the community and the City of Guelph. The redevelopment plan sets the vision for how this 9.7 acres will transform over time, including details on housing mix, building massing, design aesthetics, sustainability, accessibility, connectivity and green spaces.
Over the course of the plan development, the City updated significant policies around downtown heights (OPA106) and development approvals (The Downtown CPPS). The City has also received recommendations on heritage designation (Ward West HCD). These processes significantly impacted the project and were part of the protracted timelines to come to the final form of the document.
The Urban Design Master Plan will be presented at the Guelph City Council Planning Meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
This is the long‑term vision for how this former industrial site can evolve into a complete neighbourhood developed over the last few years in consultation with the community. There is still meaningful work and public input ahead in subsequent phased development applications before anything is built.
We are excited to be starting this journey and invite participation in the process with us!