Across Toronto one type of development project that is becoming increasingly common is the densification of tower-in-the-park blocks with infill development. The new buildings are normally built on land that is typically unused, are arranged to maximize views within and around the site, and typically the whole site is often left with improved landscaping and amenities for all residents, including the ones in the existing buildings. A more urbanized property is the result, housing more people in a more attractive setting, and one that reduces sprawl and avoids its negative consequences like increased pollution, servicing costs, commuting times, etc.

Central Etobicoke is no stranger to this process. At the intersection of The West Mall and Eva Road, halfway between Bloor and Burnhamthorpe, a numbered Ontario company better known as West Mall Investments is proposing the construction of three condo buildings to join the two existing rental towers at 361 The West Mall. 

Aerial view of the site with Tridel's West Village condos in the background, image via Google Maps

Originally approved by the OMB in 2014 as a pair of 23-storey towers and a five-storey mid-rise building, the landowners have submitted a new rezoning application with the density shuffled among the three buildings. The first two buildings would front the West Mall rising 14 storeys from a shared six-storey podium, the second would be located along the east edge of the property, abutting Tridel’s partially complete West Village condo community.

Site overview at 361 The West Mall, image obtained from submission to the City of Toronto

A total of 469 condo units would be added to the neighbourhood, joining the 281 rental units in the two 18-storey towers already onsite. The unit mix favours two bedroom units, with 255 proposed to be constructed. 214 one bedroom units fill out the rest of the towers, as no three-bedroom units are proposed.

East elevation diagram of 361 The West Mall, image obtained from submission to the City of Toronto

Only the massing of the Turner Fleischer Architects-designed buildings have been formulated thus far. Towers C and D split off from the podium above the 6th storey level, making way for a rooftop amenity space in between. Building E, listed as the third phase of the project, also rises up from the podium at the 6th storey level, articulating its massing towards the south end of the site.

South elevation diagram of 361 The West Mall, image obtained from submission to the City of Toronto

The infill development will also take advantage of a heavily under-utilized space that occupies the bulk of the site: the roof of a single storey parkade. Although the property has two existing levels of underground parking, an additional storey of surface level parking is covered by an expansive grass-covered roof. The roof is currently accessible from the ground floor and residential levels, but has no landscaping to animate it beyond a field of sod grass. The new towers would all be connected to this central courtyard, which would be landscaped with new plantings, seating areas, and a gazebo.

Landscaped parkade amenity at 361 The West Mall, image obtained from submission to the City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

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