First Capital Realty has submitted a Zoning Bylaw Amendment application to redevelop the 75,000 ft² Dufferin Corners strip plaza at 1881 Steeles Avenue West along Toronto’s northern boundary with Vaughan. The proposed project would bring 1,171 condo units and 37,695 ft² of retail to the property in the form of five mixed-use buildings ranging from 11 to 27 storeys in height. 

Looking south-east to 1881 Steeles, image courtesy of First Capital Realty

The masterplan sees two 12-storey mid-rises lining both Steeles and Dufferin, meeting the intersection's south-east corner with a landscaped public plaza. Tucked behind is an outdoor amenity space, followed by a pair of 27-storey point towers. Parkland is located to the rear, with the final building; an 11-storey mid-rise situated just east of a new public road which would border the eastern and southern edges of the property. The mid-rise would face the treed ravine park lands of the West Don River.

Site Plan of 1881 Steeles, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Retail would be located at grade within the two 12-storey buildings, with two units fronting Dufferin, and one unit fronting Steeles. All boasting floorplans over 8,500 ft², the retail spaces may be divided up to accommodate smaller tenants, or may operate with larger tenants similar to the TD, Shoppers Drug Mart and Cora’s that would be demolished for the redevelopment.

Small plaza and retail entrances at the corner of Dufferin and Steeles, image courtesy of First Capital Realty

A 1,192-stall parking garage would be located below grade, allocating 997 and 174 spaces for residential and visitor uses respectively, and 35 for retail use. 

Looking north-east across the new public road to 1881 Steeles, image courtesy of First Capital Realty

Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the building’s designs are likely in the early stages due to the nature of rezoning applications, where developers place focus on the built form of the project rather than the architectural features. This being said, the current architectural expression relies on a glass and spandrel window-wall envelope, with rows of jagged-edged white balconies wrapping the exterior. 

Looking south-east to 1881 Steeles, image courtesy of First Capital Realty

The condominium units are proposed in a mix of 790 one-bedroom, 255 two-bedroom, and 126 three-bedroom units, representing a ratio of roughly 68%, 22%, and 10% respectively.

You can learn more about 1881 Steeles from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided on this page.

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