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Today, UrbanToronto's annual Growth to Watch For series ventures further north into Midtown Toronto with an overview of construction happening at Yonge and Eglinton and the surrounding areas. With the anticipated arrival of the much-needed Crosstown LRT projected for 2021, this intersection is poised to become the next great transit hub of the city.
If there is one thing that recent development in Toronto has done extremely well, it would be its clear focus on transit-oriented development - that is, concentrating development and density at transit hubs and along major transit corridors, bringing the maximum number of people into close proximity of both GO and the TTC's sprawling networks. Aiming to capitalize on the arrival of Toronto's newest transit line, developers are honing in on the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton with a flurry of new development that promises to make this area one of the city's most thriving communities.
Below, we will take you through a list of projects expecting completion this year, and provide updates on projects currently beginning or in the midst of construction. We will also take a quick tour through development proposals in the area, whether they are approved, in planning, or just speculation, to give a quick snapshot of what the future holds for Yonge and Eglinton.
Completing and Topping Off
Starting off with an existing landmark, RioCan's Yonge-Eglinton Centre is currently putting the finishing touches on its latest expansion and renovation, which is slated for completion this year. The shopping mall underwent a complete interior renovation, with a 40,000-square-foot expansion, dubbed 'The Cube', taking over the underutilized plaza at the corner of Yonge and Eglinton. Designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, the expansion comes with a new entrance to Eglinton Station and a rooftop patio, set to open in the spring of this year.
Moving south to Davisville station, Chestnut Hill Developments' Life Condos has topped off at the edge of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The 13-storey, 149-unit mid-rise designed by Quadrangle Architects is currently having its exterior cladding installed in anticipation of a 2016 completion date.
Just a block away from Life Condos, Shiplake's Balliol Park is taking shape with cladding now installed more than halfway up both towers of the complex. The development replaced two rows of older townhouses with two Diamond Schmitt Architects-designed rental apartment towers at 14 and 30 storeys. With both buildings topped off, look for their completion sometime in 2016.
A little further to the east at Mount Pleasant, the Greenwood College School Expansion is slated for its grand opening this year. The Montgomery Sisam Architects-designed addition will add a host of new facilities for the private institution, including a new gymnasium, performing arts theatre, and classroom space.
Hopping back up to Eglinton, Madison Homes' The Madison has topped off both its towers just east of Yonge. Measuring in at 33 and 36 storeys, the twin towers designed by Kirkor Architectsare nearly fully clad as they claim their spot in the midtown skyline. The development will add hundreds of new condo units to the bustling area, as well as a new 40,000-square-foot Loblaws and more shops in its podium. Look for The Madison's completion sometime in the coming year.
Just a block north of the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, another condo tower has reached its full height with Minto Group's 34-storey Minto30Roe Condos. Designed by Wallman Architects, the building brings 397 new residential units to the quickly densifying area. Currently, the tower's exterior cladding is nearly complete, with construction expected to wrap up in 2016.
Moving north to the less dense intersection of Yonge and Lawrence, Lanterra's development at 3018 Yonge is nearly complete, with the exterior cladding now fully installed on the 12-storey mid-rise building. The Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed condo building is located in the Lawrence Park area, bringing 170 units to the quiet residential neighbourhood. Stay tuned for its grand opening later this year.
Ongoing Construction; Digging Down and Building Up
A slew of new towers will soon be gracing the skyline of Yonge and Eglinton, many of which are just now beginning or continuing construction, with expected completion dates of 2017 or later.
Beginning south of Eglinton at 2131 Yonge, Art Shoppe Condos by Freed Developments is getting underway with demolition of the existing buildings on site wrapping up. Designed by architectsAlliance, the towers of 12 and 28 storeys rising from a common podium will add plenty of new residential units, complete with public outdoor space and ground-level retail. Look for excavation to begin this year.
A block north, demolition is underway on the site of 2221 Yonge Condos, a 56-storey condo by Tower Hill Development Corporation located just south of Eglinton. The massive development is designed by Pei Partnership Architects of New York, a firm founded by the two sons of renowned Modernist architect I.M. Pei, in partnership with Quadrangle Architects. Adding 566 units to the densifying neighbourhood, excavation is set to begin on 2221 Yonge once demolition wraps up in a short time from now.
It's hard not to notice the huge construction site at the northeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton, with hoarding up and construction ongoing for some time now. The prominent corner is the site of Bazis, Metropia, and RioCan's E Condos, the largest development under construction in the Yonge-Eglinton area comprising two Rosario Varacalli-designed towers of 34 and 58 storeys, adding 854 residential units to the busy intersection. Construction on the 58-storey south tower is nearly at grade level, while excavation continues on the site of the north tower. Keep your eyes open for these two behemoths to rise out of the ground in 2016.
One block north of E Condos, another interesting project is underway with The Rockport Group's Montgomery Square. The 27-storey luxury rental tower by RAW Design is built on the site of Postal Station K, a former Art Deco post office constructed in 1936. The front end of the historic building is being preserved as the podium of the new tower. Excavation is well underway on this site, with construction on the below-grade levels expected to begin mid-2016.
Tucked away from the noisy main streets, Tridel and Beaux Properties' 101 Erskine Condos will soon rise amidst the quiet neighbourhood northeast of Yonge and Eglinton. The 32-storey tower designed by CS&P Architects will bring 421 new condo units in a sleek tower with a distinct aesthetic. Excavation is just wrapping up, with the pouring of foundations now underway.
Moving east along Eglinton toward Mount Pleasant, demolition has wrapped up on the site of Menkes Developments' The Eglinton. Designed by Giannone Petricone Architects, the 33-storey condo tower is replacing a nine-storey Modernist office building, and will add 444 new residential units. Excavation is set to begin, with construction likely starting later in the year.
Freed Developments' other current venture into the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood, along with Capital Developments, is starting to make its presence known as construction on 155 Redpath Condominiums has now reached grade level. The 34-storey, architectsAlliance-designed tower will feature a striking design of alternating balconies, while adding 446 new residential units just northwest of Eglinton and Mount Pleasant. Keep your eyes open for the building to rise above ground level in the coming months.
Starts For Later This Year?
Adding to the already busy development scene around Yonge and Eglinton, there are a number of buildings in sales that could start construction later this year.
The first of those is the partner to 155 Redpath above. Freed Developments and Capital Developments' 150 Redpath Condominiums, a 38-storey tower, also designed by architectsAlliance on the site across the street, will add another 543 units next to its sister tower near Eglinton and Mount Pleasant.
A block west, a pair of 34-storey condo towers are proposed with CityLights Condos at 95 Broadway Avenue.
Anorher block west back on Yonge north of Eglinton, Lifetime Developments and Knightstone are selling suites at Whitehaus Condos, a 29-storey condo tower designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects. The striking tower looks to add 366 new units to the quickly densifying neighbourhood.
Looking south on Yonge toward Davisville, one of the smaller-scale developments in the area may soon appear with Mattamy Homes and Biddington Homes' J. Davis House. The 9-storey mid-rise condo building designed by Graziani + Corazza Architectswill add 191 new residential units along Yonge Street complete with a host of new amenities and ground-level retail.
Recent projects to gain zoning approval in the area but which are not in sales or under construction yet include a pair of developments to the east of Yonge and to the south of Eglinton. Distinction Condos is a 14-storey mid-rise condo at 11 Lillian Street for which a sales centre is now under construction, while Lillian Park is a pair of rental towers at 24 and 26 storeys planned to densify the tower-in-the-park site at 45-77 Dunfield Avenue. Finally, north of Eglinton, a 32-storey condo tower at 18-30 Erskine Avenue was just approved at the OMB, three storeys less than what was originally proposed.
In The Works
There are even more potential projects for the area, currently making their way through the planning process at City Hall.
At the heart of it all—and aiming for the title of tallest in the area—is Davpart's Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed 1 Eglinton East, a 65-storey tower (previously 68 storeys) proposed right at the busy Yonge and Eglinton corner.
The Eglinton corridor east of Yonge is perhaps slated for the most development, beginning with a 47-storey condo tower proposed at 55 Eglinton East. Directly across the street from Lillian Park, mentioned above, is another tower-in-the-park densification development planned at 44 Dunfield Street and 33 Holly Street, adding 5 storeys to two existing 14-storey apartment buildings, while constructing three new buildings at 6, 24, and 32 storeys. This proposal is heading to the OMB in March. On the north side of Eglinton East, more towers are aiming for the skies, beginning with a 36-storey rental apartment building proposed for 89 Roehampton Avenue, which just surfaced with a zoning application last month.
The Yonge corridor will also see plenty of development at slightly smaller in scale than the towers along Eglinton East. To the south a couple blocks at 2112-2114 Yonge, a 9-storey mid-rise condo is proposed called Uovo, which is Italian for 'egg'. We're waiting to see the plans for that, as we are a couple blocks north of Eglinton where a 5-storey commercial development is planned for 2444 Yonge at Roselawn Avenue.
Further north, a unique proposal by internationally-renowned architect Will Alsop would see a 10-storey mid-rise condo building, dubbed Alaska Condos, appear at 2779 Yonge. With a provocative design that would definitely turn heads if it were to eventually materialize, this development is reportedly heading to the OMB for a hearing.
Jumping north to Yonge and Lawrence, 3080 Yonge is planning for a renovation and re-cladding of the existing 6-storey office building, with new shops including a grocery store at ground level. This revitalization is tied to accessibility improvements being made by the TTC to Lawrence subway station, while up at York Mills subway station, a 7-storey office, retail, and hotel complex is in the works for 4050 Yonge on the northwest corner at Wilson Avenue.
Our Growth to Watch For series will continue soon with an overview of the development coming to North York. To catch up with our series so far, check out our previous GtWF stories about St. Clair; Chinatown, U of T, and The Annex; Bloor West; the Entertainment District; Southwest Toronto; and Etobicoke South.
What do you think of the projects that are transforming this area? Leave a comment at the bottom of this page, or join in on the conversation on one of our associated Forum threads. For additional information, check out our dataBase files (linked below) and Forum threads.
