With construction progressing quickly on the York-Spadina subway extension, the catalyst is in place for large scale redevelopment in the city’s northwest end. One block east of Keele Street on Finch Avenue West, a new office and retail centre is being planned in anticipation of the new transit infrastructure in the area. The University Heights Professional Centre, being developed by the Real Wealth Group of Companies, will bring 150 commercial units and significant retail presence to this underdeveloped neck of the city, and all in a very stylish package.

Exterior rendering of University Heights Professional Centre

The 8-storey, 180,000 square-foot, ACK Architects-designed structure will feature units ranging from 850 to over 2,500 square-feet, each boasting a full suite of amenities with dedicated kitchen and bathroom space. A selection of units will contain balconies, a rare feature in the world of commercial real estate.

Exterior rendering of University Heights Professional Centre

The second floor will dedicate 60% of its space to medical offices, including a large mezzanine which will offer state-of-the-art medical facilities, full operating rooms, x-ray rooms and laboratory facilities. The second floor will also be home to a 500-square-foot open air patio.

Rendering of medical facilities on second floor

Rendering of mezzanine on second floor

A naturally lit concourse dedicated to restaurant and retail tenants will draw pedestrians into the building, while ample retail street frontage will add some much needed life to this stretch of Finch Avenue West, providing pedestrians with improved walkability in an area dominated by vast surface parking lots surrounding business parks.

Rendering of University Heights Professional Centre lobby

In addition to the Finch West TTC subway and LRT station — scheduled for completion in 2016 and 2020 respectively — the University Heights Professional Centre will contain a two-storey underground parking lot with over 250 spaces.

Rendering of parking garage lobby

University Heights Professional Centre represents the first major real estate investment in an area that will no doubt see much change and significant improvements over the next decade as the new rapid transit access brings easy accessibility to the area.

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