Mississauga unveils ‘once-in-a-generation’ vision to transform the downtown core

City Council has endorsed a transformative new vision for the future of Mississauga’s downtown core. The vision re-imagines 12 acres of City‑owned land next to City Hall, creating a vibrant, new downtown area that will spur economic growth and become a destination for residents and visitors alike.

The vision is anchored by a conference centre, hotel and state-of-the-art music hub with a performance venue, recording studios and a music school. It also features a new office and rental development with atrium-style retail space along a re-designed pedestrian-friendly Princess Royal Drive. A mix of innovative open spaces, including a signature Sky Park, will help strengthen and connect public spaces in the downtown core.

The new vision is part of Mississauga’s ongoing efforts to transform the downtown core from its suburban origins into a dynamic, walkable, urban centre supported by light-rail transit. It emphasizes a renewed commitment to music excellence, tourism and economic development.

Revitalizing City-owned lands and facilities

The redevelopment site includes the Living Arts Centre (LAC) and four other parcels of City-owned land that are currently used as parking lots and underutilized, passive open space. While the LAC remains a cornerstone of Mississauga’s cultural infrastructure, the building is outdated and requires significant investment to make it viable to meet the needs of a modern city.

In total, these lands provide a rare opportunity to revitalize almost 12 acres of the City’s downtown through a comprehensive, rather than incremental, planning approach. This area serves as a key downtown connection, linking the City’s Civic Centre area including Sheridan College, with the urban neighbourhoods growing up around Square One to the east and along Confederation Parkway to the west. It will also provide a connection to major downtown greenspaces including a new urban park and the newly revitalized Zonta Meadows Park.

Guiding framework – next steps

The vision for the redevelopment was informed by technical, financial and cultural analysis including hotel and convention centre feasibility study, land appraisals and development analysis. It also builds on the recommendations of related Council-approved studies, including the City’s Music Strategy, Tourism Master Plan and the newly released Economic Development Strategy, which highlights the need for and importance of fostering and promoting vibrant communities and creative sector growth.

The vision endorsed today sets the guiding framework for future analysis and decision-making related to the redevelopment. With the framework in place, staff will develop a project plan including required technical analysis, business case studies and financial strategy for project delivery.

Public engagement has been central to the City’s ongoing work to revitalize the downtown, and it will continue to play a key role in this redevelopment. As the project advances, residents, businesses and partners will be invited to help refine the vision and provide input at every stage.

Staff will provide an update on the project in June 2026.

Quick facts

Economic benefits

• Tourism is a major economic driver in Mississauga, providing:
  • $493.6 million in government revenues across all levels including $83.6 million in Mississauga in 2024
    • Provincial and municipal revenues generated by visitor activity offset the need for approximately $1,100 per household in taxes (in 2024)
    • The redevelopment is expected to further increase accommodation demand in the downtown, generating an estimated $1.7 to $2.0 million annually in additional Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues, providing a recurring and dedicated funding source that can be reinvested into tourism, culture, and destination development.
• Local jobs and businesses:
  • The redevelopment build-out is expected to also spur additional economic growth and activity, resulting in approximately:
    • • 28,000 job-years in construction trades, engineering and professional services as well as indirect local employment
      • $4 billion in total economic output

Tourism uses

• 400,000 – 500,000 square foot convention centre and 400-room hotel with 1,500 – 3,000 underground parking spaces
• Regional economic and tourism catalyst supporting business tourism and conference activity

Cultural facilities

• New state‑of‑the‑art music hub, including a 2,500–5,000 capacity performance venue, recording studios, and a music school
• Positions downtown Mississauga as a regional centre for music, culture, and creative industries

Office and residential development

• New 9-storey office building and 20-storey purpose-built rental development
• Supports employment growth, housing affordability, downtown vibrancy and transit‑oriented living

Open spaces

• A signature Sky Park creating a unique elevated open space, and more programmable Community Common urban park
• Creates visual landmarks and strong publicly accessible open space and park connections

Improved streetscape and activity

• A redesigned and widened Princess Royal Drive with “atrium style” open space
• Prioritize programming and events, and retail activity to animate the downtown and to generate more pedestrian activity

Transit

• Leverages existing and planned higher-order transit, including the
  Hurontario LRT and a potential downtown loop extension
• Supports compact, accessible downtown core and transit-oriented living

The Living Arts Centre is Mississauga’s premier arts and culture facility. It will continue to operate throughout the visioning and procurement process serving as a dynamic space for cultural programming in the downtown core.

Quotes

“As a vibrant and growing city Mississauga is prepared to take a step forward.  Municipally-owned lands in our City Centre should be optimized to enhance job-creation, re-invigorate our creative industries, attract more tourist spending, and place our city firmly on the map for international conventions. Council considers the vision conceptualized by City Staff an economic shift in the evolution of Mississauga’s downtown core.  Bold vision has grown our city. Bold vision will propel us even further ahead.” – Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish

“The vision for this redevelopment marks a bold and exciting step forward for Mississauga’s downtown that will drive economic growth for our City as a whole. By revitalizing City-owned lands in a comprehensive way, we’re creating new opportunities for tourism, employment, housing and creative industry growth. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity, and we look forward to working closely with our residents, businesses and partners to bring this transformative vision to life.” – Geoff Wright, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer

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Tags

• Council and Committees
• Economic Development
• Planning and Building
• Tourism