Toronto Lawrence Plaza Redevelopment | 130.9m | 40s | RioCan | Diamond Schmitt

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Seamus92

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Seems RioCan is looking to start the process to redevelop the Lawrence Plaza shopping area at Lawrence and Bathurst.

Home - Lawrence Plaza

Lawrence Plaza534 Lawrence Ave W Toronto, Ontario Update: Our zoning application is currently being reviewed by City staff. RioCan and Milestone remain committed to continuing community engagement throughout 2026, and we look forward to meeting with you soon! Reimagining Lawrence Plaza: Be part...
lawrenceplaza.community-developmentinfo.com lawrenceplaza.community-developmentinfo.com

They sent out a little card with an open house invite and survey link to some addresses in the area.

@interchange42 would it be possible to create a thread in the buildings forum for this future redevelopment?
 

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Seamus92 said:
Seems RioCan is looking to start the process to redevelop the Lawrence Plaza shopping area at Lawrence and Bathurst.

Home - Lawrence Plaza

Lawrence Plaza534 Lawrence Ave W Toronto, Ontario Update: Our zoning application is currently being reviewed by City staff. RioCan and Milestone remain committed to continuing community engagement throughout 2026, and we look forward to meeting with you soon! Reimagining Lawrence Plaza: Be part...
lawrenceplaza.community-developmentinfo.com lawrenceplaza.community-developmentinfo.com

They sent out a little card with an open house invite and survey link to some addresses in the area.

@interchange42 would it be possible to create a thread in the buildings forum for this future redevelopment?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads-up! Good to see a community engagement date coming up on March 4 — I wonder how many concept visuals will be presented for feedback. Thread created!

42
 
Well this is a little bitter sweet. There are some good shops in the plaza that would have have to relocate a fair ways away, and would likely never come back on this site (namely: United Bakers and Lollicakes).

This is a very well used shopping plaza, so hopefully RioCan is thoughtful in the planning of retail spaces in this redevelopment plan.

On a side note, I expect the NIMBYs to be out in extreme force with whatever we see.
 
Given the site size, location and the fact that it takes up a full city block I expect them to try and max out density with numerous tall buildings. I will not miss the big sea of parking, but that being said it's still 1km from the nearest transit station, so not exactly transit-oriented development. Rio Can is also not eager to put shovels in the ground in general, so this might not break ground for quite a while.
 
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Toronto1834 said:
Given the site size, location and the fact that it takes up a full city block I expect them to try and max out density with numerous tall buildings. I will not miss the big sea of parking, but that being said it's still 1km from the nearest transit station, so not exactly transit-oriented development. Rio Can is also not eager to put shovels in the ground in general, so this might not break ground for quite a while.
Click to expand...
I was going to say- this is not the kind of thing that moves to construction quickly. Essentially they are planning the next phase of the plaza in 10-20 years, not any sooner.
 
AlexBozikovic said:
Two comments:

1. United Bakers needs heritage protection.
2. A park surrounded by roads on three, possibly four, sides? Must we keep doing this?
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Looking at the third photo, it looks like that park is surrounded by a road on the north, pedestrian walkways on the east and west, and a woonerf on the south, which is fine in my opinion.
 
RioCan is really conservative and cautious with redeveloping its properties. Look at Shoppers World Brampton: they’ve only started early works for the first part of the first phase of a multiphase development they first brought forward a decade ago.
 
AlexBozikovic said:
Two comments:

1. United Bakers needs heritage protection.
Click to expand...

The building unit?

I agree the business should be protected and sustained. I have spoken to people on the proponent's team about this......we shall see.

The physical space I am indifferent to.

AlexBozikovic said:
2. A park surrounded by roads on three, possibly four, sides? Must we keep doing this?
Click to expand...

I'm not so much bothered by the roads is as much as every site has limits and will abut against something...........

I am bothered by the inadequate size, and also the placement doesn't make much sense to me.

It really depends on how you want a park to function. If the desire is 'public square' ......that's a bit different from a greener space.

As a greener space, having it at the north end of the site, behind two towers, and with an extant building to the west.........it just doesn't make sense to me. It would be very dark.

I think IF we're doing an onsite park here, the City should pitch in Parks Acquisition money and obtain something larger, functional in shape/size (you need to determine function first); I'd generally prefer it front Lawrence, though I'm willing to entertain other options..
 
ShonTron said:
RioCan is really conservative and cautious with redeveloping its properties. Look at Shoppers World Brampton: they’ve only started early works for the first part of the first phase of a multiphase development they first brought forward a decade ago.
Click to expand...

I agree, but will add, this is not uncommon for a business that was retail-centric (and really remains such for now), residential is a new'ish area for them, and they're modeled as a REIT on steady pay outs to unit holders.

I think they still need to find their footing. If their initial investments end up highly profitable, you'll see acceleration. If not...... well.
 
AlexBozikovic said:
Two comments:

1. United Bakers needs heritage protection.
2. A park surrounded by roads on three, possibly four, sides? Must we keep doing this?
Click to expand...

United Bakers more as "cultural heritage" than anything.

As far as *architectural* heritage goes, though: I recall coming across a reference somewhere that *Raymond Loewy* was responsible for the Morgan's store (later Bay, now Metro et al--and given its appearance, discernably so even today, that's absolutely plausible)
 
adma said:
United Bakers more as "cultural heritage" than anything.

As far as *architectural* heritage goes, though: I recall coming across a reference somewhere that *Raymond Loewy* was responsible for the Morgan's store (later Bay, now Metro et al--and given its appearance, discernably so even today, that's absolutely plausible)
Click to expand...

I was kidding about the heritage! Mostly, anyway.

And thanks for that tidbit, Adam. Time to head down a rabbit hole.
 
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