Brampton is making architectural history with the completion of North America’s first mass timber-constructed warehouse, a 246,007-square-foot facility now available for lease at 5525 Countryside Dr. near Highway 50. Developed by Prologis, the project, completed in March, represents a significant leap in sustainable industrial building, with Brampton Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor, also the city’s chair of economic development, highlighting a 47 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional steel construction. This equates to offsetting over 1,000 metric tons of carbon, underscoring Brampton’s commitment to environmental stewardship and eco-friendly industrial growth.
The innovative use of cross-laminated timber panels and glued laminated wood beams and columns in place of conventional steel elements not only reduces the carbon footprint but also offers enhanced fire performance, as mass timber outperforms steel with longer burn rates in fire events. The carbon reduction achieved in this shell building alone is comparable to the greenhouse gas emissions from 241 gas-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year. This precedent-setting development aligns with the recently launched provincial Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan, which aims to boost the manufacturing and use of local wood building products across Ontario, citing benefits like faster project completion times (up to 50% quicker) and cost reductions (up to 20%).
The new warehouse is expected to create 200 to 400 jobs, depending on the tenant, and features 35 shipping dock doors, two drive-in doors, 43 trailer parking stalls, 210 car parking spots, and 12 electric vehicle chargers. Its strategic location is further enhanced by its proximity to two other massive, recently completed distribution centers. Next door, a one-million-square-foot facility will become Lululemon’s largest North American distribution center, projected to bring 1,500 jobs to Brampton when it becomes operational next year. To the south, a 670,000-square-foot facility now houses Pet Valu’s largest distribution center, employing hundreds.
Councillor Toor emphasized that these three developments alone account for over two million square feet of industrial space, with another 10 million square feet actively under construction in the corridor. This rapid growth marks a significant shift for Brampton, traditionally seen as a commuter city, as it works to build a stronger employment tax base. The area’s appeal is boosted by its access to expanded Highway 427, as well as Highways 407 and 410, Toronto Pearson Airport, and major CN and CP intermodal facilities. While acknowledging some complaints about construction traffic, Toor stated that road widenings are underway to support the increased industrial activity, confident that this development will become a “crown jewel” for the city, attracting global investment and paving the way for a thriving and sustainable future.