Grand Trunk Renewal Project

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Colour, aerial photo of the Grand Trunk site in Stratford, Ontario (2025). Birds-eye view from a drone. Shows the University of Waterloo (Stratford Campus) in the foreground at bottom left and the structure in the background. The photo was taken on a gray, cloudy day. [Cropped]. Image ©Superkül, 2025.

The Grand Trunk site in Stratford, seen from the air. The university campus is in the bottom left, and the structure is in the background. (Image ©Superkül, 2025)


Stratford's Grand Trunk site is an 18-acre municipal development property, adjacent to the downtown core. It features an historic former steam locomotive repair superstructure that is currently vacant, measuring 160,000 square feet (14 864.5 square meters). The property's size and proximity to downtown make it an ideal location for a variety of active uses. The site is home to the YMCA of Three Rivers and the University of Waterloo’s School of Interaction Design and Business.

The site is envisioned as a place for education, community, health, culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with spaces, places and services for both residents and visitors. The City’s goal is to transform this site into a vibrant focal point of the community.

Currently, the City Council and staff are working together on the next phase of the project. This phase involves exploring developer interest in the site's potential, especially for housing and the structure's clean-up and adaptive reuse. Creating a shared community facility on site is also under consideration, with the YMCA and the Library as key partners. Parking improvements may also be assessed.

Stay informed, share your opinion!

We want to hear from you! Stay involved and informed by joining the public conversation on the project. Watch here for updates, including dates for public engagement opportunities.


Colour, aerial photo of the Grand Trunk site in Stratford, Ontario (2025). Birds-eye view from a drone. Shows the University of Waterloo (Stratford Campus) in the foreground at bottom left and the structure in the background. The photo was taken on a gray, cloudy day. [Cropped]. Image ©Superkül, 2025.

The Grand Trunk site in Stratford, seen from the air. The university campus is in the bottom left, and the structure is in the background. (Image ©Superkül, 2025)


Stratford's Grand Trunk site is an 18-acre municipal development property, adjacent to the downtown core. It features an historic former steam locomotive repair superstructure that is currently vacant, measuring 160,000 square feet (14 864.5 square meters). The property's size and proximity to downtown make it an ideal location for a variety of active uses. The site is home to the YMCA of Three Rivers and the University of Waterloo’s School of Interaction Design and Business.

The site is envisioned as a place for education, community, health, culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with spaces, places and services for both residents and visitors. The City’s goal is to transform this site into a vibrant focal point of the community.

Currently, the City Council and staff are working together on the next phase of the project. This phase involves exploring developer interest in the site's potential, especially for housing and the structure's clean-up and adaptive reuse. Creating a shared community facility on site is also under consideration, with the YMCA and the Library as key partners. Parking improvements may also be assessed.

Stay informed, share your opinion!

We want to hear from you! Stay involved and informed by joining the public conversation on the project. Watch here for updates, including dates for public engagement opportunities.

Greetings from the Grand Trunk of the Future!

Imagine the Grand Trunk in the future. Write a story to a future community member describing what you hope their experience is like there. Make it as personal and creative as you'd like!

Keep in mind that accepted submissions may be posted for others to see, so please do not include any information that you're not comfortable sharing publicly.

***
NOTICE OF COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
The personal information you may choose to share is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, for the purpose of gathering and sharing stories related to the Grand Trunk building. Questions about this collection should be directed to the City Clerk at 1 Wellington Street, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, ON, N5A 6W1, by phone to: 519-271-0250 extension 5329 or by email to: clerks@stratford.ca

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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  • Share Honouring our past while boldly stepping into.the future. on Facebook Share Honouring our past while boldly stepping into.the future. on Twitter Share Honouring our past while boldly stepping into.the future. on Linkedin Email Honouring our past while boldly stepping into.the future. link

    Honouring our past while boldly stepping into.the future.

    by Shannonthegreat, almost 2 years ago

    Imagine stepping into a vibrant, revitalized Grand Trunk Building, a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly to create an inspiring community. Elements of the historic facade stands proudly, a nod to the building's storied past as a home for majestic steam engines. Yet, as you step inside, you are greeted by a space that pulses with life, innovation, and community spirit.


    In this future Grand Trunk, the echoes of the past are alive in the repurposed brick and steel, now housing a dynamic mix of residential spaces, thriving businesses, and inviting community areas. Picture yourself waking up in a... Continue reading

    Imagine stepping into a vibrant, revitalized Grand Trunk Building, a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly to create an inspiring community. Elements of the historic facade stands proudly, a nod to the building's storied past as a home for majestic steam engines. Yet, as you step inside, you are greeted by a space that pulses with life, innovation, and community spirit.


    In this future Grand Trunk, the echoes of the past are alive in the repurposed brick and steel, now housing a dynamic mix of residential spaces, thriving businesses, and inviting community areas. Picture yourself waking up in a sunlit apartment, where the design thoughtfully integrates the building's industrial charm with contemporary comforts.


    Each morning, you join fellow residents in the shared coffeehouse, a cozy nook where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with friendly conversations. Businesspeople and freelancers gather here, their laptops open, ideas sparking across the communal tables. The Grand Trunk isn't just a place to live—it's a place to create, innovate, and collaborate.


    As the day unfolds, the building's bustling corridors lead you to workspaces where local businesses thrive. Entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals from all walks of life find a supportive environment, fostering a culture of growth and sustainability. The Grand Trunk's adaptive design ensures that every corner serves a purpose, from pop-up shops showcasing local crafts to tech startups developing the next big innovation.


    Community spaces within the Grand Trunk invite you to relax and connect. Imagine an expansive rooftop garden where residents and community members come together, tending to urban vegetable plots, sharing stories, and watching the sunset over coty hall. Inside, a spacious atrium hosts cultural events, workshops, and gatherings that celebrate the diverse talents and interests of the community.


    In the evenings, the Grand Trunk transforms into a communal haven. Picture families, friends, and neighbors gathering in the open-air courtyard, where children play and adults unwind, sharing meals and laughter. The sound of live music drifts from a corner stage, adding to the warm, inviting atmosphere.


    The Grand Trunk of the future is more than just a building; it's a testament to what can be achieved when we honor our past while boldly stepping into the future. It's a place where we honour our manufacturing roots and look towards the future where community and innovation coexist.

Page last updated: 14 Apr 2026, 04:13 PM