A $100 million project combining cooperative housing with an industrial-scale vertical farm is set to transform Kingston into a national model for sustainable and attainable living. Limestone City Co-operative Housing Inc. (LCCH) has secured private funding to cover up to 95% of the residential development costs for the initiative.
The project, designed with a 200-year lifespan, aims to operate off-grid, produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a sustainable community for 400 residents by 2028. The plan integrates housing with food production, energy independence, and community wellness.
“This project is a national model for innovation. The impact it will have—not just in Kingston but across Canada—is tremendous. I’m proud to be part of turning this vision into reality,” said Steve Marshall, a broker with Dominion Lending Centres FC Funding, who played a key role in the financing arrangement.
Steven Dionne, Director of Mortgage Origination at Canada ICI, expressed similar enthusiasm, saying, “This is the kind of bold thinking we need to solve housing challenges. I’m excited to help arrange the financing that this project deserves. Seeing it come to life is good for everyone.”
Chelsey Fawcett, CEO of Grant Solutions Canada, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “This project demonstrates what’s possible when private and public partnerships align. LCCH’s holistic vision sets a precedent for the future of housing.”
Jeff McLaren, President of LCCH, described the moment as a turning point for the organization. “When I received the letter from Steven Dionne and Steve Marshall, I felt like I was dreaming. It was the best Christmas gift LCCH could ever have received. We are now on a path to achieving something extraordinary.”
McLaren also credited Brent and Joe Atkinson of PermaTech EcoSolutions Inc. for reviving the project during a difficult period. “They saved the co-op when all seemed lost. Their help, advice, contacts, and generosity have breathed new life into LCCH’s project,” he said.
The project has garnered strong community support. Brent Atkinson praised the collaboration behind the initiative, saying, “This project embodies the vision, collaboration, and community support that Kingston is quietly known for among the change-makers.” His brother, Joe Atkinson, highlighted the project’s broader impact, describing it as “a solution that will house 400 residents and set a global standard for sustainable living.”
The co-op housing model will require members to contribute volunteer hours to support the community, including work in the vertical farm. Food grown in the facility will support both the co-op and the wider community, ensuring financial sustainability. The building will be powered by a geothermal system and next-generation solar panels, further enhancing its environmental credentials.
Councillor Conny Glenn, who proposed the integration of a vertical farm with the co-op, described the project as “innovation in action.” Gary Bennett, a former mayor of Kingston and a co-op member, stressed the project’s significance, saying, “We have to get this built. It represents a creative new approach to how we envision community living.”
The structure, designed by Chuck Smith and Richard Gibson of Planetary Harvest Projects, combines housing with sustainable farming practices. Gibson described the design as “a showcase for a new climate-smart way of housing and vertical farming,” while Smith emphasized its innovative features, including cooperative farming, biophilic environments for mental health, and communal kitchens and markets.
LCCH plans to raise the remaining 5% of the funding and the $20 million required for the farming facility through community contributions. The organization invites residents, businesses, and supporters to participate in making this vision a reality.
The project is expected to disrupt the affordable housing crisis by creating 248 permanently attainable units, establishing a sustainable community that will serve residents for generations. For more information or to contribute, visit www.lcch.ca.