An Official Plan and zoning by-law amendment application has been submitted to the City, proposing a 37-storey residential tower designed by Sweeny &Co to replace a surface parking garage in Midtown Toronto. Tabled on behalf of bcIMC, the 30 Merton Street proposal calls for a purpose-built rental tower with 315 residential units, divided between 142 one-bedroom, 137 two-bedroom, and 36-three bedroom units.

Along with the residential uses, 142 residential parking spaces, 32 visitor parking spaces, 358 bicycle parking spaces would be housed in a three-storey above grade parking structure, incorporated into the podium of the tower. This is in addition to a three level below grade parking structure, which would include 204 commercial spaces. The project would replace the existing four-level parking garage—built in the 1960s—which contains 330 spots. 

Rendering of 30 Merton Street, image via submission to City of Toronto

As seen in the renderings and ground floor plan, the podium has a familiar aesthetic, with townhouse units lining the street. Above the two-storey townhomes, three podium levels would be given over to parking and residential lockers. From the exterior, the parking levels—which are designed to read as two storeys—are demarcated by the lack of glazing.

Rendering of 30 Merton Street Podium, image via submission to City of Toronto

Located south of the Yonge-Eglinton 'Growth Centre,' the site straddles the edge of a Midtown Yonge corridor which is designated under the City's Official Plan as an 'Avenue.' As Merton Street is already lined with mid-rise apartments and condos—including a large stretch of mid-century 'towers in the park'—urban density is not new to the area. However, the proposed 37 storey height is higher than other existing towers in the immediate vicinity, including the nearby 28-storey MYC Condos, which fronts directly onto Yonge. 

Context surrounding 30 Merton along Merton Street, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The project would be closest in scale to the proposed tower at 22 Balliol Street, which would reach a height of 38 storeys. Slightly further north, the recently proposed residential project at 1951 Yonge calls for two towers with heights of 34 and 25 storeys. Proposed site of 30 Merton Street and surrounding context, image via Google

We will be sure to return with new details about the project emerge. In the meantime, you can learn more by checking out our dedicated Database file, linked below. Join the discussion by visiting the project's associated Forum thread, or by leaving a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page.