Windsor is about to see one of its most ambitious urban developments in decades — and it could finally connect two of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Local developer and business owner Ashok Sood has secured the final piece of land needed to move forward with Walkerville Village, a massive project that has been over 20 years in the making.

A 20-Acre Transformation

The site spans 20 acres bordered by Walker Road, Richmond Street, St. Luke Road, and Edna Street. The last parcel — 5.3 acres — was purchased from Imperial Oil for $1.3 million, giving Sood full control of the land.

This stretch of property sits directly between trendy Walkerville and the fast-growing Ford City restaurant and boutique district, creating a rare opportunity to link the two communities with new housing, retail, and walkable streets.

What’s Planned for Walkerville Village

The vision is bold:

• 1,000 residential units spread across 10 to 12 mid-rise buildings (4 to 6 storeys each)
• Units ranging from 500 to 800 square feet designed to be reasonably priced and accessible to a wide range of residents
• Condos, retail spaces, and walkable design focused on accessibility and transit
• A new central promenade, extending Whelpton Street across the property to Walker Road, tying directly into the City Market — also developed by Sood

Perhaps most importantly, the site — once home to bulk fuel storage — is being fully cleaned and redeveloped into a healthy, sustainable community.

Why It Matters for Windsor

This isn’t just another housing project. Walkerville Village has the potential to:

• Provide much-needed housing supply in a city where options are tight
• Bridge Walkerville and Ford City, helping unify two of Windsor’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods
• Draw new retail investment, potentially including larger players like supermarkets
• Create a new urban destination for living, dining, and working

Ward 5 councillor Ed Sleiman has already called it a “good concept” and sees it as something for the community to look forward to.

When Will Construction Start?

Sood has said the project is essentially shovel-ready. With building permits expected soon, digging could begin by the end of this year.

That means Windsor residents may not have to wait much longer to see Walkerville Village start to rise.

Final Thoughts

Walkerville is already one of Windsor’s hottest neighbourhoods, and Ford City has quickly become a go-to spot for boutique dining and local culture. Linking the two with a development of this scale could be a game-changer.

The big question: Will Walkerville Village live up to its promise and finally connect these neighbourhoods the way residents have been hoping for?