After four years of careful planning, developer ELAD Canada is moving forward with the long-awaited redevelopment of the Galleria Shopping Centre at Dufferin and Dupont in Toronto's West End. Dubbed Galleria On The Park, the transformation of the 20-acre site is being planned in phases, and will eventually bring 8 mixed-use buildings with nearly 2,900 condominium residences, 150 affordable rental housing units, 300,000 ft² of retail, an approximately 8-acre park, and a larger replacement for the existing community centre on site.

Galleria On The Park, image courtesy of ELAD Canada

The start of marketing for the project's first phase is revealing more details about the 29-storey mixed-use tower to be known as Galleria 01. ELAD is moving forward with this first tower along with the expansive Wallace Emerson Community Centre and Park, which will together establish a residential and cultural foothold for the new community in advance of future phases.

Galleria On The Park with Galleria 01 at the far left, image courtesy of ELAD Canada

The community's final master-plan was design by Hariri Pontarini Architects working with Urban Strategies, with the new community centre having been designed by Perkins + Will, and the first phase condo tower designed by Core Architects. Anchoring the first of several condominium buildings, the new 95,000 ft² Wallace Emerson Community Centre is set to become the city's largest public community centre, and will feature a wide range of programming and activities for a multi-generational demographic, including an outdoor skating trail, daycare, community kitchen, a dance studio, swimming pools, and a running track, among other offerings. 

New community centre at Galleria On The Park, image courtesy of ELAD Canada

“Galleria on the Park will be transformational for this neighbourhood’s growth, bringing a downtown lifestyle to this western stretch of Dupont St. On top of creating viable housing options, we are proud to be delivering larger and modernized public amenities and greenspace that will become the central gathering place for the entire neighbourhood,” reads a statement from Dror Duchovny, Vice-President of Marketing and Asset Management at ELAD Canada.

The project's initial condominium phase at Galleria 01 will serve as the community's flagship. Paying homage to the area's industrial built form, the tower will be clad in dark metal finishes, and will feature a podium articulated with steps and stacked boxes, with a softer welcoming approach at ground level featuring double-height retail opening onto the new park. 

Galleria 01, the first phase of Galleria On The Park, image courtesy of ELAD Canada

“Galleria 01 required a highly-creative design approach that not only took inspiration from its neighbourhood but also responded to the adjacent community centre and park. While the community centre curves concavely, Galleria 01 curves convexly, creating a really interesting architectural dialogue between these two buildings,” reads a statement from Charles Gane, Principal at CORE Architects.

The building will house 267 condominium units, ranging in area from 493 ft² up to 1,107 ft², and priced from the high $400,000s. Residents will have access to common and amenity spaces with interiors appointed by U31, including amenities found on the 3rd and 12th floors, and with a family-friendly focus.

Party room at Galleria 01, image courtesy of ELAD Canada

“Galleria on the Park is such a dynamic project, it was important that we provide an innovative and diverse mix of amenities,” stated Kelly Cray, Principal at U31. “Taking cues from the neighbourhood, our designs focus on very clean, industrial accents and high contrasts in colour to create a sense of energy and calmness.”

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.

* * *

UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.

Related Companies:  Almadev, Clark Construction Management Inc, Core Architects, Counterpoint Engineering, EQ Building Performance Inc., Groundwater Environmental Management Services Inc. (GEMS), Hariri Pontarini Architects, Kramer Design Associates Limited, NAK Design Strategies, Peter McCann Architectural Models Inc., Pliteq, Rebar Enterprises Inc, The Fence People, Tulloch Engineering, U31, Unilux HVAC Industries Inc., Urban Strategies Inc., Walters Group