Every once in a while a project comes along that makes you think, "This is exactly what this street needs," and The Madison with its big-windowed and bold retail streetfront topped by two condo towers is one of those once-in-a-while projects, destined to become a neighbourhood focal point on Eglinton Avenue, two short blocks east of Yonge Street.

The area is already dense with highrise living, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants north and south on Yonge and along Eglinton Avenue. There's a wealth of cinemas a short walk away too, along with office towers and an enclosed mall all clustered around Eglinton Subway station. The subway means, of course, that it is a short ride to Downtown from here, and, given that work has now started on the TTC's Crosstown line, quick east-west travel is on the horizon, too.

The Madison, from builder Madison Homes, will land nicely in a spot now taken up by a parking lot and by the former York Cinema, many years after it last showed films. The lot is large and feels like a gap tooth along Eglinton's urban grin, and it has cried out for something grand to fill it.

The Madison at Yonge and Eglinton by Madison Homes

The Kirkor Architects-designed Madison works to fill that gap on two levels — well, 33 levels really — but grouped like this: 1) the podium is big (big is good here), has huge retail windows (huge is good here), and a massive central atrium (massive is good here); and 2) the towers which sprout up from it to 30 and 33 storeys feature graceful curves, adding a light touch to the complex and some variety to the neighbourhood.

Retail at The Madison at Yonge and Eglinton by Madison Homes

The Madison's retail will address not only Eglinton Avenue at street level, but also Lillian Street on the east and Dunfield Avenue on the west, with high-ceiling shops. Accessed by escalators from the atrium in the centre of the Eglinton frontage will be a large grocery store, taking up the majority of the second level of the complex. All of this will be good for the area, if you live at The Madison or not.

If you do choose to live at The Madison, you will find that much of the podium has been designed with your entertainment and relaxation in mind, with extensive amenities, outdoor, as well as indoor.

8th floor outdoor zen terrace at The Madison at Yonge and Eglinton by Madison Homes

Terrace decks await on both the 4th- and 8th-level podium rooftops. The 8th-floor terrace is designed as a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle below, with the hum of the city muffled by the sounds of the central water feature admidst a zen-like garden setting. Four levels down, things are turned up a couple of notches.

4th floor amenities and terrace at The Madison at Yonge and Eglinton by Madison Homes

The 4th floor features many amenities, tweaked by Munge Leung Design Associates to foster conviviality, recreation, and fun. The terrace, seen above, features several seating areas, arranged for both big groups and more intimate ones, with five sheletered cabanas each with their own barbecues and dining tables along the southern edge, all situated about a welcoming central fire pit. Tucked inside the windows just to the east side is the building's saltwater lap pool and hot tub, with adjoining steam room and sauna, change rooms, with a large fitness centre linked as well. Behind the fire pit is a large party room featuring a double-sided bar, seating areas, billiards and games tables, demonstration kitchen with dining area, another dining room with catering pantry, and a theatre large enough to seat 23. This project's got everything.

UrbanToronto has published a dataBase page for The Madison that shows you much more of what we have told you about above. The building is having its grand opening this Saturday, October 1st, so you may want to check out the dataBase listing by clicking below: there are many more renderings to peruse through, and many more details. If you want to get in on the conversation about The Madison in our forums, the links for that are below as well.