Barrie no longer just a gateway to cottage country

Barrie may have once been best known as the “gateway to cottage country,” but that’s history. Indeed, the days when this city of 153,356 was little more than a popular getaway destination are long over.

Barrie has long been a thriving city in its own right. It has moved on from being a bedroom community for Toronto, about 100 kms south, to build its own increasingly diversified economy, with a focus on education, healthcare, information technology and other sectors.

And not to mention becoming a growing new home destination, but let’s come back to that.

Demonstrating its strengthening business mettle, every year, Barrie hosts industry experts, executives, investors and entrepreneurs from across Ontario at the annual Manufacturing Innovation Summit (MIS). Presented by the Business Development Bank of Canada, in partnership with the County of Simcoe, the City of Orillia, Georgian College and Lakehead University, the event strives to help manufacturers maintain competitiveness and maximize productivity.

This year’s MIS, which took place Oct. 16 and 17, was the seventh annual event.

“Our manufacturing sector across Simcoe County is strong and growing,” says Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke. “This summit not only serves to foster new business ideas and industry networking, but also provides insights on growing local labour opportunities within our manufacturing sector.”

“The manufacturing sector is a key economic driver in our city and region,” adds Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall. “Recent years have highlighted the need for innovation in all sectors and manufacturing is no exception. This event provides the opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes and stages to connect, share best-practices and get inspired for what’s next in the sector.”

Diverse economy

Further illustrating a focus on economic development, the City has partnered with Sandbox Centre to make regional resources for innovation and entrepreneurship more accessible to local businesses. Opened in 2019, Sandbox Centre is the first private sector-led innovation hub in Ontario.

And in September, Barrie was recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for three economic development initiatives. One of the awards was for an initiative with Access Barrie to launch a business attraction campaign with the purpose of positioning the city as the perfect place for entrepreneurs to start, grow or scale their business.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate the City’s Invest Barrie team and our community partners on being recognized internationally for their collaborative efforts to address skills development in the manufacturing sector, growth of Barrie’s entrepreneur community and support for the region’s growing craft beverage industry,” says Nuttall. “In Barrie, we’re fortunate to have a network of community partners and businesses dedicated to strengthening our local economy.”

It is exactly these types of initiatives that make Barrie so appealing for real estate. Economic development means employment, jobs attract residents and residents translate to housing demand.

The city’s ability to attract younger residents is influenced by its growing reputation as a place for families and young, active professionals. Recent GO Transit expansion has made it easier for professionals to live in Barrie, where it’s more affordable, and work in Toronto or some other stop along the way.

All of this makes Barrie one of the healthiest housing markets in Canada, though, like many areas in Ontario, the city has seen some price pressure recently.

In June, for example, residential sales were up 22.8 per cent on a year-over-year basis. Sales activity in surrounding areas posted a sizable gain of 24.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis.

“Home sales have been coming in relatively stronger over the past three months compared to earlier in the year, slowly building momentum in the recovery,” Lindsay Percy, chair of the Barrie & District Association of Realtors, said at the time.

Looking at a longer-term view, for the third quarter of 2023, home prices in Barrie seem to be holding their own.
Managing such growth – and addressing housing affordability – is a top priority for mayor Nuttall, who was elected last year on promises to address the growing pains of an expanding city and “unleash Barrie’s potential for a thriving community for its residents.

“You shouldn’t have to work in Toronto to afford a home in Barrie,” he said in is pre-election campaign. “Housing costs too much in Barrie. Rental rates are too high. We need a mix of homes so there can be something affordable to all individuals who want to live here. Barrie residents are being priced out of the housing and rental market, and as a result are stretching themselves too thin financially. This needs to change.”

He says he is committed to creating housing opportunities for Barrie residents, by building more housing in designated high-density areas, with lower project approval wait times.

New home development

As part of the provincial government’s stated objective to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, Barrie, with a target of 23,000 new homes, is currently 90-per-cent on pace to hit this goal.

For new home development, much of the activity is taking place in the south end of the city, where townhomes and condos are the prevalent housing type, to appeal to first-time buyers and downsizers.

Among the developers active in the city is Pratt Homes, one of Barrie’s largest and most established homebuilders. The company has not one but two condo communities underway in the southeast – Bistro 6 and Elements Condominiums.

Bistro 6 Condominiums draws inspiration from culinary culture and contemporary living. Its six midrise buildings coexist with acres of protected land. Merely minutes from the GO station, Park Place Shopping Centre and downtown Barrie’s waterfront, Bistro 6 fosters connections through food and community. Innovative amenities such as a culinary community kitchen, outdoor kitchen, yoga retreat, basketball court and a gym, emphasize a wholesome lifestyle. Suite layouts showcase spaciousness and practicality, with well-appointed kitchens at their core.

This project is sold out, but Pratt has a limited number of move-in ready suites for sale. These one-, two- and three-bedroom units span from 740 to 1,379 sq. ft.

Next door to Bistro 6, Elements Condominiums integrates nature into residents’ living spaces. With natural elements such as water, fire, earth and air, Elements promotes a stress-free, health-conscious lifestyle. The building’s foyers feature an indoor tree, a welcoming fireplace and tranquil waterfall, fostering a serene atmosphere. Outdoor fire pits, art installations and a jogging track with fitness stations encourage residents to commune with nature and one another. Every suite at Elements boasts a spacious four-season solarium balcony, providing a year-round connection to the outdoors. With water and air purification systems, these homes ensure a clean and healthy living environment. Elements includes three midrise buildings: the Luna, which is sold out; Nova, a future release; and SOL, which is now selling. These suites, priced from the $500,000s, range from 770 to 1,300 sq. ft., merging value and luxury.

Also in the area is Mason Homes, which is building FOUR10 Yonge, a collection of loft-inspired urban townhomes, backing onto Willoughby Park at the corner of Yonge Street and Little Avenue. With three levels of living space up to 2,100 sq. ft., designs include sun-filled interiors showcasing hard-wearing vinyl plank flooring, gourmet-inspired kitchens, private master bedroom retreats, direct access single- and double-car garages, and rooftop terraces up to 500 sq. ft.

Live, work and play

Tourism still plays an important role in the local economy, with the historic downtown and waterfront among the major attractions. The downtown area hosts numerous annual festivals and events, such as The Barrie Waterfront Festival, Barrielicious, Winterfest, Jazz & Blues Festival, Promenade Days, and Ribfest and Craft Beer Show.

Barrie is also home to Kempenfest, one of the largest outdoor arts and crafts celebrations in Ontario.
During the winter months, people still flock to the area’s nearby ski hills – Horseshoe Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, and a little further afoot, Blue Mountain.

Then, of course, there’s the hometown Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, who play out of the Sadlon Arena downtown.

+ Location, location, location

Located in Simcoe County in the northern part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, about 100 kms north of Toronto, 36 km to Orillia; population 153,356.

Key landmarks

• Centennial Park & Beach
• Georgian Theatre
• Heritage Park
• MacLaren Art Centre
• Sadlon Arena
• Waterfront Heritage Trail

Select housing developments

Bistro 6
By Pratt Homes
pratthomes.ca

Braestone Horseshoe Valley
By Georgian Communities
georgianinternational.com

Elements Condominiums
By Pratt Homes
pratthomes.ca

Essa Towns
By Centreville Homes
essatowns.com

FOUR10 Yonge
By Mason Homes
masonhomes.ca

Friday Harbour Resort
By Geranium
geranium.com

Midhurst Valley
By Geranium
geranium.com