CaraCo Group, a highly respected developer based in Kingston, Ontario, will bring their significant expertise in building multi-family and single family homes in the South-Eastern Ontario market to the project. Fieldgate Homes is known in the province for its architecturally unique homes, creating heirloom communities and residences that continue to appreciate in value over time. Paradise Developments has become a leading land developer to complement its home building core business group, with success and a reputation in land development and residential housing in the province. Tercot Communities, who were part of the inception of the project, have completed their work within the partnership.
“We are thrilled to welcome CaraCo, Fieldgate and Paradise to the PEC Community Partners family,” stated Jack Winberg, Chair of the PEC Community Partners Management Group. “Their track record of delivering beautifully designed and thoughtful housing options for the community aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing housing for all — where people of all ages and life stages can live, stay and thrive in their community. This partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that will benefit the project and the communities we serve.”
“We’re truly honored and excited to join PEC Community Partners and the Base31 development team. Together, with our shared vision and deep experience, and by working closely with the community and the County, we’re confident that Base31 will become an incredible destination to live, work and play,” said Gennaro DiSanto, Chief Executive Officer, CaraCo Group.
“Fieldgate Homes is eager to join the PEC Community Partners in bringing the Base31 project to life in Prince Edward County,” commented Michael May, Director of Developments, Fieldgate Developments. “With our dedication to quality, innovation, and community, we look forward to contributing to this transformative development project, creating a vibrant and County-made community that residents and visitors can enjoy for generations.”
“Paradise Developments is very excited to join the Base31 development team,” shared Steven Weisz, Principal, Executive Vice President, Paradise Developments. “We are honoured to be part of an incredible community that will continue to enhance and shape the entire Prince Edward County region for decades to come.”
PEC Community Partners purchased the 70-acre former historic WWII air training base in Picton, Ontario in December 2021 alongside 680-acres of greenspace surrounding the site. Since that time, the ownership group has embarked on an ambitious revitalization program. The revitalization program includes the adaptive re-use of many of the heritage buildings, transformation of the landscape, and significant investment in placemaking, public art, programming, site activation and food and beverage. Today, Base31 is Prince Edward County’s hottest new cultural destination, attracting local, regional and national visitors.
This year, Base31 will host over 150 events and experiences, ranging from big stage concerts to intimate performances by Canada’s top musicians, illuminated and immersive after dark adventures, a major curated open-air food + drink market, as well as public art, galleries, outdoor play spaces and programs for children, historic tours and bespoke group experiences. In 2025, Base31 will open a museum celebrating the site’s heritage and the role that it has played within the local community, the nation and globally. The historic site will continue to be developed over the coming years with a focus on culture and food that complements both the brand of the County and its growing needs, while welcoming visitors from near and far. PEC Community Partners has invested $50 million dollars in developing the site in the three years since it purchased the 750-acre property, including $12 million for waterworks infrastructure.
Looking forward, Base31’s Neighbourhood Plan envisions the future of the 750-acre site as a dynamic collection of neighbourhoods with a mix of uses: retail, restaurants, places to work and create, parks, trails, and recreation areas, a full complement of community amenities, and a range of housing to suit many needs. The vision for this mixed-use community reflects a visionary approach to urban planning, promoting much needed local and regional housing opportunities, economic growth, social interaction, and environmental stewardship. This comprehensive strategy not only enhances tourism appeal, but also establishes a model for sustainable cultural and economic development in Prince Edward County. Over the 30-year term of the project, the site will serve as home to one of the nation’s largest revitalization projects.
BACKGROUNDER
About PEC Community Partners:
PEC Community Partners is a group of community builders including CaraCo Group of Companies, DECO Communities, Fieldgate Homes, Paradise Developments, PEC Placemaking and Rockport Group. The Ontario-based partnership brings together expertise in complete community development, affordable housing and commercial space, mixed-use residential, site servicing and infrastructure, and adaptive re-use of heritage sites with a specific focus on creative placemaking. In 2021, PEC Community Partners Inc. purchased the Loch-Sloy Business Park, an approximately 700-acre property in Prince Edward County, Ontario, and the former site of a World War II training base. In its next chapter, the site will serve as home to one of the nation’s largest revitalization projects.
About the Newly Announced Partners:
CaraCo Group of Companies, established in 1959, has evolved from a small family-owned construction company into a significant player in the real estate and land development sectors in both Canada and the U.S. Over the decades, CaraCo has maintained its family-oriented values while expanding operations across five divisions and now employing over 200 people. The company’s legacy is marked by the construction of over 3,000 single-family homes and dozens of multi-residential apartment buildings and commercial buildings, showcasing a commitment to superior craftsmanship and customer care that has remained consistent since its inception. Most importantly, CaraCo’s legacy embraces offering an extensive and diversified range of housing types aimed at “something for everyone” in an attainable and respectful manner. This dedication reflects a deep-rooted philosophy of not just building homes, but fostering communities.
Fieldgate Homes was started in 1957 by the late Mr. Eugene Kohn, a home builder in the GTA originally from Europe. Mr. Kohn took exceptional pride in his work and made a name for himself by making purchaser’s dreams come true – building exceptional custom homes at prices they could afford. Half a century later, the leadership of Fieldgate has been passed on through two generations of Kohn’s family. Each generation has inspired and innovated, keeping Fieldgate at the leading edge of quality construction and development. At its core, Fieldgate is about providing families, businesses and communities with the spaces they need to get the most out of life. From award-winning homes and condominiums, to visionary commercial properties and beyond, Fieldgate has consistently demonstrated its ability to develop superior quality properties that exceed the expectations of our many satisfied clients and homebuyers.
Eddie Weisz and the late Joseff Baruch created a partnership in 1972 to build a small residential construction company, Paradise Developments. In what has become a life-long family partnership, the Weisz and Baruch families, with Steven Weisz and Ron Baruch at the helm, continue their commitment and dedication to providing outstanding quality and added value to the homes they build for their clients through the Greater Toronto Area. Involved in over 20 communities, Paradise Developments has built over 14,000 homes since its inception. Over the years Paradise has also become a leading land developer to compliment the home building core business group. With success and a reputation in land development and residential housing, Paradise has expanded into the commercial development sector in order to capitalize on their vertically integrated structure. Moving forward, Paradise Developments has embarked on a variety of new activities including commercial and high-rise development and unique building opportunities, along with residential housing. As a private company Paradise prides itself on its ability to act quickly and utilize a strategic focus when evaluating assets.
CaraCo Group of Companies, Fieldgate Homes and Paradise Developments join DECO Communities, Placemaking PEC and Rockport Group:
DECO Communities
DECO Communities is an Award-Winning builder of Design Forward homes throughout Ontario. DECO is an integral part of the TACC Group of Companies, one of the GTA’s largest privately owned employers in the construction and land development industry. Crossing generations, it is through DECO’s forward-thinking approach to bold architecture, smart design, quality craftsmanship and environmentally sustainable practices that they continue to push the boundaries and ensure a legacy of integrated communities with continued first-class service.
Placemaking PEC
PEC Placemaking is a company formed by Tim Jones and Assaf Weisz to represent their interests as partners in the Picton Airport and Loch Sloy Business Park redevelopment. PEC Placemaking specializes in the adaptive reuse and revitalization of unique and historic sites.
Rockport Group
Rockport Group is a fully integrated real estate services provider handling all aspects of land acquisition, development, project and construction management and income producing property management, in respect of quality residential, commercial, industrial, and retirement home properties in the GTA. While it works predominantly for its own account, Rockport often invests with associates or provides services on a third party contract basis.
