Preliminary work has begun on the redevelopment of a London, Ont., hotel parkade as a multi-family project, The London Free Press reported..

The parkade is adjacent to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown London. Plans call for the construction of a 35-storey multi-residential tower.

The Free Press reported that the hotel’s parking garage at 300-320 King St. has been closed, and trees along King and Waterloo streets have been removed while the 433-unit development awaits final approval from city staff.

“I’m happy to see it,” Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira told the Free Press. “That’s exactly what I want to see in underutilized space, and it’s just perfect to be putting something like that there.”

A hotel employee confirmed to the Free Press that the garage will not reopen, as demolition is necessary for the project to proceed. According to the city’s online development application database, a building permit submitted in December remains under review, while a demolition permit was filed on Monday, the Free Press reported.

City council unanimously approved the development application for the tower in April 2023. The project is being developed by Royal Host GP and Nova Scotia-based Holloway Lodging, the owner of the Hilton. Holloway had previously explored converting some hotel rooms into residential units but later abandoned the plan, according to the Free Press. The company did not respond to the Free Press’ request for comment.

The development will include 5,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and a parking structure.

Ferreira, who previously served on the board of the nearby RBC Place convention centre, told the Free Press that the parking garage was underutilized and required repairs.

The project is one of several high-rise development projects transforming London’s skyline.

Pictured: Hilton hotel in London, Ont., that will be next to a multi-family project.

Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton