The iconic 765 Dundas Street building is officially getting the wrecking ball treatment, marking the end of an era for this well-known London venue that has served the community for decades.

Local residents have been watching the demolition process unfold as crews work to clear the site for what’s coming next. The building, which housed various businesses over the years including the beloved Town and Country venue, has been a fixture on Dundas Street for generations of Londoners.

But here’s where things get interesting – this isn’t just another teardown with no clear plan. The demolition is making way for something the city desperately needs: housing. Specifically, the Cross Cultural Learning Centre Newcomer Housing project is set to transform this prime downtown location.

The ambitious development plans include a substantial 200-unit tower designed specifically for newcomers to Canada. The project features a thoughtful two-building design with a 5 or 6-floor building positioned at the front of the property, while a impressive 14-floor tower will rise at the back of the site.

For longtime Londoners, watching 765 Dundas come down brings up some serious nostalgia. The building was home to the Town and Country, a venue that hosted live music throughout the 1980s and beyond. Local musicians and music lovers have fond memories of jam sessions, country music performances, and the venue’s distinctive backroom that felt like stepping into a time capsule.

One former musician who played at the venue during its heyday as the Town and Country remembered summer gigs in 1980 with Steve Wilson and the Good Ole Boys, plus regular Saturday matinee jam sessions with local talent including Carl Kees and Paul Weber. The venue was known for showcasing “real music by accomplished players” and served as an important gathering place for the local country music scene.

More recently, the building operated as a different kind of venue, though it never quite recaptured the magic of its earlier incarnation. Some locals described it as a “garbage venue” in its later years, particularly criticizing how karaoke took priority over live bands and artists.

The demolition represents more than just the removal of an old building – it’s part of London’s ongoing transformation as the city grapples with housing shortages and the need to accommodate newcomers. The downtown core has been seeing increased development pressure as more housing moves into the area.

Local food fans will also miss the building’s more recent claim to fame: those “sexy burgers” that drew people to the location even after its music venue days were behind it. COVID-19 ultimately dealt the final blow to the businesses operating in the strip, with the pandemic effectively ending what remained of the location’s commercial viability.

The newcomer housing project represents a significant investment in London’s growing immigrant population. With 200 units spread across two buildings, the development will provide much-needed transitional housing for families and individuals starting their new lives in Canada.

This type of purpose-built newcomer housing is increasingly important as London continues to welcome new residents from around the world. The central Dundas Street location offers excellent access to public transit, services, and employment opportunities – crucial factors for newcomers establishing themselves in their new community.

The development timeline means Londoners won’t be seeing the new buildings rise immediately, but the demolition marks the official start of this major housing project. Once complete, the towers will dramatically change the skyline along this stretch of Dundas Street.

For downtown London, the project represents the kind of density and purpose-built housing that urban planners have been advocating for. The location’s proximity to downtown core amenities makes it an ideal spot for newcomer housing, offering residents easy access to settlement services, healthcare, and cultural resources.

Some residents hope that as more housing moves into the area, it will attract complementary businesses like grocery stores and eventually new entertainment venues that can generate the foot traffic needed to revitalize this section of Dundas Street.

The 765 Dundas demolition story has been generating discussion in local online communities, with residents sharing memories of the building’s various incarnations over the years and expressing mixed feelings about seeing another piece of London’s history make way for new development.