christiesplits
Senior Member
I echo @HousingNowTO's frustration on the sluggish pace of this project. I love the scale and proportions of the current proposal and hope the shovels are out soon.
Toronto The John Lea on Broadview | 34.46m | 9s | Cape Group | KUA
- Thread starter AlbertC
- Start date
The Broadview Group
New Member
Hi @christiesplits and @HousingNowTO this is the developer here. We echo your frustration!! We have been working on this project since 2017. Unfortunately, since this development is a quasi joint venture with the City of Toronto as they continue to own half the site, we don't have full control over changes we can suggest and therefore cannot iterate quickly.
We've been working with CreateTO to find creative ways to move this project forward in light of the substantial changes in the market since it received approval in 2022. But, we can't just propose changes freely. We have to get approval from all various levels of city hall first, including Councillor, CreateTO, Affordable Housing, CREM, Toronto Parking Authority and City Legal, to name a few...... you get the idea
We hope to share a revised resubmission very soon and are waiting to get the green light. It might have some small changes in size and height but the mid-rise scale and brick facade will remain. We agree the livability of this scale is fantastic and hope to break ground asap.
Feel free to ask any questions you have!
And write to the local Councillor to voice your support!
We've been working with CreateTO to find creative ways to move this project forward in light of the substantial changes in the market since it received approval in 2022. But, we can't just propose changes freely. We have to get approval from all various levels of city hall first, including Councillor, CreateTO, Affordable Housing, CREM, Toronto Parking Authority and City Legal, to name a few...... you get the idea
We hope to share a revised resubmission very soon and are waiting to get the green light. It might have some small changes in size and height but the mid-rise scale and brick facade will remain. We agree the livability of this scale is fantastic and hope to break ground asap.
Feel free to ask any questions you have!
And write to the local Councillor to voice your support!
abp10
New Member
Hi, I also had another question regarding this ongoing process of development. I created an account to ask you guys this, lol.Hi @christiesplits and @HousingNowTO this is the developer here. We echo your frustration!! We have been working on this project since 2017. Unfortunately, since this development is a quasi joint venture with the City of Toronto as they continue to own half the site, we don't have full control over changes we can suggest and therefore cannot iterate quickly.
We've been working with CreateTO to find creative ways to move this project forward in light of the substantial changes in the market since it received approval in 2022. But, we can't just propose changes freely. We have to get approval from all various levels of city hall first, including Councillor, CreateTO, Affordable Housing, CREM, Toronto Parking Authority and City Legal, to name a few...... you get the idea
We hope to share a revised resubmission very soon and are waiting to get the green light. It might have some small changes in size and height but the mid-rise scale and brick facade will remain. We agree the livability of this scale is fantastic and hope to break ground asap.
Feel free to ask any questions you have!
And write to the local Councillor to voice your support!
I'm aware you guys own the properties 840-844 broadview avenue. For years I have seen those houses sitting what looks like vacant. Just wanted to confirm if thats the case and they are currently just detoriating. They don't look like their in the most pristine condition either. None of the less hopefully these plans move fast to get rid of those vacant (if they actually are) properties.
Broadview Group
New Member
Hi @belerey, thank you for reaching out!
The houses are not vacant and we are aware of the graffiti that was tagged on their facades. We re-painted the houses last month to improve the street's appearance and prepare for hoarding with site signage.
We do agree that the houses are not the most attractive and we share your desire to move the plans asap forward to revitalize the street!
If you have any more questions you can contact us directly at info@thebroadviewgroup.ca
Thanks for sharing your concern!
abp10
New Member
As of 3 days ago theres been a rezoning applied for on the little retail strip beside the houses? Maybe the developers were able to work something out?
Application Details
www.toronto.ca
Minor Variance application with the main stat changes being an increase in total residential units from 107 to 123 and a decrease in total vehicular parking from 74 to 54.
Updated renderings:
christiesplits
Senior Member
HousingNowTO
Senior Member
Good Affordable Rental ratio --- and partnering with Woodgreen who already does a lot in the area.
Plus the conversion from Condo to Rental -- hopefully it gets OK'd at CoA.
Northern Light
Superstar
HousingNowTO
Senior Member
Yup, our Letter of Support was added to AIC already -- and I have sent in a request to speak at the CoA.
HousingNowTO
Senior Member
APPROVED..! Passed unanimously at CoA today.
About 5 or 6 neighbouring home-owners and relatives showed-up to complain (mostly about parking & overlook).
Former Mayoral-Candidate Chloe Brown showed-up to speak in support, and Mark Richardson from HousingNowTO spoke in support via WebEx.
CoA accepted the YIMBY positions from Chloe Brown & HousingNowTO during their deliberations.
Northern Light
Superstar
Any updates for us @Broadview Group ?
For everyone else. Post C of A approval, there is no sign of a new Site Plan submission (or approval), and no permits for the site as yet. (logical, given the absence of NOAC).
For everyone else. Post C of A approval, there is no sign of a new Site Plan submission (or approval), and no permits for the site as yet. (logical, given the absence of NOAC).
PMT
Senior Member
HousingNowTO
Senior Member
Councillor Fletcher closed-out the very final City Council meeting of 2025 with this new item -
"CreateTO and City staff have actively explored a coordinated development approach intended to maximize affordable housing outcomes alongside market housing across the combined lands, with both parties contributing land of equal sizes to the transaction. Despite sustained efforts, including providing four extensions, each six months in duration, the owner-led private-sector developer has not successfully delivered the intended housing outcomes. CreateTO and City staff explored every possible option to preserve the project’s viability; however, the developer remained unwilling to compromise, and the transaction ultimately expired in January 2025.
In order to advance the timely delivery of affordable and rent controlled housing on City-owned lands, the City intends to independently pursue a mixed-income affordable housing project without reliance on the adjacent owner as a development partner. This approach aligns with the Toronto Builds Policy Framework, activating public land to improve housing outcomes.
Staff are requested to report back to City Council with a development plan in the second quarter of 2026."
------
Will dig into the autopsy of this failed project more in the new year.
MM35.41 - Advancing Housing Development at 838 Broadview Avenue
"CreateTO and City staff have actively explored a coordinated development approach intended to maximize affordable housing outcomes alongside market housing across the combined lands, with both parties contributing land of equal sizes to the transaction. Despite sustained efforts, including providing four extensions, each six months in duration, the owner-led private-sector developer has not successfully delivered the intended housing outcomes. CreateTO and City staff explored every possible option to preserve the project’s viability; however, the developer remained unwilling to compromise, and the transaction ultimately expired in January 2025.
In order to advance the timely delivery of affordable and rent controlled housing on City-owned lands, the City intends to independently pursue a mixed-income affordable housing project without reliance on the adjacent owner as a development partner. This approach aligns with the Toronto Builds Policy Framework, activating public land to improve housing outcomes.
Staff are requested to report back to City Council with a development plan in the second quarter of 2026."
------
Will dig into the autopsy of this failed project more in the new year.
Northern Light
Superstar
Report to Executive may come early, looks like March meeting.
Proposal will be public builder model.