The former Safeway distribution centre site in Burnaby's Edmonds neighbourhood has been sold to property developer Ledingham McAllister.
The deal closed on Dec.15, according to a press release from the company.
"We are extremely proud of our long history of building new home communities in Burnaby," said Ward McAllister, president and CEO of Ledingham McAllister, in the release. "We look forward to working with the city and the community to create a vision to significantly enhance this area of Edmonds town centre."
Canada Safeway Ltd. put the 42-acre property next to its Lucerne milk plant up for sale in June.
The City of Burnaby took issue with the company's marketing materials at the time, which included a graphic with highrise buildings - the site was zoned industrial, and is designated for low-rise multi-family residential development in the 1994 community plan.
The company plans to work with the city in the new year, to set up a consultation with the community on options for the site.
"We are encouraged that Ledingham McAllister is the successful purchaser of this site," Mayor Derek Corrigan said in the release. "They have proven to be an inclusive and respectful partner for the City of Burnaby over the years, and we look forward to a robust and inclusive process with residents and the city to determine the best plan for this site."
The size and location of the site was the primary draw for prospective buyers, according to Betty Kelsey, public affairs manager for Canada Safeway.
"It is very unique in that it's the largest undeveloped piece of property in the area," Kelsey said in an interview with the NOW last summer.
The site is within about 800 metres of the Edmonds SkyTrain station, she added, and is surrounded by the Edmonds residential neighbourhood.
"We believe it really offers an incredible opportunity to a future developer to take this parcel of land and turn it into a beautiful residential area," she said.
The site was a distribution centre for the company for 40 years. It lies between 11th and 14th avenues, and 15th and 18th streets.
Summit Logistics operated it from 1996 to 2011, but Safeway ended its commercial agreement with the company in February.
Distribution was moved to another company, Cold Logic Corp., which has operations nearby, Kelsey said.
There are no plans to close the neighbouring milk plant, which serves the Lower Mainland, Kelsey said.
Ledingham McAllister has built residences throughout the city during the past decade, including Botanica on Salisbury Avenue and Southborough on 18th Street.
The company is currently working on projects in the city including Reflections and Portraits in the Edmonds neighbourhood; Brentwood Gate, Perspective and Memento in the Brentwood area; and Stonebrook, Strathmore Lane and Silhouette in the Lougheed town centre area.
