Diageo property listed for sale on real estate website

A listing on www.realtor.ca shows an aerial view of the Diageo site, which has been listed for sale.

Could the property currently occupied by Diageo soon have new owners?

According to a post on www.realtor.ca, the property at 110 St. Arnaud St. is now on the market.

The online listing says the land is 70.41 acres with a secured yard. The property is described as a “prime Amherstburg site available for sale” with it totalling 446,970 square feet across eight buildings. The listing adds it has “direct rail access on site, with ample trailer parking available.”

“Clear Height Ranges From 20' - 26'. Tenant occupying 25 acres of land, expiring December 31, 2025,” the Realtor.ca listing reads.

Annual property taxes are $310,548.64, the listing adds.

Diageo announced in late August its intention to close the plant effective in February. A closure deal between the company and workers represented by Unifor Local 200 agreed on a closure agreement.

The Diageo property has been listed on www.realtor.ca. Photo by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography.

In its initial announcement, the company said closing the Amherstburg plant next February is part “of an ongoing commitment to increase efficiency and resiliency of its manufacturing footprint.”

Diageo added it will maintain operations in Gimli, Manitoba and Valleyfield, Quebec as well as their Canadian headquarters and warehouse operations in the Toronto area.

The company has said the current trade climate with the United States did not play into its decision.

Mayor Michael Prue has stated there are companies interested in the land, including a proponent who is also in the beverage business. He stated in October that “the discussions are going very well. We’re hoping the proponent who is wishing to buy this plant is able to do so.”

Prue said in October “there is some very real hope” this can be accomplished before anyone loses their jobs. He said the operation could be larger than Diageo and bring in even more employees as non-alcoholic beverages could also come out of that plant under a potential new employer.

Earlier this month, Prue stated several companies are “eyeing the property,” adding the company he spoke of in October remains interested. Talks are still ongoing with that beverage company, adding that company is working to overcome “hurdles” in order to try and move into town.

Premier Doug Ford has been critical of Diageo's decision to close the Amherstburg Crown Royal bottling plant, threatening to pull Diageo products from LCBO shelves. He poured out a bottle of whiskey at a news conference in Kitchener shortly after news broke that the Amherstburg plant would be closed.

The full listing can be found at https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29201200/110-st-arnaud-street-amherstburg-amherstburg.

By Ron Giofu