City of Greater Sudbury Issues Permit for Demolition of Former Sudbury General Hospital

A demolition permit for the former Sudbury General Hospital, commonly known as “the old hospital,” was approved and issued by the City of Greater Sudbury earlier today. This marks a significant step toward supporting impactful housing growth and redevelopment in strategic areas of the city.

"Demolishing the old hospital has been a top priority for our community for far too long and it’s something I’ve heard about from residents almost every week since taking office," said Mayor Paul Lefebvre. "I made a commitment that we would see action on this file, and I’m proud that today we’re delivering. We’re not just clearing away a long-vacant building; we’re creating space for what’s next in this location and all of the historic growth that we're achieving together across our city." 

The City received a complete demolition permit application from the property owner in late July. This application was prioritized by City Council and staff, enabling Building Services to review, approve and issue the permit in less than half the typical 30-day review period. The property owner, Panoramic Properties, will have one year to commence demolition under the terms of this permit.

The Sudbury General Hospital opened in 1950 and closed in 2010. Panoramic Properties purchased the site shortly thereafter. In 2012, City Council approved a rezoning of the property from Institutional and Park to Residential High Density, paving the way for future residential development.

In December 2023, Panoramic submitted applications proposing three residential buildings ranging from 12 to 20 storeys. The proposed development includes 109 retirement home rooms, 421 residential units, shared underground parking, and 380 square metres of restaurant space. Public hearings were held in April and November 2024, after which the City’s Planning Committee approved the proposal with a holding provision requiring transportation network upgrades. This provision took effect in January 2025.

The completion of the demolition permit is one of two conditions in Panoramic’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) grant agreement with the City for the construction of its 83-unit residential project at 30 Cedar St., known as Scotia Tower. This condition was added through an amendment to Panoramic’s CIP application introduced by Mayor Lefebvre and supported by Council in October 2024. Through the Strategic Core Areas CIP, Panoramic will be eligible for a grant of $1,717,500, pending completion of the demolition to the satisfaction of the City’s Chief Building Official and once occupancy is granted for the Cedar Street project.

By linking the hospital site’s demolition to the grant approval, Council has reinforced its commitment to achieving meaningful redevelopment outcomes at both locations.

For more information on demolition permits in the City of Greater Sudbury: https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/building-and-renovating/building-permits1/demolition-permit/

For more information about Community Improvement Plans, including the Strategic Core Areas CIP: https://www.greatersudbury.ca/do-business/planning-and-development/community-improvement-plans-and-incentive-programs/