Last week, UrbanToronto reported on the large-scale redevelopment plans for the Wilson Station area. While a master plan for the area immediately northwest of the Allen Road / Highway 401 interchange has been in the works since 2006, elements of the plan have continued to evolve as the first residential phases were built out. With the first projects—including Gramercy Park and Station Condosnow complete, Build Toronto has announced the community's next phase; a two-building development including 100 affordable housing units. Working with private developers Shiplake and Metropia, Build Toronto—the City's real estate and development agency—is advancing plans to add another 396 units to the community.

The site of Rocket Condos alongside Gramercy Park, looking south, image courtesy of Metropia

Just east of the Allen Road and south of Wilson, the community's next phase will include Metropia's Rocket CondosDesigned by SMV Architects, the 13-storey development replaces an earlier proposal for the two-building Iconic Condos, which—together with adjoining townhouseswould have totalled 320 units. Taking over the northern part of Iconic's L-shaped site, Rocket Condos is set to feature 242 units.

Rendering of Rocket Condos, image courtesy of Metropia

As indicated in a City of Toronto staff report submitted late last year, the ground level will include 9 live-work units in the vicinity of the Wilson Station Entrance, alongside 228 m² of retail space. Including the live-work suites, the building is planned with 100 one-bedroom, 27 one-bedroom plus den, and 115 two-bedroom units.

A closer look at the ground level of Rocket Condos, image courtesy of Metropia

Meanwhile, an 8-storey rental building will rise southeast of Rocket Condos—and immediately south of the completed Station Condos. Developed through Build Toronto's partnership with Shiplake and Wise, the mixed-income project will feature 154 units. 

At street level, 16 two-storey townhouses will front the building, and the the remaining 138 units will be spread across six upper floors. The townhouses all feature a two-bedroom and den layout, while the "unit breakdown for the remainder of the building would be 12-studio, 54-one bedroom, 20-one bedroom and den and 52 two-bedroom apartment units." (Since the project is still in its relatively early stages, however, these elements are still subject to change).

The 8-storey building will rise just south of Gramercy Park (right), image retrieved via Google Maps

According to Build Toronto's recent press release, the affordable units will predominantly be funded through intergovernmental partnership. "The City of Toronto, through the Affordable Housing Office, and Build Toronto are providing $2M to help deliver 50 affordable rental units, in addition to $1.75M in incentives from development charges and fees and property tax relief. Another $2.9M in government funding will provide down-payment assistance for 50 affordable ownership homes."

We will keep you updated as more information about these projects becomes available. In the meantime, check out our associated dataBase file for more information—and additional renderings. Want to share your thoughts about the development? Leave a comment in the space below this page, or join in the ongoing conversation on our Forum.

Related Companies:  gh3, Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, Metropia, NAK Design Group, Peter McCann Architectural Models Inc., Quest Window Systems, TUCKER HIRISE Construction, Unilux HVAC Industries Inc.