With the limited availability of affordable land, there aren’t many opportunities for developers to create master-planned communities. But, our friends over at Pinnacle International have taken hold of a prime piece of land in Mississauga and will be maximizing it to its full potential!

Recently debuted by our friends over at Pinnacle International, Uptown Mississauga has already received a significant amount of praise from those within the new home builders community, as well as purchasers and locals who appreciate the long-term vision that Pinnacle is bringing to the corner of Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue.

For those unaware, the corner of Hurontario and Eglinton has been vacant for years, awaiting someone who had the vision and wherewithal to give the site the attention that it deserves.

Last week, we had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Yim of Pinnacle International, where we picked his brain about Pinnacle’s long-term vision with Uptown Mississauga, and what first attracted them to the area.

NewInHomes.com (NIH): What brought Pinnacle to Mississauga?

Tom Yim (TY): Pinnacle was emphatically impressed by the city’s outstanding growth and potential. It’s no secret that this city boasts the second largest concentration of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the country – combine that with one of the most multicultural societies around, and you get a strong and vibrant city on a meteoric rise.

NIH: What kind of impact do you hope Uptown has on Mississauga?

TY: We believe that the area of Pinnacle Uptown in Mississauga will be the cornerstone for the evolution of the next prominent area of Mississauga.  Even within our own master-planned community, we already have a number of buildings and townhouses planned, but beyond that there is definitely room for continued growth of new projects and community infrastructure as the neighbourhood and surrounding area evolves over time.

NIH: What are some of the key highlights of Uptown?

TY: One of the key highlights of the area is that over 40% (14.8 acres) of the Pinnacle Uptown master plan will be dedicated to the city for public parkland use.  Located at one of the city’s most popular thoroughfare streets, Hurontario, the location provides unparalleled convenient access points to the 401, 403, and QEW highways going in and out of the city.  The dynamic mix of all types of projects from high-rises to townhomes in our area development design plan will yield a superb amalgamation of energy and tranquility.

NIH: What are some of the exciting long-term plans for Uptown?

TY: What’s exciting is that an entirely newly designed neighbourhood is being born, just a five minute drive from city centre downtown, but just at an arm’s length enough to escape the immediate hustle and bustle of the core.  Also, with the establishment of the Pinnacle Uptown community, the paramount Light Rail Transit plans for Hurontario have gained considerable momentum as the future residents and infrastructure of the area promises a population support that the LRT requires for successful sustainability.

NIH: What type of feedback have you received from purchasers/locals?

TY: Responses have been excellent; from clients, to public meetings, to city staff, the support has been overwhelmingly positive with a sense of great excitement to see a new neighbourhood grow in such a central area. This area just north of the bustling city centre appears to be ready to be crowned Mississauga’s next potential action hub.

NIH: What new project should people be looking for at Uptown Mississauga?

TY: Well, we recently successfully launched Crystal tower two much earlier than we anticipated (less than three months after the first tower).  Also planned for this year, for phase 2 of this master planned community, will be the exclusive and luxurious townhomes project and we enthusiastically look forward to that as well.

NIH: What do you believe the atmosphere of the area will be like once Uptown is completed?

TY: Once all the buildings are up and the master plan is complete, the area will be transformed into a beautiful community of residences, businesses, and an abundance of park space to complement. Located along arguably the most vibrant street in Mississauga, this new area will exude the atmosphere of a relaxed suburban life while having the energetic undercurrent of a big city running through the ambience of the area.

NIH: Who have been the purchasers at Pinnacle Uptown thus far?

TY: During this first phase, we found that many of the purchasers that came through originated from the local surrounding area and were extremely excited to branch out into a new and spirited neighbourhood, yet still remain close enough to their families and ultimately their roots.

In addition, a good number of purchasers that came through represented the workforce talent in all those large company headquarters in Mississauga, recognizing that they now have an option to live and work in the same area, saving them time, money, and energy in the daily commute in and out to the rest of the GTA.

NIH: What kind of commercial buildings, if any, will be involved?

TY: There definitely will be a number of commercial components involved in this master plan, most likely in the form of mixed-used building projects along the busier street sides of the entire neighbourhood. Though it is still in the early stages of the entire development, daycares (like the one we have here at Pinnacle Centre) and medical offices are certainly within the scope of possibilities.

The Toronto Star’s NewInHomes.com would like to thank Tom for his time.  We appreciate the efforts that Pinnacle has put into developing this cool new master planned community.

For more information on Uptown Mississauga, drop by the Presentation Centre at 5044 Hurontario St., in Mississauga, call (905) 568-9000, or visit pinnacleuptown.com