That makes it a six-pack. Across Toronto, half a dozen Beer Store sites now face the prospect of redevelopment, with the low-slung retailers—all fronted by generous surface parking—set to be replaced by urban infill projects. Hot on the heels of a very recent proposal near Dundas and Ossington, the latest Beer Store site to be re-invented is at 3429 Bloor Street West, just south of Islington Station. 

Looking east, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Like the sites at 1580 Avenue Road (now marketed as Avenue & Park), 28 River Street, 500 Dupont, and 784 The Queensway (now marketed as Queensway Park), and 1200 Dundas West, the Etobicoke redevelopment will incorporate a new Beer Store at street-level, with new density added above. While the projects are being led by a variety of developers, the land sales of five of Toronto's Beer Stores have been negotiated by Rosewater Capital, thought the transaction for this Etobicoke development was handled by DCMS Realty Developments.

Looking west, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Rising above a 6-storey podium, a 12-storey tower tower would house a 176-unit seniors home operated by Verve Senior Living. Designed by Giannone Perticone Associates for DCMS Realty Developments and Verve Senior Living, the project at 3429 Bloor West introduces what's described in the submission as "an urban format Beer Store" at street level, along with residential and commercial lobby space.

The site in its urban context, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Presumably similar to the 'Beer Boutique' concept introduced in Liberty Village, the introduction of more 'urban' retail spaces marks an attempt to restore the erstwhile cartel's appeal and relevance amidst Ontario's liberalized beer market and changing consumer preferences. 

A closer look at the podium levels, image via submission to the City of Toronto

On the second level, a floor of office space is also planed, providing a new headquarters for Verve Senior Living. Above the offices, three levels of the podium will house assisted living facilities, with a focus on memory care. The assisted living facility will house 60 units, while the retirement home occupying the tower levels above will feature 116 homes. Two levels of amenity space separate the two residential components, taking up the topmost podium level and the first tower floor. 

A breakdown of the mix of uses, image by Urban Strategies Inc., via submission to the City of Toronto 

Combining assisted living with a senior's residence, the project strives to allow 'aging in place' for its residents, minimizing the disruptive mental health effects that can accompany moving.

The project in its urban context, image by Urban Strategies Inc., via submission to City of Toronto

Located immediately across the street from Islington Station, the site is well supported by transit. The project joins a surge of proposed and ongoing developments near the western terminus of Line 2. From Islington's soon-to-be remade Six Points Interchange to well west of Kipling Station, residential and commercial high-rises are quickly creating a drastically more dense urban milieu. 

The project in purple, with proposed an approved developments in yellow, image by Urban Strategies Inc., via CoT

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available, and the project continues to take shape as the planning process progresses. In the meantime, you can learn more via our newly established Database file, linked below. Want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment on this page, or join the ongoing conversation in our associated Forum thread. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was amended to reflect the fact that the land sale for the site at 3429 Bloor West was negotiated by DCMS Realty, and not Rosewater, as previously reported.