By Pepper Parr
February 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
2017 fire that destroyed most of the buildings
The Paletta International site just off Appleby Line that was destroyed by fire in December 6th, 2017 is beginning to be re-animated.
The company has conditional site plan approval. The company is currently working through the various conditions one of which is obtaining Committee of Adjustment approval.
When completed the site and bring new employment and economic opportunity to the city.
Building designs are still a work in progress however there is a site plan.
Along with plans to eventually construct a new Alinea headquarters building, there will be approximately 300,000 square feet of new leasable light industrial / employment space in three new buildings.2017
Everything on the 18.5-acre property will be demolished and replaced with modern employment and office buildings. Given the uncertainty of timing to this point, no tenants for the light industrial / employment space have been sought yet; that will come in due course. “We are already getting calls from companies expressing interest in being part of this exciting redevelopment,” said a company spokesperson.
The 2018 fire meant there were going to be many changes in what the company would do and the business they were going to be in.
The death of Pasquale “Pat” Paletta, in 2019 brought about changes in the leadership and management style.
The late Pat Paletta with his four sons.
One huge change for the company was the creation of Alinea which didn’t include all four of Pat Paletta’s sons. Angelo Paletta went in his own direction while the other three brothers formed Alinea that is now focused on plans for the Bronte Meadows site and the 1200 King Road property
“While there may be a few minor tweaks to this plan in relation to the future Alinea headquarters building, there is a general sense of what’s being planned.
Property that was acquired by the Paletta family in Burlington was first used to pasture cattle; the company grew to become the largest beef processing operation in Eastern Canada; it was later sold to Canada Packers.
The structure shown in orange will be the head office for Alinea. The other three structures will be developed when market conditions are right.
The company added poultry processing (Tender Choices) to its operations.
Both business lines were eventually sold and the focus was shifted to property development.
Alinea is working out of what is left after the fire. “All existing buildings on the property will be demolished once Demolition Permits are obtained later this year. Specific demolition and construction timelines have yet to be determined, but we do know that for practical purposes development will need to be phased over several years.
Exciting days for the company
Some lovely ladies live in my rental. They used to own in the low-rise buildings across from the hospital. They fell for the dangling carrot of xxxxxxxx years ago. Due to environmental issues they’ve done nothing but tear down the buildings. Had these people not been pushed so hard by xxxxxxxxx they probably would still be living there. Longtime burlington seniors being duped by the developers who would get at least two times as much for their real estate today. I find this along with other developers behavior absolutely repugnant.
Editor: The property mentioned was not owned by the developer named.
Paletta/Alinea pays to advertise here. Is this supposed to be an ad too?
So what was the cause of the fire? If I’m not mistaken, I believe that the building was empty that day for some off-site employee training. That was lucky. Of course the firefighters were at risk. I also seem to recall the Fire Marshall couldn’t enter the building to investigate – too dangerous. In my opinion, Paletta disrespected the community by leaving a burnt-out eyesore for 8 years. But they are fixing it up now – at the same time as they’re wanting to develop all over the city, and they’re sponsoring Mayor’s breakfasts and taking councillors on walks through the forest – while it’s still standing – for videos touting their biggest development.
Sorry if I don’t share the enthusiasm for the plans for the building nor anything Paletta/Alinea.